From an objective perspective, Nawaki was right. A distinct fragrance lingered in the food remnants.
After sniffing carefully, Hayashi also detected a faint aroma. Clearly, Nawaki's senses were unusually sharp; otherwise, he wouldn't have noticed it so quickly.
Hayashi immediately summoned the great white snake, instructing the snake to communicate with the surrounding serpents to determine the direction the enemy squad had taken.
Within seconds, Whitey indicated a path. It confirmed the group they were tracking was a standard ninja squad, though their exact strength remained unclear.
"I'll go take a look. You guys—" Hayashi hesitated, intending to act alone.
"Hayashi, we are a team. It's better to move together," Nawaki said firmly.
He didn't want to always rely on Hayashi's protection.
Hayashi glanced at Minato and Mikoto. Both nodded almost simultaneously. Hayashi gave a slight smile, relinquishing his insistence on solo action. "Alright. Let's go."
He leapt from a branch, moving in the direction Whitey had indicated. After only a short distance in the forest, the thermal energy from Whitey's detection appeared in his mind.
A ninja squad, led by a captain and three members, was traveling toward the capital of the Land of Fire at a moderate pace. Hayashi signaled the others to remain alert, preparing to gauge the enemy's strength.
Before they could approach, the squad stopped.
Suddenly, an extremely sharp wind blade sliced through the branches nearby. Hayashi and his team barely registered it before a blast of air expanded toward them.
"Wind Release: Great Air Ball!"
The range attack advanced rapidly. Instinctively, Hayashi gathered lightning chakra under his feet, accelerating to maximum speed with a thunderous rush through the forest. Clearly, the enemy had a reconnaissance ninja whose skill rivaled Whitey.
Hayashi reacted immediately, scooping up Mikoto and pulling her into a protective hold while delivering a swift kick to Nawaki's abdomen.
Nawaki, who had previously complained about missing a chance to see Hayashi's taijutsu, was abruptly launched backward, colliding with Minato midair. The two tumbled together, landing several meters away. The precision and force of the kick were undeniable.
Hayashi didn't pause. Holding Mikoto, he retreated rapidly, moving her behind a tree for cover. His actions were instinctive—there was no romantic intent, only a conditioned reflex to protect.
I kicked him to protect Nawaki… the kick was light… how did he fly like that? Hayashi reasoned internally, a hint of disbelief in his thoughts.
One figure was gentle and familiar. The other reckless and wild. Regardless, if given another chance, Hayashi would act the same: protect Mikoto and neutralize the immediate threat.
Minato had been fortunate. Though affected by the kick, he avoided direct impact and managed to adjust his fall midair.
"Boom!"
The Wind Release attack exploded nearby, scattering leaves and debris. Once Mikoto was safely behind the tree, Hayashi observed the enemy carefully.
Even though formal ninja attire varied by country, certain patterns were recognizable. The Sand Ninja captain wore a standard Jonin vest and appeared seasoned, likely in his thirties. The remaining team members were younger. The oldest seemed barely twenty, and two teenage girls accompanied him.
One of the girls immediately caught Hayashi's attention. She wore a purple outfit, a Sand Ninja forehead protector, and gripped a kunai cautiously. Two orange-red bangs framed her face, fluttering in the wind.
Who is this person…? Hayashi thought, narrowing his eyes.
_______
Over 80 advance chapters are available on my Patreon.
Use the promo code "ZPHYR07" to enjoy a 50% discount.
Patreon link: Patreon.com/Zphyr
If you'd simply like to support my work, I'd truly appreciate it.
And wishing you a happy Christmas in advance ❤️🌲