Dense branches and leaves concealed an unassuming cave entrance. A figure darted out of it.
Dan Katō brushed aside the branches blocking his view and raced through the thick vegetation, his blue hair streaming behind him, his eyes filled with resolve.
Inside the Jashin Cult.
"Dan Katō somehow suppressed his Cursed Seal and escaped. Leaf Dragon, go kill him."
Shisui Uchiha and Longjian Senju froze with their hands raised to knock, "just happening" to overhear Black Zetsu's order to Leaf Dragon.
Leaf Dragon pushed open the door, his face expressionless, but killing intent was already spilling from him.
"Wh-what?"
Shisui Uchiha's face instantly paled, while the slightly distracted look in Longjian Senju's eyes vanished at once.
He immediately activated his Rinnegan and attacked the approaching Leaf Dragon, taking the initiative without a moment's hesitation.
Shisui Uchiha hadn't expected Longjian Senju to act so boldly and leave himself no room to back down, but he silently blocked the way behind them, supporting him from the flank.
That was only natural. To Longjian and Shisui, Dan was the person closest to them. Leaf Dragon was merely a senior they had known briefly, a ticking bomb who might turn against them at any moment. They couldn't trust him too much.
Having just heard that Dan Katō had successfully escaped, it was perfectly reasonable for Longjian to intercept his pursuer.
But something still felt wrong...
A voice in Shisui Uchiha's subconscious kept telling him that. The situation was too urgent for him to think it through, so he simply stood behind Longjian, remaining on his side.
Letting Teacher Dan escape first was surely the right thing to do.
Yet Black Zetsu's cold, sinister voice rang out again.
"Shisui, you go intercept him too... Stop playing house at a time like this. Longjian's brainwashing is