When they saw the signal flare, Uchiha Mafu's squad realized they had pursued the enemy too far. They had already entered the territory controlled by Kumogakure's main force.
Uchiha Mafu, who led the squad, glanced regretfully at Darui lying behind a tree, then decisively withdrew.
After all, if they left now, Kumogakure wouldn't attack them. If they waited any longer, who knew what might happen?
"Ah, what a pity. What a shame."
"If I'd had just a little more time—just a little—I could've killed him."
"After all, he's one of the Raikage's guards."
"If I killed him, wouldn't my name, Uchiha Mafu, spread throughout the clan?"
"I'd become the clan's second strongest."
At the thought of being second strongest, Uchiha Mafu suddenly remembered Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Remembering those blood-red eyes, Uchiha Mafu silently changed "second" to "third."
Then he thought of being third and remembered his captain, Akame Uchiha. At the thought of that burly build, he silently changed it again to "fourth."
Uchiha Mafu quietly reconsidered. Surely there was no one who could beat him for fourth place, right?
Yes, fourth had to be right. I'm definitely fourth.
After Uchiha Mafu led his squad in a swift retreat,
the Kumogakure ninja on guard immediately examined Darui.
Darui was covered in severe burns.
Just by looking at his face, they could barely recognize him.
Knowing that help had arrived, Darui forced himself to stay conscious through sheer willpower and spoke.
"Quick, tell Commander Dodai."
"Uchiha... Uchiha... Fire Style..."
Darui's words trailed off, and before he could finish, he passed out again from the severity of his injuries.
At the sound of his voice, there was no mistaking who the person on the ground was.
The Kumogakure ninja on guard grew solemn. After confirming that Darui was still breathing,