"You!"
Before the servant could finish, a blade slit his throat.
He clutched his neck, but could not stop the blood from pouring out, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Yoshikage stared wide-eyed, stunned by the scene.
He could not imagine why a ninja would attack him. How dare they?
But faced with the ninja's icy gaze, he did not dare make a sound.
His eyes pleaded for mercy.
The hot spring's warmth offered him no comfort. He felt chilled to the bone.
He felt utterly unsafe.
"Who's there!"
Hearing the commotion, Raito rushed into the room. The servant he loathed was already dead, while Yoshikage lay slumped nearby.
His face paled in alarm. Yoshikage was a man of high standing, an honored guest invited by the Raikage to lobby the nobles of the Land of Fire.
Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
He hurriedly checked Yoshikage. Finding no injuries, he concluded that the man had merely fainted and breathed a sigh of relief.
Shouts of battle came from outside.
Not daring to waste a moment, he hoisted Yoshikage onto his back and rushed outside without stopping to grab any clothes.
Three or four ninjas wearing Iwagakure forehead protectors came charging into view.
"Damn Iwagakure!" At the sight, Raito knew their plans had been leaked.
He had no doubt that Iwagakure was trying to sabotage their negotiations with Konoha.
This was exactly the sort of thing Iwagakure would do.
The attackers were clearly formidable. One Kumogakure ninja had already been wounded.
He called over a ninja to protect Yoshikage, then joined the fight.
He was the strongest member of the Kumogakure Envoy Group. With their advantage in numbers, the Kumogakure ninjas began to suppress the "Iwagakure ninjas."
"Finish them off quickly!"
"Yes!"
But soon, one of the "Iwagakure" ninjas