Yuhara did not know why Pain had appeared here, but one thing was certain: he had come for him. For many matters, prior consideration and weighing only worked beforehand; the truth could only be understood after contact.
His opponent had opened with a major attack, clearly intending to settle everything in one blow. But that seemed to underestimate Yuhara. Though he had not remained fully alert throughout the journey, he still possessed a ninja's vigilance. After sensing figures ahead from afar, he had prepared to make the group stop.
That judgment was correct. Unfortunately, they had already entered the Deva Path's attack range. Shinra Tensei was beyond ordinary imagination.
But they were only at the edge of the technique's range, and with Yuhara protecting them, it was impossible for the Konoha squad to be wiped out in an instant.
The forest ahead was flattened in an instant, leaving only a bare crater shaped like the bottom of a pot. At its center stood a solitary figure.
After stopping, Yuhara merely glanced at the Deva Path. While forming hand seals, he said without looking back, "Fall back. The enemy is clearly here for me, so they won't pay much attention to you."
As he spoke, blazing flames erupted from him. Under the effect of Yuhara's four-element composite ninjutsu, the surrounding forest rapidly caught fire. The surging flames and dense Chakra were enough to block the Rinnegan's vision and create an opportunity for the squad to escape.
Since Pain had appeared, escaping him would never be easy. Tenzo and the other two could not fight the Summoning Beasts; that would be suicide. Given the disparity in strength, withdrawing was the only correct choice.
"There's only one enemy. We..."
Aoba Yamashiro had just begun to deliver the standard disposable-character line when Yuhara stopped