Deep in the hinterland of the Land of Whirlpools, at the exit of the underground secret passage.
Uzumaki Long Yi glanced back one last time at the deep, dark tunnel behind them. That was the path to survival the clan head had bought for them at the cost of his life.
He forcefully suppressed the surging grief and self-blame, turning to face the hundred-odd Uzumaki clansmen gathered here.
As for the other clansmen, they had evacuated through other extraction points.
The faces of the civilians were painted with fear, while the eyes of the surviving shinobi intertwined with grief, anger, and confusion.
"Listen up, everyone!" Long Yi's voice echoed in the narrow space, hoarse yet firm.
"According to the third evacuation contingency, the elderly, women, and children go first! The shinobi squad will guard the vanguard and the rear! Destination: Extraction Point Number Three on the southeast coast. Move out at full speed!"
The formation began to move, muffled weeping and footsteps mingling together.
Long Yi stood at the mouth of the tunnel, watching his clansmen file out.
His hands were clenched into tight fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms—Clan Head, the task you entrusted to me, even if I have to risk my life, I will...
"Who?!"
In the shadows of the tunnel, an extremely faint chakra fluctuation caused Long Yi to snap to instant alertness!
He used body flicker to block the front of the formation, his hands already forming the starting seal for a sealing jutsu.
The remaining Uzumaki shinobi instantly entered battle readiness as well, shielding the civilians in the center.
In the dark, footsteps sounded at a steady, unhurried pace.
A figure slowly walked out from the shadows. The hem of the Hokage Robe faintly revealed flame patterns in the gloom, and the