Distorted ripples spread rapidly, leaving fine white streaks along the edges of the twisting air.
A figure emerged from the warped space. First came a shoulder, then his torso, then his entire body solidified out of the void. His shoes touched the stone floor with a faint tap.
Asuma Sarutobi.
He was thinner than usual, but his frame still held up his dark blue night clothes.
He gripped his Flying Swallow Chakra Blade and swept his gaze over the three people in the cell. Conflict filled his eyes, and he froze.
Utatane Koharu's eyes widened.
She pushed herself up from the edge of the stone platform, moving much faster than before. Her knees gave a faint crack as she stepped forward, urgent hope straining her voice.
"Asuma, what are you standing there for? Get us out!"
Mitokado Homura raised his hand again and gripped a bar of the Iron gate. His lips moved without a sound, but his Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at Asuma, eyes blazing with excitement.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sprang from the stone platform, his face tight with urgency and anger.
"What are you doing here? Run!"
"Leave me!"
At those words, the conflicted Asuma sighed helplessly and clenched his teeth in pain.
His lips parted, then closed again. He wanted to speak, but held back.
Then he raised his hand and flicked his wrist. Two blue lights flared along the blades, carving slender arcs through the dim cell.
The Chakra Blade struck the chains.
The chains snapped with a sharp crack. Two broken links fell from the Iron door, bounced twice against the stone floor, and rolled to a stop in the corner.
Just then, footsteps sounded from the shadows on both sides of the corridor.
Zhan Zhao emerged from behind the Iron door to the