"Aoba! Watch out!!"
A familiar voice suddenly burst onto the battlefield. Kawaki Aoba and Baki instinctively turned toward its source at the same time.
A blue figure raced over at incredible speed. With a flash, he appeared beside Kawaki Aoba and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
Clear water surged forth in an instant, forming a thick wall that stood firmly before Kawaki Aoba.
Splash!
Fine Wind Blades filling the sky slammed viciously into the water wall. Wind sliced through water as countless droplets and fragmented wind blades exploded outward. The water wall shuddered violently, yet forcibly blocked most of the attack.
The few remaining wind blades that passed through the wall were deflected or dodged by the newcomer, completely resolving the crisis.
The wind blade assault finally dissipated. The raging winds gradually calmed, and the dust slowly settled. At last, the battlefield returned to peace.
Kawaki Aoba looked at the figure who had suddenly appeared beside him. His tense body relaxed slightly as he spoke softly.
"Yuhi Shinku-sensei."
The newcomer was none other than his instructor, Konoha Jonin Yuhi Shinku.
Yuhi Shinku turned to look at Kawaki Aoba, whose body was covered in wounds and whose breathing was chaotic. His eyes were filled with concern and lingering fear, while his tone carried both reproach and heartache.
"You brat, you clearly sensed Sunagakure ninja lying in ambush around you, yet you still dared to charge in and fight alone. Do you know how dangerous that was?"
"If I had arrived one second later, you would have been severely injured or killed today!"
Kawaki Aoba lowered his head slightly, his voice carrying a hint of apology.
"Sorry, Sensei. I was too careless. I underestimated Sunagakure's ambush and Baki's strength."
"It wasn't carelessness. You were simply too reckless."
Yuhi Shinku