The slaughter continued.
Sōken and the others had already left Shōchiku-tei, but Root's ninja still came at them one after another, fearlessly throwing themselves in the way to stop Sōken's group from breaking out. Human lives had become the cheapest of consumables here. Crimson blood and gray-white ashes carpeted the road ahead, blending into a murky, indistinct color.
The group consisted of four people, with Sōken at the very front.
Like the blade of a spear, he tore through the layers upon layers of nets cast by Root's ninja.
"Uchiha Style: Great Fire Sword."
This overwhelmingly domineering move was not something ordinary measures could withstand. Even the powerful Root ninja skilled in Earth Style: Hardening Jutsu could not endure this strike, which was enough to burn steel to ash. The blazing Explosive Flame cremated them directly, saving the need for firewood and leaving behind only ashes scattered by the wind.
Shisui followed close behind Sōken. Although they had agreed to overthrow the Third together, that did not mean Sōken would feel at ease entrusting his back to Hyuga Hiashi. Hiashi and his guard remained at the very rear of the group.
Of course, being at the rear did not mean Hyuga Hiashi was slacking off and taking advantage of the others.
The information-gathering ability of the Byakugan, with its three-hundred-sixty-degree field of vision and no blind spots, was clearly superior to that of the Sharingan. He not only spotted attackers coming from above and below, from the forest and beneath the water, but also saw those using secret techniques, predicting their moves in advance and informing Sōken.
"Front left!"
Hyuga Hiashi shouted.
"Illusion: Fire Dragon."
Pupil power bloomed within Sōken's crimson eyes.
Sōken turned his gaze toward the brush to his front left and met the eyes of an enemy