Thud!
Thud!
The blinding lightning of Kakashi's Chidori struck the heart of the Iwa-nin Jonin simultaneously as the Jonin's twin blades pierced Kakashi's chest. Hot blood sprayed, each of their faces drenched in the other's blood!
"How... how is this possible..."
The Iwa-nin Jonin murmured in disbelief, the light in his eyes fading. He couldn't believe he would die at the hands of a child!
"Damn, I'm injured!"
Kakashi endured the pain in his chest and pushed Jonin's body away. The Jonin's corpse fell with a thud, but the twin blades remained embedded in Kakashi's body, blood dripping from the wounds!
"It's because of the soul fusion. The alignment between my soul and body is insufficient; otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten hurt!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth and pulled the twin blades out, cursing inwardly.
"What now? The Iwa-nin reinforcements are on their way, and I can't hold on until sensei arrives in this condition!"
Feeling his body's weakness, Kakashi became anxious. According to the original storyline, a team of Iwa-nin would soon attack. The original uninjured Kakashi barely managed to hold on until Minato arrived. But now, injured, everything had deviated from the original plot!
Kakashi's eyes showed a hint of panic but didn't give in to despair.
Swish! Swish!
Kakashi quickly retreated to the rock pile.
"Kakashi, you're hurt?"
When Kakashi appeared, Rin saw him and exclaimed in shock at his injuries.
"Kakashi..."
Uchiha Obito also called out weakly upon hearing about Kakashi's injury.
"Don't speak, Rin! Quickly perform emergency treatment; a team of enemies is approaching!"
Kakashi jumped in front of Rin, his face solemn.
"Okay!"
Seeing Kakashi's expression, Rin quickly put away her worries and treated him seriously.
"Obito, don't worry. Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect Rin!"
Kakashi saw Obito's worried look and knew he was more concerned about Rin's safety than anything. He reassured Obito with a determined tone.
"Be... careful... stay alive..."
Obito opened his mouth as if to say something to Rin, but instead, he urged both of them to be cautious and prioritize survival.
Cough, cough!
Obito coughed up blood again, his breathing becoming increasingly tricky, teetering on the brink of death.
"Obito..."
Rin cried out in sorrow, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.
"Be careful; the enemies are here!"
Kakashi suppressed his sadness and whispered seriously. He had detected movement outside; based on the sounds, twelve enemies were approaching.
"The enemies are inside; everyone attacks together!"
A faint voice came from outside, indicating the enemies didn't care if Kakashi's group heard them.
"Damn, there's no way to hide and delay them!"
Kakashi cursed inwardly. He had hoped to remain still and delay as much time as possible for Minato to arrive. But the elite enemies quickly discovered them within the rock pile!
"Kakashi, take Rin and go..."
Obito's urgent voice sounded in Kakashi's ears, showing his heightened senses even in his dying state.
"Earth Style: Ground Splitting Palm!"
"Earth Style: Ground Splitting Palm!"
Several low shouts followed as six Iwa-nin simultaneously launched Earth-style attacks. The ground cracked and trembled!
"Ah..."
Rin gasped in surprise, halting her medical ninjutsu on Kakashi.
"Let's go!"
With no time to lose, Kakashi grabbed Rin and leaped away, dodging the collapsing rocks. Uchiha Obito was buried under the debris in an instant!
"Obito..."
"Obito..."
Kakashi and Rin cried out in their hearts upon seeing Obito buried.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Kakashi knew their danger and kept moving with Rin, entering the nearby forest. However, severely injured, he had to stop after only two hundred meters.
"Rin! Quickly, perform emergency bandaging!"
Kakashi's forehead was covered in cold sweat, his face pale. His injuries were severe, and he was barely holding on through sheer willpower.
"I can't collapse; otherwise, we'll die. Rin will die, and I'd fail Obito's trust!"
Kakashi mentally urged himself, biting his tongue to stay conscious.
"Sensei will arrive soon; I just need to hold on until then!"
Kakashi's mind raced as he strategized to buy time.
"Okay..."
Rin noticed Kakashi's bleeding worsening due to her halt in treatment. She quickly bandaged his wounds, tears streaming down her face. Half were for Obito's death, half for Kakashi's injuries.
"Rin! Obito liked you a lot, very much!"
"So no matter what, I'll protect you!"
Seeing Rin's tears, Kakashi spoke with sadness and determination. Protecting Rin was for Obito's sake. The new soul and body hadn't fully aligned, so Kakashi's original soul still dominated his thoughts.
"I... I understand..."
"And my feelings for you, Kakashi, they..."
Rin, distressed by his words, felt a heavy sadness. She didn't want Obito's affection to prevent Kakashi from loving her. Despite the timing, Rin wished to express her feelings to Kakashi.