Chapter-37

This was unheard of.

Hanzuke tightened his grip on his whip upon hearing that one of the slaves he intended to execute had managed to escape, not just any escape but one from the depths of the dungeons. In the process, the escapee had left dozens of his soldiers with broken bones and unconscious. Hanzuke seethed with fury, planning to make sure those who aided in this pitiful escape paid dearly for their involvement.

"I know someone helped him," he muttered furiously, glaring at the hundreds of prisoners assembled before him. Hanzuke had ordered all the prisoners from the north wing to gather in the main courtyard to ensure that those behind this escape plot faced the consequences.

"Sir... no one is admitting to being involved in the escape of prisoner #1870," reported one of the guards who averted his gaze from the commander's piercing eyes. Hanzuke snorted in response.

"No one will confess, you fool," he sighed deeply and then walked along the line of slaves, stopping before a woman who held a small child. "You might have heard rumors that someone escaped last night, and perhaps you're thinking, 'if he could escape, why couldn't we?'" He paused, his eyes locked on the woman and her child. "Let me assure you that your hope is sorely misplaced because, if need be, I will personally hunt down that brat. I will drag him back here and take him to the deepest dungeons, where I will paint the walls with his blood." The woman clutched her son tightly, trying to shield him from the firebender's menacing presence. Hanzuke extended his hand to caress the baby's back, causing him to cry in pain as the heat drew nearer.

"Leave him alone! That hurts him!" A voice rang out, and Hanzuke turned to see a young boy standing out among the other slaves. "You are a bad man, and bad people always get what they deserve!"

"Suni," Miho's heart leaped into her throat as she heard her younger brother's scream. She had been about to speak up, but a soldier standing behind Hanzuke had leveled a spear at her neck, silencing her.

"A bad man?" Hanzuke sneered as he looked at the girl, the seven-marked girl. He walked with heavy, deliberate steps until he stood before her. "So, I'm a bad man, huh?" He snatched the whip from her, and it ignited in flames.

"Yes... and Mom said that people like you will always get what they deserve," the little girl replied, despite her trembling legs and stuttering voice. She kept her gaze steady on the firebender.

"Your mother was foolish," Hanzuke remarked. The entire assembly of prisoners watched in silence as the fiery whip lashed out towards the girl, splattering blood onto the ground. There was a heavy pause.

Raising an eyebrow, Hanzuke noticed the girl's brother kneeling, using his body as a shield to protect her.

"Brother," the little girl cried out in horror as she saw the gaping wound on her older brother's back. He had his arms wrapped protectively around her. "Miho!"

"#1356, you better move, or I'll keep going until I break you in half!" Hanzuke shouted with growing fury. He seethed as he watched the boy persistently shield his sister.

"I said..."

*Bang*

"...that..."

*Bang*

"Get out of my way!"

*Bang*

*Bang*

*Bang*

"Ahhhhhh!" Miho's screams echoed in agony with each brutal blow that tore into his flesh. But he refused to let go of his younger sister. Blood splattered the floor, and the sound of each strike left the prisoners feeling utterly helpless.

"Enough!" The little girl could only bear witness to the torment, clutching her brother tightly and silently praying for it all to stop, for their suffering to end.

"Commander Hanzuke!" The firebender halted when he heard one of his soldiers scream.

"Why the interruption?" growled the old man, his blood-stained whip now hanging from his waist. He fixed his stern gaze on the soldier lying at his feet, expecting a very good reason for the intrusion into his disciplinary session.

"There is an intruder, sir!" The firebender's annoyance was evident. An interruption for a mere intruder? He bypassed the soldier and ascended the stairs to the wall. Once there, he raised a telescope to his eye.

"…" As Hanzuke scanned for the intruder, a silhouette atop a nearby hill caught his attention. Adjusting the telescope's focus, he identified the figure. "What?" Confusion swept over him as he observed a boy with golden hair and peculiar markings. But it was the eyes that gave him instant recognition. "So, you've returned to the wolf's den..." He grinned with perverse delight under the telescope.

…..

Today was a beautiful day...

Naruto stood calmly on the hill, observing a solitary butterfly that fluttered near him. He extended his right hand, allowing the delicate creature to alight on his finger.

The breeze brushed gently against his face, and the sun shone brightly in the sky.

The tiny butterfly took flight again as an arrow fell at Naruto's feet. He glanced toward the fortress in the distance, where he saw hundreds of archers lining the walls.

"Some soldiers will come out to escort you here! Try something, and my archers will not hesitate to pierce your head!" Hanzuke's voice bellowed through a loud metallic speaker. Following his command, the archers readied their bows, prepared to shoot at the slightest hint of suspicious movement.

"..." Naruto's face remained impassive. He reached down and retrieved his backpack, placing it at his feet. Kneeling on the grass, he began to open it, pulling out several items. First, he adorned himself with the precious necklace he had received from Grandma Tsunade. Next, he discarded his soiled prisoner attire, letting it fall to the ground. Taking out the bright orange jacket that Mio had gifted him long ago, he paused for a moment, silently reflecting.

"Orange is one of the seven colors of life, and it means bravery... you have the courage to face everything and not fear what comes, even if you always fight alone, standing up against the greatest beasts and armies, always ready to give your heart in battles and never backing down..."

As he put on the orange jacket and rolled up his sleeves, he fastened some pieces of paper with drawings onto his wrists using bandages.

"When I see you, I can't help but think... That orange looks good on you."

Staring at the vibrant orange fabric, he smiled. Suddenly, as if pushed by an invisible force, he turned and glanced behind him. There stood a figure with white hair and red marks beneath his eyes. Naruto's smile broadened, and without hesitation, he began to run.

Inside the fortress, the commander's brow furrowed upon seeing the boy's sprint. It was a shame; he had wanted to end the boy's life himself. "Kill him," he ordered, then turned to leave.