Perhaps they had heard the fighting nearby; a few of the more timid bandits simply ran away.
One or two others had intended to come and help, but when they saw Lin Guang and his two companions cutting down anyone who stood in their way, they slipped away in a crouch as well.
"Tell us which directions they fled in. We'll split up and kill them all in a moment. We can't have them taking revenge on the villagers."
In truth, Lin Guang already understood that the most important part of this mission was killing the bandit leader—the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers's illegitimate son.
But Lin Guang couldn't just let these innocent villagers die, either.
"Three to the east, one to the west, and one to the south."
Hyūga Jō spoke.
"All right. You and Satō Maji take the south and west. I'll head east. Finish the mission as quickly as possible."
Lin Guang spoke.
"Also, once you've killed the bandits, meet up where we rested at noon today. Don't come back to the village."
Lin Guang spoke.
A sense of unease lingered in his heart, growing stronger as time passed.
"Got it!"
Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō didn't ask why Lin Guang had made these arrangements. Members of a ninja squad had to obey their captain.
They had learned these things from childhood, and they were already deeply ingrained in their hearts.
"Move out!"
At Lin Guang's command, the three rushed off in different directions.
"Hurry and tell the villagers to leave the village right away, or they'll be in danger."
Before going after those three bandits, Lin Guang also released everyone trapped in the basement and told them to notify all the villagers to evacuate.
"Haven't you already taken care of all the bandits?"
Some of