Within the Land of Fire.
Two groups of figures sped through the air above the dense forest, one chasing the other.
"How annoying!"
Kakashi glanced back as he raced forward, his expression instantly darkening.
No matter what methods he employed, he couldn't shake off the Kirigakure ninja relentlessly pursuing them.
Fortunately, they had already entered the Land of Fire. If they could just hold on for two more days, they would be back in Konohagakure.
"Kakashi, kill me," Nohara Rin suddenly spoke.
"What?"
Kakashi sharply turned to look at Rin beside him, thinking he had misheard, and urgently pressed:
"Why?"
Nohara Rin slowly lowered her head, her expression grave.
"I've been used by them."
"If we return like this, Konohagakure will be attacked."
She explained to Kakashi that after being captured by Kirigakure, she had been placed under a Genjutsu, and some kind of trap had been set within her body.
As a ninja who had survived until now in the Third Great Ninja War, she could already discern the treacherous nature of people.
Someone intended to use her hand to destroy Konohagakure.
This was something she absolutely could not accept.
"Impossible."
Kakashi resolutely shook his head:
"I promised Obito that I would protect you properly."
"As long as we return to Konohagakure, all problems can be solved."
In his view, no matter what trap the enemy had laid, there was always a way to resolve it, especially with Teacher Minato there.
Moreover, protecting Rin was Obito's dying wish.
He raised his hand, gently touching his left eye.
To have him kill Rin?
If he really did that, how could he face the Sharingan Obito had left him?
"I'll buy us time."
Kakashi flicked his wrist, gripping a Kunai.
He turned to look at Rin:
"Rin, run! I'll hold off the ones behind us."
As soon as the words left his mouth, his steps abruptly halted. He then turned and charged toward the several Kirigakure ninja pursuing them.
"Kakashi!"
Nohara Rin reached out to stop him, but she was a step too late.
That figure quickly vanished deep into the dense forest, along with the pursuing enemies, disappearing from sight.
Nohara Rin's figure paused, coming to a complete stop on a tree branch. She slowly lowered her head and let out a soft sigh, her voice heavy enough to wrench the heart:
"I'm sorry, Kakashi, I can't return to Konohagakure."
Konohagakure was the most important place to her; her family and friends were there.
Nohara Rin placed a hand over her abdomen. She didn't know exactly what was hidden within her body, but she could clearly sense that it was a danger potent enough to destroy Konohagakure.
Knowing full well that returning would bring disaster to the village, she couldn't turn a blind eye.
"Shinji!"
She looked up and softly whispered the name, a trace of sorrow flickering across her face.
After confessing their feelings to each other, Shinji had left the village on a mission, and she had ended up in this situation because of her own mission.
"I really want to see you one more time."
She rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears at their corners.
"Sorry, I might not be able to go back."
When she looked up again, all traces of fragility had vanished, leaving only resolve.
In her heart, a certain determination had already been made.
Nohara Rin resolutely turned and chased after the direction where Kakashi was fighting.
...
Blue-white electric arcs wildly erupted from Kakashi's palm.
He had long removed his forehead protector, the crimson Sharingan in his left eye activated.
"Chidori!"
His figure darted swiftly, the sharp screech of a thousand birds echoing around him. He sidestepped to avoid the kunai attacking from behind, his arm sweeping out as violent arcs of electricity instantly sent a Kirigakure ninja flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.
More and more Kirigakure ninjas closed in, Water Release, shuriken, assassinations, and ambushes continuously assaulting him.
Relying on the dynamic vision of his Sharingan, he nimbly weaved through the crowd.
Every time the electric arcs flashed, they were accompanied by a piercing scream.
"Arrogant Konohagakure brat!"
"Everyone, be careful of his Lightning Release!"
"Hurry up and finish him off!"
The Kirigakure ninjas were furious but helpless against this Konohagakure kid.
Seizing an opening, Kakashi suddenly leaped out of the encirclement.
He gasped heavily, the Chakra within him nearly depleted.
"At least, I held them off."
"At least, Rin survived."
Beneath his mask, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a relieved smile.
He didn't care about his own life or death, as long as he kept his promise to Obito.
Watching the Kirigakure ninjas closing in again, Kakashi's eyes sharpened.
His hands swiftly formed hand seals, lightning gathering once more in his right palm. The lightning illuminated his cold eyes, Kakashi already resolved to die.
"Finally, let me play with you all one last time."
Kakashi's figure flashed, his hand thrusting out, carrying the might of thunder as he fiercely stabbed toward the Kirigakure ninja at the forefront.
The enemy's figure grew larger and larger in his eyes.
Suddenly, his mind went blank with a buzzing sound.
A figure so familiar it couldn't be more familiar abruptly entered his vision without warning.
Nohara Rin descended from the sky, directly blocking the space between the two, even actively moving toward the Chidori in his hand.
Her lips moved slightly, as if saying something.
But Kakashi, charging forward at high speed, couldn't hear anything clearly.
Only the Sharingan clearly captured her every movement.
"Sorry, Kakashi."
This was Rin's final voice.
"Stop! Stop now!"
Kakashi's mind frantically issued commands, desperately trying to halt the attack.
But his body had already surged forward due to inertia, with no time to react.
At that moment, Obito also arrived just in time, witnessing this horrifying scene with his own eyes.
His entire body froze, his blood seeming to instantly freeze.
He watched helplessly as the Chidori was about to pierce through Rin's body.
"No!"
His pupils contracted sharply, his arm frantically reaching out, his heart roaring in desperation.
At this critical moment.
The space rippled with a strange disturbance, an illusory gate suddenly unfolded beside Rin.
Shinji appeared out of thin air, three swirling patterns emerging in his eyes, eerie and intimidating.
Heavenly Stone Gate.
His left hand clamped onto Kakashi's left wrist, firmly pinning him in place, not allowing the Chidori to advance any further.
Then, with a fierce swing, Kakashi was violently flung away.
The out-of-control lightning crashed onto the ground, sending rubble flying.
Shinji's movements didn't stop; his right arm wrapped around, steadily catching Rin by the waist.
He let out a soft sigh of relief, looking down at the person in his arms with a slight smile:
"Whew! Made it."
"Shinji?!"
Overwhelming joy instantly flooded Rin. She stared blankly at the suddenly appearing Shinji, tightly wrapping her arms around his neck, unable to believe it was real.
Shinji said nothing more, only nodding gently.
The Heavenly Stone Gate in his right eye activated once again.
The next moment, he had already flashed to the side of the unconscious Kakashi with Rin.
Shinji held Rin tightly with his right arm, while his left hand swiftly scooped up the unconscious Kakashi.
He raised his eyes, calmly scanning the surrounding Mist ninja.
He gave a slight nod, his tone polite.
"Goodbye."
Before the words had even faded, the three figures vanished together.
The entire process took less than ten seconds.
All the Mist ninja stood frozen in place, utterly bewildered.
They had watched helplessly as their targets were taken away into thin air, without even a chance to react.
After staring at each other for a moment, someone finally roared:
"After them!"
Obito: "..."
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