From Heaven to the Abyss (Continued)

At the same time, he realized why the sounds of fighting had come from ahead of him as he explored this place. Combined with Yuliu's earlier transformation,

he immediately became even more vigilant. Strange—everything seemed so strange.

He hurried in the direction the sounds had come from. Yuliu seemed to be in slightly better condition now, and her speed was somewhat faster than before.

Following the thick fog, once they reached the area ahead, he looked through the visibility the mist allowed.

At first, he saw what seemed to be a vague silhouette, which gradually became clearer.

But just from the figure's back, Yuliu found it familiar, and immediately thought of Shinnō.

Yuliu shouted, "Teacher Shinnō!"

Shinnō seemed to have noticed Yuliu as well and directly turned to glance in her direction.

But because of that brief lapse, countless Kunai and Shuriken came shooting toward him at high speed.

Then, just as Shinnō tried to evade, the accident finally happened.

Because he had looked at Yuliu, his body paused ever so slightly. Then, when he tried to dodge, it was precisely because of that earlier movement.

He was ultimately one step too late. Kunai and Shuriken mercilessly rained down upon Shinnō's body, making him stagger at once.

His mouth fell open, and he seemed to let out a soundless whimper. Time itself seemed to stretch endlessly.

At that moment, Yuliu saw Shinnō collapse to the ground, then tumble straight down from the steps where he had been standing.

In truth, if Yuliu had not called out just now, Shinnō might have been able to escape the danger.

Yuliu first stared at the scene in disbelief.

Then she froze briefly before letting out an even more miserable wail.

"Teacher! Teacher Shinnō!"

Yuliu erupted at once, rushing out from behind Naruto toward