As Kawaki Aoba reached the cave entrance and looked up, he saw a figure in a gray cloak standing there. The hood was pulled low, concealing the person's face; only his hands were visible—long and slender, exactly like those of the mysterious man he had described earlier.
Kawaki Aoba's gaze sharpened as he asked coldly, "Is that you? Are you the mysterious person who used a sealing technique to subdue the men in black robes?"
The gray-cloaked man nodded and replied in a low voice, "It was me.
"I know you have many questions. Let's leave this place first and find somewhere safe. Then I'll tell you everything in detail.
"Right now, we need to leave as soon as possible. The Dark Crow organization's people will arrive here soon, and the people from Sunagakure may also come after us. We have no time to waste."
"Alright."
Kawaki Aoba nodded. "Lead the way. I'll follow you.
"But I need to warn you: if we encounter any danger, you must tell me immediately. Don't hide anything from me."
"Don't worry."
The gray-cloaked man turned and walked deeper into the forest. "Stay close and don't make a sound. The Dark Crow organization's people have keen senses. We can't let them discover us."
Kawaki Aoba nodded and followed closely behind the gray-cloaked man. He kept his footsteps extremely light as Chakra slowly flowed out from him, carefully sensing the surroundings and remaining alert for any danger that might arise.
As he watched the gray-cloaked man's back, Kawaki Aoba pondered inwardly: Who exactly is this mysterious person? Why is he helping me? What kind of grudge does he have against the Dark Crow organization? And what is this ancient artifact he mentioned?
The two carefully made their way through the forest, avoiding every potential danger.