After the Shocking Explosion, Tracing the Clues

Chapter 50: Tracing Footsteps After the Shocking Explosion

The shockwave of the explosion swept through the entire valley, uprooting trees with its blast and obscuring the sky with flying sand and stones.

Several kilometers away, Kakashi's squad, who were rushing forward, also felt the earth-shattering tremor.

The ground shook violently. Kakashi abruptly stopped, his Sharingan narrowing slightly beneath his mask. His sharp gaze pierced through the swirling dust towards the center of the explosion.

"What's going on?" Guy exclaimed beside him, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. "This Chakra... it's terrifying!" He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, green Chakra surging around him. "Could it be an enemy attack?"

Kakashi didn't answer. He stared intently at the mushroom cloud rising in the distance, a sense of unease welling up within him.

This Chakra fluctuation, though violent, carried a hint of familiarity...

Could it be...

Haotian?

"Teacher Kakashi!" Meihui's anxious voice interrupted Kakashi's thoughts. She pointed in the direction of the explosion, her face filled with worry. "It's Haotian! I can feel his Chakra! He must be in danger!"

"We have to go back and support him!" Meihui said, turning to run back.

"No!" Kakashi grabbed Meihui's wrist, his tone resolute. "Our mission is to support the front line. We can't let personal feelings delay our battle strategy! Trust Haotian, he can handle it!"

"But..." Meihui wanted to say more, but Kakashi's cold gaze stopped her.

"Execute the mission!" Kakashi stated decisively, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

He forcefully shook off Meihui's hand and turned, continuing to run in their intended direction.

"Kakashi..." Guy watched Kakashi's determined back, then looked towards the explosion, his heart filled with conflict and struggle.

Kakashi quickened his pace, almost running at full speed.

He gritted his teeth, silently chanting, Haotian, you must hold on!

I will complete the mission as quickly as possible, and then I'll come back for you!

Kakashi's figure blurred through the forest, moving so fast he was almost an afterimage.

He forced himself not to think about the direction of the explosion, not to think about the danger Haotian might be facing.

He knew the most important thing now was to complete the mission. Only then could he return to find Haotian with peace of mind.

Guy followed closely behind Kakashi, his heart churning like a stormy sea.

He understood Kakashi and knew the torment he was enduring.

However, he also understood that Kakashi's decision was the right one.

As a ninja, obeying orders was paramount. No matter how worried he was, he couldn't abandon the mission because of it.

But, Haotian...

He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Just as the two were struggling internally, a group of people suddenly appeared ahead.

Leading them was a tall female ninja with long red hair – Yuuhi Kurenai, captain of the Konohagakure patrol.

Behind her were over a dozen fully armed ninjas, all with serious expressions, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

"Kakashi, Guy! What are you two doing here?" Yuuhi Kurenai recognized them immediately, her tone tinged with confusion.

"Captain Kurenai." Kakashi stopped, nodding slightly. "We are on a mission."

"Mission?" Yuuhi Kurenai's gaze swept over them, keenly sensing the tension radiating from them. "What happened? Why do you look so disheveled?"

"Just now... we felt a powerful Chakra fluctuation, in that direction." Guy pointed towards the explosion, his tone heavy.

"Chakra fluctuation?" Yuuhi Kurenai's brow furrowed. She had indeed felt that heart-stopping wave. "What exactly happened?"

Kakashi briefly recounted the events, omitting any mention of Haotian.

After hearing Kakashi's narration, Yuuhi Kurenai fell into thought.

A moment later, she looked up, her gaze firm. "Kakashi, Guy, return to the village immediately to rest. I will handle this."

"But..." Kakashi started to protest, but Yuuhi Kurenai cut him off.

"This is an order!" Her tone was irrefutable. "I must find the source of this Chakra fluctuation. Your current condition is not suitable for continuing the mission."

Kakashi and Guy exchanged a look and finally nodded.

They knew it wasn't the time to argue.

Yuuhi Kurenai watched their retreating figures, took a deep breath, and turned to her team. "Move out!" With a wave of her hand, she led the way towards the explosion, her team following closely behind.

Yuuhi Kurenai led the patrol team at a brisk pace, the air thick with the smell of burning.

As they approached the center of the explosion, the surrounding scenery became increasingly shocking.

Trees were snapped in half, the ground was covered in massive cracks, and the air was filled with a suffocating pressure.

Suddenly, a ninja pointed ahead and exclaimed, "Captain, look!"

Yuuhi Kurenai followed his finger, her pupils contracting sharply. "This..."