This Forest Really Was Strange!

The black-clad leader sneered and rapidly formed Hand Seals. "Blood Mist Technique!"

A thick red mist burst from his body and spread quickly, engulfing everything within dozens of meters.

The mist carried a bloody stench that made them faintly dizzy.

"Poison mist?!"

Yuhi Kurenai reacted at once. She pulled a cloth from her ninja tool pouch and covered her mouth and nose. "Aoba, Hinata, hold your breath! The mist is poisonous!"

Hinata's Byakugan could still see clearly through the red mist. She retreated and formed Hand Seals. "Gentle Fist Art of Eight Trigrams: Rotation!"

A whirlwind erupted around her. The spinning air temporarily scattered the mist, giving her teammates room to breathe.

"Senior Shinku, there's something strange about this mist. It's mixed with Chakra and might interfere with our senses!"

Hinata's voice came from within the whirlwind, edged with urgency.

"Aoba, cover Hinata! Kurenai, prepare your Genjutsu!"

Yuhi Shinku's voice was steady and commanding. He drove the black-clad leader back with a fierce sword strike, then leaped out of the mist.

Kawaki Aoba forced back the black-clad man on his left and hurried to Hinata's side. He formed Hand Seals again. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A stronger blast of wind surged from his palms, clearing a swath through the mist.

His gaze swept the battlefield. The black-clad leader was preparing another technique, and Aoba's eyes sharpened.

"Hinata, watch the leader. His Chakra is surging again!"

Aoba spoke quietly as he drew a second Kunai, ready for an ambush.

Yuhi Kurenai stood behind them, her Hand Seals complete. She fixed her gaze on the black-clad leader and spoke in a low, forceful voice. "Hell Viewing Technique!"

An invisible pulse of Chakra spread from her, slipped silently into the red mist, and raced toward the leader.

The black-clad leader suddenly stiffened. Confusion