Tweet!
Tweet!
Bang—Bang!
Two fireworks burst high above Konoha.
Lu Jiu and the others raised their heads to the sky.
"Is that… the Sand Shinobi retreat signal?"
"Yeah. Looks like it."
The short exchange between Kakashi and Lu Jiu made Dingza, Kurenai, Anko, and the others finally let out a silent sigh of relief.
Retreat meant the battle was nearly over.
But for Lu Jiu, Kakashi, and Might Guy, the end of fighting didn't bring peace of mind.
The battle ending did not mean Konoha could relax.
Far in the distance, on the rooftop of a building a hundred meters away, Danzo was carefully rewrapping the bandages on his arm.
His eyes were shut, replaying the scene from moments ago in his mind.
The massive wooden golem had crushed the tailed beast in an instant.
And the light radiating from that golem—silver instead of the usual green—was clearly different from ordinary Wood Style.
Yuichi's Wood Style had changed.
And that change was for the better.
Very good.
Excellent.
A flawless child.
Far more perfect than any experimental subject he had painstakingly cultivated.
Danzo's eyes snapped open, gazing into the distance.
Wood Style—covering half of Konoha—was the ultimate power.
That boy… is the perfect vessel.
With a thin, cruel smile, Danzo turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Lu Jiu, still uneasy about Danzo, was turning over a far heavier concern in his mind.
Danzo has always hungered for the Hokage seat. Now, with Lord Third gone, the village has no suitable candidate.
Lord Jiraiya would be ideal… but he's nowhere to be found.
Lady Tsunade isn't here either…
Lu Jiu's eyes flicked toward Kakashi.
Though Kakashi was an outstanding ninja, he still fell just short of Hokage's strength and presence.
And then, unbidden, another face surfaced in Lu Jiu's thoughts—Yuichi.
Power, talent, potential—everything about him is perfect.
"But… his age is still too young…" Lu Jiu murmured under his breath.
Just then, a ninja hurried over.
"Master Lu Jiu, you'd better come with me. There's… something you need to deal with personally."
"What is it?" Lu Jiu frowned, his gaze steady on the flustered messenger.
The shinobi hesitated, his expression awkward, as if he couldn't put it into words. Finally, he simply gestured. "Please… come see for yourself."
Though suspicious, Lu Jiu could tell it wasn't immediate danger. He decided to follow.
Kakashi and Guy exchanged a glance, curiosity pushing them to follow as well.
Three minutes later—
Lu Jiu stood atop a massive wooden vine, staring downward.
Turning to the shinobi beside him, he asked in disbelief, "These… what is this?"
"We really had no other choice, Master Lu Jiu. You'll have to handle this yourself!"
......
The plan had failed. Sand Shinobi's forces were in full retreat.
Lu Jiu had already deployed pursuit squads. With only a handful of Sand forces left, small, fast, and deadly teams were ideal for the chase.
Each squad was led by at least one Elite Jōnin. Success was almost guaranteed.
Among them, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji were locked in combat with Sand Shinobi on the outskirts of the village.
Their enemies were twelve in total—the same squad that had earlier captured members of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans.
Three Chūnin had stayed behind to deal with the trio, while the others pressed onward, leading their prisoners back toward the Land of Wind.
Though still Genin, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji all possessed Chūnin-level ability.
The battle dragged on for over ten minutes. By now, the three were battered and exhausted.
Under Shikamaru's tactical command, they had managed to fight back and forth, but in sheer taijutsu, the Sand Shinobi clearly held the upper hand.
Now…
The trio's situation had grown dire.
Bruised and bloodied, Shikamaru crouched low, gasping for breath.
Before him, a Sand shinobi with kunai poised barely a hair's breadth from his forehead was frozen in place—snared by Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Jutsu.
"Finally… got you," Shikamaru muttered, relief and fatigue dripping from his voice.
He had nearly been killed.
But while Shikamaru had things under control, Chōji did not.
Taking on two opponents alone, Chōji had been struck hard by a combined assault. His defense faltered, leaving an opening, and he was hurled violently through the air.
Behind him, Ino tried to cover but was overwhelmed, sweat pouring down her pale face.
"Chōji!" she cried as he crashed into the ground.
His body, already bruised and torn, could no longer sustain his Multi-Size Technique. His chakra was spent.
Turning, Shikamaru caught sight of the scene.
Swish!
The footsteps of Sand Shinobi rang sharply.
Two enemies charged straight for Ino, kunai gleaming in their hands.
Her golden hair fluttered in the wind as her eyes widened, fear and despair flickering within.
Shikamaru's heart seized.
Damn it!!
If he released his shadow hold, he couldn't save her—the shinobi in front of him would pierce his skull the very next instant.
"Ino!" he shouted.
On the ground, Chōji roared, thrashing helplessly. His body refused to move. Even his fingers trembled with effort.
He watched in horror as his teammate stood defenseless before death.
Regret stabbed him. If only I hadn't let Ino fight with us… She's not suited for direct combat. Without backup, her techniques can't stop enemies head-on…
The cold gleam of steel grew closer and closer.
Ino understood what awaited her.
She closed her eyes quietly.
Waiting for the sharp pain of kunai piercing her flesh—
Suddenly—
A breeze swept past.
Ino felt her body lifted gently.
An arm slid around her back, pulling her close by the shoulder, while another supported her legs.
Her ear pressed against a strong chest, the steady, powerful beat of a heart thundering there.
Eyes widening, she looked up.
A bright, youthful face hovered above hers.
Sharp brows, dark piercing eyes, their gaze firm and unyielding as they looked down at her.
Warm breath brushed her cheek, and Ino's fear began to melt away.
Her eyes lit with recognition.
"You… it's you…"