A sensation of weightlessness swept over Yamato and the Wood Release ANBU as they plummeted through collapsing rubble and dust. The aftershocks of the repulsive storm still reverberated through the cavern with a dull hum.
"Pfft!" Yamato spat out a mouthful of blood, but his eyes remained remarkably clear. He glanced at his equally wounded companion beside him and formed hand seals with one hand without hesitation.
"Wood Release: Thorn Kill Technique!"
Several tough vines burst from his arm, shooting like serpents toward the remaining rock walls. They embedded themselves firmly in the stone and snapped taut, halting the two men's fall. Their resilience absorbed the tremendous force, leaving them suspended securely in midair.
"Cough, cough..." His companion coughed violently, his voice hoarse. "Captain, we..."
"Go!" Yamato cut him off with a low roar, his voice carrying an unquestionable resolve. "Leave immediately and notify Lord Jiraiya! Hurry! I'll hold him off!"
The ANBU froze. He looked down at the figure slowly touching the ground below, not even a speck of dust on the hem of his cloak, and hesitation flickered in his eyes. In the end, Yamato's fierce gaze compelled him to obey. He knew staying would only mean another corpse.
"Yes!" Gritting his teeth, he freed himself from the vines and used the last of his chakra. His figure flickered several times before disappearing into the ruined passage leading to the surface.
Toru Kujyo's Shadow Clone-or rather, "Pain" at that moment-did not even look up at the fleeing small fry. He had only ever had one target.
Those impassive Rinnegan eyes fixed on Yamato, suspended in midair.
"Banshō Ten'in."
An irresistible attractive force enveloped Yamato in an instant. He lost all control of his body as he was forcibly torn from the vines and hurled toward "Pain" below.
Wind