“That is…”
“That belongs to Asuma?”
Holding the strange weapon marked with the Konoha symbol, Kurenai and Daiwashi couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.
Because Kurenai recognized that peculiar weapon!
She knew that the weapon, known as Chakra Blades, was custom-made for Sarutobi Asuma by the Third Hokage!
Made entirely from a special metal that conducts chakra, the value of just one of these blades in Yoroi’s hand was beyond imagination.
And the reason for this?
It’s simple!
Like the chakra conductive metal in the chakra testing device Yoroi acquired not long ago, such metals are priceless and rare in ninjas. Only major ninja villages and noble families have access to them, while ordinary people can only hope for a stroke of luck.
Sarutobi Asuma, who didn’t follow Yoroi and the others in their breakout, had become the fortuitous encounter of the Mist Ninja Jonin Hozuki Genji!
So, when Yoroi snatched that blade from Hozuki Genji, he was faced with a difficult choice!
While executing the breakout, should he attempt to rescue Sarutobi Asuma?
As Yoroi pondered this tough question, noticing Kurenai and Daiwashi’s uneasy states, he frowned slightly and quickly said to them, “Kurenai, Daiwashi, you don’t need to worry for now. If I’m not mistaken, Asuma should be safe.”
“Even the Mist Ninja needs intelligence sources, and Asuma, being an intelligence carrier, should be a guest in their camp for now. His life isn’t in immediate danger.”
“Oh? Is that really the case? Kid, your inference might not be correct!”
Just as Yoroi’s reassurance took effect, visibly calming Kurenai and Daiwashi, Hozuki Genji, who had “revived,” used a short sentence to throw them back into panic.
To be honest, Daiwashi’s state was relatively better.
Having served in the ANBU, Daiwashi was used to seeing comrades’ lives and deaths. If not for Asuma’s special status, he might not have felt any panic at all.
The real problem for Yoroi was Kurenai.
It was clear that Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma had a deep bond. Knowing each other for a long time, Kurenai was the most worried about Asuma among the group.
Realizing that Hozuki Genji might cause more trouble, Yoroi squinted slightly and knocked Hozuki Genji unconscious with a chop. With the troublemaker down, Yoroi took a deep breath and finally spoke to Kurenai and Daiwashi about Asuma.
“Kurenai, Daiwashi, if I’m correct, Asuma likely left the camp alone before we regrouped, attempting a solo breakout.”
“But why, Yoroi? What benefit does Asuma have in breaking out alone?” Daiwashi couldn’t help but ask.
Just as Daiwashi finished, Kurenai sighed deeply and apologetically said to Yoroi, “Yoroi, Daiwashi, I know some of the reasons.”
“Asuma and I didn’t quite believe in Yoroi’s strength, nor did we think he could successfully lead us in a breakout. So, we had thoughts of challenging him.”
“But… but I never expected Asuma to foolishly attempt a solo breakout!”
Kurenai tightly grasped Yoroi’s sleeve, pleading, “Yoroi, for the sake of our comradeship, you must save Asuma! He’s really easy to get along with, just a bit temperamental sometimes!”
“Yes!”
“As the son of the Third Hokage, it’s normal for Asuma to have a temper. After all, he’s a ‘noble son!'”
Kurenai’s plea pushed Yoroi to the edge of a dilemma.
Yoroi’s team’s mission was crucial for the survival of Konoha’s medical squad!
In such a situation, the primary mission was to break through and deliver the intelligence even for the Third or Fourth Hokage. Otherwise, the worst outcome would be a medical squad perishing in the Mist Ninja’s encirclement rather than a single ninja.
But now, what could Yoroi do?
If he didn’t rescue Sarutobi Asuma, both Kurenai and Daiwashi would be disappointed, potentially shattering the small team Yoroi had just formed. Even if the Third Hokage understood the bigger picture, would he overlook his own son’s life? Could Yoroi be certain of the consequences?
Moreover, the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans, being guardians of the Hokage, had the duty to save the Hokage’s bloodline.
So, with a deep sigh, Yoroi glanced at the fallen Hozuki Genji and, with a bitter heart, said, “Kurenai, Daiwashi, since Asuma is our comrade, we must rescue him. But we must first complete our mission. We need to leave secret signals around here, so fellow Konoha ninjas passing by can understand our situation. Once we do that, our mission is halfway done, and then we can rescue Asuma. How about that?”
“No problem, Yoroi, I follow your lead!”
“Yoroi, thank you on Asuma’s behalf!”
“No need for thanks, let’s hurry! As long as Asuma is safe, we must move quickly!”
Waving at Kurenai and Daiwashi, Yoroi pulled out a kunai, finishing off the unconscious Hozuki Genji. After dealing with the Mist Ninja corpses, he took the team-oriented Kurenai and Daiwashi to leave signals around the perimeter before heading off to rescue Sarutobi Asuma, who was captured by the Mist Ninjas.
However, just after Yoroi and his team left, a rustling sound came from the battlefield where they had clashed with the Mist Ninjas.
One could see hands slowly digging out from the recently buried soil following the sound.
Then, as the surrounding soil was fully excavated, if either Kurenai or Daiwashi were there, they would have gasped in surprise at the sight. The person crawling out from the earth was none other than the Mist Ninja Jonin Hozuki Genji, who had seemingly died several times but never truly perished!
And as Hozuki Genji slowly emerged, stretching his body, his eyes filled with malice. Seeing the tracks left by Yoroi and his team, a cruel smile formed on his lips!
“The Third Hokage’s son, huh?”
“Little ANBU brat, you’ve given me valuable information!”
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