Shion and the other two were heading back along the route they had patrolled.
Aside from Ajisai's meticulous seriousness, Shion and Light seemed much more relaxed.
After all, once this patrol was over, they could go back.
"The sun here is way too harsh. I've gotten so much darker."
Hotaru complained unhappily.
"We've stayed in the Land of Fire for too long. Back when I was little, the Shinobi World was fighting every single day."
"There were simply endless missions to do."
"Now that this place has been taken, Konoha will probably govern it for a long time. There won't be so many missions to pick up in the future."
"I've gotten a lot darker too. We just have to hang in there!"
Shion had white hair and skin as pale as snow to begin with, so her tan was even more obvious than Hotaru's. Still, she kept a good attitude.
"You're skilled in Fuinjutsu, and all those barriers need you to set them up. These outside missions are optional for you. Still, this war will probably last a long time."
Hotaru answered as she walked ahead.
"Hiss!"
The lizard following beside the three of them suddenly bristled its scales and let out a hiss.
"Enemy attack!" Ajisai shouted swiftly, pulling her Unsealing Jutsu cards from her Ninja Tool Pouch.
Though startled, Shion did not panic. She lunged forward and threw herself onto Hotaru.
A hand had reached out from the spot where she had just been standing, grabbing for her.
The moment Shion landed on Hotaru, she said, "Roll back the way we came."
Hotaru understood at once. Instead of steadying herself, she hugged Shion and rolled down the nearby sand dune.
They moved incredibly fast.
Obito was somewhat taken aback when his first strike missed. He had not