A group of figures darted through the night at high speed. In the cold moonlight, they cast shadows that flickered like ghosts.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Amid the whistle of rushing air, the group landed on a battlefield strewn with wreckage.
"What!?"
"What happened? Did they fall into a trap?"
"Spread out, everyone! Quickly check if anyone's still alive!"
There was no doubt about it: this group was the reinforcements sent after Asuma and the others, the first team to pursue Orochimaru. Their captain was none other than Kakashi, who had just quelled the riot at the prison and hurried over with his team.
The Konoha Ninja who had just arrived as reinforcements couldn't hide their shock at the sight of Konoha Ninja sprawled across the ground in disarray!
Clearly, a major battle had just broken out here, yet the ground was covered with the dead and wounded from Konoha's side, and there wasn't a single enemy in sight.
There were few signs of fighting around them, too, as if the battle hadn't lasted long.
As everyone spread out to search the battlefield, Kakashi went straight to Asuma, who was leaning against a large tree in the middle of the battlefield. Though severely wounded, he was still barely conscious. Kakashi asked urgently, "Asuma, what happened? Were you ambushed?"
Asuma swallowed a mouthful of blood and rasped weakly, "It was Kabuto Yakushi. Our intel was wrong. That guy is... very strong!"
Kakashi froze. "Was Kabuto Yakushi alone?"
Asuma nodded, then could no longer hold himself upright. He slowly slid down the tree trunk and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Medical Team!"
Kakashi shouted at once.
In fact, there was no need for Kakashi to call out. The accompanying Medical Ninja were already treating their comrades, who lay scattered across the ground.
After