"Boom!"
"Behind Naruto and the three-pronged kunai body double tied with exploding tag."
"Almost no more than a single breath passed."
"The exploding tag detonated."
"The timing was just right."
"The Masked Man, on the other hand, calmed down."
"He didn't bother with the hand that had fallen to the ground."
"Surprisingly, after Naruto severed that hand, it became limp."
"And what flowed from the severed end was not red blood."
"Instead, it was a milky white liquid."
"Under the Masked Man's sleeve, the same milky white liquid was flowing."
"What is this?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
However, he searched through all his memories but couldn't find any relevant information.
Senju Tobirama, also a researcher, was in the same predicament.
The Masked Man had clearly transplanted a body.
But the transplanted flesh didn't seem to be human.
"With the explosion of the exploding tag."
"The commotion here was immediately noticed by the Root Ninja who were collecting Sharingan."
"Immediately, some Root Ninja rushed towards this direction."
"Bang bang bang!"
"And with the end of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"The Shadow Clones of the three-pronged kunai also dissipated one after another."
"Instantly."
"The smoke and dust originally stirred up by the exploding tag' explosion."
"Was immediately blown away entirely due to the disintegration of the three-pronged kunai's Shadow Clones."
"One second it was thick with smoke and dust."
"The next second, all the smoke and dust were blown away."
"The Masked Man at the center of the explosion was still unharmed."
"He glanced in the direction where Naruto and Izumi had disappeared."
"Ultimately, he still chose to leave."
"He didn't pursue."
"Because he had something more important to confirm."
"Although losing a hand significantly reduced his combat power."
"He still had the strength to fight."
"Buzz—"
"The next moment, a spiral-shaped spatial fluctuation appeared."
"It quickly engulfed the Masked Man."
"In a blink of an eye."
"The Masked Man disappeared from his original spot."
"Only the milky white object, which no longer looked like a hand, remained."
"And on the other side."
""Ah~!""
"Uchiha Izumi's suppressed cry rang out."
"But in an instant, Uchiha Izumi forced herself not to make a sound."
"She bit her lip tightly, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of her mouth."
"It was clear from her expression that she was enduring pain."
""It's alright, we'll be home soon." Naruto couldn't help her, he could only offer comfort and silently quicken his pace."
"Before long."
"Naruto followed his memory and arrived at the back mountain."
"This was their secret training base, where they often came."
"Once here, there was basically no danger."
"Bang—"
"The remaining Shadow Clone dispelled itself."
"The memories and experiences transmitted back contained no information of the Masked Man or Uchiha Itachi pursuing them."
"Similarly, there was no sign of Anbu Ninja discovering them."
"Home."
"Naruto took a deep breath."
"If he could, he didn't want to return like this."
"Whether it was Uchiha Itachi or the Masked Man."
"He seemed capable of turning the tables."
"However, he quickly shook his head."
"Neither of them was an opponent for him now."
"His escape was mainly due to their carelessness."
"Moreover, Uchiha Itachi had no killing intent towards him."
"Similarly, he didn't feel any direct malicious intent from the Masked Man to kill him."
"Naruto secretly sighed."
"Still not strong enough."
"If he were strong enough, he wouldn't have to be like this now, like a stray dog."
Ninja World people: "..."
Good heavens.
With such a record.
He still says he's like a stray dog?
Not to mention Black-Framed Naruto is only seven years old.
Even those Jonin.
After witnessing his experience tonight.
Wouldn't dare say they'd survive if their roles were swapped.
Unlike Black-Framed Naruto.
Not only did he escape.
He also escaped with the severely injured Uchiha Izumi.
"Creak—"
"Pushing open the door."
"Carefully placing Uchiha Izumi on the bed."
"Naruto immediately created several Shadow Clones and sent them to stand guard."
"His own mental state wasn't good."
"These Shadow Clones he created naturally wouldn't be any better."
"Although they couldn't study while standing guard, taking turns guarding was no problem."
"Only now did Naruto finally breathe a sigh of relief."
"But he still didn't dare to relax."
"He had to be prepared for the Third Hokage to learn of tonight's events, and then be ready to defect from the village with Uchiha Izumi at any time."
""The worst outcome... hiding in those small countries.""
"Just as he was thinking."
"Naruto suddenly felt his hand being grabbed."
"He looked down."
"He saw Uchiha Izumi's face was unusually pale."
"Her lips had lost all color."
""Naruto...""
"Uchiha Izumi's voice was tearful."
"Naruto quickly leaned down."
""It's alright, you'll definitely get better.""
"He whispered a word of comfort."
"Naruto then contacted the Great Fox within his body in his mind."
""Great Fox!""
""She won't be in danger, will she?""
""I still have a lot of Chakra, can I exchange for some more of that golden Chakra from before?""
"Hmph!"
"Inside the Sealing Space, Nine-Tailed's long ears twitched, highly displeased."
""That Chakra is enough to repair her heart!""
""Don't bother me!""
"Nine-Tailed's thoughts were in a mess right now; he also didn't know if what he did tonight was right or wrong."
"Wait!"
"Uchiha... Mangekyo?!"
"How did this fox just act on a whim?!"
"Damn it!"
"If this Uchiha brat lives, won't that just be another Mangekyo Sharingan?!"
"No!"
"She absolutely cannot live!"
"But."
"Just as Nine-Tailed was about to act."
"Naruto's previous promise to him echoed in his mind."
"After a long time."
"Nine-Tailed still lay back down."
"'Hmph!'"
"'This Uchiha girl has suffered too much.'"
"'Awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan at this age takes a significant toll on the body.'"
"'That ball of Chakra won't have much left after repairing her heart.'"
"'She will be in a deep sleep for a long time, her body repairing itself... If she can fully utilize that ball of Chakra, perhaps she can truly eliminate the hidden ailments from over-exerting her body.'"
"'But don't expect her to wake up anytime soon.'"
"'This time is enough for me to turn Naruto into my shape.'"
"'Hmm... it's best to make Naruto incredibly grateful to me while also feeling extremely guilty... that works too.'"
"After Nine-Tailed forcibly convinced himself, he slowly got up and sat cross-legged on the ground."
"He had to prepare for his future."
"And before that, it was to ensure that this newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan remained dormant for a long enough time."
"Naruto held Uchiha Izumi's small hand."
"Wiping the sweat from Uchiha Izumi's forehead."
""Naruto... I'm so cold... so thirsty...""
"Izumi's weak voice sounded."
"Naruto immediately went to get water."
"However, his hand was held tightly."
""Don't go... I'm so sleepy..." A tear slipped from Izumi's eye."
"Naruto's breathing hitched."
""Don't sleep!""
"At a time like this, she absolutely couldn't fall asleep easily, otherwise she wouldn't wake up!"
""Naruto...""
""I'm here, I'm here.""
"Uchiha Izumi's tears fell like crazy."
""I... I don't want to die...""
"Izumi finally expressed her inner thoughts."
"Not wanting to die, this was very normal."
"She knew that she was temporarily safe now."
"Her will to live immediately surged."
"Naruto slightly pulled up the corner of his mouth, "Don't worry, you'll absolutely be fine, I promise.""
""Mmm~""
"After looking at Naruto's azure blue eyes for a while, Uchiha Izumi also forced a smile."
""I'll go get you some water.""
"Saying that, Naruto was about to get up."
"But Uchiha Izumi still held his hand tightly."
""Don't go...""
""Okay.""
"So, Naruto sat back down, staying by Uchiha Izumi's side."
"Gradually, Uchiha Izumi's eyelids began to feel heavy."
"Her body kept sweating and trembling non-stop."
""Naruto, I'm so cold... so sleepy.""
"Hearing this, Naruto hesitated for a few seconds."
Just then.
"Ding—"
"Prize quiz begins!"
"Everyone, please prepare!"
Prize quiz?!
Many people were stunned.
What kind of questions could this ask?
"Ding—"
"Prize quiz!"
"Question: In the current situation, what method will Uzumaki Naruto use to warm Uchiha Izumi, and how will he plan to keep Uchiha Izumi awake?"
"Please choose from the following options!"
"1. Uzumaki Naruto will..."