Thanks to his "Transparent Release," Ranmaru passed through the sea of trees unscathed, weaving through the gaps as he advanced deeper into the forest.
Before long, he spotted Kakashi and the other jonin trapped within the sea of trees.
"Hatake Kakashi!"
With a single glance, he recognized Kakashi among the jonin.
In the battle where Kurosuki Raiga fell, Kakashi had been present. If not for Kakashi's interference, Raiga and Hiruko would have completed their mission and retreated, never encountering Uchiha Shinji.
Now, with his heart brimming with killing intent, Ranmaru decided to eliminate Kakashi before taking his revenge on Uchiha Shinji!
Bang bang bang
The relentless impacts from outside caused Yamato's "Wood Wall" to teeter on the verge of collapse.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Yamato said, "Figure something out, quick! My 'Wood Release' can't hold much longer!"
The jonin inside the "Wood Wall" exchanged glances.
Faced with the First Hokage's "Birth of the Tree World," what could they possibly do?
Asuma said, "We can only retreat for now!"
"Agreed!"
Kurenai nodded slightly.
At that moment, Hayate Gekko spoke up, "How about I use my 'Transparent Release' to sneak in and try something?"
Kakashi shook his head. "It's too dangerous for you to go alone!"
Genma Shiranui, chewing on a toothpick, said, "If Raido Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami were here, we could risk charging in and try using the 'Flying Thunder God Jutsu' to get Naruto to safety!"
In the shinobi world, the Second and Fourth Hokages weren't the only ones who had mastered the "Flying Thunder God Jutsu."
Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami, who once served as the Fourth Hokage's guards, had also barely grasped the "Flying Thunder God Jutsu."
However, they needed to work together as a trio to successfully execute it, which came with significant limitations.
Under everyone's gazes, Kakashi made the final call. "We retreat first! Without the sealing team's support, we can't handle this situation!"
Hayate asked, "What about Uzumaki Naruto?"
Kakashi replied, "We can't yet confirm if Orochimaru is working with Akatsuki. If this is just Orochimaru's personal move, his target probably isn't Naruto."
As for Orochimaru's likely target being Sasuke, Kakashi didn't elaborate.
After all, unlike rescuing a jinchuriki, there was no obligation for everyone to risk their lives to save an Uchiha, and he didn't want to burden his comrades with that.
With their decision made, Yamato dispelled the "Wood Wall," and the group seized the brief moment before the sea of trees closed in to break toward the forest's edge.
At that moment, a flash of blade light appeared out of nowhere, slashing toward Kakashi.
"!?"
Kakashi's expression froze, and he barely dodged to the side.
Swish
With a sharp sound, the blade grazed Kakashi's chest, drawing a spray of blood!
The sudden attack shocked all the jonin.
It had been so abrupt that even Kakashi, on high alert with his Sharingan active, couldn't fully evade it.
If it had been any other jonin present, they likely would have died on the spot!
Clutching the wound on his chest, Kakashi's expression grew grim.
In truth, he had survived that strike not only because of his own sharpness but also because his left eye was a Mangekyo Sharingan, allowing him to detect and react just in time as the attack closed in.
Otherwise, that slash wouldn't have merely grazed his chest.
Kurenai exclaimed, "What's going on?"
Asuma scanned their surroundings. "There's another enemy here!"
Yamato, puzzled, asked, "Is it the Second Hokage?"
"No!" Hayate's expression turned serious. "That was 'Transparent Release.' There's a 'Transparent Release' shinobi lurking nearby!"
With that, Hayate drew his long blade and activated his "Transparent Release," concealing his form.
But the moment he went invisible, he was ambushed. His blade was instantly snatched, and the enemy drove it into his body!
Soon, Hayate, pierced by his own blade, was forced out of his "Transparent Release" state, appearing in everyone's view.
"What!?"
"How!?"
"Damn it!"
The surrounding jonin were both shocked and enraged!
No one had expected Hayate, even while using "Transparent Release," to be found so quickly by the enemy and defeated in a single exchange, his own weapon turned against him.
"They're strong. Everyone, be careful!"
Asuma shouted a warning, then, heedless of the danger, rushed to Hayate's side, hoisting the gravely injured jonin onto his back to break out.
At this point, they were at the very edge of the sea of trees. With Shinji and the others fighting at the forest's center, drawing the First Hokage's attention, the trees' attacks on them had lessened, allowing them to escape more easily.
Kakashi deliberately stayed at the rear, covering the group while thinking of a strategy.
"Transparent Release" wasn't a particularly powerful Bloodline Limit. Hayate's version couldn't fool Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan. Yet this mysterious enemy's "Transparent Release" was extraordinary—Kakashi's Mangekyo couldn't even detect it.
Moreover, the enemy not only easily located Hayate while he was using "Transparent Release" but also overpowered him in a taijutsu clash, despite Hayate's considerable skill with a blade.
Considering these points, Kakashi racked his brain but couldn't think of anyone in the shinobi world who matched this profile.
The jonin fought their way out, soon reaching the outskirts of the sea of trees.
During the breakout, they hadn't been idle, communicating through glances. As soon as they emerged from the forest, Asuma handed the injured Hayate to Kurenai, then turned and unleashed his Fire Release jutsu, "Burning Ash," at the empty space behind them!
Instantly, a massive cloud of smoke enveloped the area, revealing a faint outline within.
"Explode!"
Asuma detonated his "Burning Ash"!
Boom
With a burst of towering flames, the entire cloud of smoke Asuma had released ignited!
Without waiting for the result, Yamato, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro formed hand signs simultaneously. "Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Three water dragons surged into the fire, submerging everything.
At that moment, Kakashi, having summoned his ninja hounds, followed Pakkun's guidance and unleashed "Lightning Blade" in a specific direction.
The dazzling lightning spread through the water, covering a wide area, and sure enough, it revealed a vague humanoid shape.
"We finally got them!"
Asuma and the other jonin let out a sigh of relief.
Kurenai, supporting Hayate, frowned. "Who was that?"
Kakashi shook his head. "I don't know, maybe…"
Before he could finish, the vague figure shrouded in lightning suddenly vanished from sight. Then, with a pfft, a slender arm pierced through Asuma's back, emerging from his chest!
Looking down at the arm impaling his chest, Asuma's face was filled with disbelief. "How… how is this possible!?"