Shira took the lead, her figure rapidly weaving through the chaotic alleys of Kusagakure, with I Fūgetsu and the others close behind, like sharp daggers piercing the southeast corner of the market.
The commotion in the distance grew closer, and the main force of the Grass Ninja was clearly rapidly gathering and surrounding them.
"It's just ahead!" Shira whispered, pointing to the familiar, worn-out canvas tent.
There was no one outside the tent; the Chunin who had been guarding Chunin seemed to have been distracted or redeployed by the commotion from the previous battle. But faint sounds of suppressed sobbing and struggle could be heard coming from inside the tent.
"A swift and decisive victory!" I Fūgetsu said succinctly.
Arai and Tetsuo immediately spread out to the left and right, warily watching both ends of the alley. Aoi, on the other hand, quickly set up several simple warning traps around the tent.
Without hesitation, Shira strode forward and abruptly lifted the heavy canvas curtain.
The tent was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a strong Yakumi and a hint of blood.
The red-haired woman— Karin's mother—was bound to a wooden chair with rough ropes, her mouth stuffed with a rag, her face streaked with tears and terror.
A genin wearing Grass Ninja vest and with a fierce Genin was roughly grabbing her hair, seemingly preparing to move her.
"Who goes there?!" The Genin turned around sharply at the sound of the noise, and his expression changed drastically when he saw Shira and the others rushing in. He instinctively reached for his sword.
But before he could make a move, Shira had already closed in like a cheetah, and then delivered a clean and precise chop to the side of his neck.
The Genin a muffled groan and collapsed limply to the ground.
Shira swiftly ripped the rag from the woman's mouth, then used Kunai to cut the ropes binding her, saying rapidly, "We are ninjas from Sunagakure! There's no time to explain! We're here to rescue you! Come with us!"
Karin's mother stared in disbelief and deep wariness at the group of unfamiliar ninjas before her, especially at the Sunagakure insignia on their Forehead Protector.
She's been used for too long and no longer easily trusts anyone.
"Why did you save me? I... my daughter..." Her voice trembled, and she instinctively shrank back, not cooperating immediately.
"Where is your daughter? Take us to her! The Grass Ninja army is almost here, or it will be too late!" Shira asked anxiously, reaching out to pull her.
The other person abruptly shook off his hand, their eyes filled with even greater fear. "No! I can't trust you! Are you trying to use us too?"
Time ticked by, and clear footsteps and shouts could be heard coming from the distance down the alley!
Shira warmed up. "Captain, it's all up to you!"
"There's no time!" I Fūgetsu frowned, took a step forward, and her eyes instantly became deep and focused as she looked directly into Uzumaki Megumi's panicked eyes, forming a very simple hand seal.
" Genjutsu - Tranquility of Mind"
A gentle yet irresistible mental wave instantly enveloped her. Her struggling gaze quickly turned into confusion and submission, and the fear on her face subsided.
"Where is your daughter?" I Fūgetsu's voice carried a strange, comforting quality.
"In the third abandoned wooden house behind the market, against the mountainside," she murmured unconsciously.
"Go!" I Fūgetsu immediately dispelled the Genjutsu, but the effect was still there. Although Karin's mother regained some consciousness, she no longer resisted. She was pulled up by Shira and rushed out of the tent with the group.
"This way!" Following instructions, Shira led the way to the back of the market.
Sure enough, at the foot of the cliff, the group found the nearly dilapidated wooden hut. Shira kicked open the half-closed wooden door.
In the dim light, a small, thin girl with bright red hair was curled up on a pile of hay in the corner, hugging her knees.
Hearing the door being broken down, she trembled with fright, raising her head in terror to reveal a dirty yet still vaguely pretty face, wearing glasses. It was Karin!
When she saw the strange ninja rushing in and her mother, who looked like she was being held hostage, her eyes instantly filled with despair.
" Karin!" the mother cried out, her voice choked with emotion.
"No time! I'm sorry!" Seeing the fear and hesitation in Karin's eyes, Shira knew that any explanation would be futile.
He darted forward and, without hesitation, scooped Karin up in his arms and hoisted her onto his shoulder amidst Karin terrified screams!
"Let me go! Mom!" Karin struggled and kicked desperately in fear.
Go Junior's move was too ruthless.
"Don't be afraid! We're here to save you!" Shira shouted, firmly holding her in place, and then turned and rushed out.
"Target located! Retreat!" I Fūgetsu immediately gave the order.
The team regrouped, with Aoi leading the way, Arai and Tetsuo bringing up the rear, Shira carrying the struggling Karin and pulling along Karin's dazed mother, as they ran desperately out of the village along the most secluded route planned by Aoi!
Behind them, the roars of the Grass Ninja and the sound of pursuing footsteps could be clearly heard.