The explosion forced the two sides apart. Four of them slowly gathered together, while the four people injured in the attack joined Hashimoto Yasunari's group.
It was not that they did not want to quickly kill the four wounded soldiers during that time. The pressure from the reinforcements charging at them was simply too great, and they were not sure they could deal with their original opponents within a dozen seconds under the watchful eyes of eight Kirigakure ninja.
That was right. Matsumoto had only directly transferred six people to Hashimoto Yasunari's side this time. With the addition of more young people and himself, there were two full groups. Although Hashimoto Yasunari was the only patient one among the two groups, that alone was enough to frighten the four into not daring to move. Not to mention, from the beginning, they had been unable to gauge the enemy's strength.
The teacher and three students stood in a row, and the tension in the three students' hearts was evident from their expressions and movements.
They could not be blamed. Before relying on Kurenai's friends' leadership, they had held the initiative throughout the entire battle. This time was practically their first experience of being ambushed. Under such dire circumstances, it was only natural for them to be afraid.
So perhaps they really would die this time!
Mirai was afraid too, but he would not lose his will to fight. Though he did not have the confidence or exaggerated heroism to claim victory, fierce anger rose within him: Even if there are many of you, you can't surround all of us. If I'm badly wounded, my cross will kill you. As for death, I haven't even considered it yet.
No matter what, he could not die here. He had an older sister to