In the treetops, the staff slung over Sarutobi Sasuke's shoulder suddenly spoke.
"Sasuke, someone's coming."
The Enma of Mount Kongō had made contracts with generations of the Sarutobi Clan. His keen nose had caught an unfamiliar scent on the wind.
"Seven!" Enma added. "And they're strong!"
Sarutobi Sasuke's eyes flickered. He had no intention of being intercepted and surrounded by ninjas of his own caliber. That would only end in death. He needed to rejoin the main force.
"Kintaro, where's Tobirama?"
"This way!"
Sarutobi Sasuke glanced behind him, then vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Yura led the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist straight through the ninjas blocking their path, driving toward Konoha's rear.
Avoid a head-on clash? What a joke.
"They've all gotten out of our way," Mito said regretfully as they traveled.
Yura nodded. In her perception, she had locked onto a tiny flicker of emotion tinged with fear and unease.
"That child seems to have noticed us approaching," Mito said as they drew closer. "It isn't sensory perception. It's more like an instinct for danger. What an extraordinary gift."
Then Yura turned toward another direction. There, immense negative emotions churned like a storm. Hidden in the darkness, someone waited quietly, like a hunter lying in ambush.
Hyuga Akitsu.
She's looking for someone...
Interesting...
Over the past two years, her resentment and hatred had grown deep enough.
Yura located Hyuga Tenji with her perception. Her thoughts raced, and a moment later, she made her decision.
In Mito's eyes, Uchiha Chiri was a genius by conventional ninja standards, with the potential to become a powerhouse of the Shinobi World. But that was not what Yura valued. She was more interested in Hyuga Akitsu, who had the potential to become a monster.
"Then I'll give you a chance to