Three Anbu sped through the woods, heading toward Xia Yan and Kusunoki's position.
As Anbu, they naturally had tracking methods of their own.
When they discovered that Sasori had not pursued them and had instead headed straight north,
they had already prepared to provide support and begun changing course to head straight that way.
As they sped onward, their hearts were filled with unease.
The enemy they had encountered this time was truly terrifying-so terrifying that they did not believe they could return alive.
Especially now: although they could still move normally, they knew there was already poison inside their bodies.
And just moments ago, the poison inside them had begun flaring up like mad. They knew this was very likely Sasori's doing.
Had they not been relatively far away, constantly suppressing it with chakra, they would probably have been dead by now.
He had few choices left. Perhaps returning to Konoha would be the best option; once back, perhaps they could have the poison removed at the Medical Department.
But they did not dare. As Anbu, they had to ensure that the mission was completed successfully.
Especially now, when this mission had reached its most critical moment.
If they dared abandon it on a whim, the punishment they received upon returning would certainly be little better than dying of poison!
"How are things on the Captain's end, Assassin Bug?" one Anbu suddenly asked as he picked up speed. "And how is White Fang doing?"
"There's no problem on White Fang's end, but the Captain..." The Anbu codenamed Assassin Bug gritted his teeth. "They've run into serious trouble. Nightingale is fighting right now, but..."
He did not specify what came after that "but," yet it was easy to imagine that things were probably looking very bad indeed.
After all, the