The three people in Ukyo Saionji's sights dared not linger for even a moment, sprinting through the dense mountain forest at full speed.
Gravel and foliage scattered as they rushed past, their ragged panting mingling with the rushing wind. They were utterly bedraggled.
Ukyo's senses and sense of direction had long since reached an astonishing level. The three deliberately took winding detours, constantly changing their escape route in hopes of using the complicated terrain to shake him off.
Yet his piercing gaze remained firmly fixed on their trail.
Arrows whistled toward them from behind, one after another, precise and viciously angled.
Kohaku reacted with incredible speed, drawing her short blade with a backhand motion. Her gaze sharpened and steadied as the metal edge intercepted each incoming arrow.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sharp, ringing clashes kept erupting through the forest. The force behind the arrows numbed her arm and sent aches through the web of her thumb.
Gritting her teeth, she blocked the pursuers' arrows while shifting sideways to guide the two behind her away from the encirclement.
The three stumbled onward, branches tearing their clothes and leaving fine scratches all over their skin. They were a sorry sight.
As the scenery ahead grew familiar, only a short distance remained to the rendezvous point they had arranged with Li Xiang. Their taut nerves eased a little.
But in the next instant, Ginro's pupils abruptly contracted as he stood with the other team.
At some point, countless figures had quietly filled the shadows of the surrounding woods.
Soldiers from the Tsukasa Faction had formed ring after ring around them, silently sealing every route into and out of the forest. Weapons in hand and eyes fierce, they surrounded the entire rendezvous area without leaving a single opening.
"Oh no..."
Ginro's voice trembled as panic