Ruri's lingering illness had been completely cured, and thanks to Li Xiang's careful efforts to restore her health, her body was no longer frail and battered, swaying like a kite in a storm.
Tsukasa Faction had never taken its eyes off these mountain forests, as the two factions faced off both openly and in secret.
To thoroughly disrupt the enemy's reconnaissance, Senku discussed their next move with Li Xiang.
Dusk settled over the mountains. The evening breeze was cool, and shadows from the trees dappled the village entrance.
Working in perfect sync, the two quietly tied Gen Asagiri, who was still slacking off, to an old tree trunk at the village entrance.
Crude as it was, the setup was meant to draw out the scouts lurking in the shadows. Anyone not too bright would surely fall for it, and even if they didn't, they would send someone to investigate.
[Anyone with eyes can tell it's a trap.]
[But they'll definitely send someone to deal with it, right? There's a risk.]
[Yeah, but it depends on whether the person they send is smart. What if it's someone like Taiju?]
[Taiju: ?]
The hidden watchers from Tsukasa Faction did not disappoint.
Barely seven minutes later, the faintest flicker of a figure swept through the depths of the forest.
Hyoga, who had been secretly observing the village, immediately noticed the unusual scene at its entrance.
He promptly made his arrangements, sending Homura ahead to investigate while he went back to report the situation.
Homura followed the villagers heading outside to gather information, with orders to return and report as soon as she finished scouting.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the village, Li Xiang, Kohaku, and little Watermelon were walking leisurely together.
From the moment she stepped out of the village, Li Xiang had