Naruto: IHCS Ch. 142

Shiratori answered Aoki's question with action.

How was he going to bring the wounded ninja over to his side?

For him, there were many possible methods.

The first way: he could have the crows carry the injured ninja.

But he did not intend to use that method. If he did, first, it would definitely worsen the ninja's injuries, second, a large flock of crows would attract the attention of the fighting ninjas, third, crows flying while carrying a person straight toward them would likely expose their location.

The second way: he could let his puppets or shikigami transport the injured ninja.

He discarded this as well, the reasoning was the same as the first method.

The third way: he could rely on Takako's Sky Manipulation, to shift the space beneath the wounded ninja directly in front of him.

That way, their position wouldn't be exposed, and it would be done silently and without trace.

It was the most perfect method. But he abandoned this perfect method as well. If he were alone, he might have used the Sky Manipulation technique.

But he had Aoki and Nagato by his side. Nagato was a ticking time bomb, Aoki was already a bomb. He didn't want to reveal too many of his trump cards.

So he chose the fourth method.

A strange tremor stirred from deep within Aoki's soul.

Nagato seemed to sense something too, his gaze shifted onto Shiratori.

Behind him, the air twisted as if warped by an invisible power. A purple vortex emerged noiselessly.

It looked like the entrance to an unknown abyss, quietly spinning, its dark center seeming to swallow all light and sound.

Aoki's pupils shrank violently.

He stared fixedly at the sudden purple vortex.

Information about Shiratori flashed through Aoki's mind.

Could it be...

This is it!

Shiratori's cursed power?

The next second, something terrifying happened that made his hair stand on end.

From the center of the purple vortex, something stretched out soundlessly... a hand?

No, it could hardly be called a "hand" or even a "limb."

It looked more like a tentacle.

About as thick as an adult's arm, semi-transparent dark purple, its surface smooth, its movements fluid and flexible, as if boneless.

The dark purple tentacle moved as though it had its own will and consciousness. It hugged the ground, slithering forward like a cunning serpent, silent yet frighteningly fast.

It navigated around every obstacle with precision, sliding across the grass.

In the distance, the battling ninjas suddenly felt a wave of unease for no apparent reason.

They glanced around warily.

But in their sight, there was only scorched earth strewn with corpses, and weapons flashing through the air.

The cursed spirit's tentacle perfectly merged into the shifting light and shadow of the battlefield, unnoticed.

It moved as if it could see, locating the gravely wounded Konoha ninja with uncanny accuracy.

Its tip curled deftly, wrapping around the young ninja's torso, carefully avoiding the fatal wound on his abdomen, providing steady support.

Then it began retracting.

Its speed was still terrifying, yet impossibly steady.

The gravely injured ninja felt almost no jostling, lifted effortlessly by the tentacle, he was swiftly pulled back toward the bushes where they were hiding.

The entire process happened in the blink of an eye, silent, without attracting any attention.

In an instant, the tentacle had already withdrawn into the shadows of the bushes.

The wounded Konoha ninja now lay quietly on the grass at Shiratori's side.

He was unconscious, his breathing faint.

The space where the three of them were fell into complete silence.

Only the distant clamor of the battlefield remained, making their hidden corner seem all the more eerie and still.

Aoki's mouth hung open, his eyes bulging wide. He looked from the suddenly appearing wounded ninja to Shiratori, whose expression remained calm and unchanged.

Aoki's mind was blank.

Slowly, his gaze shifted back toward the purple vortex.

Amazing!

His throat was dry.

Now he finally understood why that man had chosen Shiratori.

He didn't only have an unshakable will, he also possessed unbelievable power.

Nagato continued carrying out the mission Shiratori had assigned him, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield in search of any ninja who might still cling to a thread of life. At the same time, he remained alert, ready for anyone who might approach.

Shiratori, meanwhile, lowered his eyes, focusing all his attention on the injured Konoha ninja.

He began examining the ninja's wounds.

His brows furrowed.

Although the presence of cursed spirits had greatly increased his mental endurance, seeing these injuries still triggered uncontrollable physical reactions.

His stomach gave a faint twitch.

He placed his hand on the young ninja's abdominal wound. He first cleaned out the ninja's intestines, then carefully placed them back into the abdominal cavity.

Fortunately, they weren't ruptured, otherwise, his workload would have been much greater.

The young ninja seemed to feel someone touching his body. His previously unfocused pupils struggled to refocus.

Shiratori hadn't expected him to wake under such grievous injuries, but the human will is a mysterious force. The young ninja, once unconscious and vacant-eyed, now regained a spark of light in his gaze. When he saw Shiratori's unfamiliar face, fear and wariness flickered in his eyes. A hoarse rasping sound escaped his throat. In his condition, the young ninja lacked even the strength to speak. Shiratori wasn't at all worried about him lashing out.

Even if the ninja somehow managed to muster a final desperate attack, Rika would erase that miracle of survival instantly.

"Don't be afraid... I'm here to help you..."

His voice was soft and gentle, doing his best to appear nonthreatening.

His hands glowed with light. A warm radiance enveloped the young ninja's gruesome wound.

Nagato stood beside Shiratori, watchful eyes scanning the surroundings, his Rinnegan slowly revolving in the darkness, sensing the flow of chakra around them and detecting potential dangers in advance.

He had to protect Shiratori.

A trace of determination flashed in Nagato's eyes.

His body leaned slightly forward, like a young wolf ready to pounce at any moment and tear into the enemy.

A soft glow enveloped the ninja's grotesque wound on his abdomen.

The once tense body of the ninja gradually relaxed.

So comfortable... The wound itched, the pain slowly fading. It felt like... His strength was gradually returning.

The Konoha ninja used all his remaining energy to turn his head and examine the boy before him.

A completely unfamiliar face.

He struggled to recall, but no corresponding name came to mind. He was sure he did not know this boy. Nor did he see anything on this boy that suggested a connection to Iwa.

In other words... The Konoha ninja took a heavy breath. His cold body was slowly regaining warmth.

A trace of confusion flickered in his eyes.

In other words, this boy was neither a ninja of Konoha, nor of Iwa.

Then why was he here, on the battlefield?

Why was he saving him?

The Konoha ninja felt his body becoming lighter. He had finally recovered a little strength.

"Who are you?" he whispered weakly.

"I'm a medical-nin here to save you."

Shiratori gave the Konoha ninja a warm smile.

"..."

What kind of answer was that?

He had said something, yet revealed nothing. He still didn't know the boy's identity, name, or origins.

"Don't worry, I'll heal you," Shiratori reassured the Konoha ninja.

The Konoha ninja looked at him, a trace of gratitude flickering in his eyes.

[Gratitude detected: +3000 points]
[Curse Growth - Gratitude: 29.1%]

The Konoha ninja felt Shiratori's kindness, his wariness slowly dissipating, leaving only confusion.

The glow in Shiratori's hands faded, and with a sharp strike, he chopped the Konoha ninja at the neck. The ninja's head slumped to the side, unconscious once more. Only a faint, shallow pink scar remained on his abdomen.

Aoki stared blankly at Shiratori.

He looked at Aoki and said, "Can I ask you to watch over this unconscious ninja?"

Aoki blinked in confusion, his gaze landing on the fainted ninja, doubtful: "Why?"

Shiratori explained, "If we don't knock them out, they'll insist on returning to the battlefield. Then when will this battle ever end?"

Hearing his explanation, the doubt in Aoki's eyes faded.

He nodded, his earlier timidity and fear vanishing, and said firmly, "Leave it to me!"

Shiratori smiled at him.

"I knew you'd help me. Thank you, Aoki."

Aoki's hands froze. He looked at Shiratori's shining eyes, then lowered his gaze in silence.

[Faith detected: Aoki +1000 points]
[Energy transferred to Suguru]
[Development progress: 75.1%]

Tentacles once again stretched out from the vortex, sliding into the night. Their second target: an Iwa ninja pinned beneath half of a charred tree trunk. His arms and legs were twisted at unnatural angles, chest rising weakly, eyes shut tight. The tentacles slithered carefully into the gap between trunk and ninja.

They wrapped gently around his torso, pulling him free from the crushing weight, almost without a sound. The tentacles carried him back, laying him down softly at Shiratori's other side.

He examined the Iwa ninja's injuries and began treatment.

[Killing Intent detected: +3000 points]
[Curse Growth - Killing Intent: 8.7%]

The Iwa ninja seemed to sense the presence of an enemy and suddenly opened his eyes wide. Aoki reacted instantly, clamping his hand over the ninja's mouth to keep their hiding place from being exposed.

The Iwa ninja's pupils dilated in shock. He glared fiercely at Shiratori and Aoki, but his broken limbs left him powerless to resist.

Shiratori ignored his anger and gave him a compassionate smile:

"I will save you. I won't let you die on this battlefield! Please hold on, don't give up on yourself!"

The Iwa ninja's breath quickened.

Who was this boy?!

Why was he here on the battlefield?

What was his purpose?

To save him?

Impossible!

His eyes burned with killing intent.

[Killing Intent detected: +3000 points]
[Curse Growth - Killing Intent: 9%]

Shiratori almost wanted to rub his hands together, but he swallowed the thought and continued treatment.

Because of the ninja's hostility, his movements grew a bit rougher.

[Killing Intent detected: +3000 points]
[Curse Growth - Killing Intent: 9.3%]

As time passed, the Iwa ninja's expression began to change.

He no longer glared so fiercely. His widened pupils now carried shock.

What was happening?

His numb limbs, he could feel them again.

Was this boy really... saving him?

But why?

The ninja was certain he had never seen this boy before.

Why would he be saving him?

The sensation in his limbs grew clearer. His breathing quickened, his eyes flickering with light.

Could it be... he wasn't going to die?

Could it be... he really was recovering?

The Iwa ninja looked at the boy earnestly treating his wounds, his gaze complex.