Quelling the Rebellion!

Crack!

The Lightning Blade sheared through one of the venomous scorpion's pincers. Green blood sprayed from the severed limb.

The desert scorpion shrieked in pain and grew even more frenzied. It swung its other pincer at Kawaki Aoba.

Aoba hurriedly backed away from the attack and shouted to Yuhi Shinku, "Its weak point is its head!"

A glint flashed in Shinku's eyes. He darted behind the scorpion while its attention was fixed on Aoba, poured all his Chakra into his Ninja Blade, then leaped and brought it down toward the creature's head.

Slash!

The Ninja Blade struck the scorpion squarely in the head. Green blood gushed out, and the creature twitched a few times before crashing to the ground, lifeless.

Baki's face went deathly pale when he saw his summoned beast killed. He had no tricks left. He looked at Shinku and Aoba, despair filling his eyes.

"Baki, you've lost."

Ninja Blade in hand, Shinku walked toward Baki one step at a time. His voice was calm, but it carried unquestionable authority.

Baki staggered back a few steps. He stared at Shinku and said hoarsely, "I can't accept this... I actually lost to you..."

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance. A large group of Sunagakure ninja was rushing over, evidently drawn by the battle.

Shinku frowned. This was no time to finish Baki off. If the Sunagakure ninja surrounded them, escaping would be difficult.

"Aoba, let's go!"

Shinku shouted to Aoba, then turned and ran deeper into the woods.

Aoba glanced at Baki and then at the approaching Sunagakure ninja. Without hesitating, he ran after Shinku.

Baki watched them retreat. He wanted to give chase, but the battle had drained him so badly that he could not even get up. All he could do was watch them vanish