At this moment, the attention of Ameyuri Ringo, Suikazan Fuguki, and Kuriarare Kushimaru.
All of it was focused on Uchiha Ryosuke, who was hiding in the darkness.
As for Hyuga Koji and Uzuki Sen nearby.
And Sarutobi Shio, who was critically injured and on the verge of death, they paid no attention at all.
This allowed the two of them to survive and catch their breath.
Uzuki Sen and Hyuga Koji regrouped, both still shaken.
And full of doubt, they all followed their enemies' gaze towards the darkness ahead.
"Did he really come?"
Uzuki Sen asked in a low voice.
"I didn't see him."
Hyuga Koji had his Byakugan activated, but after observing for a while, he found that he saw nothing.
This made him somewhat doubt if there was something wrong with his eyes.
"Shio, he seems to be in a bad way..."
Hyuga Koji reminded her.
Uzuki Sen quickly leaped over to check Sarutobi Shio's injuries upon hearing this.
"Aren't you guys being too reckless?"
"If he doesn't show up, then we'll just take you out first!"
Kuriarare Kushimaru turned around and attacked Uzuki Sen, who was preparing to treat Sarutobi Shio.
The long sword: needle in his hand flew directly towards Uzuki Sen's back.
"Watch out!"
Hyuga Koji quickly moved to help, but he was still a step too late.
It was at this very moment.
Suddenly, another kunai flew out from the darkness at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
It accurately struck the long sword: needle.
A "clang" sound.
The long sword: needle fell to the ground with a clang.
"Over there!!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!!"
Ameyuri Ringo used a Water Release Ninjutsu towards the direction from which the kunai had just flown.
But after his Water Dragon Bullet flew out, it was like a mud ox entering the sea.
Aside from the powerful water impact causing a few large trees to fall, nothing else happened.
"This kid's speed is very fast! Could it be that he is..."
Suikazan Fuguki's expression changed slightly, and he thought of something.
After his reminder, Kuriarare Kushimaru's pupils also slightly contracted.
He quickly retrieved his long sword: needle using the rope connected to its tail, vigilantly observing the surroundings.
"Uchiha Shisui? That guy who rose to fame because of his excellent Body Flicker Technique..."
Ameyuri Ringo also felt a bit apprehensive.
The Hidden Mist Village's Ninja forces had clashed with the Uchiha Clan multiple times.
Their apprehension towards the name Shisui of the Body Flicker was no less than their apprehension towards the yellow flash.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who were already injured, had to seriously consider whether continuing the fight was truly beneficial to them.
And at this moment, a cold voice echoed from the darkness:
"If we continue fighting, my companions might not survive, but you will also be unable to leave."
It seemed the other party was also unwilling to get too entangled with the seven of them.
Realizing this, Suikazan Fuguki immediately spoke first:
"You can leave, we promise not to make things difficult for you, but you must release the four of them first!"
"You two, take the injured away from here first."
The voice in the darkness sounded again.
This time, it was clearly a warning to Hyuga Koji and Uzuki Sen.
The two of them were also very sensible and quickly took the severely injured and unconscious Sarutobi Shio and left first.
The dark jungle suddenly became incredibly quiet, and an eerie atmosphere spread.
Suddenly, the Water Prison Technique that had restricted the movements of the four Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist shattered.
The four of them fell from the air to the ground, finally saved, and gasped for breath.
"I almost suffocated to death…"
Suikazan Fuguki and Ameyuri Ringo, who had been on edge, along with Kuriarare Kushimaru, all breathed a long sigh of relief at the sight.
"Is that guy really Shisui of the Body Flicker?"
"Not sure, but this kid's strength isn't weak either. Let's retreat first!"
"…"
They had only just managed to earn the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
If something unexpected happened here, it wouldn't just be a matter of pride.
The seven people who had escaped death for a time did not dare to stay and fight, quickly turning to retreat and flee for their lives.
Uchiha Ryosuke, hidden in the darkness using advanced disguise Ninjutsu, watched the enemies leave.
He only breathed a long sigh of relief after confirming that they weren't playing tricks this time and were genuinely retreating.
To be honest, if he really had to fight seven opponents alone, he wasn't confident he could completely defeat these seven guys.
If he pushed them too hard and both sides fought desperately, he might be the one to suffer.
Therefore, he could only let them go for now.
Uchiha Ryosuke sensed the location of Hyuga Koji and the others, then turned and pursued them.
Hyuga Koji gently laid down Sarutobi Shio, who was covered in blood and gravely injured, letting him lean against the trunk of a large tree.
Uzuki Sen quickly came over, using Chakra to release medical Ninjutsu to help him heal.
But no matter what she did, the huge wound on Sarutobi Shio's body continued to bleed profusely.
Gushing blood flowed down, and combined with the gory wound, it was a shocking sight.
Uzuki Sen's hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Wake up, Shio!"
She tried to rouse her teammate.
But no matter how she called, Sarutobi Shio not only didn't wake up or improve, but his body grew colder and colder.
Hyuga Koji watched his teammate gradually lose his vitality, knowing he couldn't be saved.
His eyes couldn't help but dim.
Just then, a figure landed beside them—it was Uchiha Ryosuke.
"I'm sorry, I'm late."
Uchiha Ryosuke looked calmly at Sarutobi Shio, who was already growing cold on the ground, and said to the other two.
"Was it really you who saved us just now?"
Hyuga Koji asked in surprise.
"Yes."
"But… how did you do it?"
"My Byakugan didn't detect your presence at all."
"Perhaps the power of your eyes hasn't been fully developed yet."
Uchiha Ryosuke didn't explain much.
He changed the subject, saying:
"We must leave here quickly. If those guys catch up again, I might not be able to continue protecting you."
"But Shio…"
Uzuki Sen looked conflictedly at Sarutobi Shio, whose face was pale and lifeless.
"The retrieval unit will come to deal with his remains."
Uchiha Ryosuke reminded her.
And Hyuga Koji also said sadly:
"We are still in wartime. We must first ensure our own survival to have a chance to avenge Shio!"
Uzuki Sen cried out loud.
She tried her best to use her Chakra to revive Sarutobi Shio.
However, it was clear that she failed.
After struggling for a while, Uzuki Sen finally had to accept the cruel reality.
She stood up, wiped away her tears, and then looked up at Uchiha Ryosuke with determined eyes.
Before the other party could speak, Uchiha Ryosuke spoke first… "The gap between our strength and the enemy's strength is huge. If you want revenge, follow me."