Chapter 35: Two Choices

Thank you Damon for joining the patreon, there will a double release today since this is the 10th supporter. Thanks again to Damon and the rest of the patreons for you continued support I hope you enjoy the releases.

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Maoka and Haibara left precisely when Ye Zi broke through the Earth Tomb, so Ye Zi did not see which direction they went.

The intense and continuous battle had exhausted most of his chakra. As he retracted his chakra, the swirling electricity around him slowly dissipated. He turned to look at the distant area behind him, where giant snakes and rock lizards were stirring up trouble.

With the current situation and his condition not supporting a pursuit, he abandoned the chase.

In the street, Kushina and Kotoe were in a perilous situation.

To protect the injured Shinboku and Yoru, Kushina and Kotoe could only defend passively, their bodies already marked with several injuries.

The attacking ninjas seemed adept at wear-and-tear tactics, attacking from a distance rather than closing in. Their main targets were Shinboku and Yoru, who had severe leg injuries and were thus more vulnerable. With time passing, their chances of victory increased, so they were in no rush.

Conversely, Kushina and Kotoe were becoming increasingly frustrated. Not only were they injured, but their chakra was rapidly depleting. It wouldn't be long before they couldn't protect Shinboku and Yoru, and even their own survival would be in question.

Yoru, who had initially been very afraid of being left behind, saw Kushina's increasing wounds and felt a deep sadness. He feared dying here but was even more afraid that Kushina would die because of him.

"Kushina, you should go." His tone was resolute and not a joke.

Kushina hesitated for a moment but immediately continued moving, turning her back to Yoru and firmly saying, "No way."

Yoru's eyes trembled violently as he looked at Kushina's back. He felt profound sorrow, having always wanted to be a great man who could protect others, but he found himself continually being protected instead.

"Go!" he suddenly shouted, heart-wrenchingly.

If he could, he didn't want to die so easily. He wanted to stay by her side, until he could enter her eyes, even if not her heart...

Kushina bit her lip, unmoved. How could she so easily abandon...

Shinboku glanced at Yoru and sighed. He spoke to Kotoe in a deep voice, "Kotoe, go. I'll buy you time to retreat."

Kotoe shook her head. "No."

"Just this once, listen to me, okay?"

"No."

Shinboku, suddenly enraged, shouted, "Go!"

The tears Kotoe had been holding back fell down her face with this outburst.

The enemy ninja commanding the siege watched this scene with an expression of apparent farewell and sneered, "Not a single one of you is getting away."

As soon as he spoke, his sinister smile froze. Pain in his chest made him slowly look down, a sharp blade protruding from his front.

"Ugh…"

Ye Zi forcefully pulled out his sword, a large amount of blood spraying into the air. The ninja collapsed to the ground.

Seeing Ye Zi suddenly appear, the surrounding ninjas were startled and immediately attacked him. Ye Zi activated his lightning release, dodged their attacks, and quickly reached Kushina's side.

Seeing Ye Zi, Kushina's expression brightened. "Ye Zi, do you have a…"

Ye Zi interrupted her without hesitation. "Staying here means death." He glanced around. In the deepening night, more and more enemies were closing in. With the moon obscured by clouds, escaping under the cover of darkness would be much easier.

"Do you want to abandon your teammates?" Kushina stared at him in shock.

Ye Zi did not look at Kushina but instead at Yoru, saying calmly "He is already prepared."

Yoru looked at Ye Zi and suddenly smiled broadly.

Ye Zi's cold expression faltered at the sight of this smile.

"I know you can protect Kushina, right?" Yoru rose despite the pain, his injured leg causing sharp agony even with the slightest pressure.

Ye Zi remained silent. At this moment, he couldn't say anything deceitful. If abandoning Kushina meant survival, he would do so without hesitation, just as he would have no qualms about abandoning Yoru.

Yoru did not understand Ye Zi's thoughts and, seeing his silence, felt disappointed. He said firmly, "Take Kushina and go."

"No." Kushina shook her head stubbornly while fending off incoming shuriken.

"Don't underestimate others' resolve." Seeing the enemy ninjas closing in and Orochimaru being restrained by Tsuchiya Sanzo, Ye Zi knew he could no longer delay. He grabbed Kushina's arm and forced their way in the pre-decided direction.

Yoru watched the two leave, his smile turning bitter.

"If only the person in Kushina's heart were me… I'm so envious of you, Ye Zi."

"Kotoe, follow that boy."

Shinboku glanced at Yoru and then pushed Kotoe towards Ye Zi's direction, exposing herself to numerous attacks. This push also exhausted all of Kotoe's resolve.

She knew staying behind was pointless.

So, rather than dying without purpose, she chose to seek revenge for her father in the future.

"I'm sorry…"

Muttering softly, she resolutely turned and chased after Ye Zi, tears falling from the sky like jewels.

Shinboku's face showed a contented smile, then became resolute.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Having held nothing back…

Expending all his chakra, Shinboku opened his mouth, unleashing a terrifying gale that swept away everything in its path, blowing away the debris and laying waste to everything in its vicinity.

The gale wreaked havoc, leveling everything, but it was not enough to completely wipe out the enemies.

Depleted chakra and the pain in her legs made Shinboku fall to the ground, breathless and powerless to resist.

"Young man, do you regret it?"

As Ye Zi and the others disappeared into the night, Yoru could no longer stand. Like Shinboku, he sat on the ground, looking up at the sky shrouded in clouds, feeling lost. "Yes."

"Is that so." Shinboku sighed.

"But I feel like I'm closer to the sky, I really don't want to die…" Yoru stretched out his hand towards the sky, as if trying to touch the oppressive clouds.

As the Great Breakthrough subsided, the enemy ninjas, enraged, attacked the remaining Yoru and Shinboku.

With regret and unwillingness, Yoru and Shinboku were engulfed in a barrage of jutsu and shuriken.

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