Second Best Escape Technique in the Ninja World

Shingetsu's intelligence would not be wrong; if the enemy had already entered her observation range, it meant they were not far off and likely possessed accurate coordinates.

The wisest choice would be to run immediately.

Akashi looked at the wounded on the ground and said, "You all go first. Aobou and I will cover the rear. Captain, that should be acceptable, right?"

"The two of you?" Shingetsu asked, surprised.

"Rest assured, it won't be a problem." Akashi offered a smile.

"I agree." Kudo Yukiyuki finished a simple bandage on the bloodstains left by wind blades on his arm. "Take the wounded and use the Byakugan to lead the way. You two are responsible for the rear guard. We will regroup at supply point B on the map."

"No time to lose, move out!"

The group split into two paths and moved quickly.

Shingetsu and the others, carrying the wounded, were the first to dash into the jungle, while Akashi and Aobou followed behind, setting up a few simple traps.

Seeing the distance gradually widen, they couldn't help but quicken their pace.

The two looked back, but it seemed the Sand Ninja had no intention of pursuing.

Yet, Akashi and Aobou always kept several paces between them, as if they were wary of one another.

Occasionally, Akashi would steal a glance, only to find that Aobou was also eyeing him.

Come to think of it, from Konoha to the border, they hadn't exchanged more than ten sentences during their journey; silence was perhaps the norm.

The subtle atmosphere, however, was unexpectedly broken.

Aobou was the first to take the initiative: "You know Orochimaru's ninjutsu?"

It wasn't a question of shock, nor was there much change in his tone; he simply asked it.

Akashi did not answer directly: "Didn't you see it? If you want to know how I learned it, you can ask Orochimaru yourself."

"I... yes, I also saw you continuously release powerful Wind Style, and your chakra reserves are quite astonishing."

"What, is that not allowed?"

Akashi countered.

Aobou was choked by the response. He paused, not knowing how to continue the conversation.

Just as he was about to speak, Akashi looked toward him, his eyes sharp: "What mission did Danzo give you?"

Aobou's open mouth suddenly froze.

"Aobou, the name is very unfamiliar. Given your age, you should be about the same as me; I should have an impression of you from the Ninja Academy, but unfortunately, I don't. Furthermore, your movements and style of conduct are exceptionally clean and efficient. It has nothing to do with strength; it is a habit cultivated in a specific environment. Most importantly, the aura you carry makes me very uncomfortable!"

Akashi had been observing him since they set out.

He always felt an inexplicable sense of unease when looking at this guy, and after thinking it over, that unease stemmed from one place.

Root.

Whether it was intuition or judgment, he was certain that Aobou was a nail planted by Danzo.

The goal was unclear, and it didn't need to be.

Of all the things Danzo did, how many could be considered good?

Striking first to gain the advantage was never a mistake.

"Are you here to monitor me, or to monitor Orochimaru?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Aobou offered an awkward smile, one that looked worse than crying.

"If you don't know how to smile, then don't. It seems Danzo's training for you was very successful," Akashi mocked. "You've even managed to erase the basic emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness."

Aobou did not care about Akashi's sarcasm, his expression remaining calm.

People from Root would never admit their identity, even if killed by an enemy. Danzo had erased their individual wills and long ago cast aside any regard for life or death.

Thus, Akashi knew that no amount of interrogation or threats would be of any use.

But having one of Danzo's people by his side was a problem that needed solving.

The best way was to make him disappear!

This was the reason Akashi had insisted on a separate mission with Aobou. He slowed his pace slightly and reached for his ninja tool pouch, suddenly drawing a kunai.

Just as he was about to strike, a flickering shadow was reflected on the side of his weapon.

"Sand Ninja!" Akashi's expression shifted.

Almost simultaneously, a rain of senbon and shuriken descended. Akashi immediately changed direction, waving his arms to deflect them one by one with his kunai.

Aobou was also startled.

He felt the killing intent behind him and assumed Akashi was about to make a move against him, but it turned out to be an enemy ambush.

Immediately after, several Sand Ninja leaped out from the trees.

"Konoha ninja, we finally found you! To think there are only two of you—what a disappointment." The playful, mocking tone made one's scalp tingle.

As they spoke, they had already finished forming their hand seals.

A gale swept through the forest, snapping trees as thick as a man's embrace with astonishing force.

Akashi retreated as he fought, his Sharingan locked onto the Sand Ninja's hand seals, learning as he battled. His gaze shifted to Aobou, and a new idea took root.

"Hey, let's split up and run."

"If we split up now, we'll likely be picked off one by one. If we fight together, we might still have a chance!" Aobou hesitated.

"My escape technique is the second best in the ninja world. Trust me, you won't go wrong." Akashi closed in quickly. "I'll teach you four words."

"Hm?" Aobou pricked up his ears.

Time was tight, and he couldn't afford to be curious about who was number one in the ninja world.

Akashi's eyes suddenly narrowed. He twisted his body with force and delivered a Leaf Whirlwind without warning, kicking Aobou straight into the group of Sand Ninja!

"Remember them, four words—"

"Run Away."

Akashi turned and ran without looking back. If he could use the Sand Ninja to kill Aobou, even Danzo would have nothing to say. As for escaping, he had indeed learned a trick or two from Orochimaru; the key was to never be indecisive, and it was best to be long gone by the time the enemy realized what had happened.

Only by seizing the initiative could one increase their survival rate, or perhaps even annihilate the opponent while on the move.

Because Aobou had charged into the midst of the Sand Ninja, Akashi managed to shake off some of his pursuers.

There were only three pursuers left behind him.

He could handle them.

He ran, and the Sand Ninja gave chase.

The speed of both sides was comparable, and the distance between them barely widened.

Akashi pondered for a moment, then leaped high and hung upside down from a thick tree branch, hidden by the lush green leaves like a snake lying in wait in the darkness.

The Sand Ninja pursued all the way, but seeing Akashi suddenly vanish ahead, they slowed their pace.

"He disappeared nearby; he couldn't have gone far. Search the area."

"Wait, there's movement!"

A strange sound echoed in their ears, and the Sand Ninja felt a dangerous aura approaching. An ambush? The two alert ninjas jumped away instantly, firing several shuriken toward the source of the danger.

Thud, thud, thud—

The continuous attacks pinned the target to the tree trunk, emitting a strange hissing sound.

A snake?

It wasn't strange to encounter a snake or two in the wild.

Yet, the Sand Ninja felt a chill run down their spines. This snake felt different from an ordinary one; those cold eyes seemed to carry killing intent.

"Watch out! Explosive Tag!"

One of them suddenly screamed.

The snake pinned firmly to the tree trunk wasn't quite dead; it opened its blood-red maw, and the Explosive Tag stuck to its upper jaw began to spark!

Boom!

In the flash of fire, the nearest Sand Ninja couldn't retreat in time and died on the spot. Although the other two saved their lives, they were struck by the powerful shockwave and sent flying a great distance.

Akashi leaped down from the treetop, raising his Ninja Blade.

With one man and one blade, he struck downward, ending their lives.

In the battles of ordinary ninjas, ninja tools killed far more people than ninjutsu.

Most ninjas were fragile; no one could withstand a Kunai thrust directly into a vital point.

Nor could they withstand an Explosive Tag detonating directly against their bodies.

"Phew... I must make Konoha reimburse me when I get back. I've almost lost all my capital." Akashi caught his breath, feeling a pang of heartache.

A high-quality Explosive Tag cost about two thousand ryo, which was no small sum.

He simply confiscated everything usable from the Sand Ninja, then passed through the jungle, his figure darting away like an arrow.

It's been so long; I hope Aobou is in trouble.