Those words were like a boulder thrown into still water.
More Kumogakure ninja poured out of the camp, and Yūto turned and rushed toward a fissure in the canyon opposite the evacuation route.
He deliberately kicked over torches along the way and used strips of cloth to ignite the shrubs, trailing a conspicuous dragon of fire through the night.
Even the ninja who had just noticed something amiss were drawn to him and rushed to the exit of Hell Valley.
On the other side of Hell Valley, the last group of Chinoike Clan members was escorted safely out.
As En counted heads, Yūna suddenly pointed toward the valley entrance. "Is that Fire Release?"
Everyone turned toward the exit of Hell Valley. Amid the flames soaring into the sky, they could faintly see blue lightning and red fireballs colliding again and again.
Only now did En understand why Yūto had asked that question earlier: did he count as Yūto's companion?
Now he was certain. He would be Yūto's companion for life, an unshakable ally!
Not long ago, Yūto had still seemed utterly indifferent, as though the Chinoike Clan's survival had almost nothing to do with him.
Yet once En became his companion, he had immediately prepared to sacrifice his life.
Of course, that was only En's imagination. Yūto was nowhere near as weak as he thought.
Tsukimi watched the firelight, tears welling uncontrollably in the corners of her eyes.
"That idiot. He's still just like he used to be..."
Hearing Tsukimi's words, En immediately stepped forward. "I'll go help Mr. Yūto!"
At those words, several more ninja from the Chinoike Clan stepped forward, all offering to go help.
Tsukimi understood Yūto's situation better than anyone. He was drawing all of Kumogakure's fire onto himself to buy the Chinoike Clan the