No Matter What, We Must Win!

"It's over."

Aoba murmured, his figure darting forward like the wind, blade aimed straight at the Sunagakure jonin's chest.

The Sunagakure jonin tried to resist, but Yuhi Kurenai's genjutsu had already thoroughly disrupted his mind, leaving his movements slow and powerless.

"Boom!"

With a deafening crash, Aoba's blade slashed down viciously, sending the Sunagakure jonin flying before he crashed heavily to the ground.

A deep wound had been carved across his chest by the wind blade, and blood quickly dyed the ground red.

There was a trace of unwillingness in his eyes, but in the end, he helplessly closed them.

Aoba slowly withdrew his blade, gasping for breath as he turned to look at Yuhi Kurenai and Asuma.

A hint of exhaustion showed on his face, but his eyes still blazed with the light of victory.

"Sensei, that was beautiful."

He spoke softly, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Yuhi Kurenai leaped down from the tree branch and slowly walked over to Aoba's side.

There was little expression on her face as she simply nodded faintly.

"Don't let your guard down. The battle isn't over yet."

Her gaze swept toward the distance, a flicker of worry passing through her eyes.

"Sunagakure's reinforcements will be here soon. We need to leave as quickly as possible."

Asuma walked over to the two of them, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and grinned.

"Aoba, that strike of yours was really vicious."

There was a hint of ease in his tone, but his eyes remained vigilant.

Aoba shrugged, sheathed his blade, and looked toward the distant forest.

The lingering glow of the setting sun filtered through the treetops, stretching their shadows long.

In the smoke-filled forest, the air seemed to have solidified, carrying a faintly pungent smell of gunpowder.

Kawaki Aoba's figure flickered