"There really is one! Rin, you're amazing!"
Following Rin Nohara's directions, Obito and Kakashi reached the concealed entrance. Looking at the passage that had clearly been dug by human hands, Obito Uchiha spoke excitedly.
"There are traces of a barrier here, but now... the barrier's gone. This could be a trap."
Kakashi frowned slightly as he examined the concealed entrance and spoke quietly.
This was too strange.
A concealed passage that should have been hidden by a barrier now lay plainly exposed before them.
"Don't worry, Kakashi. I asked Moon Oni to check inside. There's no ambush."
Rin Nohara smiled faintly at his words and spoke softly.
Since the matter of Six Paths Obito was simply impossible to explain, she could only tell a little lie for now.
Besides, it wasn't entirely a lie. Moon Oni had indeed gone in ahead of them.
"I see. Let's go, then. Thanks for the effort, Rin."
Kakashi immediately relaxed at her words. Moon Oni's complete invisibility offered concealment ordinary ninja couldn't compare to. If Moon Oni said it was safe, then it had to be safe.
The dark, damp ventilation passage wound inward. Cold moisture from the seawater condensed on the rock walls, completely shutting out the briny tang of the sea breeze outside.
The three crouched low and entered the passage one after another.
The passage was cramped and narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time, bent over. The rock walls were rough and uneven, and along the way, they could still see the patterns and formulas left by the former barrier. The formulas had been shattered into fragments, bearing obvious signs of deliberate destruction.
Kakashi kept his fingertips against the rock wall, maintaining his Sensory Ninjutsu at a range of twenty meters. As they advanced, his brow remained