When Su Ye took one of her hands, she felt the warmth radiating from his broad palm.
Hoshizuki Hyuga shifted, instinctively trying to pull free.
"Shh!"
Su Ye warned her again, his expression more serious than ever.
Hoshizuki Hyuga felt awkward, an unfamiliar sensation flowing through her heart.
But when she failed to pull free, she could only suppress that strange feeling and let Su Ye hold her hand.
Sure enough, moments later, twelve dark figures arrived in a series of leaps.
Seven of them had exceptionally powerful auras, but more importantly, there were their weapons.
Each wielded a differently shaped weapon, radiating murderous intent and seemingly possessing some special vitality.
Of the other five, two appeared to be sensory ninja, keeping their fingers pressed against their temples.
They constantly monitored their surroundings, seemingly searching for something.
Another carried a medical kit on his back and appeared to be a medical ninja.
The remaining two seemed to be ordinary ninja.
They merely served as attendants and muscle for the others.
"Stop. Something's wrong."
One of them seemed to notice something unusual and raised a hand to halt the group.
"Juzo, is something wrong?"
Someone asked.
"There were signs of people traveling this way, but they seem to have changed direction here."
Juzo Biwa offered a brief explanation.
Then he asked a companion beside him:
"Wind, have you detected anything?"
"There are no traces of residual chakra here, and I haven't sensed anyone's presence."
A woman's voice came from beneath the mask.
"What should we do now, then?"
Another person asked.
"Search the area."
Juzo said.
"Yes."
Two ninja swiftly darted out of the group. They formed hand seals, expanding their perception to detect details ordinary people would miss.
They leaped onto branches and down to the ground, constantly searching for