Boom!
The earth wall shattered in response, rubble flying amidst the dust. Sora's figure charged through the smoke, ignoring the stone spear thrusting from under his feet, and instantly closed in on the second Iwagakure ninja.
What followed was a simple, direct side kick!
The Iwagakure ninja only felt an irresistible force strike him, several of his ribs breaking as his entire body was sent flying sideways, losing consciousness.
The final Iwagakure ninja was utterly terrified, turning to flee.
But how could Sora give him the chance?
His figure flashed, appearing behind him like a ghost, a hand chop landing precisely on the back of his neck.
The Iwagakure ninja's vision went dark as he slumped to the ground.
From opening the fourth gate to resolving the three Special Jonin, the entire process took less than ten seconds.
It was so fast that Uchiha Ryota and his teammates hadn't even reacted before the fight was over.
The area fell silent, leaving only the slowly dissipating green steam around Sora and his feigned heavy breathing.
Uchiha Ryota widened his Sharingan eyes, the twin tomoe fixed unwaveringly on Sora.
Although he knew the current Sora was strong, with monstrous taijutsu, he hadn't expected it to be to this extent!
After activating that forbidden technique called 'Eight Inner Gates,' he could actually deal with three Iwagakure Special Jonin as easily as cutting melons and vegetables!
'This guy... he really is a monster!'
This thought resurfaced in Uchiha Ryota's mind, but unlike during their academy days, it was now mixed with a trace of awe he himself hadn't even noticed.
Sora steadied his "rapid" breathing, then after simply dealing with the scene, walked over to Uchiha Ryota and the other two, saying calmly,
"Can you still walk? This place isn't safe. Let's return to the base first."
"...Yes."
Uchiha Ryota struggled to his feet, his two teammates also helping each other up.
On the way back, as most of the Uchiha clan members were currently stationed on the eastern front guarding against Kirigakure (their Sharingan possessing exceptional dynamic vision and insight, highly effective against Kirigakure's Silent Killing and mist techniques), Sora hadn't seen Uchiha Ryota on the Iwagakure front. So he inquired,
"Shouldn't your team be on the eastern front against Kirigakure? Why did you come to the rear of the northwestern front, and end up being chased by Iwagakure?"
Uchiha Ryota fell silent for a moment, then explained,
"Our team was originally on the eastern front. But a week ago, we received a secret mission, transferring us to the northwestern front for a special reconnaissance mission."
He paused, glanced at Sora, and continued,
"I can't go into the details of the mission. In short, we were discovered by Iwagakure, pursued all the way here. Three other teammates... have already sacrificed themselves."
Sora nodded, not particularly interested in the mission Uchiha Ryota mentioned, it was just a routine inquiry.
...
Soon, the four returned to the new medical base.
Seeing Sora return with three Konoha ninja covered in wounds, one of them an Uchiha, the base guards immediately let them pass.
After handing the three Iwagakure ninja over to the guards, Tsunade, accompanied by Shizune, also came out. She needed to understand the situation.
But when her gaze swept over the bloodstains and wounds on Uchiha Ryota and his two teammates, her face instantly paled.
"Shizune... you... you handle the debriefing... I... I'm going back first."
Tsunade almost bit her teeth to get the words out, then quickly turned and walked back to the main tent with hurried, almost fleeing, steps.
Shizune watched Tsunade's retreating back with concern, then hurriedly stepped forward to arrange for medical ninja to treat Uchiha Ryota and the other two.
Uchiha Ryota, puzzled by Tsunade's abnormal behavior, didn't ask further.
After simple treatment and bandaging, Uchiha Ryota's two teammates were sent to rest. His own injuries were lighter, and he insisted on personally thanking Sora.
At the edge of the camp, Uchiha Ryota looked at Sora, whose face was still covered by the monkey mask, his expression somewhat awkward. The Uchiha pride made it hard for him to naturally express gratitude.
He took a deep breath, as if having made a significant resolution, and spoke,
"Hey... Sora."
Sora looked at him, waiting.
"..."
"Just now... thank you."
"If you hadn't arrived in time, the three of us probably..."
Uchiha Ryota's voice was a bit stiff, but the sincerity within was audible.
He paused, seemingly feeling mere thanks weren't enough. His eyes flickered, looking elsewhere as he said,
"And also... about what happened back at the ninja academy... I was wrong. I shouldn't have... shouldn't have targeted you like that, and used the Great Fireball..."
For an Uchiha, especially the once proud Uchiha Ryota, to utter an apology showed that his growth over the past year and this near-death experience had truly changed him.
Sora was somewhat surprised. He had thought Ryota would at most say thanks and that would be it.
He removed his mask, revealing his calm face, and looked at the Uchiha youth before him. His eyes no longer held the previous challenge, instead carrying a touch of steadiness and complexity.
"Hmm, I accept it."
Sora nodded, his tone even. "It's all in the past. On the battlefield, survival is what matters most."
He didn't say polite phrases like "it's okay," simply accepting the gratitude and apology calmly.
This actually made Uchiha Ryota feel more at ease.
Seeing Sora so straightforward, he also relaxed, the tension leaving his shoulders.
He looked at Sora, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking,
"You... you've become so strong now. That Eight Inner Gates..."
"Just a means of self-preservation."
Sora cut him off, clearly unwilling to discuss the topic further. "Focus on recovering from your injuries first. The mission intelligence can be reported in detail once your team leader regains consciousness."
With that, Sora put his mask back on, turned, and left to continue his patrol duty.
Uchiha Ryota watched Sora's departing back, sighed with complex emotions.
A former rival had now become his savior. The unpredictability of fate was truly hard to fathom.
However, after this, the lingering resentment in his heart towards Sora had completely dissipated.
...
After resting at the medical base for a day, their injuries slightly improved, Uchiha Ryota and his two teammates prepared to leave.
After all, they still had an unfinished reconnaissance mission; the obtained intelligence needed to be delivered to the command center as soon as possible.
Before departing, Uchiha Ryota and his two teammates found Sora again, who was performing guard duty.
This time, his expression was much more natural. Although still carrying that unique Uchiha pride, the gratitude in his eyes was sincere.
"Sora, we're leaving now," Uchiha Ryota said. "Thank you, truly, this time."
The teammate beside him with the leg injury, now leaning on a crutch, also bowed solemnly to Sora.
"Lord Green Snake, we will never forget this life-saving grace."
The other teammate also expressed his sincere thanks.
Sora looked at them and nodded. "The mission is important. Be careful on the way."
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