Asami POV

We were being followed.

I could tell from having sensed a foreign chakra signature just then.

Just back then there was someone in the deep of the forest who was watching us.

For a moment I thought it was ninja from the Grass, but we weren't anywhere near their territory. They wouldn't know we were coming.

So if not them, then who?

I looked at Iroko. He was as clueless as ever, going on and on about why sushi was better than ramen with the Princess. This was good, though. The less she knew, the less afraid she would be, causing them, whoever they were, to realize we were onto them.

Hisao-sensei didn't seem concerned either, that or he was incredibly good at putting up a facade, and Yuura seemed blissfully unaware, too.

Am I the only one that's losing brain cells over this? Perhaps keeping it to myself is the best I can do for now, so I don't cause ---

"Everyone," Hisao-sensei announced.

The group had stopped moving, and the wind started blowing more violently.

"I'm terribly sorry if this is all so sudden," he started, turning to us. "Just remember to do your best and don't panic."

"Wait, what?" Iroko said in confusion. "What're you--

Then something flew in and out of my field of vision. I spun in its direction and saw that it was..

"SMOKE BOMB!" I cried.

And then it went off.

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Iroko POV

"SMOKE BOMB!" Asami cried.

I only saw it the second it went off and then the entire area was covered in smoke.

"Yuura! Asami! Guys! Can you hear me?" I called out. I thought I could dimly hear Yuura's voice but I wasn't given any time to dwell on that.

That's when I could make out the silhouette of the princess, frantically moving around trying to find the rest of us. My heart lifted up just a little at the sight of her, but then I could make another silhouette close her. They were about the height of an adult but this was not Hisao-sensei.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

At that, the stranger silhouette started making their way towards Hotaru. I immediately could tell something was off about that guy and in any case, I didn't need a reason to protect Lady Hotaru, it's my job. If someone was making a move on her they would have to go through me!

Then, like my body had a mind of its own, I performed the Tiger hand seal and sped up to Hotaru. Pulling out my kunai I held it in front of her and it met with another longer blade and of a stronger force.

As the gas cleared before me, I could 100% confirm that the figure was not Hisao-sensei.

"Ah, damn," said the figure, "I was hoping I could get this over with in a flash."

The person in front me was a guy in about their early 20's. He had shoulder-length black hair, salty blue eyes and was wearing a baggy hoodie. He looked more like a hoodlum than a ninja, but my thoughts were centred on the situation.

Preparing myself for a fight, I assumed a battle stance and stood unwavering in front of a worried Hotaru.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want?" I demanded, albeit with a sweatdrop.

The guy smirked and gave a Heh laugh, revealing a set of incredibly sharp teeth just like Kaz and Daito Odachi.

"Ah, what the hell," he said, "you're gonna be dead before this is all over anyway. The name's Ryuun Kitto. I'm here to kill the Princess."

Hotaru behind me made an eek sound and backed further away.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not supposed to say anything but what's Zutsumi gonna do? Kill me? Heh," then self-realization came to his face. "Oh, never mind, he actually will."

Zutsumi? Who's that? Is he not alone?

"Ah, crap, you've made me say way too much already," he raised his weapon which looked like just a blade with the latter half of it wrapped around cloth. "You've got two options: either move outta the way or die."

I smiled knowing my plan had worked. "I've got a third option: go screw yourself!!"

Ryuun looked at me in confusion, unaware that Asami was right behind him about to deliver a blow to his head. Realizing my plan at the last second, he spun around to block the incoming attack and met with a pair of deadly yellow eyes.

"Oh? Who's this?" Ryuun smirked.

Blocking the attack, he threw Asami off and centred his blade in such a way that his attention was on the both of us.

"Stalling me so you could give your friend enough time to strike, eh? You're a tricky kid, aren't you? I may have had the wrong conception about you when I first saw you."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," I replied. "Asami, he's not alone! He's got a partner named Zutsumi or something with him!"

"Whoever that is, they're not here," said Asami. "He's on his own, and for that matter so are we."

"Iroko," Hotaru muttered, "what do we do now?"

"No other option but to fight him off," I said. "There's no way in hell we're letting him kill you. I told you I was never gonna leave when you're in trouble and I'm not going back on my word!"

Ryuun rubbed the back of his head in annoyance. "Great, now I gotta commit child murder."