Chapter Fifteen: The Only One Who Truly Completed the Mission Was Hankuang!

Hankuang rubbed his chin.

The number looked substantial, but there was one major problem: after Kakashi dealt with the pursuers, how much stamina and Chakra would he have left?

The pursuers weren't idiots. They would definitely send out a signal.

Once dozens of enemies came rushing over, Team 9 would certainly be wiped out.

As things stood, fleeing into the woods had only delayed the time until they were wiped out.

"Ugh~~"

Hankuang sighed. He really didn't want things to reach this point.

In this situation, he had to consider making a run for it.

As for the others?

They could each fend for themselves.

After returning to their temporary hiding place, Hankuang explained their current predicament.

"The situation is, even if we keep running, the pursuers will still catch up to us."

His voice fell.

The air fell silent.

Dozens of Chunins were hunting down a single Genin squad. It would be a miracle if they could escape. Even Kakashi wasn't confident he could withdraw unscathed.

Seeing that the mood was right, Hankuang began laying the groundwork for his escape.

"However, there's one last way!"

"A way?"

"What way?"

"You still have a plan?"

Obito and Rin hurriedly questioned him. Even Kakashi found it unbelievable.

There was still a way out of this situation?

Under their gazes, Hankuang felt a little embarrassed.

He cleared his throat before speaking.

"The only way right now is for someone to lure the enemies away."

Lure the enemies away?

Wasn't that just throwing their life away?

In the group.

Obito clenched his fists, but he lacked the courage to step forward.

Rin opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Kakashi glanced at Minako. After hesitating, he didn't move his feet.

Seeing their reactions, Hankuang breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kakashi, the squad is in your hands from here on."

After shooting Kakashi a glance, Hankuang left him with those words and turned to walk down the mountain, decisive and swift.

"Hankuang!"

Obito called softly.

Then he saw Hankuang wave his hand with his back turned, as if bidding a final farewell.

"Hankuang."

Rin's eyes reddened slightly as she stared at the figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

That back looked so tall and imposing.

"So this is your choice?"

Kakashi murmured to himself. Some belief he had always held to had quietly changed.

"Hankuang." Minako silently repeated the name, engraving it into her mind.

Chapter Fifteen: The Only One Who Truly Completed the Mission Was Hankuang!

Some people could only be seen clearly in a crisis between life and death.

Just like now!

In Obito's eyes, Hankuang was lazy, sharp-tongued, and weak.

Yet in this desperate situation, he was the one who stepped forward!

In Rin's eyes, she had always liked the genius Kakashi. But now, she suddenly realized that her heart was filled with Hankuang's imposing figure.

Compared to the two of them, Kakashi remained silent, his gaze fixed straight down the mountain.

Boom!!!

Suddenly, an explosion rang out from below the mountain, accompanied by billowing smoke.

Immediately afterward, figures dashed through the woods, all chasing toward the southeast.

"He really lured the pursuers away."

Seeing this, Kakashi clenched his fists tightly.

This was the perfect opportunity.

Hankuang had created a chance for Team 9 to leave with his life.

"Let's go!"

In the woods.

Team 9 moved forward in silence.

The complicated terrain, dense branches, and saw-toothed weeds greatly hindered the squad's progress.

To make matters worse, they were carrying Minako on a stretcher.

Rin's hands were slashed several times.

Obito tripped and fell several times.

Even Minako on the stretcher ended up covered in dirt.

"Can you still hold on?"

Kakashi, who was leading the way, turned around and asked.

Rin and Obito nodded.

"Once we cross the mountain ahead, we can get onto the main road. Then we won't be far from the Daimyo Palace," Kakashi said again.

After saying that, he noticed that Obito and Rin showed no particularly strong reaction.

Daimyo Palace.

Kawashiro sat high in the central seat, a trace of impatience showing on his face.

This was his third day as the new Daimyo.

Yet the thick stack of documents before him had left him feeling irritable.

"So being the Daimyo is this troublesome?"

The moment the thought arose, his expression suddenly froze.

"What was that sound?"

Just now, had he heard a scream?

Bang!

Suddenly, the hall doors exploded inward, and three figures slowly walked in.

All three wore masks, and one of them had long, fiery-red hair.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two ninjas flashed out from inside the hall and blocked their path.

"That kind of speed? Lightning Release?"

The fiery-red-haired ninja chuckled, her distinctly feminine voice leaving no doubt.

"What a pity. You're facing me."

Her voice fell.