Kazekage Ninja-Chapter 41: The Prison Break

"Is this really the antidote for the chakra-weakening agent?"

"Yes."

"One injection, and I'll regain the ability to refine chakra?"

"Exactly."

"Have you taken it yet?"

"I have."

"Then show me a jutsu."

"Hold on."

Aotu Tailuo quickly formed hand seals, and before long, a shadow clone appeared beside him.

Kazama Xu stared intently at Aotu Tailuo's movements, his eyes fixed on the clone as it materialized.

"How did you get your hands on this?"

A look of delight spread across Kazama Xu's face.

"You can buy it on the black market for a hefty price. I went through a lot of trouble to smuggle it in from outside," Aotu Tailuo replied.

"Then what are we waiting for? Give it to me!"

Kazama Xu sounded impatient.

"Darling, don't rush. I'll give you the antidote, but you'll have to follow my plan for what comes next. Otherwise, neither of us will make it out alive, and all my efforts will have been for nothing."

Aotu Tailuo waved the syringe in front of Kazama Xu's face.

"Hmph, once I recover my chakra, who in this Abyss Prison could possibly stop me?"

Kazama Xu boasted arrogantly.

"If that's your attitude, then I can't give it to you," Aotu Tailuo said coldly.

"Why? Don't you believe in my strength?"

"Your Dust Release is indeed formidable, but there's no way you can eliminate nearly a thousand prison guards in such a short time. During the last riot, it only took the three reserve regiments stationed in the village an hour to arrive as reinforcements. At that point, you'd be facing two thousand Sunagakure shinobi. Even if you were made of iron, how many nails could you hammer in?

And even if you managed to break through the layers of defenses, how would you cross the boundless desert? Hmph! I don't want my year-long plan to end in failure. I'm here to escape, not to kill. If all you care about is venting your anger, I'd rather leave you behind."

Hearing Aotu Tailuo's words, Kazama Xu fell silent.

"You're right. I was being reckless. The years of darkness have clouded my judgment. Let's hear your plan. I'll follow your lead."

Satisfied, Aotu Tailuo smirked and handed over the syringe.

"During the last riot, I noticed that the defenses at the main gate of the Abyss Prison are actually the weakest during emergencies. I believe if we just..."

The flickering candlelight in the dark prison cast trembling shadows of Aotu Tailuo, mirroring the tension in the air.

After delivering the evening meals to the black cells, Aotu Tailuo finished his day's work. However, instead of returning to his cell, he made his way to the prison laundry room. The guards along the way didn't stop him.

With a different demeanor, Aotu Tailuo smiled and nodded at the guards, occasionally pulling out a pack of cigarettes to offer one as a gesture of goodwill.

As the unofficial leader of one of the two factions in the prison, Aotu Tailuo enjoyed a certain level of freedom. The guards didn't impose many restrictions on him for a simple reason: he kept things orderly, didn't cause trouble, and was generous with bribes. A "boss" like him made the inmates easier to manage. As long as he didn't cross the line, he was free to do as he pleased.

The laundry room was responsible for washing the clothes of both prisoners and guards. Compared to screwing bolts, operating sewing machines, or planting trees and repairing roads, this was a cushy job. It was considered a high-level position in the prison, one that required "connections" to obtain.

Currently, the laundry room was staffed entirely by members of Aotu Tailuo's gang.

"Boss."

As soon as Aotu Tailuo entered the laundry room, his demeanor shifted again, becoming cold and taciturn. A burly man with a dark complexion greeted him obsequiously. This was Heize Chi, the "prison tyrant" whom Aotu Tailuo had subdued when he first arrived.

"Hmm."

Aotu Tailuo nodded slightly.

"Where's Qiuji?"

"Keeping watch near the tunnel entrance."

"Take me to him."

"Right away. You two, stay sharp and keep an eye out. If anyone's coming, ring the bell!"

Heize Chi barked orders at two lackeys.

Under Heize Chi's guidance, the two quickly reached the depths of the laundry room.

Inside, rows of washing machines lined the space. One machine at the far end had been moved aside, revealing a hole just large enough for a person to crawl through. Two lackeys stood guard by the entrance.

"Is Qiuji inside?"

Aotu Tailuo asked.

"Yes," one of the lackeys replied.

"How much dirt has been dug out today?"

Aotu Tailuo pointed to the pile of excavated soil.

"At least half a cubic meter."

"Half a cubic meter?! Are you insane? Get him out here immediately."

Aotu Tailuo barked angrily.

One of the lackeys hurriedly tugged on a rope connected to the tunnel's depths.

After a moment, the sound of rustling reached their ears. Soon, a dirt-covered figure emerged from the tunnel—it was none other than Yamada Qiuji.

"What's wrong? Did a guard show up?"

Yamada Qiuji asked nervously.

"Show up, my ass!"

Without warning, Aotu Tailuo grabbed Yamada Qiuji by the collar and slapped him hard across the face.

Stunned, Yamada Qiuji clutched his cheek, looking aggrieved. "Why did you hit me?"

"Who told you to dig out so much dirt? I set the rule: no more than half a cubic meter per day. Why didn't you listen?"

"But we're almost through—"

Slap!

Another slap landed.

"I'm telling you, your recklessness is going to get everyone killed!"

"I…"

Yamada Qiuji was on the verge of tears.

"Fill it back in! Don't draw the dogs' attention."

Aotu Tailuo hissed in a low voice.

"Let me make this clear so no one accuses me of hitting you for no reason. The rule is half a cubic meter per day because that's all the brothers in the laundry room can carry on them! Where do you think the extra dirt is supposed to go? Pile it up here? Even an idiot could tell you're digging a tunnel! Do you know what the punishment for a prison break in Sunagakure is? Death! Do you want to get everyone killed?"

Hearing this, Yamada Qiuji stopped sniffling and sat down, crestfallen.

"Boss, don't be mad. Second Brother was just in a hurry. Please forgive him this once. What should we do with the extra dirt?"

Heize Chi tried to mediate.

"What else? Fill it back into the tunnel entrance and take it out with tomorrow's quota. During free time, find a secluded spot to dump it. If anyone leaks a word about this, I'll know, and these legs of mine won't recognize them anymore!"

"You can count on us, Boss. We've got reliable people; there won't be any issues."

Aotu Tailuo shot Yamada Qiuji a glare.

"Useless fool. How deep is the tunnel now?"

Wiping his tears, Yamada Qiuji replied, "Twelve meters. At this rate, we should break through in six days."

"Six days? Hmm, that sounds about right."

Aotu Tailuo calculated briefly.

"Tell the brothers to start preparing food and water from today. There's plenty of water here; just get water pouches. As for food, everyone needs at least six days' worth. I think the rice balls from breakfast are a good choice—they're easy to carry and don't spoil easily. Dry them out; they'll shrink to a small size. Everyone should stock up."

"But we only get so much for breakfast. Stocking up six days' worth will take some effort," a lackey pointed out.

"Are you stupid? Ever heard of trading cigarettes? Those things are cheap. Don't be stingy—use up your stash. We're breaking out of prison; once we're out, you can smoke whatever you want. But if you end up starving on the way, don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, Aotu Tailuo grabbed two handfuls of dirt and stuffed them into his pockets.

"I'll deal with you back at the cell!"

He shot a final glare at Yamada Qiuji before striding out of the laundry room.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

📚 📚 Join Our Patreon for More!

🔥 10 fan fiction novels updating regularly - this story is already at Chapter 307!

✨  patreon.com/DarkGolds