In the next moment, the atmosphere became chaotic.
Not because of shouting, but due to the shuffling of shoes and clothing, held breaths, and hurried footsteps.
Out of the three thousand attacking ninjas that had come, only two thousand nine hundred ninety-nine remained.
One had lost their status as a ninja.
They had become an object of experimentation, nothing more than a laboratory rat.
But the surprises didn't stop there.
Some of them… chose the left.
And for a moment, even Reiji—and Keito, who stood not far behind him—could not hide their shock.
Some among the enemies… chose to stay on the left side.
Or perhaps, they simply did not yet know which side was right.
...
...
...
Of course, some of them were ninjas from Kirigakure—not just comrades, but old friends who had shared memories with Yukina since childhood.
Some had been with them since their first steps in learning the ninja arts, laughing in the rain during training, and fighting together in countless battles.
They were not just ninjas; they were family that could not be easily abandoned.
That was why some chose to stay, even knowing it meant they would become prisoners of war on the Uzumaki Clan's Whirlpool Island.
Yukina stood in the cold, gloomy room, the stone walls absorbing the vibrations of footsteps and tense whispers.
Yukina's gaze reflected a mix of emotions—confusion, sadness, and a touch of warmth—as she watched some of them choose to stay.
Yukina's expression changed from shock to slight relief, then to nervousness.
"Why… why did you choose to stay here?" Yukina's voice trembled slightly, almost breaking, as if holding back tears. "You… know the risks, right?"
From the line, a woman stepped forward with steady steps.
The woman's short black hair was neatly cut but slightly messy at the ends, as if she had just been in a struggle.
Her deep black eyes held both courage and a profound pain.
The Kirigakure ninja uniform she wore was worn out, with small scars and dust stains marring some parts.
As the woman lifted her head, her gaze never left Yukina.
"You are my friend, Yukina. We come from the same clan, and we have been together since we were little.
"I remember when we ran through the forest, hiding from our angry teacher, laughing until our stomachs hurt."
"I can't let you face all of this alone—as a test subject for them to use as they please."
The woman's voice was firm, filled with determination. "I choose to stay, not out of fear, but because I cannot bear to leave you alone."
Yukina lowered her head, her breath coming in gasps and her lips trembling as she said, "Fuyuka… thank you… thank you so much…"
Yukina's eyes began to well with tears, and a faint smile appeared on her pale lips.
Other voices responded, joining together in a symphony of solidarity that warmed the cold room.
"Exactly! We choose to stay because we won't leave you alone!"
"Yes! Even in the darkest times, we will be by your side!"
"We won't let our Captain face this alone!"
The voices echoed, further strengthening their presence in the midst of the pressing and uncertain situation.
They formed a line, standing tall, their faces full of spirit and sincerity.
A young man with a faint tattoo on his neck spoke up in a soft, honest tone, "If I go back to the village… I know no one will care."
"Here, I have family—a family that chooses to stay together, no matter what happens."
The others nodded, the man's face stern but his eyes wet. "We have no family in that village. Here, we support each other. You, Captain, are the reason we endure."
"So never feel guilty, or think that you are alone, Captain."
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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