Setting aside the many changes on the battlefield, Yozuki A led the five hundred survivors in a rapid retreat, not even stopping to rest.
They had to reach the coastline as quickly as possible. Once they reached the sea, without solid ground to anchor their techniques, the Iwa ninja's Earth Release would be greatly weakened, while the Kumo ninja's Lightning Style could spread through the seawater and give them the advantage.
Of course, it would be best if they didn't have to fight at all. They were already close to their limits.
But someone didn't want them to make it back in one piece. As they hurried along, Explosive Tags suddenly went off beside the smoke bombs, releasing great clouds of smoke with a strong, irritating smell that left Yozuki A and the others coughing nonstop.
One of the Iwa ninja, who was still in fairly good condition, suddenly kicked Killer B away, then knocked out the already weakened Yuzuki. Carrying her on his back, he sprinted north, even using the Lightning Body Flicker Technique.
"Yuzuki's been taken!"
Killer B shouted and immediately gave chase, but as soon as he burst out of the smoke, he saw the ground around him covered in densely packed Explosive Tags. There were so many that his scalp prickled.
Yozuki A, his eyes streaming with tears, caught up as well. He looked at the ground covered in Explosive Tags, then at the figure rapidly disappearing into the distance, and was so furious he nearly went mad.
"Big brother, I don't think that was an Iwa ninja."
Just then, Killer B spotted a letter stuck to a rock nearby. He walked over and took it down, unfolding it as a suspicion began to form in his mind.
"Konoha?"
Yozuki A took the letter and glanced