Harven (English)

Seventeen

"So you're a firefighter pilot?" - It was the first thing Neji said when meeting Naruto in the central lobby, after sitting Tenten on the counter. "Why didn't you tell us as soon as you saw that huge helicopter out there?" - He took a step forward, letting himself be carried away by indignation, wanting to take out on Naruto everything they had just gone through, but Hinata held him by the wrist preventing him from continuing.

"Get cold, man!" Naruto held out both hands as if taking some blame. "I still haven't finished my training! Well, I already know how to take off and land safely, but I'm not qualified. Also, I train on standard helicopters like firefighters and police... that helicopter is military grade... bigger, heavier, more complex! I'll only know if I can pilot it when I get inside it and see the commands in person... And at the moment that seems impossible, since we have those mercenaries out there, in addition to the creatures that are chasing us."

"Naruto..." Jiraya walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder as Naruto lowered his hands. "You understand that at the moment you are our only hope of escaping here alive, don't you?" Naruto stared at the void on the floor, thoughtful. "We need to come up with a plan to get safely to the helicopter."

"We're only going to have one chance." Sasuke said as he helped Sakura into the reception chair. "As soon as they hear the noise of the helicopter, they'll head there...all of them, the mercenaries and the monsters. Tenten and I don't have enough bullets to stop them all."

"Anyway, our chances are low..." Tsunade stood beside Jiraiya, hugging him by the arm.

"Tsunade is right, it's only a matter of time until the mercenaries find the central." - Tenten sighed deeply, pressing the wounds that the creature's claws made her. "I think we should leave tonight... so we have a better chance of hiding from all of them and getting safely to the airstrip."

"What if they have night vision?" - Naruto drew attention to himself and saw the need to explain himself. "I mean, those creatures roam around at night, and the soldiers on the other hand must have enough gear to see at night... That way, the only ones at a disadvantage are us, wounded, helpless, and blind."

"Naruto is absolutely right." – Hinata intervened. "We must rest tonight and leave early in the morning."

"Yes, Naruto is right..." Sasuke gasped inconsolably. "On top of all that you, Sakura and Tenten probably won't be able to run if any of them show up. We are at a disadvantage in every way."

"Then it's decided." Itachi sighed letting his shoulders slump. "We're splitting into two rooms today so no one is left alone at night. Neji, Hinata, Tenten and Naruto sleep in one room while Tsunade, Jiraiya, Sasuke, Sakura and I sleep in another one next door."

Everyone nodded and so it was done after another session of dressings and care from Sakura and Tsunade to everyone. They took advantage of the last bath they intended to take while on this island and immediately went to bed to rest as much as they could before trying to escape. Negative and sometimes hopeful thoughts kept running through everyone's minds, each silently dealing with their deepest fears until tiredness put them to sleep.

It was around four o'clock in the morning when Sasuke reluctantly opened his eyes and focused on the image of his distressed roommates, quiet and sitting on the mattresses watching the door beside him.

"What's it?" – She decided to whisper as soon as she noticed her eyes wide and tense.

"We heard a noise." Sakura replied in the same low tone.

"I think they've come in... the mercenaries!" – Itachi whispered from the other side.

They heard the footsteps of heavy boots passing along the corridor and opening doors as they passed. Sasuke readied his weapon in hand and stood up carefully just waiting for his turn. As expected, the man reached the door where they were and with two kicks he managed to open it wide, exposing everyone in the room. Sasuke quickly fired, but his shot hit the armored visor of the man's helmet, who with fright, staggered backwards, losing his balance. Sasuke took this cue and went for the man throwing him to the ground.