"Uncle Duy, keep Guy and the others safe and hide for now. I'll come back once I've dealt with them."
Chihane turned to Might Duy beside him and spoke, then set off in the direction Kushimaru Kuriarare had disappeared.
Kushimaru Kuriarare had been the first to spot Chihane earlier, which meant he was either a speed specialist or a sensory ninja.
Once Chihane dealt with the hardest one to catch, none of the others would escape.
Whoosh!
With a whoosh, Chihane vanished from sight before Might Duy and the others.
"Let's go!"
Might Duy spoke to the three young ninja.
This time, even the exhausted Genma Shiranui offered no complaints. He helped Ebisu up from where he had collapsed on the ground and followed Might Duy.
In a forest thick with towering trees, Kushimaru Kuriarare raced along.
"Phew! That guy hasn't followed me, has he? Good thing I reacted fast. Those bastards wanted to leave me behind to die while they escaped first."
Kushimaru Kuriarare kept running, clearly terrified of Chihane, but he still muttered nonstop.
Just then, a series of sharp sounds came from beside him. Kushimaru Kuriarare turned to look and stopped dead in fright. Immediately afterward, a pitch-black blade slash swept past right in front of him.
Chihane had caught up. He held his sword in his right hand and cradled a cute little dog in his left arm.
"You thought you could escape me? Don't you know the Hatake Clan's contracted summons are all ninja dogs?"
Chihane spoke as he walked toward Kushimaru Kuriarare.
"Damn it! There were so many of us. Why did you come after me?"
Kushimaru Kuriarare stared at Chihane in despair, his voice verging on a breakdown.
"Because you were the first to spot me. Don't worry, I'll send the others