One Night (6)

"Big brother, this is bad! Someone from Konoha is here!" Kurama Ye Yi appeared beside them, speaking in a rush.

Kurama Yeqiong's expression changed, and Kurama Yewu looked grim as well. Although they had already made up their minds, the brothers knew all too well what kind of force Konoha was.

The strength of a village that had won three Ninja World Wars was no joke. Even the other four of the Five Great Shinobi Villages were wary of Konoha in this era.

A weak clan like the Kurama Clan was no comparison. Konoha would only need to send a fraction of its forces to deal a devastating blow to them.

Though Kurama Yeqiong had already prepared himself for the worst, he wanted to avoid facing Konoha's reinforcements if at all possible. Now, it seemed that might be difficult.

"Who's here?" Though he was afraid, Kurama Yeqiong was the head of the Kurama Clan and had weathered plenty of storms. He forced himself to calm down.

"Big brother, Yuhi Kurenai is leading them. She has several Chunin with her, and it looks like Nara Shikaku from the Nara Clan is there too!" Kurama Ye Yi said urgently. "What do we do? Konoha has sent at least two Jonin and several Chunin. And Yuhi Kurenai is one of the few genjutsu masters in Konoha. The Kurama Clan's abilities don't pose much of a threat to her."

"Also, big brother, we've received word from Wuheng's men. They spotted several shinobi. It looks like Konoha has sent at least two groups of reinforcements!"

Kurama Yeqiong's expression shifted, his face turning pale and then red.

He gritted his teeth. "Ye Yi, take the rest of the clan and meet up with Liu Zi. Lead everyone out of the Land of Fire as quickly as possible. Yewu and I will go rescue Yun'er. Wait at the border until tomorrow morning. If we haven't returned by then, don't wait for us. Take the clan and get to safety!"

"Big brother..." Kurama Ye Yi stared at him in shock. "But..."

Kurama Yewu looked solemn, but he didn't object to his big brother's words. He simply lowered his head and remained silent.

Kurama Ye Yi saw the resolve in his brother's face and knew his mind was made up. A flicker of panic crossed Ye Yi's eyes, then gave way to despair. He let out a deep sigh and said nothing more.

He simply nodded. "I understand, big brother."

Kurama Yeqiong nodded in relief and patted Kurama Ye Yi on the shoulder. "Go. Don't worry. Yewu and I will bring Yun'er back safely."

Yewu wore a resolute expression too. "Ye Yi, big brother and I will come back. I'm leaving the clan in your hands!"

Kurama Ye Yi said nothing, only nodding firmly. Then he gestured, and all the black-robed figures present, except for the brothers Kurama Yeqiong and Kurama Yewu,

rose and followed Kurama Ye Yi away from the western outskirts, heading straight for the border of the Land of Fire.

As Kurama Ye Yi disappeared into the distance, Kurama Yeqiong's expression darkened.

"Yewu, let's go."

"Yes, big brother!"

The two of them picked a direction and hurried after Ueno Kei, following the marks left by the subordinate who had tracked him.

Meanwhile, when Ueno Kei had carried the girl away, he had thought just as Kurama Yeqiong had: after only a few steps, he realized that the enemy might have accomplices.

They would surely set an ambush on the way back to Konoha, or intercept him.

After a moment's hesitation, Ueno Kei decided to take another route. He couldn't go back, and heading west was out of the question. They were already in the western outskirts, and the farther west he went, the farther he'd get from Konoha and the closer he'd get to the border. That would be even more foolish.

He couldn't go back, west, or toward the village. That left only one option: northeast.

Having made up his mind, Ueno Kei fastened the Lingyu Blade at his waist, secured the girl on his back, and headed straight northeast.

What Ueno Kei didn't realize was that he'd made a fatal mistake. Just because he could think of something didn't mean the enemy couldn't. More importantly, since he knew there were several enemies, they would surely split up to intercept him. Besides, the Anbu shinobi had told him reinforcements were already on their way.

At that moment, Ueno Kei's best choice would have been to make a beeline for Konoha, no matter what.

Before the enemy could catch him, he was more likely to run into Konoha's reinforcements. Only then would he be safe.

Just as Ueno Kei decided to change course and head northeast, he passed the Third Hokage going the other way. If Ueno Kei had known, he would have regretted it bitterly.

But Ueno Kei, who moved furtively and cautiously at all times, as if sneaking past a thief, had no idea he'd just missed such a golden opportunity.

As he made his way forward, Ueno Kei kept quiet and avoided the main roads. With his current strength, he knew he could handle a few Genin, or even an ordinary Chunin.

But of the four black-robed figures who had appeared earlier, he felt he could probably handle the other three. The remaining one, though, was a hulking man. Their encounter had been brief, but when Ueno Kei's eyes had met the man's beneath his hood—

Ueno Kei had broken out in goosebumps and shuddered.

That was the feeling of being utterly overpowered. His bearing, his pressure—he was definitely a Jonin! At the very least, he was an elite Chunin on the verge of becoming a Jonin.

That was why Ueno Kei had felt he couldn't win. He didn't need to imagine what had happened to the Anbu shinobi.

Ueno Kei walked slowly along a chilly mountain path in the night, his thoughts in turmoil.

The dark clouds gradually cleared, and the bright moonlight broke through, illuminating the shaded path through the forest.

Ueno Kei's expression remained troubled, because he realized the girl on his back—

was awake!

The moment he felt her stir, Ueno Kei turned his head and saw the girl gazing at him with bright, expressionless eyes. His heart gave a jolt.

Ueno Kei cursed inwardly. Damn it, what kind of Anbu was that? Hadn't they said they'd made all the preparations and wouldn't let their target wake up?

Annoyed, Ueno Kei also realized that the girl he'd been carrying was the same one he'd occasionally seen by the river over the past few years. He knew he couldn't keep carrying her like this, especially when her eyes clearly said, "Put me down."

So he quietly lowered her to the ground.

He knew it was foolish to waste time here, but some inexplicable instinct told him he had to put the girl down, or something bad would happen.

At that moment, Ueno Kei trusted his instincts.

Ueno Kei looked up at the girl he more or less knew. She had long brown hair, bright but lifeless eyes, and stood about one meter tall. Her aura was cool and distant; among all the girls Ueno Kei had seen, she had a presence unlike anyone else.

Ueno Kei opened his mouth, seeming unsure how to put what he wanted to say into words.

The girl's expression turned cold.

"Uncle, Third Uncle, since you're here, why hide in the shadows?"

The girl's voice was as clear as silver bells, yet cold and desolate. Anyone who heard it couldn't help but feel a chill.

"Ahem. Yun'er's senses are as sharp as ever."