Chapter 284 — Investigation
Most modern conveniences still existed in this world.
Televisions.
Refrigerators.
Even computers.
So the appearance of flashlights didn't surprise Hyūga Castle in the slightest.
"I'll go in with you after all."
He had no intention of waiting outside.
The entire reason he had gathered information on these green-skinned creatures was to confirm—with his own eyes—whether they were truly the Goblins he knew… or perhaps some kind of unknown summoning species.
Since he was already here, there was no reason to stop short.
"…Fine," Uchiha Itachi said after a brief pause.
"Then stay in the middle."
He turned his head slightly.
"Sasuke, you take the rear. No problem?"
"No problem, Nii-san."
Uchiha Sasuke answered calmly.
The five of them moved in formation and entered the cave, each step careful and deliberate.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Soon, faint, low groaning sounds reached their ears.
Naruto and Sasuke instinctively reached for their ninja tool pouches, silently drawing kunai and holding them in reverse grip.
Suddenly, Itachi's flashlight stopped.
He angled it slightly—
And froze.
"…!"
What appeared in the beam of light was a human woman.
A complicated expression flashed across Itachi's face.
Naruto and Sasuke followed the light and stiffened when they saw her clearly.
Her clothes were nearly torn to shreds, only a few strips of fabric hanging loosely from her body. Bloodstains covered her skin, and her swollen abdomen bulged unnaturally.
Something beneath her skin shifted faintly.
There was no need to guess what she had endured.
Itachi slowly moved the light again—
Another woman.
Then another.
"They're the missing villagers…" Naruto said quietly, clenching his teeth.
"Yes."
Hyūga Castle's gaze lingered on the women.
His heart tightened.
So it's here.
Could they really be carrying Goblin offspring…?
Every sign pointed toward the same conclusion.
There was at least a ninety percent chance that these creatures were the Goblins he remembered.
Still—
Until he saw one with his own eyes, Hyūga Castle refused to jump to conclusions.
If they really were Goblins…
Then this Naruto world might not be as simple as it seemed.
An overlap of worlds?
Dimensional connections?
If such a thing existed, perhaps escape was possible.
By now, the Hyūga Clan might already be searching for him.
Rather than living under constant fear, risking everything in another world might actually be safer.
With Chūnin-level strength… survival wouldn't be impossible.
Hyūga Castle shook his head slightly.
Focus. One thing at a time.
First—find the Goblins.
So far, none had appeared.
"Nii-san, there's another one over here."
Sasuke swept his flashlight toward a nearby corner.
A woman with completely lifeless eyes sat slumped against the wall.
She didn't respond at all when called.
Her body was smeared with thick, dried filth, making Sasuke instinctively stop short of touching her.
There wasn't even a stick nearby he could use to nudge her.
Naruto frowned and turned toward Hyūga Castle.
"Hey, aren't you from the Hyūga Clan? Can't you use the Byakugan to check if there's anyone else?"
Hyūga Castle smiled wryly.
"Sorry. I don't have the Byakugan."
Naruto froze—then remembered.
"…Oh."
"You idiot," Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Itachi stepped forward, his expression calm but heavy.
"The enemy isn't here. We would've been attacked by now."
After a moment's thought, he continued:
"Let's extract the survivors first. Use Shadow Clones."
"Got it!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
Finally—something he excelled at.
He crossed his fingers.
"Ninjutsu: Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, identical Narutos filled the cave, nearly overwhelming the space.
Sasuke was shoved sideways and nearly stumbled into one of the women.
He quickly braced himself against the cave wall.
"You idiot! Why make so many?!"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Oops."
Several clones vanished immediately.
Even then, more than ten remained.
"That's enough! Hurry up and move them!"
Sasuke snapped.
"Roger~!"
The clones answered in unison, their voices echoing loudly through the cave.
Sasuke grimaced.
If there were any enemies here, they'd already know.
Hyūga Castle also felt his scalp tingle.
The sudden noise was jarring after moving so quietly.
The clones split into teams, carefully lifting the four women.
Naruto handed a flashlight to one clone and had it lead the group back toward the exit.
Suddenly—
"Hey! Itachi-aniki… this one's dead."
Itachi immediately stepped over.
One look was enough.
No breathing.
Cold skin.
Dull, unfocused eyes.
She had been dead for some time.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
Even if she wasn't from Konoha or the Land of Fire—
She was still human.
And she had died far too cruelly.
"If we'd arrived earlier…"
That thought lingered, unspoken.
"Take her too," Itachi said.
"Understood."
Two clones carefully lifted the body, and together, they carried all four women out.
As the light faded into the distance, the clones' footsteps gradually disappeared.
The cave fell silent again.
"We continue deeper," Itachi said.
"There may be more."
Sasuke frowned.
"But only four women were reported missing."
Hyūga Castle replied calmly, "That's only what was discovered. There could be others no one noticed."
"…You're right."
Itachi nodded.
Naruto clenched his fists.
His face was dark, his blue eyes burning with barely restrained fury.
Whoever did this—
They would pay.
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