Chapter 70: Intervention
With a muffled groan, Sasuke's face showed pain, but she still didn't forget to urge Naruto to leave. "Naruto, go!"
Naruto stood to the side, genuinely moved. Sasuke can't even protect herself, yet she's still worried about me. Scenes from the past surfaced in his mind. He realized Sasuke's every frown and smile had already etched themselves deep into his heart.
This girl! How can I stand by and watch her be mistreated by Itachi?
The next moment, Naruto's figure flashed, suddenly appearing beside Itachi. He reached out and grabbed the arm pinning Sasuke's wrist. A faint golden light enveloped his body—Curse Mark Sage Mode activated!
"Let go, Itachi! Treating your own sister like this is wrong," Naruto's tone was light but brooked no argument.
Itachi was slightly surprised by Naruto's speed. Immediately, he said, "Sasuke, it seems you've found a good comrade. But…"
Swish swish!
Suddenly, Itachi's other hand shot out, the kunai in his hand swiftly slashing toward Naruto!
At that moment, Naruto also met him with a kunai in hand!
Clang clang clang…
In a few seconds, the kunai clashed dozens of times. Sparks flew between the two, yet both wore calm, composed expressions.
After a moment, the metallic symphony ceased. Itachi looked at Naruto, uncontrollable admiration in his eyes. To compete with me in taijutsu and speed at this age… he's truly a genius among geniuses!
Itachi released Sasuke, looking at Naruto with intense fighting spirit.
Sasuke's arm regained its freedom, but she said coldly to Naruto, "Naruto, he is my opponent! Don't interfere!" Though she said this, she was deeply moved inside. Naruto stepped forward to stop him the moment I was in danger, proving he cares about me! However, defeating Itachi was her own goal, and she wouldn't allow anyone to intervene.
Hearing Sasuke's cold words, Naruto couldn't help but shake his head. "Sasuke, you're not his match…"
"No! I must defeat him with my own hands!" Sasuke shook her head, her face filled with determination.
Judging by her tone, if he didn't relent, she might turn against him. So, Naruto could only release Itachi with a wry smile.
At that moment, Kisame from the other side charged over furiously, shouting at Naruto, "You brat! Your opponent is me! How dare you look down on me like this! You're asking for death!" He'd just realized Naruto had slipped away to intervene on Itachi's side, making him feel ignored. How could he not be angry?
Naruto had no choice but to ready his kunai and engage Kisame.
Hearing Sasuke's words, Itachi shook his head, looking at her disdainfully. "Sasuke, you're so foolish, unable to control yourself! When did you develop this habit? Let your older brother teach you a proper lesson."
Sasuke activated her two-tomoe Sharingan, staring into Itachi's eyes. Suddenly, she saw the familiar triangular windmill pattern. Simultaneously, the surrounding environment changed…
Just as Naruto and Kisame exchanged a few blows, Sasuke fell to the ground with a muffled groan. Then, watching Itachi lift her by the neck, he punched her mercilessly, saying coldly in a low voice, "Is this all the strength you have? You dare appear before me so weak? You dare threaten to protect Naruto? Ridiculous! Pitiful! Foolish little sister, you're too weak! I told you long ago: come to me when you have eyes like mine. Have you forgotten?"
Sasuke felt weak all over. The suffocating sensation from her neck flushed her pretty face, but she could do nothing. The gap in strength was so vast she couldn't resist at all!
"Why are you so weak?! It's because of you…" Itachi was just about to fuel the hatred in Sasuke's heart when Naruto could listen no longer and roared, "Enough! Uchiha Itachi!"
Boom!
With a full-force kick, Naruto sent Kisame flying. Though Kisame was immensely strong, his hands were still knocked aside upon blocking.
Then, Naruto charged toward Itachi, saying coldly, "Let Sasuke go!"
Itachi was startled by the powerful aura emanating from Naruto at this moment. This aura wasn't far inferior even to Kisame, who possessed enormous chakra! And he himself didn't have such potent chakra!
However, Itachi certainly wouldn't show weakness. Holding Sasuke with one hand, he said coldly, "You want to stop me again?"
Hah! Naruto sneered, looking at Itachi. "I truly can't stand your actions! If you insist on imposing your self-righteous thoughts on Sasuke, then I will do everything in my power to stop you!"
Sensing Naruto's powerful aura and serious attitude, Itachi couldn't help but be taken aback. And what Naruto said… it sounded as if he faintly understood his intentions?
At that moment, Itachi couldn't help but regard Naruto with increased admiration. Before, he'd merely thought Naruto was strong. But now, he had to reconsider. Naruto had interrupted what he was about to say, and his subsequent words clearly indicated he knew something.
"What did you say?" Itachi was just about to ask something when suddenly a voice shouted, "Summoning: Toad Mouth Bind!"
Jiraiya!
Piles of squirming flesh suddenly appeared in the surrounding corridors at visible speed. Within seconds, the entire corridor transformed into a vast, enclosed space surrounded by unbreakable intestinal walls. The walls suddenly writhed, attempting to restrain and envelop Itachi and Kisame.
As soon as this technique appeared, the expressions of Itachi and Kisame changed slightly. Itachi quickly released Sasuke and pulled Kisame back.
"Jiraiya's back! Let's retreat, now!" In an instant, the two vanished around the corner.
Naruto caught Sasuke in time, holding her in his arms—severely injured and extremely weak, yet he could still feel the trembling of her delicate body. He didn't know if it was due to excessive mental shock or physical pain.
He couldn't help but feel pity in his heart. Sasuke is just a simple girl. Yet, because of the Uchiha clan's grievances, she's forced onto the path of revenge. She doesn't understand anything; she's like a blank sheet of paper, easily colored by others.
But this time, just as Itachi was about to paint her with more hatred, Naruto couldn't help but stop him!
Holding the distraught Sasuke in his arms, Naruto sighed inwardly. Sasuke, I will never let you walk the old path! Even if it changes the plot and leads to other unpredictable outcomes, I won't hesitate! Watching you descend into darkness isn't my style!
At this moment, Naruto's resolve was absolute!
By then, Jiraiya had already chased after them, shouting, "Don't think you can escape this time!"
Naruto regained his senses, carrying Sasuke as he walked toward the corner. He saw the hole ahead, black flames still flickering, with Jiraiya standing there, expression solemn.
...
"Sealing Art: Fire Seal!" Taking out a scroll, Jiraiya formed hand seals, sealing all the still-leaping black flames within the scroll. Then he released the summoning technique, his expression regretful. "I didn't expect them to get away! These flames are truly formidable! They can even breach the indestructible Toad Mouth Bind!"
Naruto wasn't surprised at all. After glancing at him, he couldn't help but say, "If you hadn't gone out to fool around, they wouldn't have escaped. If you'd come earlier, the two of us could have taken down at least one together!"
Jiraiya could only offer a dry laugh.
At that moment, several figures rushed into the inn from outside, one delivering a swift kick to Jiraiya's lecherous, grinning face.
"Go to hell~~!" Accompanied by a violent roar, a figure in green appeared before Naruto, stomping Jiraiya beneath his feet.