Traveling all the way, shuttling swiftly.
Soon,
Sora left the Land of Water's territory, heading towards the direction of the Land of Lightning.
He had previously left a trace of Reiatsu on Haku, so he could roughly sense the direction Haku was in, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact location.
"Kumogakure…"
"Very good."
Sora's expression was as calm as ice, but those who knew him would understand this was the most terrifying state.
…
A short time later,
Land of Lightning's border.
At an inconspicuous canyon.
Four Elite Jonin from Kumogakure were speeding towards Kumogakure. The strongest among them was carrying Haku, who was bound with ropes and sealing tags.
At this moment, Haku was wrapped in ropes and pasted with tags that sealed Chakra Flow, basically completely immobilized.
Of course,
This was a precaution taken by the Kumogakure's Elite Jonin out of prudence. After all, the target was a relative of Kirigakure's Fourth Mizukage.
Who knew if this Yuki Haku also hid monstrous genes like the Fourth Mizukage, capable of suddenly ramping up and bursting out with combat power dozens of times their own.
So even though Haku was just a Ninja Academy student, these Kumogakure's Elite Jonin still treated him as a serious threat, not looking down on him in the slightest.
Haku wasn't unconscious. His eyes were open, his face wearing an unyielding expression.
'I'm not afraid of death… I am the Mizukage's brother. I absolutely cannot bring shame to the village!'
Haku's emotions had gradually shifted from initial confusion and fear to a feeling of resoluteness. This was his first time experiencing such a situation, and he was just a little kid who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy. But that didn't stop the determination for self-sacrifice from growing in his heart.
In fact, Haku was already considering using the skills he learned at the Ninja Academy to end his own life when these Kumogakure's Jonin weren't paying attention.
This was to prevent these evil Kumogakure's Ninjas from using his life to threaten Sora into doing something terrible.
'I must not let Sora-nii fall into danger because of me…'
This was the most genuine feeling in Haku's heart. He was just a child, but he already possessed the responsibility of a Ninja.
As for escaping?
The unusually calm Haku also knew that was simply impossible. Never mind how far he was from the village… with his strength, which is not even Genin-level, there was no way he could escape from these Kumogakure's Jonin alive.
However,
Just as the four Kumogakure's Jonin were swiftly taking Haku towards Kumogakure, a sudden change occurred on the scene.
Screech!
A light sword cry rang.
Abruptly,
A flash of snow-white blade light shot from the shadows, arcing through the air like a crescent moon, and struck the Kumogakure's Jonin who was carrying Haku.
Then,
Blood splattered. Flesh and bone were sliced apart as if by a mirror.
Too fast.
The speed was simply too fast.
It was an attack even an Elite Jonin couldn't react to. In an instant, one Kumogakure's Jonin was eliminated, clean and thorough, leaving no room for anything else.
Haku opened his eyes and looked up like a startled small animal.
He saw a very familiar face.
Sora!
It was Sora!
'Sora-nii had come to save me!'
In an instant,
Countless feelings of joy and excitement surged in Haku's heart. His small face showed an expression of relief after narrowly escaping disaster.
'Sure enough!'
'Sora-nii would definitely come to save him. Definitely!'
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Sora casually tore off the ropes and sealing tags binding Haku and placed the little kid on the grass beside him.
"I'm not afraid! I'm not!"
Haku said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling yet firm, "I am a Ninja of Kirigakure. My brother is the Mizukage of Kirigakure. I would never bow to the enemy, even if I die."
"What a worthy brother you are!"
Sora chuckled lightly and ruffled Haku's soft hair, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
However,
This gentle smile didn't last long. When he looked up again at the three remaining Kumogakure's Jonin, the smile had already vanished, replaced by that calm yet grim expression.
"The Mizukage…"
"It's the demon of Kirigakure!"
"The Fourth Mizukage!"
A person's reputation is like a tree's shadow. Sora's name now inspired considerable fear throughout the Ninja World. After all, he was the top-tier powerhouse who single-handedly challenged Konoha.
Even though they had never met him before, the intangible aura still made the three present Kumogakure's Jonin turn pale, their gazes horrified and terrified.
This was Yuki Sora. A demon-like Ninja, a terrifying existence who slaughtered Jonin like chickens or dogs.
The three of them…
Could they manage?