In a hidden underground passage near the coast in northern Iron Country.
Thick fog enveloped the area, completely concealing it without a trace.
Relying on intelligence extracted from Kirigakure's Anbu, Shinji finally found this place after repeated searches.
"This should be it!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he leaped into the passage.
The underground was eerily quiet, causing Shinji to frown slightly.
Isn't this a secret base? Why is there no one here?
"Something's wrong."
His feet stepped on the damp, muddy ground, making splashing sounds with each step, echoing sharply in the empty passage.
He continued deeper inside.
The passage was extremely deep, leading directly to the coast. A biting chill continuously rose from beneath his feet, making him shiver involuntarily.
Shinji's eyes suddenly sharpened.
A few strands of crimson were drifting in the murky water ahead.
Bloodstains.
He quickly quickened his pace and soon saw several corpses lying on the ground.
Shinji crouched down to examine them carefully.
Some had their throats slit by a sharp blade, while others had large holes pierced through their chests, with faint traces of scorching around the wounds.
"All the dead are Kirigakure ninja, and there are signs of powerful Lightning Release."
"It's Kakashi."
Shinji made his judgment.
Kakashi had infiltrated, assassinated, found Rin, and retreated.
Shinji sighed softly, feeling a wave of frustration.
It seemed he was a step too late; Rin had already been rescued by Kakashi.
This was troublesome—he had no idea which direction the two had fled.
The Kirigakure ninja from the base must have already gone to pursue Kakashi. Perhaps he could find new clues nearby.
Their goal was to have Rin return to Konohagakure and use the Tailed Beast to inflict heavy damage on the village.
With Rin rescued, they would never let it go.
He shook his head, turned around, and prepared to leave to search for clues nearby.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from two corners ahead and behind.
Seven or eight ninja suddenly rushed out, instantly surrounding him with murderous intent.
"Who are you?"
"Are you with those two?"
Shinji was momentarily stunned but quickly realized these were the remaining Kirigakure ninja from the base.
What a nuisance—these people kept holding him back along the way.
He glanced at the surrounding group and said calmly:
"Sorry, I don't have time to waste with you."
As he spoke, his Sharingan suddenly activated, releasing a powerful aura that pressed down on them!
"Arrogant!"
"Stay right there!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Half an hour later.
Shinji emerged from the exit of the underground passage, his clothes carrying a faint, lingering scent of blood.
After exiting the passage, he expanded his search radius and eventually discovered a clear trail of pursuit footprints in a muddy swamp two kilometers away.
"If they set off from here..."
He looked up, instantly visualizing the map of the Shinobi World in his mind. West of Iron Country was the territory of the Land of Fire.
"So, this should be the right place."
Shinji sighed in relief, unable to help but let out a bitter laugh and shake his head.
Recalling the route he had taken earlier and comparing it to Kakashi's pursuit direction, the two formed a large circle.
He had gone around in a huge loop—no wonder he hadn't run into them along the way.
"Such bad luck!"
Shinji pushed off with his foot, his figure shooting forward like an arrow as he swiftly pursued the direction of the footprints.
...
With A-Juan's help, Obito successfully left the hollow and returned to the surface.
Gazing at the long-unseen earth, Obito couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. "Finally out," he thought.
He asked in a muffled voice, "A-Juan, do you know which direction Rin is in?"
A-Juan manipulated Obito's arm, slowly raising it to point toward a certain direction.
"Here."
A flicker of joy stirred in Obito's heart, and he immediately dashed toward that direction.
As he weaved through the forest, he suddenly remembered something and urgently asked, "A-Juan, Rin was captured. Is Kakashi the only one going to save her?"
"It seems so."
"What about Master Minato? Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash!" Obito communicated anxiously while sprinting. "How could he possibly let Rin be captured!"
A-Juan replied casually, "It seems he was away on a mission for the time being."
Obito fell silent for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "If only Master Minato were here!"
If Master Minato were here, he would never have let Rin fall into danger.
Just then, a pillar of raging flames suddenly erupted in the distant sky, instantly transforming into a rolling sea of fire.
Obito leaped onto a tree trunk, staring in shock toward the distance. "What is that!"
This time, it was A-Juan who remained silent, as if aware of something but choosing not to speak.
"Never mind that. Aren't you going to save Rin?" A-Juan's voice pulled him back to reality.
Obito snapped back to his senses. Saving Rin was the most important thing right now.
He nodded vigorously, his tone urgent. "Right! Right!"
Without looking back, Obito left the sea of fire far behind and raced desperately in the direction A-Juan had indicated.
Only one thought pulsed wildly in his mind: Rin, wait for me.
...
Shinji did not pause for even a moment.
Along the way, the corpses of Kirigakure ninja appeared continuously, silently guiding his path like signposts.
A bone-chilling killing intent suddenly surged from the right front.
Shinji's heart tightened, and he abruptly halted, gazing warily in that direction.
From the center of the forest, an elderly man dressed in tattered clothing slowly emerged.
Most striking was the long pipe extending from the back of his neck, dragging along the ground.
"Unfortunately, young Uchiha, the path ahead is closed."
The old man's expression was indifferent, his steps slow, yet with each footfall, he exuded a suffocating, terrifying aura.
"Madara Uchiha?!"
Shinji's mind reeled in shock.
He recognized him but had never expected to encounter Madara here.
Shouldn't he be waiting in the cave for Obito to return before pulling out the pipe and ending his own life?
Was he worried I would disrupt his plans and deliberately intercept me here?
Shinji inwardly clicked his tongue, feeling utterly unlucky.
He immediately drew the short sword from his back, his Sharingan flaring open as he assumed a combat stance, his gaze fixed intently on Madara Uchiha's every move.
"Young one? Does that mean you are a senior of the Uchiha clan?" Shinji feigned ignorance as he asked.
"Hmph!"
Madara Uchiha snorted coldly, his icy gaze falling upon Shinji. "I am merely a ghost of the Uchiha."
Shinji pointed his short sword forward and said, "I wish to pass through here. Could you make an exception, senior?"
Observing Shinji's composure in the face of danger, Madara Uchiha gave a slight nod.
Seeing such a promising junior in the clan, a hint of approval flashed through his heart.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.
No matter how talented, could they possibly surpass him? The plan could not be disrupted by anyone!
"If you insist on passing, then die here."
"Your Sharingan, I will reclaim it."
Madara Uchiha slowly raised his arm, forming hand seals.
Though his movements were deliberate, the aura around him surged with each passing moment. He brought one hand to his mouth, his chest heaving violently.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A sea of flames instantly surged forth, bearing down on Shinji with overwhelming force.
Shinji drove his short blade deep into the ground, channeling his chakra as well.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Three fire dragons, their scales ablaze, roared as they charged forward, crashing into the wall of flames.
Fire Release clashed with Fire Release, the violent energy erupting into towering pillars of fire that swallowed both of them in an instant.