Kakuzu had no intention of staying to fight.
With Hidan's greatest trump card completely neutralized, their advantage in this two-against-four fight vanished in an instant. If they kept fighting until Konoha's reinforcements arrived, they would only be forced onto the defensive. They might even meet their end in this outlying town.
The four dark Earth Grudge Fear figures instantly converged in front of him, forcibly blocking Asuma and Ino's attacks. Under cover of the churning mud, he turned to retreat with Hidan.
Hidan was bitterly unwilling to leave and still wanted to fight, but Kakuzu forcibly dragged him back.
"Your secret technique is useless now. Staying here won't accomplish anything!"
Their figures flickered, and they fled toward the outskirts of town at full speed, using the swamp's obscured visibility as cover.
Watching their retreating backs, Shikamaru stayed alert and immediately issued rapid orders.
"Ino, take the wounded back to Konoha right now. Don't stop for even a moment!"
Ino answered immediately, not daring to delay.
"Understood!"
Choji had just suffered two successive instances of mirrored damage. His chest and abdomen, as well as his thigh, were severely wounded and bleeding heavily. His condition was already critical. Any further delay could leave him unable to survive the blood loss.
Ino had to take the other wounded back as well. Fortunately, Choji could still move for the time being.
Ino hurried over to the wounded lying on the ground and helped them steadily to their feet. Choji forced his heavy body onward, turning and racing toward the Konoha Barrier.
The two quickly left the battlefield behind, gradually disappearing at the end of the road.
The jostling journey tugged at Choji's wounds with every movement, sending piercing pain through him. His already pale complexion grew worse, and he was so weak that even