Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
A group raced through the dense curtain of rain.
This group hurrying through the rain was none other than Akatsuki's Mist Squad, which had just withdrawn from the ruins of Uzushio Village. Clearly, they had been at a disadvantage in their fierce battle against the Sound Four and had no choice but to retreat.
"Damn it!"
Lotus spat in frustration, his face full of indignation.
In his clash with Kimimaro, a younger member of his own clan, he had been completely suppressed. If Kisame had not come to his aid, even escaping would have been difficult.
Even with Kisame's help, he had suffered serious injuries. Nearly his entire right shoulder had been pierced through. If not for the Kaguya Clan's special physique, an ordinary person would likely have died from such grave wounds.
"Damn it, I never thought that brat from the Yuki Clan would be so strong!"
Raiga Kurosuki, who had only recently joined the Mist Squad, was also injured. A long wound ran along his ribs, blood staining half his clothes red, while several Ice Senbon that he had not had time to pull out still protruded from his back.
As one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he had thought dealing with a few brats would be effortless. He had never expected things to turn out like this.
Biwa Jūzō, the team leader, turned and glanced at the grumbling Lotus and Raiga Kurosuki before silently looking away.
Compared to Lotus and Raiga Kurosuki, Biwa Jūzō, Kisame, and Ryu had been more cautious and had not suffered much in the battle. They were still in fairly good condition.
After a long while, the Mist Squad arrived at a forest and stopped to rest.
At that moment, Zetsu, who had vanished as soon