"Now!"
Kawaki shouted and charged forward first, with Sato and Suzuki close behind. The three coordinated with Aoba's attack and rushed at the Amegakure ninja.
The Amegakure ninja were forced back step by step by Aoba's Great Fire Annihilation and had no time at all to stop Kawaki's group of four.
Taking the opportunity, Kawaki's group broke through their defensive line and continued running down the narrow path.
"Don't let them get away!"
The lead Amegakure ninja shouted and hurriedly led the others in pursuit.
Kawaki glanced back at the pursuing Amegakure ninja and frowned. "They're still chasing us. We have to speed up!"
With that, he pulled a kunai from his pocket and threw it behind him. The kunai arced through the air and landed on the ground. Then, he formed hand seals. "Explosive Tag!"
The Explosive Tag on the kunai detonated instantly, producing a huge cloud of smoke that temporarily blocked the Amegakure ninja's pursuit.
"Great job, Kawaki!"
Aoba said excitedly, quickening his pace as well.
But Kawaki did not let down his guard. "Don't celebrate too soon. It only held them off temporarily. They'll catch up soon enough.
"We need to get out of here as quickly as possible, find a safe place to hide, or reach the village as soon as we can."
The four continued quickly down the path. The explosions behind them gradually faded into the distance, but they all knew the danger had not yet passed.
The path grew narrower, the surrounding trees denser, the light dimmer, and the dampness in the air heavier.
"The fog seems to be getting thicker."
Suzuki suddenly spoke, a hint of unease in her voice as she warily watched the mist around them.
Kawaki sensed that something was wrong as well. He stopped and carefully felt out