Balancing the Books, Just Like That

Bzzzt!

In the instant Senju Hi Shin froze, the Eight-Tails Knight summoned by Uchiha Izuna seized the opportunity. Spinning at high speed, it arrived before her and brought down its chainsaw with a thunderous crash, the stench of death rushing straight at her.

Ha!

Fortunately, Senju Hi Shin's reflexes were top-tier. Just before the cold, gleaming saw teeth could tear through her mask, she raised her blade and blocked the terrifying blow.

Clang!

But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, the ghostlike Two-Tails Knight silently closed in. Its sharp claw blades struck Senju Hi Shin's exposed back from above.

Riiip!

Her sturdy armor seemed far too flimsy before the Two-Tails' deadly claws. Shattered armor and blood sprayed outward together.

Get me out of here!

Enduring the searing pain in her back, Senju Hi Shin suddenly raised her fingers and finally activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, escaping the pincer attack.

Drip.

"Huff... huff..."

Having temporarily widened the distance between herself and the enemy, Senju Hi Shin panted softly. Blood flowed down her spine and dripped to the ground, splashing filthy crimson flowers across the dust-covered floor.

"They're obviously fakes."

Prompted by the Nine-Tails, the clever Senju Hi Shin quickly deduced the true identities of the two Knights before her. They were most likely imitation Knights summoned through some method by that blue thief.

"Hi Shin!"

Seeing his grandniece injured, Senju Itama's face filled with anxiety. He hesitated over whether to step forward and treat her, but Senju Hi Shin waved him off first.

"It's fine. This little injury is nothing."

Though the wound on her back looked horrifying, it was merely superficial. Compared to the internal injuries she had suffered from taking the two Knights' combined attack head-on earlier, it was hardly worth mentioning.

Sizzle.

As she spoke,