As the old man's words fell, it became clear that even with Sakura on his back, he was still moving at an astonishing speed.
Like a streak of green flashing through the forest, he quickly slipped away from the war-torn tower and into the dense woods.
Sakura merely looked around at everything with a pale face and dim eyes.
Before long, however, she felt the old man beneath her come to a stop, leaving her slightly stunned.
"This place should be safe. As long as you all hide here properly, there shouldn't be any trouble..."
The old man let out a soft sigh of relief and spoke calmly.
But the moment his words ended, an excited cry immediately rang out beside Sakura's ear.
"Sakura, you're here too!!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Sakura froze slightly. She turned toward the blonde figure with equal surprise, tears welling faintly in the corners of her eyes as she exclaimed excitedly.
"Ino!"
With dust smudged across her pretty face and red-rimmed eyes, Ino rushed forward without hesitation and hugged Sakura, her voice choked with sobs.
"You broad forehead, I thought I'd never see you again..."
Then she noticed the injury on Sakura's leg. Her tear-streaked face immediately filled with concern as she hurriedly asked.
"Your leg...!!"
Sakura merely shook her head gently, her voice full of complicated emotions.
"Don't worry, Ino. It's nothing... It's just that Naruto and Sasuke..."
At the mention of Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura's face filled with worry.
At that moment, the examinees who had been hiding in this quiet forest gradually emerged and gathered before Sakura.
Seeing the Konoha examinees who had appeared, Sakura was slightly stunned.
Most of those present were Konoha examinees. Their faces were dirty and disheveled, their eyes dim.
Clearly, Konoha's attack this time had dealt them