At first, Kurenai thought that Naruto probably hadn't even considered Shino and Kiba.
It wasn't just because Naruto had past conflicts with the two, but also because he hadn't mentioned any of the three captured men since meeting Kurenai and Hinata.
Kurenai Yuhi, who was focused solely on escaping, naturally chose to remain silent when she saw Naruto saying nothing about them.
The most urgent matter now was escaping with Hinata.
But to her surprise, when she had mentally given up on the others, Naruto suddenly declared that he wanted to save them.
He even intended to rescue Asuma — despite the deep grudge between them.
Seeing how much Naruto valued his comrades gave Kurenai a sense of relief.
"Naruto, tell me—what should we do?"
Kurenai Yuhi completely handed over command to Naruto.
Hinata Hyuga looked up at him with gentle eyes. Even if Kurenai hadn't said anything, Hinata would have chosen to follow Naruto anyway.
The Naruto-kun she admired had always been someone who cared for his friends and comrades.
He had been domineering during the Chunin Exams only because he had something to prove.
But the real Naruto was someone who would go through fire and brimstone if it meant protecting those he cared about.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata murmured, fidgeting with her fingers and lowering her head shyly.
If Naruto knew what Hinata was thinking at that moment, he would definitely have taken a moment to explain to her that he wasn't the good person she believed him to be.
Even if Hinata didn't believe him.
Because Naruto didn't want others to see him as a good person. If they did, they'd come to him for help again and again.
"Sensei Kurenai, once we enter the dungeon, you take the rear and watch for enemies behind us. Hinata, use your Byakugan to scout the front. I'll stay in the middle since I'm the fastest and can respond to attacks from either side."
As he spoke, Naruto handed a hand-drawn map to Hinata, and distributed three weapons and several explosive tags to both women.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Kurenai Yuhi said as she took the three kunai Naruto handed her — two of which were wrapped with explosive tags.
She wasn't sure whether Naruto's plan would work, but if they wanted to save lives, this was indeed the most efficient approach.
Hinata followed Kurenai's lead and wrapped an explosive tag around her kunai. She then looked at Naruto and said, "Naruto-kun, I'll go in first."
"Go ahead. Don't worry, I've got your back," Naruto replied.
His confident aura gave Hinata a great sense of reassurance.
She was thankful to be alive.
She felt so lucky to see Naruto-kun again — looking so strong and composed.
Naruto now looked tall and handsome, a far cry from the goofy and awkward boy of the past. Hinata was even more shy about looking directly at him now.
Meanwhile, Aburame Shino had no idea that someone was coming to rescue him and the others. Otherwise, he might have begged them not to come.
At that moment, Shino was trying to unlock the cell door by communicating with insects on the ground.
He was a true master of insects.
After months of research, Shino could now communicate not only with tiny bugs but also with larger creatures like cockroaches and even rats — all without using chakra.
"Giga... Asuma-sensei, have the seals on you loosened at all?" Shino asked the two men, hoping they'd give him good news.
But they remained silent, ignoring him completely.
Sigh.
These two wanted to escape even more than he did — but lacked any motivation to try. Shino was the only one actively looking for a way out.
"If neither of them can use chakra, then both Kiba and Asuma-sensei will just be dead weight."
Shino thought to himself as he eyed the two immobile men. He sighed again and lowered his head, refocusing on the insects at his feet.
He squatted in the corner, traced lines with his finger, and softly said, "Little ants, help me find some mice. Ask them to chew through one of the corner bars."
The sewer rats had incredibly sharp teeth. Given time, they could chew through even metal chains.
The bar Shino had chosen was in an inconspicuous corner, and he'd measured it carefully. If that bar broke, he could squeeze through sideways.
"Shino, stop wasting your energy."
"The one who locked us up is Orochimaru — the same ruthless monster who killed the Third Hokage."
Kiba, realizing what Shino was up to, issued a grim warning.
At that, Asuma Sarutobi glanced at Kiba. He was irritated at the mention of his late father — but only for a moment.
Forget it. Things had come this far. There was no point getting angry anymore.
Just wait for death to come peacefully.
Shino looked at the two with scorn. He wanted to survive. He didn't want to be a prisoner forever.
If those two wanted to give up, let them. He wasn't staying behind with them.
"Tch."
He snorted coldly, leaned into the corner, and squinted while waiting for the mice to arrive.
"Do you need help?"
Haku stood on tiptoe and placed a large coat over Naruto's shoulders, speaking in a soft, hoarse voice.
"No need. I can handle this minor task myself," Naruto replied, glancing at Haku's trembling legs.
Still insisting on following me, even though she can barely stand.
Haku noticed his gaze and lowered her head, ashamed. Her voice was filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, my lord. It's all Bai's fault for being useless. Not only did I fail to please you, but now you have to work on your own…"
"Stop with the nonsense and go to bed."
Hearing this, Haku whimpered softly and obediently climbed into bed next to Fenghua Xiaoxue. She lifted the blanket and lay down beside her.
Naruto shrugged, speechless. That was how you had to talk to Bai.
If you were gentle, she would start talking endlessly. But if you were a little stern, she'd fall silent and obey.
He was worried about her mental state — though thankfully she only acted like this when alone with him.
Just earlier, she'd been anything but gentle with Fenghua Xiaoxue. Her tone while giving orders sounded like she wanted to skin the girl alive.
Thinking of this, Naruto paused as he reached the door, turned back, and said:
"Don't bully Fenghua Xiaoxue. She's very obedient."
Haku froze, then fury bloomed in her heart.
She wanted to kick Fenghua Xiaoxue off the bed and end her right there.
But she had to obey Lord Naruto's wishes. She loved being dominated by him — but feared being abandoned even more.
"Bai understands. Bai will treat Sister Xiaoxue well. Please rest assured, my lord."
"Good. That's what I want to hear."
With that, Naruto opened the door and disappeared.
The moment the door clicked shut, Fenghua Xiaoxue's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
But to her surprise, Haku didn't attack her. She simply closed her eyes and went to sleep.
She couldn't believe it — Bai really listened like an obedient dog.
So, if I just serve that boy named Naruto Uzumaki well, maybe I'll turn the tables someday and become the one in control…
She touched her belly gently.
Maybe… being pregnant isn't such a terrible thing after all.
"Tick tock…"
"Tick tock…"
The dungeon entrance was pitch black. The air was thick with dampness and decay.
Water dripped steadily from the walls, echoing like ghostly footsteps.
A cold wind blew through, chilling Kurenai Yuhi to the bone.
At that moment, she had no idea that the Naruto leading her was only a shadow clone — the real Naruto had already circled behind and was quietly tailing them.
Moving leisurely, as always.
"Naruto-kun, I see three shapes ahead that resemble human hearts. I think those must be Shino and the others."
Because their chakras were sealed, they couldn't be identified that way. Hinata had to rely on their silhouettes.
"Is there anyone else nearby?" Kurenai asked.
Hinata shook her head. "No one else."
No enemies?
Kurenai let out a breath but still warned cautiously, "Let's take a closer look and confirm their identities before moving. If this is a trap, we'll be in trouble."
"Got it."
Hinata studied the three figures closely. After months of separation, everyone's appearance had changed, and she wasn't sure what Shino and Kiba even looked like anymore.
She wasn't familiar with Asuma's build either.
So she focused on comparing Shino and Kiba's full body shapes over and over again in her mind.
"Huh? What's that?"
Hinata noticed movement near one of the figures in the corner.
After a moment, she gasped. "There's an animal gnawing at the iron bars!"
"Kurenai-sensei, Naruto-kun, I found Shino!"
But before she could even finish speaking—
Whoosh!
A scorching wave of heat suddenly blasted from behind.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
The dungeon exploded into bright flame. Naruto's shadow clone immediately shielded Kurenai Yuhi, swinging his arm.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"
A sharp wind blade sliced the raging fire in two, carving out a narrow path.
Otherwise, judging by the blackened, scorched walls, anyone hit by that flame would've been burned to a crisp.
As the flames subsided—
"Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"
Kurenai immediately cast a genjutsu illusion.
But the attacker vanished like smoke, wasting the technique.
Kurenai scowled. "Hinata, can you see where the enemy is?"
"I'm trying!" Hinata said, flustered.
Her body was starting to feel strange. A sweet, unnatural fragrance filled the dungeon air.
What… is that?
As she pondered, she spotted a shadow beginning to form seals.
"Naruto-kun, northeast corner!"
Hinata's timely warning summoned the shadow clone into action.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"
"Fire Style: Grand Flame!"
The two fire attacks collided, sending waves of searing heat through the dungeon. Kurenai and Hinata had to avert their eyes.
Above the dungeon, a fierce battle raged.
Below, inside the cell, the prisoners watched with mixed emotions.
Inuzuka Kiba shouted, "It's Sensei Kurenai and Hinata! I even heard Naruto!"
"They came to save us! We're saved!"
"Konoha… I can finally go home."
Asuma Sarutobi was filled with a mix of joy and dread.
He longed to be rescued — but feared facing Kurenai again.
He knew deep down he no longer had the right to be with her.
After all, he had admired Kurenai Yuhi for over 20 years.
Now, it would become a lifelong regret.
"Asuma-sensei, why do you look so down?" Kiba asked, noticing his expression.
Asuma shook his head. "It's nothing."
Kiba grinned. "I get it. Relationship drama. My dog Akamaru was born the same way."
The mention of Akamaru made Kiba's face fall.
"I wonder how Akamaru's doing…"
Then, looking at Asuma, he smiled again.
"No worries. With my sister's medical ninjutsu, she can reattach limbs. Asuma-sensei, once you're rescued, go see Lady Tsunade."
Asuma's eyes lit up.
Right… with the healing techniques in this world, there's still hope.
"Thanks, Kiba," he said sincerely.
Crack!
Suddenly, a sharp noise echoed.
They turned to see Shino had pried a bar loose.
"You guys wait for your rescue. I'm getting out first."
He laid down, turned sideways, and crawled out of the cell.
"Shino, you're a genius! Quietly getting things done!"
Kiba followed excitedly. "Crawling through holes is my specialty!"
Asuma watched their escape, silently ashamed of his own helplessness.
When he tried to crawl out after them—
He got stuck.
Too much weight gain from months of laziness.
Without chakra, he was helpless.
"Help…!"
Shino sighed and turned back to assist.
But just then—
Thud!
Both Shino and Kiba collapsed, struck down from behind.
A man wearing a fox mask stood over them.
"Who are you?!" Asuma shouted.
"Haha… I was wondering how to make my entrance," the man laughed.
"You getting stuck made it easy."
"Well then, let me give you an auditory feast…"
Naruto smiled as he bent down and pulled out a handkerchief, covering Asuma's eyes.
Now… it was time to go catch Kurenai.
"Asuma… even if you'll never sleep with the goddess you admire, at least I'll let you listen to her voice."