Hearing Obito's words, Lin didn't act as he wished but instead sat on the cold ground, breathing somewhat hurriedly.
Right now, she couldn't possibly return to Konoha. Once she returned, the Tailed Beast within her would riot, causing massive casualties in Konoha Village.
She absolutely didn't want to see such a thing happen.
But, how should this be resolved?
Looking at Obito's silhouette, a crazily desperate idea emerged in her heart.
This plan was realistic.
That was to let Obito kill her, ending her life.
As long as she died, the Tailed Beast within her would die too, thus lifting Konoha's crisis and completely foiling the plot of those creatures known as White Zetsu.
However, even if she told Obito the truth, could he really steel himself to stop the impending tragedy?
No, considering Obito's nature, he wouldn't be able to do it.
He might even protect her, disregarding the village's will.
Plus, those White Zetsu were somewhere here surveilling them. The real enemy wasn't the Hidden Waterfall Ninja before them; they were innocent people stirred up by the hidden hand.
The plan to harm Konoha must be crushed.
As long as she, the vessel, died, any schemes the enemies had would be insignificant.
Obito, I'm sorry... Lin sadly uttered this sentence in her heart.
As a member of Konoha Ninja, the moment she stepped onto the battlefield, she had to fight for the village.
This point is a contract that must be adhered to, whether by combat personnel or Medical Ninjas.
Protecting one's village and family, regardless of justice or evil, is something she, as a ninja, can never compromise or yield.
Having made this decision, Lin stood up from the ground, looking at Obito's back, with an unprecedented resolve in her eyes.
Using the Kunai in her hand to drive back the Hidden Waterfall Ninja ahead, Obito's shoulders fluctuated up and down, showing his rapid breathing from intense battle.
The Chakra within him started to feel insufficient; rushing accelerated his Chakra depletion.
Even with the Soldier Rations Pill taken on the way, the Chakra recovery was very limited.
The upcoming battle had to rely on techniques that conserved Chakra yet were efficient—Illusion Technique.
These Hidden Waterfall Ninjas, although trying hard to avoid his Sharingan, struggled to keep their eyes from meeting his.
They knew how to counter the Sharingan, but it's clear they were battling a Sharingan user for the first time, making their actions to dodge its sight seem clumsy.
Obito calmed himself, trying to ignore the numerical disparity and focus on the enemy's moves.
He wasn't very skilled with Illusion Techniques; activating the Sharingan was a recent event, releasing illusions through it had yet to undergo systematic learning and mastery.
But now, he must leverage the illusionary power of the Sharingan to reverse the disadvantage.
If he waited until these Hidden Waterfall Ninjas adapted to the Sharingan's combat rhythm, it would certainly be him who dies, and Lin would be recaptured and taken away by them.
Obito vaguely recalled the teachings of clan seniors about the Sharingan.
The Sharingan's illusion is executed through connecting gazes, locking onto the enemy's connection to his gaze in just a fraction of a second, and releasing disrupting Chakra through the Sharingan to achieve control over the enemy's body.
Clearly recalling the process of illusion release with the Sharingan, Obito charged at the Hidden Waterfall Ninjas with a Kunai, while the other Hidden Waterfall Ninjas supported with long-range Shuriken Throwing.
Most of them didn't want to face Obito's Sharingan directly.
Ignoring the scars made by Shurikens on his body, observations through the Sharingan showed these Shurikens' sliding paths ultimately only caused minor injuries to his body.
Has this kid gone crazy? The Hidden Waterfall Ninja engaged in close quarters with Obito was startled by Obito's reckless fighting style, hesitating in his actions.
Obito sent a direct gaze with his Sharingan, making the ninja hurriedly try to avoid eye contact, as he felt a chilling power brewing in Obito's eyes.
However, it was already too late.
Their gazes met.
This was the moment Obito had been waiting for, instantly channeling Chakra into his Sharingan, activating its Illusion Technique.
He transmitted the imaginary scene he devised through the Hidden Waterfall Ninja's sight, reaching his mind, trapping him in the torment of the illusion in an instant.
Obito felt uncertain since it was his first time releasing an illusion, unable to guarantee success.
But seeing the Hidden Waterfall Ninja suddenly frozen in place, moving dazedly, he knew he had taken a good gamble.
Now! Obito determined this was the optimal moment for an attack in his heart.
He couldn't ascertain how long his crude illusion would hold the opponent, thus a swift and decisive action was necessary.
Tightly gripping the Kunai, concentrating all his power on it to decisively deal with the enemy.
Squish!
The sound of Kunai piercing into flesh violently.
Blood sprayed out, splattering on Obito's Kunai-holding hand and clothes.
Lin faced Obito, using her body as a shield in front of him, guiding Obito's Kunai accurately into her own body, freeing everything, successfully preventing a disaster for the village.
Lin lowered her head to look at the Kunai piercing her body, then raised her head again to observe Obito's now completely stunned face, forcing a faint smile, as gentle and steadfast as ever.