The battle ended faster than expected.
Kiba Inuzuka jumped down from Akamaru's back, and the man and dog quickly patrolled the surrounding area.
Akamaru's nose twitched a few times before he shook his head at Kiba.
"No scent of any other enemies."
Kiba confirmed it, reaching out to pat Akamaru's head. "Looks like we've taken out this entire batch of puppets."
Everyone gathered to discuss their next move and speculate about Otsutsuki Toneri's abilities.
Shikamaru Nara rubbed his chin and said, "Controlling puppets without needing to stay close and use chakra threads must be a unique ability of his!"
Tokuma Hyuga looked at the puppet fragments scattered across the ground and said solemnly, "In that case, we'll have to be careful from here on."
"Because the enemy will definitely send more puppets to attack us!"
"That's right."
"Then we'll have to be extremely wary of puppet attacks for the rest of the journey."
"These puppets are strong. If we let our guard down and they get the better of us, we'll be in trouble."
"Good thing Sakura prepared antidotes for us before we left. Otherwise, figuring out how to deal with these puppets would be a real headache."
While the others discussed Toneri's abilities, Hinata Hyuga stood nearby, looking down at a puppet's ruined face as Toneri's earlier words echoed in her mind.
An enemy she had never met, who had abducted her sister and hurt her father, brother, and clansmen, actually wanted to marry her?
Something so absurd truly infuriated her!
"Hinata."
Naruto's voice came from behind her, gentle and a little tentative.
Hinata turned and saw Naruto approaching her.
"Are you okay?"
Naruto walked up beside her and scratched his head, seemingly unsure how to begin. "Don't take what that bastard said to heart."
"I'm fine, Naruto-kun."
Hinata