"Could it be the Ōtsutsuki?" the Mizukage immediately asked worriedly.
"No! If it were the Ōtsutsuki, I'd be able to sense them as long as they appeared anywhere near the ninja world. Still, those two really are strange." Kitahara Kaede still wore a thoughtful expression.
"If it isn't the Ōtsutsuki, there shouldn't be a problem. There are quite a few Kage-level fighters in the Illusion Forest now, and as you said, even the Ōtsutsuki's guardians wouldn't be able to wipe out all those animals in a short time," the Mizukage said.
"That's true." Kitahara Kaede nodded and stopped paying attention to it.
"..."
At that moment, outside the Illusion Forest, a blond-haired ninja raced through the area with an angry expression. A short blade was held in his hand as his figure darted constantly through the forest.
Quite a few ferocious beasts appeared around him. The instant he showed himself, their eyes turned red as they attacked.
"Lightning Blade!" The blond man moved with incredible agility. With a twist of his short blade and the power of Lightning Release, he completely cut down the nearby animals.
Yet there was no sign of relief on his face. Instead, his expression grew increasingly grim.
"No! I need to get out of here quickly. If the Ōtsutsuki behind me catch up, things will become complicated!" With that thought, the man sprinted forward. However, there was a sizable wound on his lower abdomen. Though it had begun to heal, he was clearly injured.
Before long, the man fled to the Illusion Forest camp.
The instant he saw the camp, his expression changed.
"How can this be? There are still so many ninjas here!"
He cautiously hid to one side and observed them carefully. He did not recognize anyone there, and every one of them