Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

I don't know whether to be happy or cautious.

Even after the shouts completely disappeared, there was still no response.

It's like—

There was no other living person around here besides him!

"Could it be..." Sasuke felt his lips were a little dry and couldn't help but lick them. The fire in his heart burned even more fiercely. Perhaps, someone really had come to save him and Naruto. Was it his father? Or his brother? Or someone else?

unfortunately,

He cannot sense ninjutsu and therefore has no way to detect the situation in the outside world.

No, even if he could sense ninjutsu, it wouldn't help. The shackles on his hands and feet suppressed his chakra, preventing him from even activating his Sharingan in this state...

"Sasuke!!"

The shout from the other end of the corridor startled Sasuke, who was staring at the shackles on his hands, for a few seconds. Then he suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened, and looked into the depths of the corridor from the dim candlelight on both sides of the wall. He murmured, "Am I hallucinating?"

then,

next second,

The same call arose again.

"Sasuke!!"

Perhaps because the distance had closed, Sasuke clearly heard someone calling his name this time, and the voice was very familiar, "Brother! Brother, I'm here!!!" If it weren't for the wound on his right leg, he would have jumped up excitedly right now.

it is true!

It turned out to be true!

This isn't a dream, nor is it an illusion...? It shouldn't be an illusion, right? Sasuke wasn't quite sure. Although the wound on his right leg was still throbbing, as a member of the Uchiha clan, he knew that sophisticated illusions couldn't be broken by such a low-level method as pain.

High-level illusions can perfectly fake even this pain.

But as a prisoner, there's no need for him to use high-level illusions to play tricks on him anymore, right?

Sasuke's anxious wait didn't last long—less than five seconds—before Itachi Uchiha appeared outside the cell, having arrived using the Body Flicker Technique. He looked at Sasuke with a gentle and concerned gaze that Sasuke knew all too well.

then,

He saw Sasuke's bandaged right leg, and his expression instantly turned serious, a murderous aura brewing in his eyes. He asked directly, "Sasuke, is your leg alright?" As he asked, he glanced at the cell door, which was protected by a barrier spell. Dark black flames silently appeared, burning the spell on the iron door.

How could a barrier designed to protect against internal threats but not external ones possibly withstand Amaterasu's black flames?

The barrier was broken in an instant.

The iron lock was melted by the black flames, and Itachi Uchiha pushed it gently, causing it to crash to the ground with a loud bang.

"It's nothing serious, he just needs to recuperate for a while."

Sasuke answered softly.

"It's good that you're alright."

Itachi Uchiha carefully examined the wound on Sasuke's right leg. The bandage couldn't hide the Sharingan's perceptive power. Although he wasn't a medical ninja, as the saying goes, experience makes perfect. Ninjas have suffered many injuries, so they can generally judge the severity of the injury and whether it will leave any sequelae.

Based on his observations,

Sasuke's injury was not a minor one that could be ignored. However, he received excellent treatment and there was no need to worry about any incurable aftereffects. As Sasuke said, he only needed to rest for a while and he would be a lively and energetic young man again.

"It's good that you're alright!!"

Itachi Uchiha repeated the same words.

The murderous intent in his eyes had also faded slightly.

"Sasuke!"

At this moment,

Fugaku Uchiha also appeared at the prison cell door.

"Father?"

Sasuke blinked.

He then saw the figures following behind Uchiha Fugaku. Among them were some he recognized, such as Kimimaro, who was a very close friend and partner of his older brother. They always carried out missions together, and he had even learned taijutsu from Kimimaro. Kimimaro's taijutsu was truly amazing!

There were several other people I didn't recognize, but they all seemed to be very impressive individuals.

"This is······"

This scene made Sasuke realize that this was not a private operation by his father and brother. Since members of the Aburame, Hyuga, Yamanaka clans were also involved, it seemed to be a rescue force dispatched by the village.

"Father, Sasuke is alright."

Although Itachi Uchiha was filled with killing intent, after confirming Sasuke's safety, reason immediately prevailed over his impulsive emotions, and he regained his composure. He asked softly, "What should we do next?"

"Naruto, Father, Brother, go save Naruto! Naruto was captured with me."

Sasuke reached out and grabbed his brother's sleeve, calling out urgently.

Being rescued is certainly a joyous occasion.

However, the thought of Naruto still being held captive by the enemy immediately dampened his spirits.

Itachi Uchiha did not answer, but looked at his father and waited with Shiguro Aburame and the others for Fugaku Uchiha, the captain, to make a decision.

"Three days, Iroha, plan out the route. Phew! We... are going to lend a hand to Shisui and the others."

This time, Fugaku Uchiha did not hesitate and issued the order decisively. His indecisiveness did not come out at this time. This was not because he changed his personality, but because someone else made the decision for him.

Before the operation began, Sogen met with Fugaku Uchiha and gave him the instruction to "never retreat when in doubt".

At this moment,

We cannot stop while we are ahead.

Although rescuing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki, was the mission of Uchiha Shisui's group, they clearly did not encounter any significant resistance along the way. Even Orochimaru was easily defeated, and they made their way to the cell where Sasuke was being held without any obstacles.

This situation is clearly abnormal.

In particular, Yamanaka Santen and Hyuga Iroha both witnessed the fierce resistance that Uchiha Shisui's group had encountered. It was clear that the Akatsuki had focused their defenses on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's side, and with the Hokage in the middle also being intercepted by the enemy, they were bound to take the initiative at this time.

otherwise,

Afterwards,

Even if they are of the same clan, they will absolutely have to eat the food.

Furthermore, he used to bear the heavy responsibility of his family, and he was full of worries, fearing that he might make a mistake and lead his family into an abyss of no return. But now that he no longer has so many concerns, it was not difficult for him to make the decision to support Uchiha Shisui and his group.

"Go this way!"

Hyuga Iroha pointed to the wall to the side.

next second,

Kaguya Kimimaro charged straight at it, easily smashing through the concrete wall.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Bai, Uchiha Sasuke has been rescued by the people of Konoha."

"and then?"

"They are heading this way, very fast, and should arrive in about five minutes."

Five minutes?

Bai stood by the window, lost in thought as he gazed at the fine rain falling outside.

In the sky,

The dispersed dark clouds have finally gathered again. Although the thickness of the clouds is not comparable to before, the fine, hair-like rain has already begun to fall and connect the sky and earth once more. The thin curtain of rain makes it impossible to see the distant scenery.

Inside the room,

Karin and Jugo sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for Shiro, who was standing by the window, to make a decision.

Without Orochimaru's intervention, Haku's orders are everything to them. And to be honest, if Orochimaru's and Haku's orders conflict, they would most likely choose to follow Haku rather than obey Orochimaru's instructions.

"What's the situation on the other side now?"

After a minute of silence, Bai suddenly asked.

"They're still fighting."

Karin quickly said, "However, the battlefield is also moving this way. If nothing unexpected happens, they will arrive in three minutes." This was naturally referring to Uchiha Shisui and his group, who were pushing forward despite being entangled with Uchiha Obito and Deidara.

Compared to the Uchiha Fugaku and his group, who had a smooth journey and didn't even fight a single tough battle.

Shisui and his group have really hit a tough nut to crack.

Shisui himself was entangled by Obito Uchiha and unable to unleash his full power, allowing the Rain Ninja to witness the brilliance of the Flying Thunder God Technique. He was caught in a fierce battle where he held the advantage but could not quickly turn it into a victory. Meanwhile, his subordinates were also subjected to the relentless harassment of Deidara, the bomb maniac, even though Hyuga Himon stepped forward to fight Deidara.

However, their progress was inevitably slowed down.

According to Karin's calculations, compared to Fugaku and the others who had to travel a longer distance to rescue Sasuke first, Shisui and his group could only arrive at the location where the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was being held a minute earlier, which shows how difficult their journey was.

Will we arrive in three minutes?

Bai rubbed his temples, feeling quite troubled. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. To be honest, he didn't know what Orochimaru was trying to achieve by causing this mess, nor did he understand Orochimaru's purpose.

So now he has lost his direction and doesn't know which way to exert his strength.

"Jugo, keep an eye on Karin. I'll take those guys to meet the Konoha ninjas and see what kind of skills these experts from Konoha have."

After careful consideration, Haku made a decision. Although he still had the thought of leaving a way out for Lord Orochimaru, it did not mean that he intended to fail in his current responsibilities. Before he left, Lord Orochimaru told him to do his best and not to force himself on anyone.

They said it shouldn't be forced.

But we can't just slink away like this; it's necessary to flex our muscles a bit.

"Bai, I can help. I'm very strong now!"

Jugo stood up; his burly, robust physique resembled an iron tower.

"Don't worry, Shigeo."

Bai smiled gently, "I don't intend to fight Konoha's ninjas to the death. I just want to see what Konoha's experts are capable of. If things don't look good, I'll retreat. So Jugo, you must protect Karin. If you get injured, Karin will have to help you!"

"Mmm, Bai, feel free to bite me, don't hold back."

Karin chuckled.