Who Exactly is Teacher Yu Guarding Against?

The leader was forced into a somewhat sorry state. With an angry roar, he slashed his curved blade, sending an arc-shaped blade aura straight at Aoba's chest.

Aoba's gaze sharpened. He shifted slightly to the side, and the blade aura grazed past his shoulder, shearing off a strand of black hair before striking the sand and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Interesting."

Aoba spoke softly, a glint of fighting spirit flashing through his eyes.

He took a deep breath and gave his ninja blade a sharp flick. Chakra surged along the blade, and a faint layer of azure light shimmered over its edge.

"Wind Release: Whirlwind Slash!"

Aoba shouted low as he swung his blade. A spinning azure wind blade howled forth with a piercing whistle, hurtling straight toward the leader.

The leader's pupils contracted as he hurriedly raised his weapon to block. But the wind blade's power far exceeded his expectations. The instant their blades met, the impact numbed his arm, and he was sent flying by the force of the wind blade, crashing heavily onto the sand.

"Boss!"

The lanky man cried out and grabbed a short blade to rush forward, only for Asuma to kick him to the ground. A Chakra Blade rested against his neck.

"Don't move, unless you want to lose your head."

Asuma said lazily, though a trace of coldness lingered in his eyes.

The battle had lasted only moments, yet more than half the desert bandits had already fallen. Seeing the situation turn against them, the remaining few threw down their weapons and cried out in terror, "Don't kill us! We surrender!"

Aoba slowly sheathed his blade, his cold gaze sweeping over the bandits on the ground. His voice was icy. "Talk. How many of you are left? Where is your hideout?"