"So that's it, using ourselves as bait?"
Kiba understood Shino's meaning, and without a trace of fear, he was actually eager to try. "Just right, let them witness my power! How dare they underestimate us!"
"I, I will do my best."
Hinata was still a bit worried, but at least she didn't retreat.
"Alright, continue moving forward."
Takumi nodded and led Kiba and Hinata continued towards the target.
Shino, on the other hand, stayed hidden in the shadows, using his kikaichu to ensure his position wasn't monitored by the enemy.
That is, not entering the line of sight of any living creature.
If the enemy could confirm their position through reconnaissance,
Although it was still unclear what the enemy's reconnaissance method was, if it was purely sensory ninjutsu, Shino's actions wouldn't be effective.
But such Shinobi were very rare; even the Five Great Shinobi Villages didn't have many.
Most, like Kiba and Shino, used other methods for reconnaissance.
And animals were very suitable partners for reconnaissance.
For example, Kiba's Ninken partner Akamaru, and Shino's Kikaichu, etc.
The enemy might also be using other living creatures to complete their reconnaissance.
So Shino only needed to ensure he wasn't noticed by any animal's line of sight to completely hide himself.
"The enemy is approaching here. Hasn't Guren-sama returned yet?"
Rinji frowned slightly.
He wasn't really worried about the enemy's strength, but they had received orders to wait for Guren's return.
If they engaged the enemy now, it would probably make Guren angry.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Guren, but it would be unfavorable for his hidden mission.
After all, he had a special identity.
"Although we've eliminated the scent, they should have already locked onto our position earlier. If we keep staying here, we'll eventually be found sooner or later."
The short-statured Kiho said.
"If you ask me, we should just deal with them directly. Isn't it just four people?"
Nurari spread his hands on the back of the sofa, his tone full of indifference.
Rinji didn't answer, but pondered for a moment, looked at the large guy silently sitting on the other side, and said, "What do you think?"
"Huh?"
The big guy, Gozu, looked up. "You talking to me?"
"You've been silent the whole way, and I haven't really communicated with you."
Rinji stood up and walked over to Gozu. "What are your thoughts?"
"I'll wait for Guren to return."
Gozu said quietly.
"The enemy is about to attack."
Rinji slightly raised his head, a strange smile appearing on his face. "Are you planning to do nothing?"
"If the enemy comes, I'll eliminate them."
Gozu said quietly.
"Forget it."
Rinji shook his head helplessly. "If the enemy really comes, you'll have to work hard then."
"After all, in the previous free-for-all, your strength was very impressive."
He was still a bit wary of Gozu's power.
That kind of immense destructive force made him dare not underestimate it.
"What about you all?"
Just as Rinji thought Gozu would remain silent and prepared to walk back, Gozu suddenly asked back. "When that battle started, you all united together."
"It was as if you knew there would be that battle, uniting in advance."
Gozu's tone was calm, but carried a hint of faint accusation.
This was also one of the reasons he had never spoken to Rinji and the others.
In Gozu's eyes, they were simply too suspicious.
Facing Gozu's accusation, Rinji looked completely unperturbed.
"You're right, we did unite long ago."
Rinji shrugged and said with a smile. "Naturally, it was to ensure our survival rate in that situation."
"And as you can see, we survived, and those idiots who resisted Guren-sama all died."
"You're a smart person too. I don't think this should bother you."
Rinji came before Gozu again, his face full of interest. "You, on the other hand, why didn't you escape?"
"With your strength, you might have been able to escape from Guren-sama."
He watched Gozu intently, trying to discern his true thoughts.
Gozu silently lowered his head. "Guren-sama is a very good person."
"Truly surprising."
Rinji raised an eyebrow, seemingly genuinely surprised. "I didn't expect you to have such a view of Guren-sama."
Gozu said no more.
Rinji shrugged and went back to sit with the others, as if he didn't care about the approaching enemy.
Not long after,
Rinji, who had been resting with his eyes closed, stirred.
He opened his eyes and stood up.
The others noticed his movement and turned their gazes to him.
"I'm back."
Just then, a cheerful voice came from outside.
It was Guren.
Then Guren walked into this ruined building.
What surprised the others was that behind her followed a child with light green hair, of indeterminate gender.
"Guren-sama, who is this?"
Rinji asked in surprise.
"His name is Yukimaru. He is an important person entrusted to me by Orochimaru-sama."
Guren said with a smile, looking down at Yukimaru.
The smile in her eyes came from Orochimaru's renewed trust in her.
So she was determined to complete this mission no matter what.
"I received a gratifying mission from Orochimaru-sama, to escort Yukimaru to a certain lake."
Guren reached out and patted Yukimaru on the head, saying with a smile, "Did any problems occur while I was away?"
"I'd like to say nothing happened."
Rinji shrugged. "But the situation is indeed not good."
"What's wrong?"
Guren frowned, and the smile on her face instantly disappeared.
"Pursuers have arrived."
Rinji said. "A total of four people. We don't know where they're from yet, but they're definitely after us now."
"Orochimaru-sama's entrusted mission must not fail."
Guren's expression turned icy cold. She waved her hand abruptly. "Go, all of you engage them immediately and deal with them quickly!"
"Understood."
A smile immediately appeared on Rinji's face.
This smile was filled with the smell of blood.
Although he seemed easygoing, he was also affected by the Cursed Seal.
He himself had a stronger desire to kill than ordinary people.
But his rationality was strong, suppressing this desire deep within.
Now, he didn't need to control his killing desire. He planned to have a great battle.