"You… what are you trying to do?" Uzuki Yūgao instinctively took a step back.
After witnessing Kai instantly kill seven Anbu, she would rather face those Anbu than hear this frivolous remark.
She would rather be killed than be harassed.
"You should know, shouldn't you?" Kai smiled playfully, looking at Gekko Hayate.
"I'm giving you both a chance to live."
"You're willing to let us go?" Gekko Hayate's face lit up with joy. He quickly said, "My father is Gekko Yoru. As long as you let us go, we'll reward you handsomely afterwards."
As he spoke, Gekko Hayate thought about taking Uzuki Yūgao and escaping.
"You seem to have gotten it wrong. I meant that only one of you can leave alive," Kai suddenly said.
Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yūgao's expressions froze.
Wasn't he asking them to fight to the death?
"Don't worry, you decide who lives and who dies. I'll take care of the killing," Kai laughed mockingly.
"If you think you're stronger than seven Anbu, come and die."
His quiet voice echoed through the forest, adding a layer of inexplicable pressure to the atmosphere.
Uzuki Yūgao couldn't help but look at Gekko Hayate.
What she saw made her stunned.
"Yūgao, wait for me. We're only a few thousand meters from the stronghold. I'm faster than you. I'll definitely get reinforcements."
Gekko Hayate left these words behind and turned to flee.
His speed was incredible, as if he had used all his strength.
In a few leaps, he disappeared into the forest.
"You know, people only seem to unleash their inner power in times of crisis," Kai said with a smile.
Uzuki Yūgao's face turned slightly pale. She reached for a kunai from her pouch and stabbed it towards her throat.
Clang!
Kai flicked out a shuriken, instantly knocking away the kunai in Uzuki Yūgao's hand.
Uzuki Yūgao's expression changed. She quickly shouted, "Didn't you say it was only life or death? Can't I do it myself?"
"Of course you can," Kai said solemnly, "But I was just trying to scare you."
"I didn't expect that kid to run faster than a rabbit."
"Let's go. Otherwise, Uzuki-san will be worried about you."
Leaving these words behind, Kai turned and walked towards the stronghold.
Uzuki Yūgao was stunned. She had already made up her mind to commit suicide.
She never expected the outcome to be like this.
Looking at Kai's retreating figure and Gekko Hayate, who had fled, a hint of self-mockery appeared on her face.
"Help! Uzuki-san, hurry and save Yūgao!" Gekko Hayate had not yet reached the stronghold when he was spotted by the scouts.
Kai's battle had also been detected by the sensory ninjas.
Therefore, Uzuki Ao and Inuzuka Haka had already led people out.
"Hayate, what are you doing here?" Uzuki Ao's expression changed. "What were you saying? What happened to Yūgao?"
"Uzuki-san, it's bad!" Gekko Hayate explained urgently, "Yūgao and I were ordered to bring Minato-sensei's Flying Thunder God kunai to accurately pinpoint his location for his space-time jump."
"But Yūgao and I were ambushed by Root Anbu a few thousand meters away. At a critical moment, a young man surrounded by arcs of lightning appeared and killed the Root ninjas."
"But he coveted Yūgao's beauty and told one of us to leave. I'm faster than Yūgao, so I came to call for help."
Looking at Gekko Hayate, whose face was filled with anxiety and panic, everyone looked at each other.
"Damn it!" Uzuki Ao slapped him.
Slap!
A crisp sound echoed.
Gekko Hayate was stunned. He covered his cheek and said, "Uzuki-san, you… why did you hit me? Hurry and save Yūgao. We still have a chance if we go now."
"Go to hell!" Uzuki Ao almost kicked him.
"Two people, one survives. You damn brat, you ran away first."
"If Yūgao had encountered someone other than Kai, and something had happened to her, I would have crippled you."
"Even if your father is Gekko Yoru, I wouldn't care."
In Uzuki Ao's eyes, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yūgao were childhood sweethearts.
Moreover, GekkoYoru had taught Uzuki Yūgao the Konoha-style swordsmanship.
So, he had a good impression of Gekko Hayate.
If this situation had lasted a little longer, perhaps Uzuki Ao would have let them develop their relationship.
But now, faced with a life-or-death situation, he ran faster than a rabbit.
This made Uzuki Ao feel like he had gone blind.
"Uzuki-san… you… what did you say… Yūgao is still in the hands of that madman…" Gekko Hayate's expression froze.
"Hey, are you looking for me?"
"I was just taking a walk and saw two idiots, so I saved them."
A familiar voice floated over.
Gekko Hayate was stunned. He hurriedly followed the sound.
What he saw was the same ruthless face.
Even more unexpected for Gekko Hayate was that Uzuki Yūgao was walking towards them with a cold expression.
"You… how are you okay?" Gekko Hayate asked, unable to help himself.
"You're quite the funny guy. You ran faster than a rabbit just now, and now you're asking me if I did anything to Yūgao?" Kai said with a smile.
"I'm still young. I don't know what that means."
You!
Gekko Hayate was furious. He clearly remembered Kai's lewd expression just now.
"Yūgao, let me explain." Gekko Hayate quickly stepped forward.
Slap!
A crisp sound echoed.
"We don't seem to have anything to explain, Gekko-kun," Uzuki Yūgao said coldly.
"Father, I'm here to hand over the mission."
"Hmm, we'll talk about this inside." Uzuki Ao looked coldly at Gekko Hayate. "Girl, you need to be more discerning."
"Some people won't show their true colors until a critical moment. Once you choose wrong, you can't turn back."
Watching Uzuki Yūgao leave without any hesitation, Gekko Hayate's face turned pale.
"Your name is Kai, right? I want to…" Gekko Hayate covered his still-aching cheek and shouted.
"Do you want to duel with me? Go ahead. I haven't killed enough yet," Kai laughed mockingly.
"Duel, duel!"
"Kai, just go ahead. Let us place some bets."
"But your odds are very low…"
Seeing the scene suddenly become chaotic, Gekko Hayate's face flushed red. Remembering the seven Root ninjas who were instantly killed, he completely deflated.
"I'm going. I'll go hand over the mission now," Gekko Hayate turned and left briskly.
This caused everyone to burst into laughter again.
"Kai, did you really learn the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?" Inuzuka Haka suddenly spoke.
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