But while still in midair, Obito Uchiha used Water Release: Wild Water Wave, sending water surging toward the clone.
The other end of the stream reached the edge of Earth Flow.
The moment the lightning met the water, it conducted through it. Blue arcs raced across the ground, carried by the spreading water.
Their target was Yahiko's clone.
The clone was as fast as Yahiko himself.
But it could not outrun lightning. Within seconds, the arcs caught up.
It was only a clone, with little ability to fight back. Besides, all its Ninjutsu used Water Release. Using any of them now would only make matters worse.
In the blink of an eye, the lightning struck Yahiko. With a pop, both he and the little girl collapsed into two puddles of water, merging with the water from Obito Uchiha's technique.
Only then did Obito Uchiha realize he had been fooled. The real Yahiko had already fled with the little girl.
Meanwhile, Yahiko had taken a roundabout route toward the village Shelter. He felt his clone disperse, and his face tightened. They had run out of time.
Holding the girl against his chest, Yahiko tightened his grip. "Hold on tight to me. We need to go faster!"
His voice sounded light, but there was no trace of ease on his face.
The moment he had chosen a detour to stay out of Obito Uchiha's sight, they had lost any way back.
If they changed course now, they would have no chance of escaping at all.
Yahiko gave up trying to hide his movements.
He repeatedly used Water Release: Wild Water Wave and the Instant Water Technique, skimming swiftly along the water.
His speed rose sharply, but so did his Chakra consumption.
By the time he was halfway there, Yahiko was already panting.