Chapter 67

Boil Release: Clever Mist Technique!

Mei's face turned cold as she opened her mouth, spewing out a large amount of high-temperature strong acid vapor, blocking Kyomu's advance.

At the same time, just as he had appeared heavily injured, Ao suddenly erupted, using the Water Dragon Bullet Technique to finish off the Rock Shinobi Jounin.

Turning around, Ao, with eyes filled with killing intent, locked onto Kakashi's side.

He wanted to kill the Rock Shinobi, and he equally wanted to kill the genius ninja of Konoha!

Despite Kakashi being prepared early and receiving Kyomu's reminder just now, facing Ao, he felt somewhat inadequate.

Aragami Sword Art: Hundred and Twenty Flame Roar!

Swish swish swish~

One hundred and twenty blades merged into one sound, and layers upon layers of blade shadows also merged into one, spreading forward into a broad and elongated fiery red blade chakra slash.

The special effects of light and shadow were simultaneously maximized, the momentum was grand like an overwhelming wave, instantly crushing the high-temperature strong acid thick fog that blocked the way.

Lava Release: Dissolving Monster Technique!

Mei once again opened her mouth and spat out high-temperature strong acid lava, slowing down Kyomu's advance once more.

Kyomu cursed in frustration!

Water Body Flicker Technique!

At this moment, Ao's body suddenly disappeared, appearing behind Kakashi once again. A brand new kunai was held in Ao's hand.

Kakashi's body leaned back, and he suddenly swept backward with his hand. The snow-like blade edge cut through the air, cleanly slicing Ao's throat without obstruction.

The anticipated splatter of blood did not appear, but instead, there was a puddle of clear water.

It was a Water Clone!

Kakashi's pupils contracted, what just happened!

At the same time, the thick fog, dense enough to obscure one's hand, spread from behind Kakashi, instantly enveloping him.

Hidden Mist Technique!

Clang clang clang~

The next moment, sounds of fierce battle emanated from the dense fog. Kyomu felt anxious, but he had to deal with Mei who blocked his way first. Only then could he move forward to support Kakashi.

Sky-Cutting Sword Technique!

The aura of the Azure Dragon form, with its light and shadow effects maximized, swept through, breaking through the high-temperature strong acid solution spewed by Mei. 

Soaring, closing in, then striking!

Mei's expression changed, stepping back quickly while opening her mouth once again, intending to replicate her previous attack pattern.

As long as she could delay Kyomu for a moment, Ao could deal with Kakashi. By then, Kyomu would definitely not escape!

But Kyomu's speed exceeded her imagination.

Suddenly tilting backward, his body almost parallel to the ground, Mei narrowly avoided the blade chakra Kyomu casually swung out.

At the same time, Kyomu's wrist turned over, the blade pointed downward, stabbing directly at Mei's chest. As long as this move landed, Mei would undoubtedly die!

"If you make another move, I'll kill your comrade!" Ao's cold voice came from the thick fog on the side.

His heart trembled suddenly, Kyomu abruptly withdrew his blade, but his left hand clenched into a fist and struck Mei's chest heavily from above.

Puff!

Mei spat out blood, but Kyomu didn't stop for a moment. He grabbed her collar with his left hand, lifting her from the ground. His right wrist turned over again, and the blade edge pressed against her round chin from below.

"Release Kakashi, or else she dies!"

The Mist Shinobi Jounin Ao gritted his teeth. If Mei could hold on for three more seconds, he could have slit Kakashi's throat just now!

As the dense fog dispersed, Kakashi, whose chakra had been sealed all over his body, appeared in Kyomu's line of sight. Meanwhile, Ao stood behind Kakashi, his kunai pressing against Kakashi's carotid artery.

"Release Mei, and I'll release your comrade."

"It's impossible now." Kyomu glanced at Kakashi and finally settled his gaze on Ao's face. "I don't trust you. Let's talk again when the caravan reaches the port!"

Ao's upper and lower lips twitched, wanting to refuse but unable to speak. Compared to Kakashi, he cared more about Mei.

Even though he could sacrifice Mei to exchange for the lives of two new-generation ninja of Konoha, he wouldn't do it.

If Ao did that, when he returned to the Hidden Mist Village, he would most likely be killed without any explanation.

"Fine."

Ao nodded, slowly retreating while holding Kakashi.

Similarly, Kyomu dragged Mei in his arms, also stepping back step by step. When they reached the end of the caravan, they stopped.

Meanwhile, Ao, holding Kakashi, came to the front of the caravan, letting the caravan owner lead the caravan forward.

The terrified caravan owner dared not utter a word and immediately urged the surviving caravan members to get on the carts.

The kunai in his hand tapped Kakashi's back, "Don't even think about escaping, or I'll definitely kill you!"

"You don't dare to kill me." Kakashi's voice was cold and mocking. "Mei's life is more important than mine, and you hesitated just now, coward!"

"Shut up!" Ao fiercely punched Kakashi's back. "Say one more word, and I'll definitely cut off your tongue!"

A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and Kakashi fell into the carriage, his eyes filled with intense hatred and killing intent.

On the roof of the last wagon in the convoy, Kyomu held Mei in his arms, Yōei pressing against her snow-white neck.

"Let go of me!" Mei tried to struggle, but the more she struggled, the tighter Kyomu held her, and Yōei left a faint red mark on her neck.

"I'll release you when we reach the port," Kyomu said coldly. "Don't force me to kill you."

"Heh, you wouldn't dare to kill me," Mei said, very aware of her current situation. "You can't bring yourself to abandon your comrade."

Kyomu remained silent, indeed not daring to kill Mei.

As long as Mei died, Kakashi would inevitably suffer, and he would also be in grave danger.

It was precisely because of this certainty that Mei's face showed no trace of fear.

"Let go of me quickly. If I'm in a good mood..."

"Shut up!"

Kyomu retracted Yōei, replacing it with a kunai, making the hostage situation easier to handle. "If you keep talking, I'll definitely leave a few scars on your face."

Using the cold kunai to pat Mei's face, leaving several red marks, Kyomu said, "I keep my word. Don't test my patience."

"Asshole!"

"Huh, and you think you're not?" Kyomu leaned over from behind Mei, glancing at her forehead.

Swish!~

The kunai brushed across Mei's forehead, and a strand of reddish-brown hair floated down.

"You!" Mei was furious.

"No need to shout so loud, I can hear you." Kyomu held Mei's chin with his left hand, lifting her head.

Their eyes met, and Kyomu saw the misty haze in Mei's eyes.

He cut my hair, he actually cut my hair, the hair I painstakingly grew.

"Kyomu, you bastard!!!"

Her eyes suddenly cold, Kyomu's left hand holding Mei's chin exerted more force, and his fingertips turned slightly blue.

Mei winced in pain, reluctantly closed her mouth, but her lifted head refused to drop, staring fiercely at Kyomu, as if trying to deeply imprint his face into her memory.

The grudges of being taken hostage and having her hair cut, she must repay them!

"What are you looking at?" Mei glared fiercely.

"What are you looking at?"

"Of course, I'm remembering you, so that I can catch you in the future, get revenge, and then kill you!"

Kyomu sneered without answering, but instead gave her a slap on the head from behind, quite forcefully, without any mercy.

Mei lowered her head indignantly, realizing that she couldn't resist the situation.

The two didn't speak anymore, but Kyomu still didn't release Mei from his embrace, and Mei didn't struggle anymore.

If he wanted to hug, then let him hug, it didn't matter.

Anyway, Kakashi, who was captured by Ao, was definitely not having a good time!

But it really felt awkward.

Mei uncomfortably twisted her body, only to receive an even tighter grip from Kyomu.

"I won't run away, but can you loosen up a bit? It's awkward like this!"

"You're thinking too much, and this is the treatment for captives."

Mei gritted her teeth at Kyomu's words.

Although she understood that there was no distinction between men and women among ninjas, and everyone was treated equally in life and death, from childhood to adulthood, Mei had never been hugged like this by a boy.

Glancing at Kyomu's chin, Mei lowered her head again, blinking her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.

After three or five hours, Kyomu felt that something was wrong with Mei in his arms. The neck that had just been raised suddenly softened.

Kyomu was surprised, was she unconscious?

Kyomu was very clear about the strength of his previous punch. But upon closer observation, Kyomu burst into laughter.

This woman is really audacious!

Kyomu raised his head again, continuing to focus most of his attention on the front, watching Ao's every move, and gestured with the kunai at Mei's neck a few times, as a warning.

Ao's eyes were full of killing intent, but he could only endure it and didn't dare to act against Kakashi.

In this way, both sides were deadlocked.

But this Mei, while sleeping, actually drooled, leaving Kyomu's hands wet.

(End of Chapter)