It Turned Out You Still Remembered Me!

Taking in everyone's gaze, Shinji didn't hesitate. "We pursue!"

With that, he took off in the direction Shinnō had fled.

Everyone answered in unison and hurried after him.

Darui froze, looking surprised.

He naturally knew Shinji. He'd taken part in the Konoha Ninja Academy assessment, and through Kumogakure's intelligence network, he'd also learned that Shinji had recently defeated Yakumo, Sasuke, Kimimaro, Neji, and the other Konoha Ninja Academy prodigies, becoming the academy's top student.

But he couldn't understand why Kurotsuchi and the other Iwagakure Ninja were following Shinji's orders.

Though puzzled, he couldn't afford to show weakness. Besides, he had no intention of letting Shinnō get away with injuring him. So he led the remaining Kumogakure Ninja after them, joining the group.

Once he caught up with Kurotsuchi, Darui asked quietly, "How did you end up mixed up with the people from Konoha?"

Kurotsuchi briefly told Darui what had happened.

Darui hadn't paid much attention to their meeting up with Konoha's reinforcements or being forced to fight off Moryo and the others. But when Kurotsuchi explained that Shinnō had activated the Eight Gates, defeated Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji in a three-on-one fight, and was ultimately beaten one-on-one by Shinji, his expression darkened with disbelief. "Shinnō was defeated by Shinji all by himself?"

Kurotsuchi gave a small nod. "Why else do you think he ran?"

Darui froze. Looking back, Shinnō had indeed seemed flustered when they'd encountered him.

Then it dawned on him. "You mean Shinnō was already badly injured?"

Kurotsuchi glanced at him and pursed her lips. "You're useless!"

Darui, who usually didn't care about such things and was very laid-back, instantly felt embarrassed and annoyed.

Only then did he understand why no one had paid any attention to his suggestion just now, and why they'd all been staring expectantly