By a small river.
The villagers who had fled Kusagakure were replenishing their water and cleaning their wounds by the river.
Thanks to her unusual constitution, Ryūsetsuna's wounds had mostly healed, so she busied herself helping the others.
Shinji and Yakumo, who had protected the group of Kusagakure refugees along the way, stood on a nearby rise, keeping watch over their surroundings.
Yakumo suddenly asked, "Shinji, the village reinforcements should be here soon, right?"
"Maybe!"
Shinji's answer sounded distracted.
Worry crossed Yakumo's face. "I wonder how Lady Tsunade and the others are doing."
"She's one of Konoha's Sannin. Isn't worrying about her a little unnecessary?" He chuckled, then continued, "You should worry more about us!"
Yakumo nodded and turned her gaze toward the Kusagakure refugees by the river.
If it were just her and Shinji, they'd have a much easier time escaping the Grass Country—or doing anything else.
But things were different with such a large group of Kusagakure refugees in tow.
Just then, Shinji suddenly said, "Trouble's coming!"
Yakumo hurriedly followed his gaze. Far downstream, a figure surrounded by lightning was charging toward them against the current.
"So fast!"
Yakumo's expression turned grave.
Even for a Bloodline Ninja with the Red Dragon Eye, the other person's speed was astonishing.
"Go get everyone together. I'll hold him off!"
After calmly giving the order, Shinji blurred and vanished from the spot.
"Shinji..."
Yakumo had been about to intercept the enemy herself, but since Shinji had already gone, she hurried down to the river and called for the Kusagakure refugees to gather, ready to set off again.
Meanwhile, Shinji—
He was fast, too. Before long, he intercepted the intruder about one or two kilometers from where the group had stopped to rest.
After sizing up his opponent, especially the words "Upper Rank