Arrival

At this moment, Kosuke Maruboshi began to sway the long blade in his hand. Suddenly, an inexplicable aura manifested in the surroundings, and Li Yi even saw numerous long blades appearing all around them. Clearly, Kosuke Maruboshi was employing his most proficient ninjutsu-taijutsu hybrid technique.

It was Konoha Style: Willow!

This was a unique technique that perfectly fused genjutsu with swordsmanship. The user could engage in fierce close-quarters combat with an enemy without the need for cumbersome hand seals.

At the start of the battle, the user would rapidly unleash exquisite sword techniques, the momentum of the blade sharp and relentless, striking directly at the enemy's vitals. Simultaneously, they would trigger a powerful genjutsu, creating an illusion that made the enemy feel as though they were vanishing amidst leaves dancing in the wind. This illusion would confuse the enemy's vision, making it difficult for them to pinpoint the user's true position.

Furthermore, the genjutsu could generate a powerful binding force, trapping the enemy tightly and rendering them unable to move freely. Just as the enemy fell into confusion and helplessness, the user would seize the moment to launch a swift, unexpected attack from the enemy's visual blind spot. This strike was as fast and lethal as lightning, the swordplay precise and unerring, piercing directly through the enemy's body to deliver a fatal blow.

This technique was undoubtedly a finishing move capable of killing an enemy in an instant; its speed and power were staggering. The enemy had almost no chance to dodge or resist, only to be easily wiped out in shock. It showcased the terrifying power of genjutsu and swordsmanship complementing each other, making it a formidable ninjutsu-taijutsu.

Now, the last remaining Cloud ninja's pupils contracted; he felt as though he could no longer move. By the time he regained his mobility, his throat had already been slit by Kosuke Maruboshi.

Li Yi was also stunned. So this was the combination of genjutsu and taijutsu. He would have to be careful in the future; after all, there were too many bizarre techniques in the Naruto world. Although he had eaten the Mera Mera no Mi, he hadn't developed it yet. If he were caught in a genjutsu and had his throat slit before he could even activate his elemental form, he would die a very unjust death.

At this point, Kosuke Maruboshi leaned against a tree to rest for a moment. After all, his chakra could not sustain such high-intensity combat.

However, even so, he did not put Li Yi down. Only by keeping Li Yi on his back could he run with him at any moment; otherwise, it was highly likely someone would kill Li Yi.

"We're leaving!" Kosuke Maruboshi announced before quickly leaping onto a tree and heading toward the Konoha camp.

In the dense jungle, Kosuke Maruboshi moved with great agility across the branches. Li Yi had previously thought it was an exaggeration in the anime—why would people jump around on branches while traveling? Now it was clear: running through the trees was much faster than running on the ground.

One could only say that the greenery in the Naruto world was truly impressive.

Suddenly, Kosuke Maruboshi veered sharply to the side. Li Yi heard a "shhh" sound, followed by an explosion. Even though Kosuke Maruboshi moved fast, he was caught in the blast radius, rolling several times on the ground while carrying Li Yi.

This time, Li Yi felt he had suffered a great deal. There was no helping it; the fall was truly brutal, and Li Yi felt as if his ribs had snapped.

Kosuke Maruboshi had no time to ask about his condition and instead assumed a combat stance. On the trees opposite them, three tall Cloud ninjas were staring them down.

"Looks like a big fish. We'll take this civilian!" one of the Cloud ninjas said loudly.

Li Yi was cursing internally. Was this really necessary? I'm just a civilian, and you're going to fight over me? Are your brains broken? People of the Cloud Village, we are enemies now. Just you wait; the day I, Li Yi, rise to power, I will finish you all off.

Kosuke Maruboshi didn't bother responding to them at all. Instead, he pulled several kunai from the ninja tool pouch on his leg and, seizing the right moment, threw them out. Li Yi could see that there seemed to be something attached to those kunai.

Kosuke Maruboshi then sprinted toward the rear, and shortly after, a massive explosion erupted from that direction. However, according to the laws of the Naruto world, explosive tags never seemed to actually kill anyone.

Just as the Great Fireball Technique never seemed to hit its target.

Sure enough, three figures pursued them rapidly from behind. Kosuke Maruboshi seemed to have anticipated this; as they drew closer, he finally began to weave hand seals.

Just as the pursuers brandished their kunai, Kosuke Maruboshi finished his seals, turned his head, spun around, opened his mouth, and a stream of water erupted forth.

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"

As the high-pressure, linear jet of water shot from his mouth, it swept across the three charging Cloud ninjas, instantly slicing them in two.

Kosuke Maruboshi was panting heavily. This was the most powerful ninjutsu he knew, a technique created by the Second Hokage. Because it consumed so much chakra, he usually didn't dare use it, but he had no choice now. He was being hunted by three Cloud ninjas; if he didn't use it, he might have been able to escape, but Li Yi would certainly have died.

"Let's go!" Kosuke Maruboshi prepared to dash away.

Li Yi was somewhat surprised. Not going to rest? In your condition, if we run into more enemies, we're both done for.

Soon, Li Yi understood why they couldn't rest. They hadn't run for long before they encountered Konoha ninjas. The ninja nodded upon seeing Kosuke Maruboshi, and Kosuke Maruboshi didn't say much, continuing to dash forward until the Konoha main camp came into view.

As they approached the tents, two ninjas appeared instantly, blocking Kosuke Maruboshi's path. They looked at him, then at Li Yi, and said, "The lords are currently discussing strategy."

The implication was clear: they were in a meeting, and while he could send a message, he could not approach.

Kosuke Maruboshi naturally knew the rules and said, "This is someone sent by the Second Hokage with important intelligence. Please report it!"

One of the Konoha ninjas nodded and headed toward the main tent.

Soon, the ninja returned and said, "The lords say to let him in!"

Kosuke Maruboshi set Li Yi down, and Li Yi gasped in pain. There was no helping it; his ribs were broken, and he had suffered greatly along the way.

The ninja frowned but stepped forward to support Li Yi. Then, a green light glowed from his palm, covering Li Yi's body. Li Yi felt a warm sensation; this ninja actually knew medical ninjutsu.

One had to realize that this wasn't the era when Tsunade had proposed the concept of medical ninjas; at this moment, Tsunade was likely either just born or still a small child.

"Thank you!" Regardless of the circumstances, since the man was treating him, Li Yi offered his thanks.