Perhaps some are kind, some are vicious, some look ordinary, but when their interests are threatened, they strike harder than him as a bounty hunter.
Although Aomi objectively has the ability to escape, in Kakuzu's eyes, Asuma is like a chain that tightly binds him, stripping him of any chance of survival.
Unless, Aomi decisively chooses to become a traitorous ninja, severing all ties with his family and village.
But in Kakuzu's opinion, Aomi, who fights at the rear, wouldn't do such a thing.
Upon realizing this, Kakuzu relaxed his mindset, tracked Aomi's position, and pursued at a steady pace...
How fast Aomi can run doesn't matter, does it?
Sooner or later, he has to meet up with Asuma and Rin, and by that time, Kakuzu won't give Aomi another chance to escape!
#
In the pine forest.
Asuma and Rin gasped heavily; the tension and running had drained their strength, and their sweat mixed with blood dripped down their faces, making them look extremely disheveled.
Before they could rest for a moment in the pine forest, Aomi arrived carrying Tsunade, frowned, and whispered, "Trouble... the enemy is faster than I thought..."
"At this speed, we can't shake the enemy off."
Tsunade stirred slightly in Aomi's arms, gently patted his arm, indicating for him to put her down.
"Aomi is right, the enemy is the strongest bounty hunter in the Ninja World, the so-called Undying Ninja Kakuzu. He is said to have the strength of a village Kage, surviving since the Warring States Era, an unusually powerful and mysterious ninja..."
Tsunade seemed to have recovered a bit, pursing her lips, and said sternly, "Asuma, Rin, your speed is top class among Genin, but against such an enemy, it is still too slow."
"Aomi, you take Asuma and Rin and run, I will try to summon Katsuyu to hold him off!"
Tsunade stood up shakily, but in Aomi's Sharingan, her chakra was extremely chaotic, not at all able to use her usual monster strength.
Monster Strength requires precise chakra control.
And even if she can summon Katsuyu, Kakuzu only needs to find a way to get blood in front of Tsunade, and the battle will be over...
Tsunade actually understands this too.
But what can be done?
No matter how much of a genius Aomi is, he can't resist a Kage-level old monster...
Asuma and Rin are out of the question; they're pure burdens.
Rin looked worriedly at Tsunade. As a medical ninja, she already understood that Tsunade was suffering from a severe psychological condition, which did not support her in battle.
Asuma was also worriedly looking at Tsunade.
Tsunade forced a smile and was about to say something to the frowning Aomi, when her pupils suddenly widened!
Unexpectedly, Aomi slowly cut his finger with Muramasa, placing the bloodied finger in front of Tsunade!
Staring at that smear of blood, Tsunade began to hyperventilate again, trembling all over.
Asuma stood dumbfounded, looking at Aomi, and Rin had a shocked expression as well.
What is he doing?
Aomi slowly shook his head, sighing deeply: "In this state, sending Teacher Tsunade to fight Kakuzu is sending her to her death, isn't it?"
Asuma was dumbfounded for a moment, but after understanding, he nodded heavily.
Aomi was right, but...
There was still an urgent problem to solve!
What to do in this situation?
Tsunade can't fight, Aomi can't defeat Kakuzu, he and Rin are burdens...
Are they just going to wait for death?
Just at that moment!
The edge of the pine forest burst into flames, the firelight seemingly igniting the overcast sky!
Asuma's pupils narrowed sharply, muttering, "He's caught up; he's starting to set the forest on fire!"
But instead, Aomi smiled, as if something had come to mind, waving everyone over, and said slowly:
"The situation is simple now, Asuma, Rin, Teacher Tsunade, one of us must stay as bait to delay the enemy as much as possible for the others."
"Otherwise, we will all die here."
"So, there's just one last question, who's going to be that person?"
Aomi looked at his companions.
Rin was bewildered; not to mention her own courage, but what could she do?
Asuma, too, was willing to stay behind for Aomi, but would his sacrifice have meaning or value?
Tsunade was silent too; the blood on Aomi's finger was enough to shatter her resolve...
"Asuma, Rin, Teacher Tsunade, that person can only be me, no need for debate..."
Aomi even laughed, and said slowly, "Today, I will carry out the Will of Fire!"
Asuma hurriedly shouted, "Aomi, it's too dangerous, there must be another way!"
But as Aomi's gaze swept over, Asuma's voice stopped abruptly.
What other way could he think of?
To stay with Aomi? That might work...
But when Asuma made eye contact with Aomi's clear gaze, his hands began to tremble slightly, and saliva quickly filled his mouth, sticky like glue, sealing his lips.
He couldn't speak...
In his heart, Asuma screamed: Tell him you'll stay with Aomi!