Her body trembled, her breath abruptly caught, and disbelief filled Uchiha Hikari's face.
Only when she emerged from her own little world did she realize that the world outside had changed dramatically.
It should have been nighttime, yet even without looking up, she could feel a warm, radiant presence.
Even more shocking was the scent of blood and fire all around her-the kind found only on a battlefield.
Could it be...
She jerked her head up and saw a handsome figure standing before her, though she had no idea when he had arrived.
Looking out through the cell door, she saw that the Clan Grounds were already in ruins, littered with the corpses of those demons wearing human skin.
The girl's eyes widened at once.
Before her, the handsome figure smiled, shook his head, and extended his right hand.
As though he thought she had not heard him clearly, he repeated his words for emphasis.
"This world shouldn't be like this.
You shouldn't have to live somewhere this dark and damp.
And you aren't someone who exists only to fight.
You should be walking your own path."
Like a massive hammer striking her dust-shrouded heart, his words made Nameless... no, the girl named Uchiha Hikari part her crimson lips. A light called hope flickered in her eyes.
Yet at that very moment, the nightmarish scenes from before resurfaced in her mind.
The demons she called clansmen laughed savagely.
Uchiha Hikari's eyes dimmed again.
She was about to lower her head when a large hand filled her vision.
"My Ninja Way is to act first, no matter what happens.
Recklessness is closer to courage than cowardice is.
To borrow the words of one really stupid guy, never give up, no matter what. As long as you don't give up, you can