Chapter 22: In a Cruel Choice, the Uchiha Chose Love!
The Terrible Gambit
Outside the barrier, Dodai rapidly formed hand seals.
Observing this, Uchiha Setsuna's expression immediately changed.
He recognized the jutsu Dodai was preparing: Earth Release: Great Moving Earth Core!
This large-scale earth technique could raise massive formations from the ground, forcibly exposing enemies hiding beneath the surface.
However, in the Land of Hot Water—a region of intense volcanic activity with numerous hot springs and mountainous terrain—the nature of this jutsu changed dramatically.
The Great Moving Earth Core wouldn't simply expose enemies, but would tap into endless streams of boiling underground water exceeding 100°C, capable of causing third-degree burns from mere contact!
The immense tactical advantage this terrain provided was precisely why the Kumogakure team was confident they could eliminate Uchiha Setsuna.
It was also why they had chosen to ambush him in the Land of Hot Water rather than at the Fire Country border.
Dodai couldn't wait any longer.
The cause of this entire disaster was that insane Uchiha brat trapped within the barrier!
If not for him forcing the tide of battle, holding Moroi back, and now even awakening his Sharingan while showing signs of turning the tables—Dodai would never have resorted to this.
These thoughts churned through Dodai's mind.
His gaze toward Moroi suddenly filled with internal struggle.
The consequence of this action would be sacrificing his sworn brother, Moroi.
Kumogakure was a village that valued brotherhood above all else.
Guilt, remorse, and shame hammered at his heart, his face a mask of conflicted emotions.
But then, that old demon Uchiha Setsuna's extreme declaration—the unbridled wrath of the world's most powerful ninja clan—inflicted upon Dodai an overwhelming sense of dread.
Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!
Once these thoughts arose, they replayed in his mind like a mantra, repetitive and irresistible, until only those three words filled his consciousness.
The next moment, Dodai's eyes hardened as he shouted furiously:
"Enough!"
"Moroi, drop the barrier!"
"I'll kill him myself!"
The Betrayal
Inside the barrier:
"What did you say, Dodai-senpai?"
Hearing those words, Moroi froze in shock.
This moment of distraction gave Tsukasa his opening. He grasped the ninja sword's blade and wrenched it downward, his bloody palm firmly gripping the handle before delivering a vicious kick to Moroi's abdomen.
BANG!
Moroi was sent flying, the ninja sword falling into Tsukasa's hands.
He stumbled several times among the rubble before catching himself with his palms, halting his backward momentum.
He didn't bother continuing to fight Tsukasa. Instead, he turned with a blank expression to stare at Dodai outside the barrier.
However, Dodai simply took a deep breath, his hands moving continuously as he commanded coldly:
"I said, drop the barrier!"
"Drop the barrier?" Moroi's eyes widened, staring at Dodai in disbelief.
"Now you want me to drop the barrier?"
His face flushed and paled, his expression rapidly shifting.
As a team member who had participated in the entire planning process, how could Moroi not understand that Dodai was using Earth Release: Great Moving Earth Core with its terrifying power and vast range?
And now Dodai was demanding he release the barrier, claiming he would personally kill Tsukasa!
Didn't he realize that jutsu would also engulf his own teammate?
The thought sent chills through Moroi's heart as he looked at Dodai—who had always been like a brother—with strange new eyes.
Finally, he roared back in furious rage:
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"You're preparing the Earth Core technique and asking me to drop the barrier?!"
"Are you planning to kill me too, Dodai?!"
Hearing this, a trace of guilt crossed Dodai's features.
He didn't respond, nor did he dare look at Moroi. He simply turned and gritted his teeth at Raimei standing beside him:
"Raimei, protect me. Don't let that old bastard Setsuna get close!"
Raimei was equally shocked: "Dodai, you..."
Dodai simply shook his head, his expression grim.
"Do I need to spell it out? If we let this old man escape, what happens next? Haven't you considered the consequences?"
Raimei gritted his teeth. "Then why sacrifice Moroi as well?"
Dodai exhaled deeply, forming his final hand seal. With cold calculation, he said:
"Think it through! If we don't kill that psychotic brat too, without the barrier containing him, the old man will escape on his own!"
"The situation is completely different now."
"Moroi has fulfilled his purpose—he sealed all the explosive tags on that maniac."
"That brat is no longer a threat."
"In fact, he'll be our ally!"
Raimei couldn't help but glance sideways at the Third Raikage's right-hand man.
A flash of fear appeared in his eyes.
It was clear why this man had risen to such a high position in Kumogakure at such a young age, while he—after a lifetime of service—remained merely an ordinary jonin squad leader.
Shaking his head, Raimei sighed with resignation:
"You're right."
"Sometimes bonds must be sacrificed for victory."
Dodai didn't reply, but narrowed his eyes as he watched Uchiha Setsuna charging toward him—katana blazing with flames, crimson Sharingan leaving trails of red light. His gaze was cold and calculating as he sneered.
He slammed his palm to the ground!
The Volcano Trap
The next moment, the earth trembled!
Massive chunks of earth rose and writhed as if alive.
A colossal volcanic formation slowly emerged from the ground, its crater instantly swallowing the barrier surrounding Moroi.
Thick steam billowed around the crater's rim.
Witnessing this scene, Setsuna's eyes blazed as he shouted furiously:
"What are you planning, Kumogakure?!"
"Uchiha Setsuna, let's make a wager," Dodai said, hands continuing to form seals with a cruel smile.
Now he was preparing Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique.
He would transform the soil into a river of molten rubber, then seal the crater with the liquid stone.
The boiling water drawn up by the earth technique would create tremendous pressure inside, causing the volcanic formation to expand.
The hostile environment within, combined with the resulting explosive eruption of superheated water, would unleash power beyond human control!
"You have two choices," Dodai said coldly, gazing at Setsuna.
"You can stay here and fight us to the death."
"Then watch as I kill the boy who was about to defeat Moroi."
"I'll admit it—you've won. You've ruined our entire operation by sacrificing just one genin brat!"
"Leave now, and I won't stop you!"
"Of course, you have another option."
Dodai pointed at the massive crater billowing with white steam.
He sneered:
"Jump in!"
"With your abilities, you might be able to save that kid."
Setsuna's face went ashen.
"My jutsu is about to seal this completely—aren't you going to choose?!" Dodai shouted, eyes wide with anticipation.
Setsuna glared at him, gritting his teeth as he stood at the volcano's edge.
Without hesitation, he turned and leaped into the volcanic crater!
Dodai sneered: "Perfect! It's all over!"
With that, he completed his seals and expelled a surging river of molten rubber!
The superheated liquid stone sealed the crater like a massive lid, trapping everything within.
The die was cast!
End of Chapter 22
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