The Coming Fierce Battle!

Kawaki Aoba's senses caught a powerful surge of chakra closing in fast from behind the inn.

His heart sank. "Shinku, sir, we've got serious trouble coming... It's a Puppet Technique!"

Yuhi Shinku's expression shifted slightly, but he never broke stride, continuing to fight the Sunagakure leader.

"Aoba, hold steady! Whatever's coming, we have to deal with the enemy in front of us first!"

Kawaki Aoba nodded and forced down his unease. He gripped his ninja blade and swept his gaze around the room.

Sunagakure's Puppet Techniques were notorious for their unpredictability. If the enemy had sent a puppeteer, this fight was about to get even harder.

He drew a deep breath, chakra flowing through his body as he braced for the fiercer battle ahead.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Wind's situation was growing desperate.

There were fewer Sunagakure ninja on the right, but they worked together seamlessly. Using the inn's cramped layout, they harried him from a distance with kunai and shuriken while waiting for chances to strike up close.

Wind was barely holding on thanks to the insight of his Sharingan, but the wound on his arm was slowing him down. Sweat and blood mingled on his forehead, and he was in rough shape.

Aoba's gaze darted between Shinku and Wind. He was frantic, but there was little he could do.

He had to cover Shinku while buying Wind a chance to catch his breath.

He snatched two smoke bombs from his ninja pouch and hurled them at the Sunagakure ninja on the right.

The bombs burst against the floor, and thick smoke billowed out, swallowing the area.

"Wind, fall back!"

Aoba shouted as he formed hand seals. "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

Even denser mist spread from his hands and mingled with the smoke, turning the entire corridor into a haze.