The lightning from the four thieves' cooperative Ninjutsu gradually faded away. Utakata was already sprawled on the ground, his entire body charred black.
Summoning the last shred of his will, he suppressed the pain wracking his body and propelled the bubble encasing Hotaru into the distance.
"Hahaha, you think she can escape that easily? Not a chance." The thieves' leader threw a Kunai, popping the soap bubble around Hotaru.
"Ah!"
Hotaru's vision went dark. With the bubble's protection gone, her body crashed heavily onto the ground beyond her control.
Watching this from nearby, Utakata's eyes nearly split with anguish.
He was frantic with worry and wished he could rush over at once to save Hotaru. But he had exhausted all his strength in the fierce battle just now. Standing was already extraordinarily difficult, let alone saving someone.
"You refused to leave when I let you. Now, even if you want to leave, you won't get the chance." The thieves' leader looked coldly at Utakata, who lay on the ground unable to move, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
He stretched his muscles, then pulled a sharp Kunai from his waist and slowly approached Utakata, clearly intending to deliver a fatal blow.
Hotaru's eyes widened as she watched it all happen, her heart filled with despair and helplessness. She desperately struggled to get up and stop him, but her body would not obey her.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shouted at the thieves' leader in a trembling voice, "I'll go with you. Please, let him go! If you dare hurt him, then even if I have to give everything I have, I'll use the secret technique and perish with you! You know how powerful it is!"
Hearing Hotaru's threat, the thieves' leader merely licked his lips. Not a