The wind dispersed the smoke, revealing two figures standing beside the hot spring in the faint moonlight.
They were two boys of about thirteen or fourteen, both dressed in black shirts with red-and-white fan emblems on their backs and Konoha forehead protectors.
At the sight of them, Nai Hyuga frowned slightly and murmured, "Are those... Konoha ninja?"
At the sudden sound, both boys turned their heads toward Yui and Nai.
"Who's there?"
A Kunai sliced through the air along with the voice. Its whistle was cleverly masked by the words; a moment's carelessness would have been enough to get hit.
Clang! Sparks flew as Nai Hyuga swung Wave Breaker and deflected the Kunai. Her gaze sharpened, and killing intent stirred within her. On seeing other people here, she had originally intended to leave with Yui.
Since they dared attack the two of them, she felt it was time to change her mind. Once she killed them, she could still enjoy the hot spring with Yui.
"Who are you?" The tall, thin boy shielded the honest-looking boy behind him, stuffed a scroll into his arms, and said, "Fugaku, go find the captain. This is the mission scroll. I'll hold these two off."
The boy called Fugaku tensed and refused. "No, Shinichi. If we die, we die together. There are two of us right now. If we work together, we should be able to escape."
"If you're alone, you probably won't get away."
"But... you're..." Shinichi tried to say more, but Fugaku cut him off.
"No more buts. Let's go!" As though he had made up his mind, Fugaku closed his eyes, then snapped them open. Scarlet gleamed in the darkness, with two tomoe slowly revolving within.
Shinichi froze, then burst into delighted laughter. "The Two-Tomoe Sharingan! Fugaku, you've already awakened the