The Lingering Mist

On the other side, Lin Cheng, having no idea what Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking, set off with Kimimaro on a journey to find the legendary Sannin, the Princess of Konoha, Tsunade.

Kakashi's invitation for Lin Cheng to join Konoha instantly reminded him of Kimimaro's bloodline disease.

Recalling the plot from back in the day, Lin Cheng felt a chill at the thought of Kimimaro eventually dying from that illness!

Since Kimimaro had become his younger brother, he would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen again!

However, was the wandering Tsunade really that easy to find?

Before the two could locate the gambling-addicted Tsunade, they were once again targeted by a Kirigakure pursuit squad.

With no other choice, Lin Cheng, not wanting to harm any innocents, deliberately lured them out of the town.

The pursuers seemed to share the exact same intention.

Thus, both sides tacitly left the bustling town and sped toward the forest outside.

Swish!

A kunai flew from behind, blocking the path of Lin Cheng and Kimimaro.

"Hmph! Brat! Are you trying to run away?"

With a leap, several masked Kirigakure assassination squad ninjas surrounded Lin Cheng and his companion.

"Run away? Heh! Are you even worthy?"

Scanning the few Kirigakure ninjas surrounding them, Lin Cheng smiled with disdain.

He was certain that the strength of these individuals was not enough to threaten him.

"Hmph! You're young, but your mouth is big! I'll break your limbs and torture you to death slowly! Attack!"

Before the words had even faded, the prepared Kirigakure ninjas flung their shuriken and kunai toward Lin Cheng and Kimimaro in the center.

"Little Kimimaro! Remember, don't let the enemy's words disrupt your judgment!"

"Understood, Brother Lin Cheng!"

Without another word, the two moved in perfect sync, darting to either side to engage their own targets!

"Dance of the Larch!"

Driven by the power of the Shikotsumyaku, exposed bones instantly transformed into weapons, leaving their caught-off-guard opponents covered in wounds!

"Ah!"

"Damn it! You bastard! You cursed Kaguya brat! I'm going to kill you!"

Losing a comrade in an instant, the nearby Kirigakure ninja flew into a rage.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A water dragon coalesced from nothing, taking shape in a heartbeat!

The moment the water dragon formed, it lunged straight at the oncoming Kimimaro.

It even carried the momentum to finish off Lin Cheng on the other side as well!

"Little Kimimaro!"

"Understood, Brother Lin Cheng!"

With just that one sentence, Kimimaro understood Lin Cheng's intent.

"Hidden Mist Technique!"

The next moment, a thick fog rose up.

"Not good! Watch out for an ambush!"

Seeing this, the Kirigakure ninjas who had been locked in a standoff with Lin Cheng panicked.

According to the intelligence they had gathered, the target was extremely dangerous while under the cover of the Hidden Mist Technique!

Unfortunately, despite their long-standing fears, the target had used it anyway.

Thinking this, the squad leader immediately ordered a swift retreat from the fog-covered area.

Regrettably, since the fight had already begun, Lin Cheng would never allow them to leave the range of his Hidden Mist Technique alive.

If they escaped and brought back even stronger enemies, what then?

Holding this thought, Lin Cheng unhesitatingly transformed into a killing machine once more!

With close-quarters combat skills that did not lose to Kimimaro's, he dispatched all the enemies on his side in just a few brief moments.

On the other side, Kimimaro finished off his own enemies at almost the exact same time.

As for the Water Dragon Bullet Technique cast by that Kirigakure ninja?

Heh!

After striking wildly at nothing, it dissipated on its own once the ninja controlling it died.