As time passed minute by minute, the uneasiness in Samui's heart did not fade. Instead, as she listened to the occasional chirping of insects and birds in the surrounding forest, the sense of danger grew stronger and stronger.
"Lord Dodai! We've made contact with the reinforcements. They're waiting for us in the forest about one kilometer ahead!"
At that moment, a Kumogakure scout who had been sent ahead suddenly appeared before the group and reported in a low voice.
"Good! Everyone, keep it up! Once we link up with them, we'll be safe!"
Dodai finally let out a small sigh of relief and encouraged the group.
But in truth, he had already sensed that something was wrong.
They were carrying such a massive sealed container, and this was still within the territory of the Land of Fire, where Konoha's watch posts were scattered everywhere.
Even if the pursuers from Konoha had failed to catch up, they should have encountered small patrol units of Konoha shinobi along the way attempting to intercept them.
Even if those patrol units couldn't defeat them, they only needed to delay them slightly for the main force from Konoha to catch up.
Under normal circumstances, events should have unfolded exactly like that. Even if they managed to escape alive, they should have suffered heavy losses.
Yet strangely—
Their journey had been completely smooth, without encountering a single obstruction.
When something abnormal happens, there must be a reason behind it.
Dodai felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. His gaze drifted toward the sealed barrel containing Killer B, hoping it would bring him a sense of reassurance.
Just then, Yugito Nii spoke again.
"By the way, Lord Raikage also said that he'll personally come to the border of the Land of Hot Water. Once we leave the territory of the Land of Fire, he'll come to receive us."
In fact, during their negotiations with Shimura Danzō, Danzō had already told them something in advance.
He could guarantee their safe escape from Konoha, and he would also help delay the village for a while.
But whether they could survive long enough to leave the Land of Fire—
That was entirely their own problem.
As time continued to pass, the night grew darker.
The moon had already set, and the sun had not yet risen. The hours before dawn were the darkest time of the day.
Because they dared not light a fire, the temporary camp was swallowed by darkness. Even the sound of people breathing seemed unusually loud.
Meanwhile, several Kumogakure shinobi skilled in Fūinjutsu were carefully removing the sealing formulas from the barrel one by one.
Yet as the seals gradually came undone, the uneasiness in Dodai's heart only grew stronger.
Before long, their group reached the forest one kilometer ahead.
Shadowy figures could be seen among the trees.
The Kumogakure shinobi who had come to reinforce them had arrived.
Among them, a petite figure suddenly dashed forward.
"Samui-sister! You're finally here!"
Samui and Dodai both froze when they saw the girl running toward them.
"You are—"
"Yugito?!"
The two of them looked at the sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl in surprise.
Yugito Nii.
The Two-Tails jinchuriki of Kumogakure.
Samui's expression immediately turned serious.
"Yugito, why are you here?"
Dodai was equally puzzled. Yugito's presence had not been part of the original plan.
After all, besides Killer B, Yugito was Kumogakure's second ultimate weapon.
If she were captured by Konoha inside the Land of Fire, the losses for Kumogakure would be enormous.
Seeing their expressions, Yugito quickly explained,
"Lord Raikage was worried that Teacher Killer B might not be able to use his full strength after being sealed for so long."
"Originally, he wanted to come here personally."
"But the elders in the village all opposed it, so he had no choice but to send me instead."
Dodai and Samui exchanged a glance.
The Raikage's personality was well known.
Unlike the calculating leaders of villages like Konoha, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, or Kirigakure, the Raikage had always been a straightforward and aggressive leader since the time of the Third Raikage.
He was exactly the kind of man who would start a war with another village just to save a comrade.
Because of that, the shinobi of Kumogakure trusted their Raikage deeply. Internal scheming was rare among them, and their unity surpassed that of many other villages.
Yugito smiled confidently.
"Don't worry. I can already use part of Matatabi's power."
"Matatabi may act tough, but she's actually soft-hearted. If something really dangerous happens, she won't just abandon me."
Dodai and Samui instantly understood.
Although Yugito was not yet a perfect jinchuriki, even partial control of a Tailed Beast's power was more than enough.
After all—
A Tailed Beast was essentially a natural disaster.
At a critical moment, even a single Tailed Beast Bomb could tear through a defensive line built by thousands of shinobi and create an opening for escape.
Dodai nodded.
"Alright. We can't waste Lord Raikage's goodwill."
"We're still inside the Land of Fire, so everyone stay alert. Once we reach the Valley of the End and rendezvous with C, we'll rest."
Naturally, no one objected.
Given the dangerous situation they were in, being cautious was only common sense.
Dodai then issued another order.
"Send four squads to patrol the surrounding area."
"The rest of you—rest in place. Drink water and eat something. Recover your strength."
He knew that before they could leave the Land of Fire, there would inevitably be a fierce battle.
They had to ensure that everyone remained in top condition.
Just then—
A Kumogakure shinobi who had been sent out on watch suddenly rushed back.
"Lord Dodai! C and the others have already arrived. They're just—"
Before he could finish speaking—
Whoosh!
A sharp sound tore through the air.
An arrow shot out from the darkness and blew the shinobi's head apart mid-sentence.
Blood and flesh exploded into the air.
Dodai's expression changed drastically.
With all the strength in his body, he shouted two words:
"Enemy attack!!"
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