The man dodged, but Kiyomi was even faster.
Her second punch landed in his chest, sending him flying backward.
"Damn it." The man scrambled to his feet. "The beacon's gone berserk again."
He looked at Kiyomi, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
"Looks like I won't be taking you today."
He formed hand seals, and his figure vanished.
Kiyomi stood where she was as the Red Chakra slowly dissipated.
Her body swayed, then she collapsed.
"Kiyomi!" Kawaki rushed over and caught her.
Boruto ran over too.
"How is she?"
"She's unconscious again," Kawaki said. "And this time it's worse."
He looked at the cracks in Kiyomi's body, his expression grim.
"We have to get her to the hospital right away."
Boruto nodded.
He picked Kiyomi up and ran toward the hospital.
Kawaki followed, one hand pressed to his chest.
That blow had broken several of his ribs.
But he didn't care.
As long as Kiyomi was all right.
Leaf Hospital.
Tsunade was examining Kiyomi.
Boruto and Kawaki waited outside, both looking grim.
"This is all my fault." Boruto clenched his fists. "If I were stronger, Kiyomi wouldn't have been hurt so badly."
"It's not your fault," Kawaki said. "That guy was too strong. Neither of us could beat him."
"But..."
"Enough," Kawaki interrupted. "What matters now is whether Kiyomi will wake up."
Boruto fell silent.
He looked at the intensive care unit door, feeling awful.
Half an hour later, Tsunade came out of the intensive care unit.
Her expression was grave.
"How is she?" Boruto rushed over to ask.
"It's bad," Tsunade said. "Her body has reached its limit. The beacon has torn her cells apart even more severely."
"Can she still live?"
"Yes," Tsunade said. "But we have to remove the beacon immediately."
"Remove it?" Kawaki stared