Chinya and Uzumaki Miyuki simultaneously sensed the ninja squad pursuing them.
There were only ten people and two ninja hounds.
But the troublesome part was that this tracking squad definitely included a Hyuga ninja. Therefore, Chinya immediately used the Shifting Body Technique to pull ahead of Yahiko's group.
At the same time, Chinya communicated with Yahiko's group through the ring.
"Among these ten people, most are reconnaissance specialists. They want to track you down, and you won't easily shake them off. So Daiki, deal with them as you see fit. This is a good chance to see if your abilities have improved recently. Make plenty of noise and draw all the Konoha observers from the surrounding areas toward you.
If anything goes south, I'll be there to back you up. Miyuki, Daiki and the others are loyal comrades. You can trust them completely."
Daiki responded, "We understand. We'll play with these pursuers a bit. Miyuki, you don't need to worry. Since you're our comrade now, we will absolutely protect you!"
Pakura chimed in supportively, "That's right! Just like Chinya said, you can completely trust us!"
Raiga Kurosuki had already drawn his Lightning Sword, revealing his sharp teeth as he grinned viciously, "Daring to lay hands on my comrades? I'll prepare a grand funeral for them!"
Uzumaki Miyuki was deeply moved by their unconditional support, especially since this was the first time they'd ever met.
The tracking squad dispatched by Konoha had already arrived.
Upon seeing the masked members of Yahiko's four-person squad, they all turned to the Hyuga ninja among them.
The Hyuga ninja, Byakugan activated, wore an expression of disbelief, "The one on the far left is Uzumaki Miyuki."
Ten pairs of eyes simultaneously changed expressions.
Because the fact that Uzumaki Miyuki was standing beside these three masked strangers showed clearly — she hadn't been captured; she had come willingly.
The captain of this tracking squad was an Anbu Commander. He stepped forward and demanded angrily, "Uzumaki Miyuki, are you planning to betray Konoha?"
Uzumaki Miyuki coldly replied, "Betray Konoha? It's Konoha that's been forcing me! This version of Konoha isn't worth staying in!"
Raiga Kurosuki impatiently declared, "They always talk high and mighty like they're the moral authority! Just fight already!"
[Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!]
Raiga Kurosuki transmitted his lightning-nature chakra to the tip of his Lightning Sword, releasing a ball of lightning toward the pursuing squad.
The pursuers quickly scattered to avoid it.
Two Inuzuka ninja's canine partners simultaneously used Beast Humanization Ninjutsu, transforming into human forms.
[Passing Fang!]
All four spun rapidly at once, forming whirlwind-like shapes similar to two tornadoes, charging toward Raiga Kurosuki.
[Lightning Burial: Lightning Banquet!]
Raiga Kurosuki drove both blades into the ground and released branch-like blue lightning toward the front.
This widespread electrical attack gave the four rapidly spinning Inuzuka ninja and their dogs nowhere to escape, hitting them directly, causing immediate convulsions.
The two canines transformed into human forms were forced to revert from their Beast Humanization technique under the electric shocks.
Suddenly, Uzumaki Miyuki called out a warning, "Left!"
Yahiko and Pakura both turned their gaze to the left, spotting two Aburame ninja releasing a massive swarm of Parasitic Bugs heading straight toward them.
Pakura's brow furrowed with disgust. 'Ugh, those bugs are seriously gross. Daiki, you protect Miyuki. Let Raiga and me handle the fighting.'
As soon as Pakura finished speaking, she charged toward one of the Aburame ninja.
Yahiko sighed helplessly. 'I haven't even said a single word as your deputy leader, yet you're already jumping into action! Don't I deserve some respect?!'
Pakura quickly formed hand seals. [Scorch Release: Hazing Steaming Kill!]
Five fireballs appeared around Pakura's body, swirling in an orbiting pattern.
The moment the Parasitic Bugs came near Pakura, they dropped lifeless to the ground. Every drop of moisture within them had instantly evaporated.
Pakura drew her kunai and lunged at one of the Aburame ninja.
The Aburame ninja quickly countered by drawing his own kunai, clashing it against Pakura's blade.
A faint smirk touched Pakura's lips.
'Hiton, watch out!'
One of the other Aburame ninja shouted after noticing Pakura's fireballs flying toward his teammate's back.
The ninja engaged with Pakura dodged immediately, but his left arm still caught a glancing blow.
Instantly, he lost all sensation in his left arm, pain shooting violently from his shoulder downward.
Staring at his now useless limb, the Aburame ninja's eyes widened in shock—its moisture had completely evaporated, leaving nothing but a dry husk.
Without hesitation, Pakura manipulated two of the fireballs circling her body and hurled them at the two Aburame ninjas.
The two ninja immediately regrouped.
[Secret Technique: Summon Insects!]
They summoned additional swarms of insects within a certain radius to surround them like moths drawn to a flame, enveloping Pakura's incoming fireballs completely.
Dead insects littered the battlefield as the two Aburame ninjas created distance between themselves and Pakura, clearly avoiding close combat while launching long-range insect attacks.
However, these efforts proved nearly ineffective—two fireballs still orbited Pakura, and any insect that got too close died instantly.
Meanwhile, a Wind Release Anbu ninja together with two recovered Inuzuka ninja were locked in fierce battle against Raiga Kurosuki.
Using Wind Release techniques' natural advantage over Lightning Release allowed them to barely hold their ground against Raiga's onslaught.
The other ninja had clearly targeted Uzumaki Miyuki.
One Hyūga ninja and four Anbu suddenly vanished without a trace, their location unknown.
Miyuki was visibly nervous. She hadn't even been officially registered in the village's ninja roster since joining Konoha.
In other words, technically speaking, Uzumaki Miyuki wasn't truly recognized as a ninja, so facing such direct confrontation naturally filled her with anxiety.
Yahiko gently reassured her. 'Don't worry, Miyuki. We'll keep you safe. Besides, he's observing this area too. He promised—he would intervene if anything unexpected happened.'
Miyuki gradually calmed herself and responded seriously, 'I'll help too.'
She began using the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense enemy positions, relaying their coordinates to Yahiko.
Underneath his mask, Yahiko wore an expression of pure surprise.
He couldn't Sensor where those ninjas were hiding at all, yet Uzumaki Miyuki sensed it so clearly.
Her sensing skills are really something.
At this moment, an Anbu ninja made the first move.
[Earth Release: Sky-Dropping Cover!]
A massive earthen slab dropped down from a rift in space above, aiming to crush Yahiko and Uzumaki Miyuki.
Yahiko flew through hand seals with both hands.
[Water Release: Water Cutter Wave!]
Inhaling deeply, Yahiko blasted out a powerful jet of water from his mouth. The stream sliced through the falling earth slab like a sharp blade, splitting it cleanly into two halves that crashed to either side — just barely missing Yahiko and Uzumaki Miyuki.
Seeing the jutsu Yahiko had used, every Konoha ninja present was shocked, their eyes widening.
"How is this even possible?! This is a Water Release technique created by the Second Hokage — how does this guy know it?!"
The Konoha ninjas couldn't believe that Yahiko had used a technique pioneered by Tobirama Senju.
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