Chapter 49: Hah! Such Strong Genjutsu, I’ll Break It Again! (1/2)
Five hours earlier.
Sakumo Hatake had just made one of the most significant decisions of his life.
Mission or comrades.
In the world of ninjas, there is a strict set of rules.
Every one of these rules is inscribed with the words "Mission First."
But he chose the latter.
He abandoned the mission to rescue his comrades.
The cost might be great, but Sakumo had no regrets.
As long as he could still feel the heartbeat of his comrades, it meant a lot to him... he was content.
At least, five hours ago, that was the case.
Sakumo never anticipated that Iwa would be so desperate as to send the Five-Tails Jinchuriki to pursue him, driven mad by the attempt to destroy the Shindō Bridge!
"It looks like you'll have to make it to Konoha on your own from here, kids."
Sakumo finally stopped. He had no intention of reaching Konoha now.
"To be honest, it's been an honor to carry out this mission with you."
"Even though we failed... it's alright, we still have a chance!"
Shing—
Sakumo drew his short blade, looking at the colossal creature barreling towards him with a resolute gaze.
"Go on ahead!"
"Leave this to me! I'll buy you enough time!"
"One day, you'll complete the mission we couldn't. Blow up that bridge, and let my son scatter my ashes on it!"
"Promise me!"
At this moment, despite his exhaustion, Sakumo felt an unmatched strength!
As he watched his comrades depart with reluctance, Sakumo smiled with a sense of relief...
"I'm sorry, Sakumo... You'll have to defeat that Uchiha kid on your own."
Sakumo made his final farewell to the only softness in his heart.
The gigantic creature loomed ever closer, and each of its movements caused the earth to tremble!
Thud—
Sakumo felt a certain pressure from the enormous being.
"Five tails, is this the oppressive force of the Five-Tails...?"
He tightened his grip on the short blade.
His blade was sharp enough to easily cut through an enemy's throat.
But facing such a giant...
"Hey! The white-haired guy up front!!!"
Among the rumbling earth, a childish voice called out.
It was somewhat muffled and unclear, but Sakumo was startled!
"Are there ordinary people nearby!?"
Sakumo quickly searched around for the source of the voice, not wanting any innocent lives to be lost in this chaos!
"You guys heading to Konoha? We're heading the same way, let me take you there!"
The voice echoed again.
"Huh?" Sakumo's expression turned perplexed.
He had heard it clearly this time, and the crucial point was... the voice seemed to come from above the Five-Tails?
Upon closer inspection...
There really was a small figure standing on one of the Five-Tails' horns, barely noticeable unless you looked closely!
And the voice... seemed quite familiar?
He seemed to have heard it not long ago... yes, at Konoha, at the Hokage's office!
It was that Uchiha kid who shouted about the Will of Fire but used Fire Jutsu to send Konoha's defensive ninjas to the hospital!
What on earth was he doing standing on top of the Five-Tails' head...
"Genjutsu...? Is this the power of the Five-Tails, to make me fall for it without realizing?"