Bratva: Some things never change

Chapter 15: Leaving Hell

The sound of footsteps grew louder and closer until finally a group of five Redheads burst into the corridor. Their eyes were filled with malice and hatred, sending Izuku's heart racing as he prepared to fight. His training and instincts took over as he readied himself for battle.

Washi engaged in combat with two enemy shinobi, but with only one arm, it was a losing battle. As Izuku joined the fight, he noticed that the enemy was trying to overwhelm them to allow one of their own to get past the defense line and reach the injured and captured.

"They want the Uzumaki!" yelled Neko before Izuku could say the same. The Uzumaki soldiers, upon hearing this, pressed even harder. Izuku found himself battling two Uzumaki at the same time, feeling overwhelmed as he parried another slash while jumping to avoid another Uzumaki's attempt to grab his legs from underground.

"No!" panicked Izuku as he saw one of his subordinates, Neko, being impaled by the opponent that Izaku was supposed to take care of. Washi, seeing that they were about to lose, retreated narrowly evading a third Uzumaki that was aiming for the kill. If it weren't for the exhausted Obake, who killed him with a hail of Senbon that struck different parts of the body, including two vital areas such as the heart and neck, the outcome would have been different.

"I think it's time to use it," spoke Washi with a tired tone to his voice as he sheathed his tanto. "Obake, cover me here for a second."

Just as he said that, the Uzumaki were about to jump at him but had to evade the fireball that was about to incinerate them. One of the Uzumaki made hand signs, no doubt to make a Suiton Jutsu, and true to Izuku's guess, he made the Suijinheki Jutsu, which Izuku recognized, and effectively extinguished it and created dense smoke.

"Done!" yelled Washi as he placed a tag on the left wall of the corridor. He also placed another tag on the right side of the corridor, erecting a green barrier to protect them.

"Is it the two-seal barrier?" asked Izuku as he already dropped on one knee, panting hard from the chakra and physical exhaustion.

"Yes, it is," replied Washi. "Although we've been supplied on a smaller scale these past three years, we still have some of them."

"You really think this barrier is enough? We are Uzumakis, don't forget it's us who made this barrier," said one of the enemy soldiers as he approached the barrier. Only a decimeter separated the two enemies from getting at each other's throats.

Washi shook his head, hung his working hand on his neck. "You are right. Nothing stops you from breaking the barrier and killing us right away," he sighed then shrugged. "But what will you do? We are just trying to survive here."

The Uzumaki was silent, all the meanwhile, he eyed the corps of his subordinate and his enemy being sealed by a scroll by one of his subordinates, he turned to Washi, "What about this, you hand us your hostage, then we'll let you in peace, see it as a cease fire."

Washi remained silent, taking a moment to consider the offer. He looked at his enemy, then glanced at the exhausted Izuku and the seven out-of-combat operators.

Washi considered the offer for a moment, his mind racing as he tried to weigh the risks and benefits of the deal. On one hand, handing over the hostage would mean losing their leverage and potentially endangering their comrade. On the other hand, it could buy them some time and allow the reinforcement to arrive.

As he was about to make his decision, Izuku spoke up. "No way," he said firmly. 'We can't give up a prisoner. Find another way."

Washi nodded in agreement with Izuku, knowing that they couldn't just give up their leverage. "I'm sorry, but we cannot accept your offer," he said, his tone firm and resolute. "It's against our rules, beside we don't trust you that much anymore, at least if you break the barrier, we can kill another one of you."

The Uzumaki soldier narrowed his eyes, his expression hardening. "I see. Then it seems we have no choice but to continue fighting," he said, unsheathing his sword.

"Dan, get your ass over there and break this barrier for us, if you please!" The redheaded man barked, turning his head to the other masked redhead at his side.

Washi and Izuku tensed, ready for the next round of battle. They were determined to protect their comrades at all costs.

The man named Dan began making hand seals, and black markings started to expand from his feet towards the barrier, possibly to nullify it.

Suddenly, Dan stopped his hand signs and the expansion of the markings. "Seven contacts coming our way in high speed," he announced. "They'll be here in four minutes, and a powerful individual is with them."

Izuku sighed and slumped to the ground. "Finally, the bride is here," he muttered.

Washi chuckled. "Yes, it seems our reinforcements have finally arrived."

As the redheads prepared to flee, their leader stopped and eyed them one last time. "This is just the beginning," he said over his shoulder. "Us, Uzumakis, we will get our freedom no matter what."

Some time later, seven individuals descended on the bunker. One of them spoke up. "Operator Washi, take down the barrier."

Washi, who was sitting with his back against the wall, turned his head to meet the gaze of men. "Didn't expect you to be here," he said. "What are you doing here, Takahisa-sama?"