Naruto left a Shadow Clone behind to watch over Yamato.
Then he turned and ran toward Kusagakure.
At the camp, a red-haired little girl was clutching her mother's clothes tightly.
"You said yourself that you were feeling especially unwell today."
The tall Kusagakure ninja standing before them glared, his voice rough and booming.
"What are you dawdling for?!"
Her mother reached out and stroked the little girl's face, forcing a smile.
"It's okay. Didn't we get to stay in this village because we have to work for them?"
"But..."
Tears welled in the little girl's eyes. Her mother had clearly told them that something was wrong with her body that morning.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
"No!"
"Be good and listen."
"Get lost!"
The Kusagakure ninja shoved the little girl to the ground with one arm, then dragged the short-haired redheaded woman out the door.
Before she even reached the makeshift medical room at the camp, her face had already gone pale.
The room was so chaotic there was nowhere to step. Kusagakure's wounded lay all over the floor, missing arms and legs.
This battle had been far more brutal than expected. Takigakure's ability to suppress Tailed Beasts on its own had long proven that it was no easy target.
"No, you can't do this! My body can't take it! I still have to look after my child!"
The mother staggered back two steps in terror.
The Kusagakure ninja chuckled and grabbed her, lifting her off the ground.
"Your child? You should be hoping you survive. If you're useless, that little brat will die too."
In the next room, a medical ninja in a white coat was shouting out orders.
"Over there! Send more chakra over! Don't bother with this one, drag him away! The ones treating wounds next