The night was as dark as ink, inside the graduate school's lounge.
Kazuma sat on the bed, looking at the neural connection device, his eyes gradually becoming frantic.
"The Daimyo has given up, but we can't stay here any longer."
Kazuma muttered to himself, walking to the end of the corridor where three figures were waiting for him.
"Your Excellency Kazuma, you called for us?" Fūka spoke first, dressed in a black, tight-fitting outfit.
Kazuma lowered his voice. "The Daimyo has decided to return the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. Our research, in his eyes, is no longer valuable. If we stay, all that awaits us is reckoning. Take the test subject 'Sora,' and we will leave this place to continue our research elsewhere."
Fūka frowned. "This is defection. The Land of Fire's National Ninja Army will not let us go. Once we are caught, it's a dead end."
Kazuma interrupted her, his tone urgent. "Staying is also a dead end. The Daimyo has lost patience with us, he will sooner or later attribute all the losses to us. Act immediately before the news spreads."
Fudō and Fuen exchanged glances, both seeing determination in each other's eyes.
Fudō said in a deep voice, "Alright, we'll listen to you."
The four quickly sprang into action, avoiding the patrolling guards and opening the laboratory door.
Kazuma operated the control panel, draining a portion of the nutrient solution from the cultivation tank, then activated the bottom moving device. The cultivation tank slowly rose, moving along the track towards the secret exit.
Fūka, Fudō, and Fuen stood guard around them, ready to respond to any sudden situations.
However, just as the cultivation tank was about to exit the secret passage, a piercing alarm suddenly blared throughout the entire place.
Fuen let out a low cry, quickly forming hand signs. "Not good! We've been discovered."
Earth Release: Moving Earth Core!
The ground suddenly shook violently, and the ceiling at the passage entrance collapsed with a roar, blocking the pursuers' path.
The four pushed the cultivation tank, seizing the opportunity to rush out and disappear into the vast night.
...
Upon receiving the news, the Land of Fire Daimyo was so enraged he coughed up blood.
"Pursue! Pursue them for me! They must not be allowed to escape with the test subject! Otherwise, the Land of Fire's reputation and everything I've invested will be for naught!"
Hiruzen stood by, his eyes cold. "Your Excellency, I will immediately send people to pursue them."
Half an hour later, in a dense forest on the border of the Land of Fire, a six-person squad was rapidly moving.
Leading them was Asuma, with a buzz cut and a cigarette in his mouth. He held a Chakra Blade glowing with blue light, followed by Chiriku, Tōu, Nauma, Seito, and Kitane, five members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Asuma spat out his cigarette butt, his voice low. "According to the tracking clues, Kazuma and his group are in the Black Wind Forest ahead. They are carrying a cultivation tank, so their speed won't be too great, we will definitely catch up."
Chiriku clasped his hands together, a faint light emanating from him. "Kazuma resorted to unscrupulous means for his experiments, and this defection is an even greater crime. We must not let him succeed."
The group quickened their pace and soon arrived at the edge of the Black Wind Forest. The dense trees obscured the sky, and the moonlight could only filter through the gaps in the branches, casting dappled light.
Asuma made a silencing gesture and was the first to sneak into the forest.
"Kazuma, stop resisting!"
Kazuma suddenly looked up, seeing Asuma and the six emerging from behind the trees, his expression instantly becoming grave.
"Asuma, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
Asuma, with a cigarette in his mouth, pointed his Chakra Blade at Kazuma. "Go back and apologize to the Daimyo, perhaps there's still a chance."
Kazuma sneered, his eyes filled with mockery. "A chance? That indecisive Daimyo has already made the Land of Fire miss the best opportunity."
Asuma's eyes turned cold. "Stubborn. In that case, don't blame us for being impolite."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fūka suddenly formed hand signs.
Earth Release: Rock Pillar Spears!
Dozens of sharp stone spikes instantly rose from the ground, thrusting towards Asuma and his group.
Chiriku roared, a massive thousand-armed Kannon Chakra form appearing around him. With a wave of his hands, he blocked all the stone spikes.
"Everyone be careful, they are skilled in Earth Release!"
Tōu, Nauma, Seito, and Kitane quickly spread out, launching attacks from the east, south, west, and north directions, respectively.
Seeing this, Fuen's lips curved into a cold smile, and he formed hand signs.
Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!
A thick wall of earth rose from the ground, blocking Nauma's fireball and Seito's attack.
At the same time, Fuen's figure suddenly disappeared into the ground. He used Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique, burrowing underground, preparing for a surprise attack.
"Kitane, watch out for underground!" Asuma, sensing something was wrong, quickly warned.
Fuen suddenly emerged from the ground, his kunai glinting with cold light, aiming directly for Kitane's back. The kunai plunged fiercely into Kitane's heart, blood instantly gushing out.
Kitane looked down in disbelief at the blood on his chest, his body slowly falling, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
Seito roared in anger, quickly forming hand signs. "Bastard!"
Lightning Release: Lightning Snake!
Several lightning snakes moved, preparing to attack Fuen.
Just as Seito was about to launch another attack, Fūka quietly appeared behind him, placing her hands on the ground.
Wind Release: Flower Scattering Dance!
Suddenly, a small tornado appeared, carrying flower petals, blowing Seito into the sky.
"Seito!"
Tōu was filled with grief and indignation, turning to rush towards Fūka, but he didn't notice the ground beneath his feet subtly rising. Suddenly, a stone spike protruded from the ground, piercing her abdomen.
Tōu looked down at the blood on the stone spike, her body went limp, and she fell.
Watching his companions fall one by one, Asuma, holding his Chakra Blade, charged towards Kazuma.
"Kazuma! I'll kill you!"
Kazuma, however, showed no fear. He controlled the cultivation tank, blocking it in front of himself.
"Asuma, do you think you can win?"
Just then, Chiriku's thousand-hand Kannon slammed punch after punch at Fudō and Fūka.
Fudō hastily used Earth Style Wall, but it was shattered by several punches.
Then, Fudō and Fūka were both sent flying, spitting blood, seemingly unable to survive.
Seeing his companions all dead, a hint of fear rose in Fuen's heart, and he prepared to burrow underground to escape.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Asuma threw his Chakra Blade, which pierced directly through Fuen's chest. She screamed and died on the spot.
The battle finally ended, the clearing covered with bodies and blood.
In the distance, Kazuma disappeared into the depths of the dense forest. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
'Asuma, Hiruzen, and that foolish Daimyo. One day, I will return with 'Sora' and make you all pay the price.'