Night

Chapter 91: Night

"Okay, the rest is over.

Let's go," Kiba said, standing up and looking at the fire on the ground.

His body was slightly stained with

dust.

Both Hirohiko and Yukina nodded.

After placing the last stone, they stood up. The three looked at each other,

nodded, and then rushed out, following the best route on the 4-point map. They

left behind the burning campfire and stones arranged around it.

On the best route, Shiga

Taketake's team, who had just decided to rest, noticed a wisp of smoke.

"This is..." Shiga

Taketake stood up, catching a glimpse of the smoke. Instantly, he felt

something was wrong.

"That smoke? It's in the

direction of the Tower of Death! Is someone ahead of us?" Kiuchi Taketo

almost jumped.

Hyuga Yutaka also stood up in

surprise.

The smoke was on the best route of

the 4-point map, closer to the Tower of Death than they were.

"Who could it be?" Hyuga

Yutaka blurted out.

Their expressions made Shiga

Taketake frown deeply.

The 44th practice field in the

village, the Forest of Death, was a forbidden area. Even villagers and ninjas

weren't allowed near it. Besides the four participating teams, no one should be

there.

The smoke was obviously from

someone's fire. Had any participants reached that far already?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Even if they were delayed by the

shadow clones, this was a shorter route than the best route on the 4-point map,

saving at least 30% of time. They shouldn't be behind in progress.

According to Shirakawa, Kanno, and

Taki Kiba's pace, it was impossible to reach that far. This location would take

Shirakawa an hour to reach. Shirakawa's current location should be behind

theirs.

Kanno only started ten minutes

earlier, so he definitely couldn't have reached this place.

Absolutely impossible!

But what about the fire traces? It

couldn't be a forest fire!

Has anyone really gone that far?

What is going on?

"Do you need to guess? It

must be Kanno, Taki Kiba, or Shirakawa! Besides them and us, who else would be

in this forest?" Kiuchi Taketo said, dissatisfied, looking at Hyuga

Yutaka.

Hyuga Yutaka glanced at him,

snorted coldly, and ignored him.

Though Hyuga Yutaka said it was

okay, there was a rift between them. No! This way, the team will fall apart.

Shiga Taketake quickly understood

their situation.

Moreover, there was a more serious

problem. The two already impatient members, seeing someone go so far, probably

couldn't stand it! We must hold them down! This test isn't just about racing. We have an

advantage in strength, and Shirakawa will definitely handle Kanno's team.

I'll also learn from Taki Kiba, using myself as

bait, drawing out Taki Kiba's group, and let Shirakawa's group snatch the

scroll.

The Taki Kiba trio is very strong. If we aren't in

top shape, we'll face big problems holding them back. We can't waste energy due

to impatience. No matter who created the smoke, even if they reach the Tower of

Death first, this is a battle for scrolls.

There's no need to be anxious now. The advantage is

in our hands! This is the safest way! No need to risk it!

"Someone's already that far,

and since they started a fire, they won't leave soon. Captain Shiga, I don't

care if you're the captain or not. I'm leaving!" Hyuga Yutaka said, ready

to leave.

"Shiga taketake, I'm leaving

too. I don't want to waste time here," Kiuchi Taketo added, impatiently.

Before Shiga Taketake could

respond, they flew out.

Damn, don't even let me speak? This smoke is

suspicious. Taki Kiba wouldn't be stupid enough to light a fire and expose his

location!

The forest's humidity isn't heavy, so a fire isn't

necessary. This is too suspicious!

Shiga Taketake frowned deeply but

followed, not wanting to stay alone.

They're in a hurry! It's already affected our

judgment. We've walked all day and haven't eaten. It might not feel it now, but

it will affect us in battle. If they've gone far, let them enter the Tower of

Death!

Reluctantly, Shiga Taketake

followed them, the bad premonition intensifying.

The abnormal smoke distance

puzzled him, and the two didn't give him time to think.

This situation is bad!

Forget it, follow them and adapt!

Shiga Taketake felt something

faintly. While moving through the dense forest, his back felt chilly.

Meanwhile, Kanno's team, some

distance behind Shiga Taketake's, had already stopped.

Thunk! A few kunai shot diagonally above them, embedding in

the ground.

If they had moved further, their

heads would have been hit!

Behind them, Shirakawa Izumi's

team stood with smiles.

"We finally caught up with

you. It took a lot of effort!" Shirakawa Izumi stepped forward, holding a

kunai, looking at Kanno's team who turned around.

"Shirakawa..." Kanno's

team readied their kunai, prepared to fight.

Shirakawa Izumi sighed,

"Kanno, do you really want to fight us? You've been overtaken. Taki Kiba's

team delayed Yutaka, and Yutaka delayed them. They can't rescue you now or rush

to the Tower of Death. You've lost."

"Hmph!" Kanno snorted,

"Don't talk as if you can stop us."

A genius like Kiba entrusted us

with victory. We can't lose! Absolutely can't lose!

"Huh?" Shirakawa Izumi

said in surprise, "You... you think your team can fight mine?"

Kanno was silent, his expression

determined.

Shirakawa Izumi covered his face

with one hand, "Not only are you an idiot, but also stubborn. We've seen

your matches. It's not your strength that got you here with geniuses like

Yutaka and Taki Kiba. You got lucky with weaker opponents!"

This idiot has nothing to cheer about even if he

wins.

Shirakawa Izumi thought.

But Kanno's answer was a kunai!

Clang!

Shirakawa Izumi easily deflected

it. Shirakawa Izumi snorted, looking at Kanno's team charging.

"Let's go!" he ordered.

Immediately, the sound of clashing

weapons echoed in the grove.