Chapter 286 — The Door
Although Hyūga Jōhei was nominally a Chūnin, the loss of the Byakugan meant he no longer possessed the combat strength typical of that rank. In reality, he was only slightly stronger than an ordinary Genin.
The cave ahead was completely pitch-black—so dark that one couldn't even see their own hand.
However, Uchiha Itachi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Yakushi Kabuto had already memorized the route they had taken. By attaching chakra to their feet and palms, they moved carefully along the uneven rock walls, advancing soundlessly.
Hyūga Jōhei, on the other hand, hadn't immediately thought of using chakra this way.
After all, he had transmigrated only a few days ago and still hadn't fully adapted to the ninja world's instinctive use of chakra.
After just a few steps, he nearly tripped over a jagged rock.
But in that stumble—
His hand brushed against the cave wall.
Hollow?
Hyūga Jōhei froze.
Everything around it was solid stone, yet this small section felt different—empty behind the surface, like a concealed panel.
His heartbeat quickened.
A door…?
His eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, Hyūga Jōhei pressed forward, slipping silently through the hidden opening.
At that moment, none of the others—Itachi, Kabuto, Naruto, or Sasuke—noticed that the man trailing at the very rear had vanished.
After advancing some distance, the group halted.
Chaotic, shrill screams echoed from ahead, growing closer.
"Ni-san," Sasuke whispered, excitement flickering in his eyes.
"Should we use Fire Release and burn them all?"
Uchiha Itachi shook his head calmly.
"No Fire Release," he said in a low voice.
"There may still be civilians inside. We can't risk collateral damage. Kunai and senbon will suffice."
He had already examined the goblin cubs' corpses earlier.
Their skin toughness was roughly comparable to humans'.
That meant adult goblins wouldn't fare any better against sharp weapons.
Most shinobi only carried two or three kunai for melee use. For throwing weapons, senbon were far more practical—lightweight, numerous, and deadly when aimed at vital points.
"…Alright."
Sasuke nodded reluctantly.
In such darkness, Fire Release would have been effective—but Itachi's judgment was absolute.
He lowered his hands, aborted the hand signs, and instead slipped several senbon between his fingers, ready to throw.
When the goblins finally appeared—
Uchiha Itachi suddenly activated his flashlight.
Click.
Brilliant white light flooded the tunnel.
The goblins shrieked in shock, instinctively shielding their eyes.
That instant—
Sasuke, Naruto, and Yakushi Kabuto attacked.
Senbon flew like rain.
Several embedded themselves cleanly into eye sockets, throats, and neck arteries.
Screams erupted.
"Wah—!!"
The goblins howled in incomprehensible, chaotic cries.
In the opening exchange alone, more than ten goblins collapsed.
But they recovered quickly.
Some goblins brandished crude knives and forks, roaring as they charged forward.
Others raised bows, hastily nocking arrows and shouting warnings to their companions.
Uchiha Itachi moved first.
Before the archers could loose a single arrow, several were struck down with precise throws.
These goblins—barely over five feet tall—had no chance.
The melee attackers fared no better.
Naruto and Sasuke cut through them efficiently, their movements sharp and decisive.
A few goblins finally panicked and tried to flee—
Only to be intercepted by Yakushi Kabuto, who had already slipped behind them using Earth Release.
Their escape route was sealed.
They were quickly dispatched.
Some goblins, desperate, dragged the abducted women forward, hiding behind them while squealing threats.
But the shinobi couldn't understand their language.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes turned cold.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun into existence.
The goblins who met his gaze stiffened instantly, their bodies locking in place as fear paralyzed them completely.
Itachi stepped forward calmly and ended them one by one with his kunai.
Silence returned.
All the goblins that had come back were dead.
The abducted women remained crouched together, trembling violently, eyes filled with terror.
"Don't be afraid!" Naruto said loudly, grabbing the flashlight from Sasuke and shining it toward the ground near them.
"These monsters are dead. You're safe now!"
Hearing his voice, the women's panic eased slightly.
"Let's head out first," Itachi said.
Then he frowned.
Someone was missing.
The man who claimed to be from the Hyūga Clan.
"Kabuto," Itachi asked quietly,
"did you see Hyūga Jōhei leave just now?"
Yakushi Kabuto shook his head.
"I didn't. I was sealing off the rear the entire time. No one passed me."
He was certain of it—the flashlight beam had never wavered.
"That's strange…"
Itachi thought for a moment, then said,
"Naruto. Go back inside and check. See if Jōhei is still in the chamber where the goblin cubs were."
"Got it."
Naruto immediately ran back, calling out loudly.
"Hey! Jōhei! Where'd you go?!"
The flashlight beam swept wildly as he retraced their path.
He reached the stone chamber.
Dead goblin cubs lay scattered everywhere.
Naruto searched carefully—
Nothing.
No sign of Hyūga Jōhei.
"Where did he disappear to…?"
Scratching his head, Naruto turned to leave.
As he passed a jagged rock, he nearly tripped—but paid it no mind.
He didn't notice that the cave wall beside it was slightly different.
A concealed door—perfectly blended into the stone.
A door that led to another world.
On the other side—
Hyūga Jōhei emerged into a different cave.
It was just as dark.
Just as silent.
But a faint breeze brushed against his face.
And with it—
A thick, pungent, nauseating stench.
His heart skipped a beat.
"…So this is it."
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