Amidst Arcanine's thunderous charge, the dense forest radiated an eerie stillness and a foreboding aura of killing intent.
"Arcanine, use Extreme Speed!" Kushina's voice rang out, clear and firm, yet tinged with urgency.
At this moment, both she and Asako knew that, whether individually or working together, they were no match for Torikusa Noeito. Their only hope lay in coordinating with Arcanine, but their enemy wasn't about to grant them any breathing room.
"Boom!"
Torikusa Noeito's massive hammer smashed into the ground, sending cracks spiderwebbing outward. Dust and debris flew into the air, forcing Kushina and Asako to exchange a quick glance before leaping onto the nearby treetops.
"Run! Let me savor the thrill of the hunt!" Torikusa Noeito's voice was tinged with madness as his eyes locked onto the two girls perched on Arcanine's back. His twisted grin sent chills down their spines as he surged forward like a beast in pursuit.
Amid the chaos, Tōdai furrowed his brows slightly.
On Arcanine's back, the wind rushed past, and Asako's voice broke through the tension, laced with unease.
"Kushina, at Arcanine's current speed, that madman from Kirigakure won't catch up to us. Should we use this chance to retreat for now?"
Kushina shook her head slightly, a determined flame burning in her eyes.
"No, Hayato said he's our opponent. If we run, Uzushio and Hayato will be in danger. No matter who he's protecting, we can't let him face this alone!"
Asako looked at the red-haired girl sitting in front of her, remembering Hayato's lone figure standing to shield them. Clenching her fists, she nodded firmly.
"Alright, then we'll stick to the plan!"
Deep within the forest, Torikusa Noeito came to a halt, his expression dark.
His opponents were cunning, their speed like that of phantoms. And that accursed dog—it was the sole reason these two brats hadn't already fallen to his blade.
His eyes scanned his surroundings, finding no trace of Arcanine. Instinctively, his guard went up.
"Given up running?" he sneered, raising his blunt sword. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that brat sees you die before his very eyes."
Before the last word left his mouth, the underbrush erupted as thousands of identical figures leapt out—all of them wearing the faces of Kushina and Asako.
"Guess which one's real!" one of the Kushinas taunted, winking mischievously.
"Don't worry, he'll never see this one coming!" Asako chimed in from the treetops.
"Foolish tricks!"
"Kushina's Thousand Strike Barrage!"
Torikusa Noeito glanced around and smirked, raising his massive hammer before slamming it into the ground. The blunt sword spun in his hand, scattering shadow clones like fireworks as they disappeared into puffs of smoke.
"This pointless charade ends now!"
"Now! Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Kushina and Asako appeared simultaneously, golden chains bursting from their backs and hurtling toward Torikusa Noeito, aiming to suppress his chakra.
But the man was faster. With a cruel smirk, he leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the chains' grasp.
"You think I don't know the tricks of the Uzumaki clan?"
Before his taunt could settle, a deep growl rumbled behind him.
"Thunder Fang!"
Arcanine lunged like a lightning bolt, its electrified fangs sinking into Torikusa Noeito's arm. The jolt tore through his muscles, forcing his expression to twist in pain.
"We did it!" Asako cried, her face lighting up with joy.
But before her relief could fully form, Torikusa Noeito's body dissipated into a puff of smoke.
"A shadow clone?!" Asako's heart sank.
In the next moment, the real Torikusa Noeito emerged, swinging his hammer in an arc. Arcanine howled in pain as it was thrown backward, crashing to the ground.
Torikusa Noeito's face darkened, his arm trembling slightly. He hadn't expected the two brats to actually land a hit on him.
"How amusing." He cast a wary glance at Kushina, who stood unusually calm despite Arcanine's injury.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Five chains shot out from behind him, coiling around Torikusa Noeito and pinning him in place.
"Damn it! When did you—?"
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques lived up to their reputation. Even a single teenage girl could restrain him and disrupt his chakra flow.
Kushina smirked confidently before her expression turned serious.
"Asako, now! Finish him off!"
Asako, jolted from her shock, rushed forward with a kunai aimed at his heart.
But just as she was about to land the blow, a blinding flash of light streaked toward them.
"Watch out!"
Before Asako could warn her, Kushina twisted her body, taking the attack on her shoulder. Blood splattered, and the sealing chains vanished instantly.
"Kushina, bite me—quickly, you'll be fine…"
Tears welled in Asako's eyes as she scooped Kushina into her arms.
"Arcanine, it's up to you. Take us to Hayato!"
Struggling to its feet, Arcanine leapt forward, charging toward the direction Hayato had vanished.
Behind them, Torikusa Noeito seethed, his rage boiling over. He had nearly been outwitted by mere children. He turned toward his savior, glaring at the figure in the shadows.
"Well done, Harusame."
The newcomer stepped forward, his twisted grin illuminated by the faint light. His glasses were shattered, one lens missing entirely while the other was riddled with cracks.
Harusame's appearance was disheveled, but his presence exuded a chilling madness.
"You flatter me," Harusame rasped, his voice dripping with venom. "Let's catch up to them and finish the job. Let's make that Uchiha brat watch as the ones he wants to protect die before his eyes."
Torikusa Noeito said nothing, merely nodding before taking off in pursuit.
Asako's heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of panic. If anyone can turn this around, it's Hayato.
Looking down at the pale, unconscious Kushina in her arms, Asako bit her lip. She squeezed fresh blood from her arm wound, letting it drip into Kushina's mouth.
Slowly, Kushina's complexion began to improve, while Asako's own turned even paler.
Ahead, the sharp crackle of lightning echoed ominously through the forest.