Nobody Gets Out!

A devastating kick struck the enormous black hand, warping it out of shape.

The mysterious ninja immediately unfurled a scroll and formed the hand seals recorded on it. Golden chakra poured from the scroll and surged toward Kawaki Aoba's black chakra.

The golden and black chakra collided with a deafening explosion.

The shock wave drove Kawaki Aoba back several steps. A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

He stared at the scene in disbelief. "How is this possible... My chakra was actually countered..."

Teacher Kaido seized the opening and rushed forward, forming hand seals. "Daytime Tiger!"

A massive tiger of blue chakra charged toward Kawaki Aoba.

Kawaki Aoba tried to dodge, but the golden chakra released by the mysterious ninja bound his body, leaving him unable to move.

"No! I won't accept this!"

Kawaki Aoba tightened his grip on his kunai until his knuckles turned white. He stared at Yuhi Shinku, surrounded by Konoha ninja ahead.

He had just returned from the scouting post to the west. From a distance, he had seen bodies strewn across the battlefield and Lord Yuhi lying in a pool of blood, barely breathing. It felt as though an invisible hand had seized his heart, making every breath heavy.

"What happened? How did Lord Yuhi get hurt this badly?"

Kawaki Aoba hurried over and crouched beside Yuhi Shinku, unable to hide the urgency in his voice.

He reached toward Yuhi Shinku's wound, then stopped, afraid he might hurt him. In the end, he only brushed the sand from Yuhi Shinku's cheek.

The Konoha ninja who had supported Yuhi Shinku earlier sighed. Exhaustion filled his face as he looked at Kawaki Aoba. "Aoba, you've only just returned, so you might not know. Sunagakure launched a surprise attack last night.

"Lord Yuhi held