That old dog Danzo was vindictive, and Root's influence was enormous. If any survivors returned to report to Danzo, they would never know peace again.
There were still ways to avoid danger on the battlefield.
But once they were blacklisted, it would be a dead end.
For all they knew, one night they might end up with dozens of shuriken in their backs and be ruled a suicide.
This was no longer something running away could solve.
There were four on their side, and four on the other.
Akashi calmly studied the enemy. "Hey, Ichiki, let me ask you something. If the few of us ran into rogue ninja out in the wilderness, how should we handle it?"
"Isn't that obvious? We attack together!"
"You're much smarter than Itachi."
Akashi smiled. "If we get the chance, let's join forces and take out that jonin first."
Ichiki silently nodded.
The Root squad captain was likewise assessing the opponents before him. Uchiha Ichiki went without saying—those Sharingan alone placed him at the top of the priority list. Uchiha Akashi came second, while the other two were hardly worth worrying about.
Especially that wounded one. It would not matter even if he were left for last.
Both sides seemed to have already decided on their tactics.
Though no words were exchanged, they all knew this battle could not be avoided.
Whoosh!
The Root squad captain moved. Shuriken flew from his sleeve, while his hands rapidly formed seals—Earth Release: Wild Stone Pillars!
Several long stone pillars suddenly shot up beneath their feet, crisscrossing like a cage meant to lock down their movements. Uchiha Ichiki did not take such a technique seriously at all. He easily leaped up, sending a kunai flying from his hand to knock aside the incoming shuriken.
He even had time