Arc III Chapter 1
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<strong>III</strong>
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<strong>Arc III Chapter 1
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Heavy snow covered the silent forest. The harsh forces of winter reigned the frozennds, hidden beneath a nket of ice and white. Nature had turned the world into a cold, barren desert, hostile to human life. But life persisted among the trees, refusing to bow to the forces of nature.
Asquad of Konoha ANBU movedthrough the trees with frightening speed, desperately running for their lives.
“We have topick up the pace, Konosuke. They are right behind us, Captain!”Hachirowarned, his desperation palpable.
“I know, Hachiro.I know.” Konosukegritted his teeth. Their situation didn''t look good.He and his men were tired. They needed rest, but rest wasout of the question. Their pursuers were right behind them. Yet they had to carry on.“Hachiro, where are Masaaki and Yusuke?”
“No idea.”Hachiroreplied.
“Masaaki and Yusuke are probably dead.” Asami answered, her voice dispassionate, cold. The girl wore her ANBU mask and white fur coat, with pride. After all, she was one of them, an ANBU. “They engaged the enemy to buy time. They failed to return, unable to disengage. We must assume the worst, Captain.”
Asami was young, barely 13-years-old, but deathdidn’t bother her in the slightest. The girl epted the deathsof herrades with cold indifference.
“Shit!” Konosukeclenched his fists, anger, rage ringup inside him.Hesenttworades to their death, but times were hard. Drastic measures had to be taken.Masaaki and Yusukedyed the enemy, but they paid the ulitmate price.Yet it was not enough. Heknewthatthey were running out of time. The enemy wasgetting closer and closerevery minute.They had to reach thesafety of theassembly pointbeforeitwas toote.
The only problem was that Norogumi and Karen slowed them down. They were heavily wounded during theirmission. Norogumi lost a few ribs and bones. Karena lot of blood. In fact, it was a miracle that they bothwere still standing, still conscious. Nevertheless, it was questionable how long they would stillst.Norogumi and Karen grew weaker with every minute. They were slowly but surely reaching the limits of their endurance.
“...”Konosuke clenched his fists.What were they supposed to do? He didn''t know.
Asami chimed in, “Konosuke, our Kiri friends are rapidly closing the distance. I suggest that we should hurry up.”
“Do you think I don''t know that?”Konosuke barked. “We can’t, Asami. We can''t go faster. Norogumi and Karen are both in a critical condition. They won''t be able to keep up. We can''t leave them behind.”
“I know, but I think I have a solution for our little problem.” Asami halted, stopping on a random tree branch. Her hand drew her sword. Her radiant de glimmered purple in anticipation.“I will confront them and dy them as long as possible. I will cover your retreat.” Her voice spoke with confidence.
“Are you crazy? You will die!You can''t fight them all on your own” Konosuke clicked his tongue. As much as Asami annoyed himat times,he didn’t want to sacrificeyet another life.Too many lives were already lost today.
“Konosuke, we don''t have much of a choice.Someone must dy them at any price.”
“...”Konosuke fell silent. Asami might be talented for her age, but was shestrong enough to face the Kiri-nin alone? He doubted so. And yet ...
“You must go”, Asami urged them.“Time is running short. The enemy is approaching. I don''t wantmy noble self-sacrifice tobe in vain.”
“...”Konosukewas conflicted. Snow started falling. Countless millions of snow crystalsturned the darkening sky white. “You know, Asami, it should be the duty of the old to protect the young, and not the other way around ...”
Asami merely chuckled. “Probably, but neither is it your duty to throw your lives away. Sometimes, hard times require hard decisions.”
“... ... ...”Konosuke relented, a heavy sigh escaping him. “Do your best and don''t die, Asami. Promise me that you will return.I don''t want this to be our final parting.”
Asami smirked, a satisfied grin gracing her lips. “Don''t worry, Konosuke, I will return. I won''t die this easily.”
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