Kawaki Aoba nodded, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes. "I will defeat the Sunagakure ninja to the south. I won't let them get even one step closer to the secret base."
"Me too, Teacher Shinku!"
Morino Takuya nodded firmly as well. Though a hint of nervousness remained in his heart, determination outweighed it. "I'll do my best. I won't hold everyone back."
"Good. Very good."
Yuhi Shinku nodded. "Now, we depart immediately and split up. We must eliminate the Sunagakure ninja lying in ambush around the secret base before midnight tonight, buying time for the base's defenses."
"Yes!"
Soon afterward, the three split into three groups and headed in different directions.
Yuhi Shinku headed north, his figure swiftly vanishing into the forest; Morino Takuya went west, his steps somewhat hurried but his gaze resolute; Kawaki Aoba headed south, his strides steady and his eyes sharp, like a true warrior ready at any moment for the battle ahead.
After walking for about two hours, Kawaki Aoba finally arrived at a patch of woodland south of the secret base.
He stopped and concealed himself behind the trunk of a large tree. A trace of Chakra gathered at his fingertips as he carefully sensed the activity around him.
Very soon, he detected a dense sand-nature Chakra signature behind a patch of grass not far ahead.
Kawaki Aoba's heart stirred. He knew it was one of Sunagakure's ninja squads.
He slowly moved closer to the grass, his hands hanging naturally at his sides and his fingertips slightly curled, ready to deal with an attack at any time.
Once he reached the vicinity of the grass, Kawaki Aoba stopped and gave a soft cough. It was not loud, but it was enough for the Sunagakure ninja behind the grass to hear.
"Come out,