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Biting Karin's arm, Kagaya could feel his physical condition gradually improving.
But...
He could no longer see Karin's face clearly.
Her face was less than half a meter from his eyes, yet it appeared indistinct, blurred.
His eyes, after the Sharingan deactivated, did not reveal black pupils, but rather a pair of grey, lifeless irises.
Overuse of the eyes.
Kagaya understood this condition all too well. Undoubtedly, it was a side effect of the Mangekyō. He was on the verge of losing his sight entirely.
His right eye was somewhat better, but his left eye was truly bordering on complete blindness.
"Kagaya, your eyes..."
Karin was the first to notice the abnormality. These were not the eyes of a normal person!
Yet, Kagaya acted as if he hadn't noticed, releasing his bite and speaking calmly. "What's the matter?"
Karin bit her lip, not answering. She knew Kagaya couldn't possibly be unaware of his own condition. If he asked her this under such circumstances, it could only mean he was choosing to ignore it.
Kagaya offered a faint smile.
"Can you help me up?"
Haku, standing behind them, hurried forward. Throughout this battle, he had been unable to contribute at all, which amplified his inner fear to immeasurable levels. He feared Kagaya would deem him useless and abandon him.
Supported by Karin and Haku, Kagaya rose to his feet.
He tried to widen his eyes, straining to see the path ahead. But it was too blurry. If he couldn't even see Karin's face clearly, how could he possibly discern the road?
He would have to rely on Karin and Haku to lead him. However, they couldn't return to the previous cave. Zetsu had discovered that location; it was no longer safe.
"Karin, Haku, take me... Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Halfway through his sentence, Kagaya was seized by violent coughing, blood continuously spilling from his mouth.
The strain from Susano'o was simply too immense for his 12-year-old body to bear. If he were older, with a more developed physique, perhaps activating Susano'o wouldn't have left him in such a wretched state.
Unfortunately, there were no "ifs." He had activated Susano'o far too early, before his body was remotely prepared.
Kagaya raised a hand to stop Karin from offering her arm again. He had to finish speaking. What he needed to say concerned their safety in the coming period. No matter how much blood he coughed up, no matter how much pain wracked his body, he had to say it in one go.
Because, in his current state, he wouldn't be surprised if he lost consciousness the very next second.
Before his awareness faded, before he fell into oblivion, he had to say what needed to be said.
"Take me... to the sea! Until... until I regain consciousness... Cough! Cough! Cough!"
On land, Zetsu could merge with the earth, with the trees. No matter where they hid, if Zetsu was willing to put in the effort, he would eventually find them. But the sea was different.
The ocean was vast, far more expansive than land. Moreover, Zetsu was not adept at searching across the sea. Hiding at sea was a highly effective evasion tactic.
Having said this, Kagaya used his finger to gather a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth.
Summoning Jutsu!
A black crow materialized amidst a puff of smoke.
"Kuro... during... cough, cough... during the next period, you are responsible for protecting us."
Kuro's crimson Mangekyō swirled before he nodded in understanding.
A relieved smile touched Kagaya's lips. He gradually relaxed, his eyes slowly beginning to close.
'Yes... it's time to get some proper rest.'
But just at that moment, Karin suddenly looked up. "There are chakra signatures approaching. Very familiar. It's the one called Kakashi and the one all dressed in green."
During their time in Konoha, Karin had sensed Kakashi and Guy's chakra multiple times and recognized them.
Kagaya's eyes snapped open.
Kakashi and Guy?
Coming here now? Kagaya refused to believe they were here for a friendly chat. He had just invaded Konoha; for them to pursue immediately afterwards, they were almost certainly here to hunt him down.
In his current state, Kagaya had no strength left to fight. And Haku and Karin were absolutely no match for Kakashi and Guy.
While he still had one use of Kotoamatsukami stored in Kuro's eye, that was his trump card.
A trump card, by definition, was not to be used unless absolutely necessary. If it could be used casually, it wouldn't be a trump card.
"Run!"
Kagaya gave the order without a moment's hesitation.
They had to flee! This was absolutely not the time to face those two.
Karin quickly agreed.
"Right!"
With that, Karin and Haku, supporting Kagaya, began moving swiftly.
But not long after, Karin's expression changed. "Their speed just increased drastically. Their chakra is approaching us at a rate comparable to yours, Kagaya. They've probably spotted us!"
Kagaya wasn't surprised. Karin and Haku weren't fast runners. Being discovered was inevitable unless Kakashi and Guy were incredibly foolish.
And were Kakashi and Guy fools?
At least regarding Kakashi, no one would dare call him stupid.
Kagaya gasped for breath, struggling to think. In his current state, merely staying conscious required his full effort.
At this rate, we'll be caught sooner or later.
Kagaya thought to himself. They couldn't escape!
Unless...
"Karin, Haku! Leave me! Run!"
It was the only solution.
But unfortunately, apart from Kagaya himself, the other two seemed unwilling to execute this plan. They continued running, ignoring his words.
Kagaya didn't press further. He knew that since Karin and Haku hadn't responded, they would never agree to his suggestion.
Time was critical. He had no desire to stage a dramatic scene of "Let me go, save yourselves!" He needed to think of another way.
'Damn it, damn it! What else can we do? What other option is there?!'
Kagaya desperately racked his brains, but before he could think of anything, Kakashi and Guy caught up!
"Stop right there!"
Kakashi stood before Karin and the others, blocking their path.
Guy positioned himself behind them, watching Kagaya's group warily.
A cold sweat trickled down Kagaya's forehead. It seemed he was out of options...
Kakashi's forehead protector was already raised. Seeing Kagaya's blood-streaked, utterly wretched face, he paused in surprise before asking, "You're severely injured?"
Kagaya didn't answer immediately. He took several deep breaths first, ensuring he could speak a few sentences without coughing, then spoke. "Kakashi, I'll go with you."
Kakashi was taken aback, puzzled.
"Why?"
Kagaya offered no explanation, keeping his words concise. "I will go with you!"
Kakashi paused again, understanding dawning.
Kagaya had said "I'll go with you," not "We'll go with you."
Kagaya was proposing that Kakashi target only him and let the other two go.
This time, Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He lowered his head, remaining silent for a long while.
Finally, Kakashi looked up, Raikiri crackling to life in his hand. "You are certainly coming with me. And the two beside you... are no exception."