By the time Yoru emerged from the inverted crystal formation that night, a fresh layer of bandages was wrapped around his right eye.
The change immediately stirred tension among those present—especially among Yayoi and Yukiko. The two nearly rushed up to inspect Yoru's condition but restrained themselves due to his authority, instead quietly pulling Hiromi aside to inquire.
"What's wrong with Lord Yoru's eye?"
"Hiromi, didn't you treat Lord Yoru? Why is his eye still bandaged?"
They knew Hiromi's capabilities well. At just thirteen years old, she not only possessed advanced medical ninjutsu but also demonstrated exceptional control over chakra and sealing techniques—skills unmatched even within the ranks of Kirigakure.
Most crucial of all, Hiromi possessed a rare and mysterious constitution: no matter how severe her injuries, as long as she didn't die instantly, a single bite would heal her completely.
However—
Only Yoru was granted the right to benefit from this ability. No matter how dire anyone else's wounds were, Hiromi would never offer them that same treatment.
Don't ask why. She'd simply say it's due to her cleanliness obsession.
"Um…"
Faced with her comrades' questioning, Hiromi hesitated. The truth—that Yoru had transplanted a Sharingan—wasn't something he intended to disclose, and as such, she couldn't speak freely.
"There's no need to worry," Yoru said, waving a hand. "Just a small experiment. My eye is fine."
Only then did the group breathe a collective sigh of relief, though Yayoi and Yukiko's eyes lingered on the bandage wrapping Yoru's eye.
Especially Yukiko.
Such a light layer of cloth couldn't possibly hinder her Crimson Eyes.
Through the bandage, she could clearly see the changes that had occurred to Yoru's eye.
Though surprised that Yoru had replaced one of his own with a Sharingan, she didn't press the matter. Since he clearly had no desire to elaborate, she too remained silent.
The rest of the group also wisely refrained from asking further questions.
BOOM!
Before they could even begin reorganizing, a burst of fireworks exploded in the sky not far away—a signal flare, distinct and urgent.
"A distress signal?" Yayoi blinked in surprise. "Is that Mangetsu?"
"It's our squad's unique distress signal. No mistake."
Yoru furrowed his brows and turned to Yukiko.
She understood immediately. Her Crimson Eyes activated in an instant as she peered toward the direction of the flare's detonation.
The distance wasn't far—still within her dōjutsu's perceptive range.
Yet with just one glance, Yukiko's expression turned to shock.
"What… What terrifying chakra!"
"It's monstrous… The density and volume of that chakra—it's not even something the Seven Ninja Swordsmen could match! It's comparable to the Mizukage!"
"What?!"
Cold sweat gathered on her forehead. The opponent Mangetsu was facing had far exceeded their expectations.
There was no way Mangetsu could handle something like that on his own.
"It seems he's run into a serious problem," Yoru muttered, then spoke with authority: "Yayoi, Yukiko, Hiromi—new orders. Lead your squads to Jinnan Town and rendezvous with Lord Yagura."
"But Lord Yoru—"
FWIP!
Before they could even respond, Yoru vanished, his figure flickering away with Shunpo.
The others stared at one another, wide-eyed.
"Damn it. He's definitely gone to save that idiot Mangetsu!" Yayoi growled, clearly annoyed. "Can't even deliver intel properly… What a waste!"
But deep down, Yayoi knew this wasn't Mangetsu's fault.
Encountering a monster whose chakra rivaled the Mizukage's… there was no escape. The only fate was death in battle.
Kirigakure shinobi did not fear death. However, Mangetsu had on him the confidential intel on Konoha's frontline troop deployment—intel that Yoru had just intercepted.
That information could sway the course of the war. It had to make it back. That's why Mangetsu launched the signal flare.
Still, regardless of the justification, Yayoi wasn't interested in those "technicalities." All that mattered was that Lord Yoru was the one in danger now.
"We should go help—no, that won't work."
Yayoi took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
Against an enemy like that, their group would be useless. Yukiko was a reconnaissance-type shinobi. Hiromi, though capable in sealing arts, was ultimately a medical ninja. Yayoi was the only one with combat capability.
But how much help could she really provide to Yoru or Mangetsu?
She'd only be a burden.
Her thoughts aligned in a moment of cold clarity.
"Jinnan Town isn't far from here. If we go at full speed, we'll make it in under twenty minutes. We'll link up with Lord Yagura and have him go support Lord Yoru!"
"Understood!"
Yukiko and Hiromi exchanged glances, nodding with resolve. In the next instant, the group disappeared in a flurry of Body Flicker Techniques.
Meanwhile—
Following Yoru's orders, Mangetsu had been en route to deliver the Konoha frontline troop deployment intel to Yagura—only to find himself thrust into a deadly ambush.
As he passed through a wooded area en route to Jinnan Town, a sudden rustle from the underbrush caught his attention.
The next moment—WHIRR!—a swarm of insects erupted from the trees like a hurricane, flying straight toward him.
"Secret Technique: Insect Tornado!"
The buzzing of wings gave Mangetsu just enough time to react.
In the instant the insects surged forth, his body liquefied into water, slipping past the onslaught.
But before he could re-form, a cold voice echoed from the woods—accompanied by another wave of insects, more vicious and overwhelming.
"Secret Technique: Parasitic Insects!"
"From the Aburame Clan, huh…"
Mangetsu's expression turned grim.
The Hozuki clan's Hydrification Technique was formidable—it allowed the user to turn their body into liquid, rendering physical attacks nearly useless.
Its one major weakness was Lightning Release, whose paralyzing effect disrupted full liquefaction. But against certain secret techniques, things could also get tricky.
And the Aburame's Parasitic Insects were definitely a problem.
They fed on chakra—and without chakra, Hydrification was useless.
Still, Mangetsu wasn't one to just stand around and take it.
As the wave of insects surged in, he clenched his hand into a tight fist. His entire arm swelled, his body launching high into the air. Then with all his strength, he threw a punch downward.
"Hydrification: Water Iron Cannon Fist!"
In an instant—
A violent blast of high-pressure water erupted from his fist like a cannon, blasting straight into the insect swarm.
Caught off guard, the insects were obliterated by the forceful torrent.
But before Mangetsu could even breathe, he realized he couldn't move—his body was bound by some unknown force.
Looking down, he saw a black shadow stretching from beneath his feet all the way back toward the treeline.
Moments later, several figures emerged from the forest's edge.
Alongside them, a deep voice rang out:
"Shadow Imitation Technique…"
"Got him."
(To be continued)