Arrival on time

A figure zipped through the wilderness, moving so quickly that it stirred up gusts of wind. This speed was far beyond what ordinary ninjas could achieve. Dressed in Anbu attire, Kazuya sped forward.

Ahead lay a dense forest. "The Fourth Raikage... such a warmonger," Kazuya muttered to himself. Yet, he saw this as a positive. For him, the worst scenario would be a too-peaceful ninja world. Conflict drove him to greater heights, pushing him ever closer to surpassing Kage-level. He was only one step away, and this power provided him with a sense of security. Many plans could now be carefully laid out.

As he entered the woods, Kazuya remained vigilant. According to intelligence, he was nearing the area where Kurenai Yuhi and Kakashi Hatake had been ambushed. He was prepared to encounter Cloud Village's elite ninjas at any moment. Despite the danger, he wasn't overly worried about Kurenai. As long as she didn't do anything reckless, she should be safe.

Meanwhile, 30 kilometers away, explosions rocked a hidden tree hollow where Konoha's Anbu had taken refuge. Traps were triggered, and several Cloud ninjas were blown away, one losing his life instantly.

"It's the explosive tags!" one Cloud ninja shouted. "Damn Konoha Anbu! They're playing dirty!"

The surviving Cloud ninjas were furious. The explosions also attracted nearby Cloud forces. "Eastern direction! Lots of footsteps! They must have left in a hurry!" one reported. 

"Chase them! They can't have gone far!" the Cloud leader roared, incensed that despite their numerical superiority, they had suffered casualties first. Enraged, the Cloud ninjas gave chase.

Not far ahead, Kurenai Yuhi and a few other Konoha Anbu were fleeing. At the rear of the group, Kurenai's expression was grim. Their numbers were few, and they had to allocate someone to care for the seriously wounded, leaving only four capable of fighting. Facing the relentless Cloud ninjas seemed almost impossible.

"Kurenai!" Kakashi suddenly spoke up. "Cloud Shinobi are closing in. I'll lure them away to buy time."

"If anyone should do it, it should be me..." Kurenai began, but Kakashi cut her off.

"Kurenai, the captain taught me the value of life. I won't abandon my comrades again. Besides..." Kakashi's tone grew somber. "The captain already lost his sister. I can't let him lose you too. Consider it my atonement."

Kurenai knew of the close bond between Kazuya and herself, a fact well-known in Anbu. Without another word, Kakashi broke away from the group, rushing in the opposite direction.

Seeing him go, Kurenai and the other Anbu were deeply moved. The reality of death made them truly understand the value of life. Ninjas willing to face death for their comrades were the true heroes.

"We can't waste Kakashi's sacrifice," Kurenai said firmly. "We need to at least save the seriously wounded. If the enemy catches up again... Yugao, you take the wounded and go. The rest of us will hold them off."

"Yes, Captain!" Yugao and the others replied, steeling themselves for the inevitable clash.

Despite their efforts, the Cloud ninjas soon caught up, though their numbers had been halved to ten. The Cloud leader was seething with rage. Even with their advantage, they had lost two more men to Konoha's skilled Anbu.

"Kill them all! These Konoha ninjas are too strong individually. We can't let any of them escape!" he bellowed.

Knowing that confrontation was unavoidable, Kurenai and her team prepared for battle. Even the seriously injured Anbu, with explosive tags all over their bodies, were ready to take down as many enemies as possible.

"I haven't even confessed to Kazuya..." Kurenai thought, a complicated look flashing in her eyes. It was only at such moments that people truly saw their own hearts. Facing death, she had many regrets.

"Sorry, Kazuya... Sorry, Father... But I am a Konoha ninja!" Her resolve hardened. She would fight with everything she had.

800 meters. 500 meters. 200 meters. The distance closed rapidly. Just as they were about to clash, a specially shaped kunai landed in front of Kurenai with a clang.

"Is that...?" Kurenai's eyes widened in realization.

In a flash of white light, an Anbu ninja wearing a white windbreaker and a mask appeared before her.

"Am I late?" Kazuya asked with a chuckle.

Kazuya-kun! 

Hearing his familiar voice, Kurenai felt a wave of relief and a deep sense of security. Kazuya was here. He had really come!

"Captain!" "It's the captain!" "Captain Kazuya is here!" 

The other Konoha Anbu cheered ecstatically. With Kazuya here, they knew the Cloud ninjas were in serious trouble.