Chapter 295: Bringing Back to Konoha
At Ichikawa Ao's current rate of progress, becoming a jōnin was only a matter of time.
In fact, even jōnin might not be his ceiling.
Although Goblins possessed no Bloodline Limit, their learning speed was astonishing. Once they grasped the basics of Chakra control, they mastered Ninjutsu far faster than ordinary shinobi.
Even without a Kekkei Genkai, a ninja who mastered enough high-level techniques could still stand at the top.
The Third Hokage was the best example.
He had no Bloodline Limit either, yet he was revered as the Professor of Ninjutsu, having mastered countless techniques across all five nature transformations.
In Uchiha Itachi's eyes, Ichikawa Ao's future path naturally resembled that of the Third Hokage.
That was why Itachi valued him so highly.
As this thought crossed his mind, another idea surfaced.
The women rescued earlier.
After a brief pause, Itachi changed direction, moving back toward the place where the women had been sheltered two nights ago.
He intended to confirm one thing.
If the pregnancies had already been terminated by medical treatment, there was nothing to be done.
But if they had not…
Then those women could be brought back to Konoha.
Their homes had already been destroyed during the Goblin attacks. Whether they returned or not, they had nowhere left to go.
At the very least, Konoha could provide them with food, shelter, and protection.
Itachi only hoped that things had not progressed too far.
"Itachi-niisan, where are we going?"
Naruto noticed the sudden change in direction and asked curiously.
"We're checking on the women we rescued," Itachi replied calmly.
"Oh!" Naruto brightened. "I wanted to see them too. They looked really bad when we left. I hope the doctors helped them."
Sasuke and Yakushi Kabuto exchanged brief glances.
Unlike Naruto, they vaguely understood Itachi's intentions.
Sasuke did not question his brother's decisions. He trusted Itachi completely.
As for Kabuto, he remained silent as well. From his perspective, these were civilians who had already been saved once. Being relocated to Konoha was hardly a bad outcome.
No one voiced any objections.
Only Naruto remained unaware of the deeper considerations.
When they arrived at the outpost where the women had been housed, they immediately sensed something was wrong.
After questioning the guards, they learned the truth.
The women had not received treatment to terminate their pregnancies.
Instead, they had all been locked up.
Even those who were not pregnant had been imprisoned.
The town intended to execute them all.
The reason was simple: children born of monsters were considered ominous.
The execution was scheduled for noon the next day.
Itachi's expression darkened slightly.
They had arrived just in time.
The cells were breached without incident, and the women were brought out.
Naruto immediately ran to a nearby clinic and bought several stretchers.
Kabuto went to rent a large carriage.
These women were in no condition to travel on foot.
All of the pregnant women were to be taken back to Konoha.
As for the remaining four, Itachi asked for their wishes.
Their answers were unanimous.
Their villages had already been destroyed, and after everything they had experienced, they no longer trusted the townspeople of the Land of Hot Springs.
When they heard they would be taken to Konoha, all four agreed without hesitation.
After all, these ninja had already saved their lives—twice.
Soon, Naruto returned with the stretchers. Shadow Clones carefully carried the women into the carriage Kabuto had rented.
The coachman stared in shock.
So many injured and pregnant women, escorted by ninja?
He couldn't help but speculate wildly.
Seeing the ease with which Itachi and the others moved, he quickly realized their identities and immediately lowered his head, focusing only on driving.
The carriage was the largest available, easily accommodating everyone.
After all eight women were settled inside, Itachi and the others did not enter. Instead, they sat cross-legged atop the roof.
"Those people were horrible," Naruto muttered angrily.
"They were victims, but they still wanted to kill them."
No one responded immediately.
Ichikawa Ao's expression was complicated.
He was glad the women had been saved.
But he also understood Itachi's interest in the children they carried.
Only he knew the truth.
His own talent came from the Goddess's blessing.
Other Goblins might not possess the same potential at all.
When the children were born, the truth would eventually surface.
For a fleeting moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.
But he quickly shook his head.
No.
He had never even killed an animal before, let alone a person.
He pushed the thought away.
I'll deal with it when the time comes.
By then, he would be stronger.
Strong enough that even if the truth was discovered, his value would speak for itself.
They reached the port and boarded a ship, returning to Naoetsu in the Land of Fire.
From there, another carriage was rented.
Their journey back to Konoha officially began.
Not long after they departed Naoetsu, the village's support team arrived at the port as well.
However, just as they were preparing to board a ship bound for the Land of Hot Springs, they were intercepted by Konoha's stationed intelligence personnel.
The mission had already changed.
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