Dense treetops blotted out the sky, allowing only a few scattered flecks of light to filter through and cast shifting shadows across the forest.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, mingled with the fresh fragrance of unfamiliar plants. Yet that refreshing natural aroma did nothing to ease the oppressive mood hanging over the group.
Hiruko walked at the very front, impatience written all over his gloomy face.
Every now and then, he turned to hurry along the people behind him. "Move it! Quit dawdling, you useless fools! Don't forget, I'm the one who dragged you back from the jaws of death. You'd better remember that favor!"
Haotian followed silently in the middle of the group, his deep gaze sweeping over their surroundings.
He kept an eye on Hiruko's every move while quietly estimating how far they were from the Western Front encampment.
They had traveled at least fifty kilometers into the Land of Fire since setting out. They were already far beyond the usual route back to the village.
What, exactly, was Hiruko's goal?
To test him, Haotian asked casually, "Lord Hiruko, are you and Lord Orochimaru close? I heard you're one of the Sannin, too."
Hiruko stopped abruptly, turned, and glared fiercely at Haotian. His sinister gaze seemed ready to bore right through him.
"What do you need to know all that for, kid? Just do your own job!" he snarled angrily, a hint of unease barely detectable in his voice.
Haotian calmly watched Hiruko's reaction, already forming a tentative judgment.
It seemed Hiruko's relationship with the Sannin wasn't as close as he made it seem. In fact, it might even...
"Snap—"
The sudden crack of a branch broke the forest's silence.
Haotian jerked his head up, his sharp gaze sweeping toward the source of the sound.
"Who's there?" Hiruko barked, his right hand already resting on his kunai.
In the silent forest, a hint of killing intent quietly spread...
The bushes shook violently, and three figures leaped out. Their stone-gray uniforms stood out against the dappled light—Iwa Ninja!
A killing chill filled the air, as though even the birdsong in the forest had fallen silent.
Haotian's pupils contracted. His heart sank as his gaze quickly swept across the three men. The one in front was tall, with a rugged, rock-like face and a savage grin. He was Kari, an Iwa Ninja Jonin!
"Iwa Ninja?" Uchiha Mei cried, swiftly activating her Sharingan. The pattern of three tomoe was reflected in her scarlet eyes.
Haotian drew a deep breath and lowered his voice as he spoke to Hiruko. "Lord Hiruko, they're Iwa Ninja! Looks like they've found us. What should we do?" He quietly studied Hiruko's reaction, hoping to find a crack in his expression.
Hiruko's face darkened, and his gaze shifted uncertainly as if he were weighing his options.
After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "We keep moving! Don't get bogged down in a fight!" With that, he set off first, walking even faster than before.
Haotian sneered inwardly. Hiruko's reaction only confirmed his suspicions. There was definitely something wrong with this guy!
"Lord Hiruko," Haotian said deliberately, raising his voice, "we're carrying so many wounded, and we're moving too slowly. We won't get far before they catch up! Why don't you stay behind and hold them off, so we can buy some time?"
The moment he said this, everyone was stunned.
Kakashi and the others looked incredulous. They hadn't expected Haotian to make such a suggestion.
Uchiha Mei stared at Haotian with wide eyes, unable to believe what she'd heard.
Hiruko stopped dead and turned to glare at Haotian, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking, kid? You want me to stay behind and cover your escape? Who do you think I am?"
Haotian met his gaze without fear and replied calmly, "Lord Hiruko, you're a Konoha Jonin, and you're powerful. Only you can hold them off! The rest of us are too weak. We'd only hold you back if we stayed. Don't worry, we'll get back to the village as fast as we can and report everything to Lord Hokage!"
Hiruko's face turned livid, fury blazing in his eyes.
He glared at Haotian as if he wanted to devour him alive.
Kakashi and the others also drew their kunai, ready for battle.
The air was thick with tension. A fight could break out at any moment.
"Hiruko," Kari called from a distance, his voice tinged with mockery. "What's this? Not planning to run away?"
Kari slowly approached with his two Iwa Ninja subordinates. He grinned, baring his gleaming white teeth. "Looks like luck's on our side today. We've caught a whole group of Konoha brats. And a few of them are wounded, too. Tsk, tsk, what a pitiful sight." His cold gaze swept over them all. "Especially that kid." Kari pointed at Haotian. "You got away from me last time, but you won't be so lucky today."
When he saw Hiruko, Kari paused slightly, looking somewhat surprised. "Well, well, if it isn't Hiruko. What, have you fallen so far that you're reduced to protecting a bunch of brats?" He had been about to leave with his subordinates. After all, capturing a few Genin was far less impressive than taking down a Jonin.
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