At the bottom of the pit, Mizuki lay motionless with his limbs spread out. The faint rise and fall of his chest was so even that he seemed sound asleep.
"Whew..."
Naruto let out a long breath, deflated all at once, and plopped onto the ground.
The night breeze chilled his back. Only then did he realize he had somehow worked up a sweat all over.
At last, he could relax.
He waved a hand, and the remaining clones in and beneath the trees vanished in a chorus of pops.
Hayashi sheathed his sword and turned just in time to see it.
"Nice work."
Naruto scratched his head and chuckled. "You did all the good fighting, Hayashi!"
Hayashi let that pass and tipped his chin toward a spot nearby.
"Let's check on Iruka first."
Iruka still lay facedown where he had fallen, his face drained of color. The Fūma Shuriken was still embedded in his back.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto rushed over and crouched beside him. He wanted to help him up but was afraid to touch him, terrified of making his injuries worse.
"...Naruto." Iruka's voice was terribly weak, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "As long as you're all right."
Hayashi crouched beside him and examined where the Shuriken had lodged. It had missed his vitals by a few inches and was embedded near his shoulder blade.
Fortunately, he was still conscious and able to speak.
He really was lucky to be alive.
Crouching beside Iruka, Naruto raised his hands, lowered them, then raised them again. After struggling for ages, he finally managed to say:
"Iruka-sensei, um... I... thank you. D-does it hurt...?"
Iruka did not answer.
His gaze softened as he watched Naruto fumble helplessly.
Then he gritted his teeth, freed one hand, and slowly, very