Chapter 0050: A Close Call
Am I... going to die?
Kurenai's eyes, wide with fear, told me everything. I could see the way she tensed, bracing for the inevitable. Her thoughts were clear — she was ready to give herself up for me. I hated that.
Kurenai… don't you dare think like that.
The sound of kunai slicing through the air reached my ears, sharp and unforgiving. But it wasn't her pain I saw — it was the surprise in her eyes when she opened them. I was there, standing between her and death.
"You... How are you...?" she asked, voice trembling.
"It's okay, sis," I said softly, my hand resting gently on her head. I forced a smile even though every inch of my body screamed in agony. "Everything's fine now."
She broke down instantly, her tough exterior crumbling as tears flowed. Kurenai clung to me, her body trembling as she buried her face in my chest. Shizune wasn't doing much better. I could hear her soft sobs, too.
They're just kids... I have to protect them, no matter what.
But then, Kurenai suddenly pulled away, her hands wet with blood. My blood. Her eyes widened, horrified.
"Hiroto, you're hurt!" she gasped, staring at her bloodstained hands.
I knew she had realized it — the sounds of kunai hitting flesh weren't just an illusion. I chuckled weakly, brushing it off as best I could. "I told you, I'll protect you both." I smiled, pretending like it didn't hurt. But in truth, I was barely holding it together.
I'm at my limit.
My chakra reserves were nearly depleted. I had used everything I had for that high-speed movement, and I didn't even have time to activate my Lightning Armor. Those kunai pierced straight through my flesh, and to make it worse, the poison... I could feel it coursing through me, messing with my chakra flow.
Dammit…
Across the battlefield, the two Jonin watched me carefully, realizing I was done for. I could see it in their eyes — that twisted mix of excitement and relief.
They think they've won.
One of them spoke, his voice calm but filled with pride. "Let's finish this. Even if he knows there's no way out, he still rushed to protect his comrades. That kind of spirit... it deserves respect, even in an enemy."
Respect? I nearly laughed at the thought. I don't need their respect. I don't need their pity. I'm not a hero. I hate that word. But for Kurenai and Shizune... for them, I'll play the part. Even if I have to break every bone in my body, I won't let them die.
This is my nindō. This is who I am.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade!" "Wind Style: Gale Blade Barrage!" "Wind Style: Thousand Faces of Wind!" "Wind Style: Sky-Splitting Palm!"
All the Sand ninja unleashed their wind-style jutsu in unison, transforming the battlefield into a whirlwind of death. The ground shook as sand and rocks were ripped from the earth, trees uprooted, and the very air felt like it was trying to tear us apart. Kurenai and Shizune clung to me, burying their faces in my chest. They had stopped crying. No more screams. Just silent acceptance.
No. I won't let this happen.
The system's voice rang out in my mind, a familiar, almost annoying presence — but this time, it was different.
[New options generated!]
[Host, choose one of the following options:]
[-> Option one: Use Kido No. 81: Dankū to block the attack!]
[-> Option two: Sacrifice one year of your lifespan to use an advanced Yang Release technique, healing all your wounds and neutralizing the poison!]
[-> Option three: Sacrifice ten years of your lifespan to devour all their ninjutsu and unleash Dragon Slayer Magic: Roar of the Sky Dragon!]
The seriousness of its tone was almost jarring. I didn't have time to think about why the system suddenly felt like playing the hero itself. My mind raced, weighing the options.
One year? Ten years? The pain in my body throbbed, reminding me of the severity of my wounds. But this wasn't about me anymore. It never was.
I glanced down at Kurenai and Shizune, both trembling, both relying on me. I couldn't let them down.
I'll make my choice.
Note: We've reached chapter 50. Thank you for being together on this journey.
For +30 chapters, check out p@treon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NarutoWriter