Exposure
Just as Miyue's squad became entangled with the Kumogakure ninja, the battle between Pingyi and Takeda reached its climax.
Unlike Miyue's side, Pingyi's objective was not to achieve victory but to attract attention, delay Kumogakure's pursuit, and buy time for reinforcements from Konoha.
Therefore, neither Pingyi nor Takeda relied on their specialty—swordsmanship and taijutsu—but instead resorted to large-scale ninjutsu to keep enemies at bay.
However, as more Kumogakure reinforcements poured in, Pingyi quickly scanned the battlefield and signaled Takeda to prepare for retreat.
A direct confrontation? Out of the question. According to intelligence, Kumogakure's new "A and B" duo—A, heir to the Raikage's seat, and Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—had already arrived on the frontlines.
Pingyi was strong, even among Elite Jōnin, but he was realistic. Facing the future Raikage, who was already monstrously powerful, and a perfect Jinchūriki, was suicidal. At best, he could delay them.
Thus, his mission remained unchanged: stall, misdirect, and retreat.
"Takeda!" Pingyi barked, rushing toward the thinnest part of the enemy formation. Takeda followed immediately.
"Lightning Release: Wave of Inspiration!"
"Lightning Release: Ground Current!"
Two Kumogakure shinobi blocked their path, releasing Lightning Release ninjutsu in quick succession. Their jutsu weren't meant to kill—only to hinder.
But they underestimated their foe. Pingyi specialized in Wind Release, the perfect elemental counter to Lightning. His chakra reserves were greater, and with nature's advantage, their jutsu stood no chance.
Charging forward, Pingyi drew his katana in one smooth motion. Wind chakra surged along the blade, sharpening it to a deadly edge. With a single upward slash, he dispersed both Lightning Release techniques.
At the same time, his left hand weaved signs.
"Konoha-ryū Kenjutsu: Crescent Moon Dance!"
Three shadows seemed to split from Pingyi as his blade flashed. In an instant, both Kumogakure shinobi fell, cut down before they could react.
Without hesitation, Pingyi and Takeda vanished into the forest. A shadow clone transformed into Takeda's likeness, and the two split in opposite directions. They repeated this pattern—dispelling clones to recover chakra, then creating new ones to scatter their trail—until they had once again shaken pursuit.
---
Meanwhile, A and Killer Bee arrived at the battlefield's aftermath.
"Dammit!" A roared, smashing a boulder to rubble with one strike. It had already been three days, and Pingyi's squad still evaded them. A's notorious temper burned hotter than ever.
Killer Bee, already near A's shoulder in height, folded his arms and rapped in his usual tone:
"Calm down, bro, don't lose your flow. We'll track 'em down, nowhere left to go, yo."
"Hmph! Double the search parties! Re-check even the places we already searched! I don't care if you overturn every damn rock!" A barked, ignoring Bee's freestyle.
"Yes, sir!"
At that moment, a Kumogakure shinobi rushed forward and knelt.
"Lord A, the patrol squad in the western sector has missed their report by five minutes!"
A's eyes narrowed. "Hmph. Then it's certain—the rats are hiding behind us. Half the troops remain here to secure intelligence. The rest, with me!"
In a blur, A sprinted off toward the direction the messenger pointed: Miyue's location. Killer Bee followed close behind.
---
By the time another Kumogakure jōnin arrived at the scene to organize intelligence gathering, it was already too late. Even A and Bee had arrived after significant damage had already been done—part of the cliff wall had collapsed in the chaos.
The jōnin knew he couldn't afford mistakes now. A was on the verge of exploding in rage. If he failed again, his career would be reduced to little more than cannon fodder.
Through careful tracking, he finally spotted traces of Miyue's squad. With his report, A immediately ordered pursuit.
---
Meanwhile, Miyue and her team were already fleeing at top speed. Earlier, Miyue and Xiao Guang had slain the last of their pursuers, but with a captive in tow, their pace was slowed and their chakra consumption high.
Killing the prisoner would have made escape easier, but Miyue remembered Pingyi's firm expression when he entrusted the captive to her. Orders were orders. A shinobi does not abandon the mission.
By dusk, Miyue's squad arrived at the rendezvous point.
Before anyone could speak, Miyue cut in sharply:
"Teacher Mito! Our trail has likely been discovered. They'll be here any moment. What are our next orders?"
Her words startled Pingyi, but he quickly composed himself. He had anticipated this possibility—otherwise he wouldn't have sent Miyue's team straight here despite the risk.
Calmly, he began to issue instructions.
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