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"Kaito, what should I do!" Shizune looked up in confusion, tears streaming down her face. Right now, she didn't resemble an experienced medical ninja at all, but rather a helpless child.
"You've done enough," Kaito said as he got up, gently wiping away Shizune's tears. "Leave this matter to me." Feeling the warmth of his hand, Shizune was momentarily stunned. Usually, Uchiha Kaito was a shy, perhaps even self-conscious, young man. But now, he felt completely different to her. Those eyes, as resolute as a hawk's, gave her an inexplicable sense of security.
However, thinking about their current closeness and slightly ambiguous actions, Shizune's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly changed the subject, "They are seriously injured, how should we treat them next? Unless we transport them back to Konoha or get more medical ninja support, but they're already discussing retreat and abandoning these wounded."
"Don't worry, with me here, they won't be abandoned. We'll put an end to this war and go home together," Kaito said, stretching his body as he stood up. Under Shizune's bewildered gaze, he playfully flicked her forehead and walked out.
"You're so annoying!" Shizune instinctively rubbed her forehead, realizing her tone sounded a bit odd, her cheeks turning crimson.
At the entrance of the cave, the battle meeting was still ongoing. As Kaito approached, he heard the final decision.
"Now, as the captain, I propose we immediately abandon the wounded and retreat. Those in favor, please raise your hand," Yamanaka Fu suddenly suggested. Beside him, Torune raised his hand in agreement, "I agree."
"Transporting the wounded and treating them along the way will slow down the main force's retreat, so abandoning them is necessary. I hope you consider this carefully, and don't forget what happened to Konoha's White Fang." As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions in the room changed dramatically.
The death of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, was a huge loss for the village. Unfortunately, his death was met with disdain by the majority. People are selfish; they only care about the outcome, not what was sacrificed in the process. Now, Torune's words clearly pushed their choices to a dead end.
"There's no need to choose. We are not like the Root; we won't abandon our comrades so easily," Kaito said calmly.
"It's Uchiha Kaito. Wasn't he seriously injured? How did he recover so quickly?" Many people were shocked. Recalling how Kaito was rescued from the explosive tag array, covered in blood, they still felt a lingering fear.
Torune and Yamanaka Fu's expressions darkened. Whether in the Root or in Konoha, they were considered prodigies. When had they ever been publicly questioned or had their decisions openly opposed? Moreover, the ideology instilled in the Root was that anything could be easily sacrificed for victory.
"Kaito, you're just a Chunin. You have no right to be part of this decision. Step aside immediately," Yamanaka Fu ordered sternly. "If you speak out of turn and incite others again, don't blame me for taking military action against you." As these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed dramatically, and they all turned to look at Kaito, who was completely different from his usual shy and self-conscious self.
Their instincts told them that Kaito must have hit his head, daring to defy someone from the Root.
"Uchiha Kaito, how dare you ignore the captain's orders? You're courting death!" Yamanaka Fu shouted angrily. Everyone's expressions changed once again!
Torune added coldly, "Don't forget, we're facing hundreds of Cloud ninja, and the A–B Duo!"
"This is a world where the strong devour the weak. You, a mere Chunin, have no right to speak. Now, you have two choices: first, shut up and get out of the way. Second, die!" The chilling words caused everyone's expressions to change dramatically.
"Kaito, come back quickly!" Shizune rushed out, saying urgently, "Everyone, I'm sorry, but Kaito's mind is still not clear..."
"Shizune, leave this to me!" Kaito interrupted, reaching out and looking directly at Torune, "So you're saying comrades can kill each other! Can I also kill you?" The small voice swept through the cave, causing everyone's expressions to change dramatically. This was completely different from the timid Kaito they knew.
"Hmph, Uchiha Kaito, we've long known your clan is restless, but you're too naive. With your little strength, you dare to threaten to kill me," Torune laughed disdainfully.
"Hmph, a Chunin weakling with no strength at all. If you had stayed quietly aside, we might have taken you with us, but now that's off the table," Yamanaka Fu said coldly. "Defying orders and openly disobeying the captain, we have the right to kill you!"
"Weaklings should cower in the corner!" The murderous intent immediately locked onto Kaito. Everyone present knew that if Kaito made the slightest move, a deadly strike awaited him.
"Yamanaka Fu, we're comrades. Don't go too far," a purple-haired Jonin stepped forward. "In this situation, we should calm down and discuss a solution."
"Hmph, Uzuki, I advise you not to meddle. This mission is entirely under the Root's control. This kid is so weak he's holding us back, and now he's openly defying orders. We have the right to kill him."
"So you're saying having strength means you can kill? Very well, let me show you what true despair is!" Kaito said with a mocking smile. The blood-red color in his pupils surged, instantly occupying his entire iris, and in the next moment, nine tomoe formed into one. The overwhelming ocular power, like a hurricane, erupted from Kaito's center. His black hair moved without wind, and the blood-red ocular power caused a crushing sensation on the spirit!
"Wha-what kind of eyes are those!
"Isn't Uchiha Kaito supposed to have a single tomoe Sharingan? Now it's... 1, 2, 3... 9 tomoe!"
"What is going on? In the Uchiha clan, three tomoe is already powerful, but nine tomoe..."
The powerful ocular pressure and the blood-red nine-tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan Sharingan caused everyone's expressions in the cave to change dramatically. The Uchiha clan, renowned throughout the ninja world. The evolution of the Sharingan had long been understood. Single tomoe, double tomoe, triple tomoe! These were the most common transformations. It could be said that even within the Uchiha clan, few knew about the Mangekyō Sharingan Sharingan. Let alone those who awakened it by chance. However, none of this mattered! The most important thing was that from this overwhelming ocular pressure, they felt a sense of impending doom.