Kapitel 40: Chapter:-40

"Everyone, watch out!" The prisoners were alarmed when a massive object soared over their heads and collided with the coal warehouses. Startled, they quickly retreated as tons of coal spilled from the collapsing building.

The confusion was palpable. Just minutes ago, they had heard explosions and turmoil emanating from the fortress's main entrance. The most recent blast had obliterated the warehouse and blocked off one of the coal mines. Fortunately, no one had been inside at the time.

Coughing amidst the dark coal dust that filled the air, Suni gazed perplexedly at a figure emerging from the coal debris. "Are you...?" The young girl couldn't quite fathom the sight of someone entirely coated in charcoal. Yet, as the figure shook their hair, revealing bright yellow and vivid blue eyes, recognition dawned. "Naruto?" Despite the different hair and skin color, those piercing blue eyes were unforgettable.

"..." Naruto stumbled out of the wreckage and coal dust. Hanging from his right arm was the battered remains of the last shield he had summoned, now a deformed piece of metal that had, without a doubt, saved his life. If he had taken that point-blank shot without it, he likely wouldn't have survived. "..." He breathed heavily and sank to his knees. His left arm was numb, and his right responded weakly, if at all.

With blood flowing from his wounds, the shinobi struggled to stand, but his legs buckled beneath him.

Yet, he never touched the ground.

Several hands reached out to support him, helping him remain upright. The prisoners, still bewildered, had a notion of what was transpiring. Now, all they could do was assist the boy who seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

The elderly earthbender continued to grapple with his bewilderment, his thoughts disrupted by the thunderous march of hundreds of approaching footsteps.

From the prison's north wing, a horde of Fire Nation soldiers, led by Commander Hanzuke, emerged. Their advance halted abruptly as they surveyed the concentration area, where all the prisoners were gathered. "Impossible..." Commander Hanzuke's eyes widened when he laid eyes on the battered boy who was somehow still breathing.

What in the world was this kid?

"Clear a path, all of you!" Yet, contemplating that could wait. The paramount objective was to eliminate the boy at any cost. "That boy should face execution for his audacity in attacking one of the Fire Nation's largest retraining stations!" The aged soldier's declaration resounded.

The originators from the Earth Kingdom looked even more bewildered. An assault on this fortress?

Everyone was compelled to put such thoughts aside as the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears.

Naruto walked in silence among the prisoners, his head bowed. Limping, he passed by the people with whom he had endured this hellish existence, treated as though they were expendable slaves, resigned to await a cruel demise.

Before long, the Uzumaki found himself situated between the two sizable groups: the guards and the prisoners.

"..." Hanzuke grinned as he observed the pitiable state of the child. They had triumphed. Raising his right hand, his soldiers began to advance gradually. With the child surrendered, it would be essential to crush the spirits of the other prisoners, to showcase what awaited those who dared to rebel against the mighty Fire Nation.

*Whistle*

Time appeared to stand still as the unmistakable sound of a weapon being unsheathed resonated.

"..." Naruto raised a kunai in his right hand, aiming it directly at the formidable army that had come to a halt. Every gaze turned toward his piercing blue eyes.

Fury surged through the aged commander's mind at this sight.

Suni clutched her older brother's hand tightly as they, along with everyone else, watched the Shinobi assume a fighting stance with his sole weapon, a humble kunai. The venerable earthbender, alongside the elderly man, found themselves bewildered by this unfolding spectacle.

What was that kid thinking? Did he truly intend to face them all? Why, even in his current condition, did he persist?

"Why?" The same questions swirled in the firebender's mind, his anger shaking him to the core. "Why does he persist? He won't win! His struggle is in vain! No one will escape this place!" He couldn't fathom it; why didn't the boy just yield? "Why is he still fighting for them?" he roared with resentment, baffled by the boy's unyielding resolve.

"I…" Naruto briefly turned his gaze to the faces of each prisoner before offering them a warm smile. Then, he directed his attention back to the soldiers. "…Do I need a reason to protect those who need saving?" he asked with a smile, a sincere one filled with joy at doing what he believed was right, fighting for the noblest of causes.

No one spoke.

No words could suffice.

In their throats, they all felt a lump, and in their hearts, an empty void.

"Don't just stand there! Kill him!" Or at least, the majority of them. The commander remained entrenched in his hatred for the boy who had breached the defenses of his fortress, a place he had overseen for decades. "You didn't hear me!" His fury intensified as he realized none of his soldiers had budged.

"…" One of the soldiers dropped his spear, the very same one whom Naruto had pulled out of harm's way, away from the cannon's line of fire. "I… can't do it," the young firebender said slowly as he removed his helmet and let it fall. He couldn't bring himself to harm the person who had saved his life, someone who was fighting with unwavering determination for a just cause.

"Soldier, take up your weapon, or I will ensure your execution for rebelling against my authority! You serve the Fire Nation, and now, for the good of our nation, we must eliminate this threat!" Hanzuke threatened, pointing at the Shinobi.

"No," the soldier replied simply, dropping to his knees and standing firm in his decision.

After a long minute of silence, more weapons clattered to the ground. Slowly, several soldiers let go of their weapons and removed their helmets, revealing their faces. Following their comrade's example, they knelt and didn't budge.

In a matter of seconds, more than half of the army had surrendered.

"You…!" Hanzuke's hatred reached its boiling point. How could these soldiers just give up? Because of the simple words of a boy?! "They will pay for this!" Flames erupted from his hands. Without hesitation, he lunged at the boy who had caused all this. Stepping forward forcefully and extending his arms, he released a colossal fireball.