Should he continue forward along these footprints and bloodstains, or circle around...
A sharp glint flashed through Chiba's eyes. He lowered his head slightly and glanced once more at the faint footprints on the thick branch, weighing the choice in his mind.
Hm?
Then, in that instant of looking down, his expression stiffened slightly, and his eyes widened.
A string of memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern—rapid, yet detailed enough to feel as though he were experiencing them firsthand.
Were these the Water Clone's memories?
Once those flickering memories had passed, Chiba's expression gradually returned to normal, though his brow creased slightly.
Judging by the timing, the Water Clone should have reached its limit. It was normal for its memories to return at this moment.
Moreover, from the Water Clone's final memories, Chiba had seen neither enemies nor attacks. In other words, the Water Clone that had gone to the right had not encountered an enemy; it had naturally dispelled itself after running out of Chakra.
At the same time, Chiba found no particularly useful information in the Water Clone's memories. After separating from them, it had searched southeast all the way. Other than entering a vast grassland and the ruins of a town destroyed by war within it, it had encountered no one and suffered no misfortune. It had continued until its Chakra was exhausted, naturally dispelling itself. Nothing else had happened.
Hm...
That grassland and those ruins seemed safe enough.
Still, although nothing had happened there, Chiba keenly noticed something and formed a plan.
After rescuing Hirohiko and Yukina, they could head that way. Those ruins should make a good place to recover from their injuries.
The war had entered its final stage. The three great ninja villages should be fighting their decisive battles on