Kari's Chakra Blade came cleaving down in a flash of icy light. Obito barely dodged it, but the blade slashed a long tear through his sleeve. Cold air rushed in, making him shiver.
But he didn't retreat. Gritting his teeth, he sent a rain of shuriken flying, trying to disrupt Kari's assault.
However, to the experienced Kari, these attacks were child's play.
He gave a scornful smile and moved like a phantom, easily dodging every shuriken before closing in on Obito again.
"You're out of your depth, brat!" Kari growled, raising his Chakra Blade high. It was about to come down.
Obito shut his eyes in despair, waiting for death to claim him.
Boom! A deafening crash rang out, but the pain he expected never came.
Obito opened his eyes in confusion. Haotian had appeared in front of him without him noticing, blocking Kari's attack with a Kunai.
Sparks flew. Haotian's arm trembled slightly, but he remained standing, his gaze unwavering.
"Obito, you're too reckless!" Haotian barked, pulling Obito behind him.
At the same time, Hiruko arrived. He was covered in wounds and pale-faced, clearly exhausted from the earlier battle.
"Damn it! You've got backup!" Kari spat, a vicious glint in his eyes. "Then I'll take you all out together!"
He formed Hand Seals. Chakra surged, and the air around them grew heavy.
Haotian and Hiruko stood back-to-back, watching Kari warily. They knew a fierce battle was inevitable.
"Haotian, what do we do?" Hiruko asked quietly, his voice trembling slightly.
Haotian didn't answer. Gripping his Kunai tightly, he scanned the surrounding terrain, his mind racing as he searched for a way out.
"Hiruko, can you still fight?" Haotian asked gravely.
"I... I can hold on a little longer," Hiruko said through gritted teeth.
"Good!" A look of determination flashed in Haotian's eyes. "We'll cover Obito while he gets away!"
Before he could say more, Kari attacked again. Haotian and Hiruko met him head-on, and the three clashed in a flurry of blades and swirling dust.
"Go! Obito!" Haotian shouted, struggling to fend off Kari's attacks.
Obito froze for a moment. Looking at Haotian and Hiruko fighting with bloodied determination, he was filled with guilt and gratitude.
"No! I'm staying to fight with you!" Obito said firmly.
"Don't be stupid! You'll only hold us back!" Haotian roared. "Go! That's an order!"
Obito gritted his teeth. He knew Haotian was right; if he stayed, he'd only become a burden.
He took a long look at Haotian and Hiruko, then turned and ran into the depths of the forest.
"Trying to run? Not a chance!" Kari sneered, moving to pursue him.
"Not so fast!" Haotian shouted, hurling his Kunai straight at Kari's face.
Kari had to dodge to the side, giving Haotian the chance to block his path.
"Hiruko! Now!" Haotian shouted.
Hiruko understood. Summoning all his strength, he unleashed his final technique...
Hiruko suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, formed Hand Seals at lightning speed, and growled, "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!" A thick earthen wall surged up from the ground, blocking Kari.
Kari punched the wall. It shuddered violently, cracks spreading across its surface, but it stubbornly held firm.
The few seconds this bought were precious to Haotian.
He took a deep breath, and a strange energy surged through his body, gathering between his hands.
"What is that?!" Kari sensed the terrifying aura emanating from Haotian and felt a growing unease.
Haotian thrust both hands forward, unleashing an invisible wave of energy. The air shrieked, and the surrounding trees were instantly reduced to dust.
"Nuclear Style: Super Vibration Wave!" Haotian growled.
The energy wave slammed into the wall, which collapsed instantly. Kari was hurled away by the tremendous force and crashed heavily to the ground, spewing blood.
Dust from the explosion billowed through the air, obscuring everyone's vision.
Haotian grabbed Obito by the wrist and barked, "Go!" Before Obito could react, Haotian had dragged him into the depths of the forest.
"Hiruko! Come on!" Obito shouted over his shoulder, but all he could make out through the dust was a blurred silhouette.
"Cough, cough..." Kari struggled to his feet, his vision blurred and his ears ringing.
He wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes filled with fury and resentment.
"Damn brat! You actually hurt me!" he roared, staggering off in pursuit of Haotian and Obito.
Haotian dragged Obito through the forest at a sprint. Branches scratched his face, and blood ran down from the cuts.
But he paid no attention to the pain. He had only one thought: Escape!
"Haotian, what about Hiruko...?" Obito asked between gasps, his heart full of worry.
"He... He stayed behind to hold off the enemy and cover our escape," Haotian said in a low voice,
"What?!" Obito stopped abruptly and stared at Haotian in disbelief.
"Hiruko... He can't be..." Obito murmured, stumbling back a few steps as Hiruko's pale but determined face flashed through his mind.
"But he... He said we'd finish the mission together and go back to the village..." Tears blurred his vision.
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