The three Kusagakure ninjas fled along Route 3, not daring to stop for even a moment.
"Furuhashi, it sounds like the fighting over there is over."
"Yeah."
"Then we—"
"Keep moving!"
The slightly chubby Furuhashi said.
Then he quickened his pace and started climbing the mountain.
Over?
That was when things really got dangerous!
Those lunatics from Kirigakure had started fighting halfway up the mountain. They clearly weren't trying to pass the test—they were just out to kill.
Run!
But then.
A moment later, he heard a faint noise, and his expression changed drastically.
"Run downhill!"
"Huh?"
His companions still didn't understand what was happening when two or three figures leaped out from between the trees.
Before the three could get a good look, they had already been surrounded in a triangular formation.
The ninja named Furuhashi broke into a cold sweat.
He looked up.
Forehead Protectors...
Huh?
They weren't Kirigakure ninjas?
They were Konoha ninjas!
Furuhashi was surprised, then relieved and overjoyed.
Konoha ninjas were good!
Konoha was powerful, but apart from Anbu, its ninjas usually weren't too brutal. They rarely killed ninjas from small villages like theirs, and at most, they asked for information.
Sometimes—
If they were lucky, they might just ask for directions and let them go.
As long as they showed the proper respect.
Resentful of the unfair treatment between big and small villages, he forced a smile.
"What can we do for you?"
"I'm not interested in your lives. Just answer my questions, and I'll let you go."
Kyohiko said coolly.
The three nodded in unison, unconsciously straightening up and looking extremely compliant.
As ninjas from a small village, they had no choice but to act this way in front of the strong.
"Is there a red-haired woman who recently arrived in your village?"