"Everyone, form up! Hold the retreat route! Do not let them escape!"
The Sunagakure leader fought through his injuries and roared in a hoarse voice, forcing out the last of his Chakra to issue his final order. "Even if you can't beat them, stall until reinforcements arrive!"
At the word "reinforcements," Yuhi Shinku's expression turned grave. He hurried to Kawaki Aoba's side and spoke in a low, urgent voice. "Aoba, we can't drag this out! Sunagakure's border reinforcements move fast. Once their main force arrives, the three of us will be surrounded no matter how strong we are. We won't stand a chance of escaping!"
Kawaki Aoba nodded slightly. "I know. I'll take them down quickly, and then we leave."
"I'll help you!"
Yuhi Shinku tightened his grip on his Kunai as Chakra surged around him once more. "I've fought them several times already. I know their moves. Together, we can break through faster!"
Uchiha Wind forced his battered body upright and gripped his Ninja Blade. "I can still fight! I can help hold them off!"
Kawaki Aoba turned toward them and raised a hand, signaling them to stay back. "No. You're exhausted and injured. Fighting more will only make your injuries worse and slow us down.
Leave this to me. I'll clear every obstacle within ten breaths."
"Ten breaths?"
Yuhi Shinku stared at him in disbelief. "They still have six Sunagakure ninja in fighting shape, all elites, plus a badly wounded Jonin. There's no way you can take them all down in ten breaths!"
Uchiha Wind quickly agreed. "He's right, Kawaki! Even with your strength, you can't beat all of them that fast! It's too risky. We should fight together!"
Kawaki Aoba offered no further explanation. "Just watch."
With that, Kawaki Aoba moved.
There was no earth-shaking burst of