When Utahime Iori heard those words, her mouth opened, then closed again.
She looked at Wangchuan's back.
She stayed silent for two seconds.
Then she reached out and grabbed Aoi Todo by the back of his collar.
"We're leaving."
Aoi Todo stumbled at the tug and instinctively glanced back toward Wangchuan.
"But, teacher?"
"No buts."
Utahime Iori's voice was crisp, so crisp it left no room for argument.
She had already dragged Todo several steps toward the retreat route, moving so fast she was almost jogging.
"If that guy says to leave it to him, we leave it to him."
"He's never made empty promises about things like this."
As she dragged him along, Todo's gaze shifted between Wangchuan and Utahime Iori twice before he finally grinned.
"You really do trust him, teacher."
Utahime Iori didn't look back.
"Shut up and walk."
"You should know very well how strong he is."
"There's no need to worry about him."
Huojin didn't pursue them.
Nor did he dare to.
He had no choice. There was still a monster watching the two of them.
His gaze remained locked on Wangchuan, as though measuring something.
Wangchuan didn't move either.
"Go on, go on."
"I'll come find you once I'm done here."
He merely raised a hand casually toward them and waved twice as Utahime dragged Todo away.
Her lips parted, but in the end, she only managed to get out:
"Make it quick."
"Don't damage the city too badly."
Then she turned around.
Aoi Todo staggered as she pulled him along.
The burns on his chest made him grunt, but his eyes remained fixed on Wangchuan's back.
"Teacher Wangchuan."
"Next time there's a chance, please fight me again."
Wangchuan didn't turn around.
But his voice drifted over with a hint of laughter.
"Sure."
"Once