Raijin Maki, Enraged!

Then there was no time to lose. They had to set out at once!

I remembered that Kuroi was heading back toward the base, moving in the opposite direction from Dodai. Based on the terrain map around here, with his temperament, he would probably choose that route. And since he was a sensory ninja, once the Konoha brats chasing him entered his sensing range, his route should...

Hmm! Then it should be somewhere along that path...

Several thoughts flashed rapidly through Raijin Maki's mind. After making his decision and confirming the routes his student, whom he had personally trained, might take, he took a slight step forward. Lightning suddenly burst from his body, crackling densely as bolts of electricity darted around him.

After taking that step, his body sank slightly. His planted foot bent faintly. The next second, he would launch himself forward at lightning speed to support his young disciple.

Hmm? At that instant, as his center of gravity shifted forward and the Chakra in his right foot, along with the activation of the Lightning Release Chakra in it, intensified, his brow suddenly furrowed. His eyes widened slightly, and his gaze abruptly flicked backward. He sharply drew in a breath, but his body came to a sudden halt.

How could this be!

At that moment, within the edge of his vision, the red smoke that had nearly dispersed completely, leaving behind only a thin mist, suddenly parted. A figure flashed in, chest thrust out and fist clenched, already at the rear side of his neck.

The ambushing fist was already behind his ear!

In the cold-eyed youth's gaze as he leaped forward and threw out that chest-forward punch, Raijin Maki's reflexive turn was reflected, along with the right fist he hid beneath his left hand, which had risen with