"Bastards. Their target is the medical ninja."
One Konoha-nin was furious, wanting to turn back to help, but was tightly entangled by an "Iwa-nin" in front of him.
Night Owl now also "struggled" to get up from the ground. Looking at the chaotic camp and the large number of captured comrades, especially when she saw Yumi and Ayumi were also taken, her expression under the mask was extremely complex.
She understood Sora's intention. To create confusion.
But her current identity was the captain of a Konoha Anbu squad. She absolutely could not do nothing.
"Pursue them. We absolutely cannot let them take the medical ninja."
Night Owl forcefully suppressed the emotions in her heart and issued the order, simultaneously leaping onto Baihu's back.
Baihu let out a low roar, preparing to give chase.
Seeing his objective was basically achieved, Sora's main body did not hesitate any longer.
"Cover the retreat."
He gave the final order to the three shadow clones still creating chaos ahead and the three shadow clones who had just completed the kidnapping mission.
The three shadow clones turned around without hesitation, facing the pursuing Konoha ninja, including Night Owl and Baihu.
They erupted with their final chakra, performed powerful ninjutsu, and desperately obstructed them.
Meanwhile, Sora's main body and the other five shadow clones carrying the "prisoners", like six sharp arrows, shot towards the dark forest outside the valley.
"Stop them."
"Earth Release, Earth Style Wall."
"Wind Release, Great Breakthrough."
The Konoha ninja shouted angrily, but the three covering shadow clones moved freely among them, continuously creating explosions and obstacles.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Violent explosions sounded one after another. Using the precious time bought with the lives of his shadow clones, Sora's main body and the two shadow clones carrying "prisoners" completely disappeared into the vast night.
The valley camp was left in a mess, along with Night Owl's inscrutable gaze.
...
Inside a forest within the Land of Fire.
Sora's main body and five shadow clones, carrying over ten medical ninja including Yumi and Ayumi, moved rapidly through the night.
To create a realistic effect, he first traveled a distance towards the direction of the Land of Earth, intentionally leaving behind some inconspicuous traces.
Only after confirming he had completely shaken off any possible pursuit did Sora quickly change direction. The Azure Dragon power surged within him, and he traveled through the air towards the Land of Whirlpools.
High in the sky.
Yumi and Ayumi, tucked under Sora's main body's arms, secretly opened their eyes. Looking at the shrinking scenery below, their little faces were full of wonder and excitement. They almost forgot they were still in a "captured" state.
Sora noticed their little movements. He found it amusing inwardly but did not expose them. He just increased his speed again.
A blue light streaked across the sky, speeding towards the direction of the Land of Whirlpools.
During the journey, a few medical ninja with stronger chakra control woke up early. Dazedly, they were about to struggle when a shadow clone knocked them out again with a chop to the neck.
'Sorry, you'll have to sleep a little longer for now.' Sora thought silently to himself.
He was not a bloodthirsty person. These medical ninja had no enmity with him, and killing them held no benefit.
His goal had always been clear. To safely take Yumi and Ayumi away and create a perfect "disappearance" illusion.
...
The next day at noon, Ascension Island, Land of Whirlpools.
Sora dispelled the shadow clones and opened the laboratory door disguised as a mountain wall.
"Brother Sora, are we there?"
Yumi asked quietly. Ayumi also tightly grasped her sleeve, curiously looking around at the unfamiliar environment.
"Yes. For the next period of time, this will be our new home." Sora nodded.
He led the two girls, along with the other still unconscious medical ninja carried by his Wind Release, into the underground passage.
Inside the laboratory, Nonō Yakushi, Kabuto, and Miyamoto Ichirō immediately came forward upon hearing the noise.
When they saw the Konoha medical ninja floating behind Sora, lying haphazardly all over the place, they were all stunned.
"Sora, this. What is this?"
Nonō Yakushi covered her mouth in surprise. Her gaze swept quickly and soon discovered Yumi and Ayumi hiding behind Sora. She sighed in relief, but the confusion in her eyes grew deeper.
Miyamoto Ichirō scratched his head and asked naively.
"Sora, didn't you go to rescue Yumi and Ayumi. How. How did you bring so many people back. Opening a hospital."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. His gaze behind the lenses flickered with thought. He seemed to have guessed something.
Sora gently placed the unconscious medical ninja in an empty corner of the laboratory. Yumi and Ayumi immediately ran to Nonō Yakushi's side.
"Sister, things went smoothly, but there was a small incident along the way."
Sora explained concisely. "I disguised myself as an Iwa-nin and attacked the medical unit. If I only took Yumi and Ayumi, the target would be too obvious. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo would definitely suspect something. So, I had to 'invite' their entire squad, along with some nearby medical ninja."
Nonō Yakushi nodded, understanding Sora's intention.
She looked at the colleagues on the ground wearing Konoha flak jackets. A trace of pity flashed in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by resolve.
For everyone's safety, this was necessary.
"I understand. These people. How do you plan to handle them." Nonō Yakushi asked.
Sora's gaze swept over the unconscious people on the ground. He pondered.
"Killing them is unnecessary. We are not butchers. But letting them go back immediately is also impossible. That would expose our location and intentions."
He recalled that Uchiha Madara would soon die. Once this greatest threat was gone, he could find an opportunity to release these inconsequential people.
Of course, the premise was not exposing the location of Ascension Island.
"Detain them for now."
Sora made a decision.
"This laboratory is big enough. Dividing a few rooms to imprison them won't be a problem. Sister, Ichirō, please take turns watching over them. The strongest among them are only a few Chunin. With your strength and the lab's defense barrier, there won't be any problems."
"Provide food and water normally. As long as they don't try to escape or send messages, don't make things difficult for them."
Nonō Yakushi nodded.
"Alright. I'll prepare some mild chakra-suppressing drugs to mix into their food to ensure they can't resist."
Miyamoto Ichirō patted his chest.
"Don't worry. I'm good at guarding people. Whoever acts up, I'll beat them up."
Looking at his reliable companions, Sora felt reassured.
With them here, he wouldn't have to worry too much about handling these follow-up trivial matters.
"By the way, Sister Min." Yumi asked quietly. Ayumi also cast a concerned look.
Nonō Yakushi gently patted the two girls' heads and said softly.
"Min chose to stay in Konoha. That is her decision. We must respect it. She will take care of herself."
Yumi and Ayumi nodded, not fully understanding. Although a bit disappointed, they were soon distracted by curiosity about the new environment.
Sora looked at the scene before him. A rare sense of peace rose in his heart.
The most important few people had finally safely gathered around him.
Most of his "bonds" in this world had now been transferred to this small base of his own.
From now on, the vast sea is for the fish to leap, the high sky is for the birds to fly.
Konoha's shackles, the schemes of the higher-ups, the clouds of war. Although they still existed, for him, they were no longer inescapable restraints.
He no longer had any worries holding him back.