It didn't take long for Ruri to emerge with Ichihime from the main conference room of Nankai Shrine, proceeding down the stone steps toward the foot of the mountain.
By this time, the Ninja of the Land of Demons visiting Konoha should have packed up everything, and next, they only need to transport the various collections of the Uchiha Clan back to the Land of Demons.
Their main task in Konoha has been completed, and there is no need to stay in Konoha.
Ruri believes the people of Konoha feel the same way, wanting them to leave as soon as possible, as the atmosphere here is filled with unwelcome tension.
However...
While the two were descending the stone steps, a kunai flew from the dense woods on one side, accompanied by an explosive tag burning fiercely, suddenly exploding near them.
Boom!
A loud noise echoed far and wide.
Fire and smoke instantly engulfed Ruri and Ichihime.
Immediately, a dark figure jumped out from one side of the woods, brandishing a pair of uniquely styled chakra blades in each hand, rushing into the smoke without hesitation, attacking Ruri and Ichihime with eyes full of icy killing intent.
Clang!
The chakra blade was blocked.
Ichihime jumped to Ruri's side, drawing the sword from her waist to easily fend off the attacker's assault.
The opponent wore a Konoha ninja's distinctive headband, confirming his identity.
With a square face and resolute features, he sported a short beard on his chin, appearing to be only in his twenties.
Seeing his ambush fail, the opponent jumped back immediately, pondering his retreat, just as Ichihime vanished from his view and lost her trace.
"What?"
An icy chill crept from behind.
Not daring to be careless, he swiftly turned, positioning the shining, sharp chakra blades in front of him.
Undoubtedly, he blocked the sword's attack, but the piercing white light of the sword that stung the skin was imminent, causing cold sweat to break out on the attacker's face.
A moment's delay and he might have been split in half and killed.
Bang!
An immense force from the sword crushed him harshly, sending him rolling awkwardly on the stone steps.
Once he stood back up, his eyes widened as the gleaming sword rapidly enlarged in his view, seemingly about to slice off half of his head, then suddenly halted before his eyes.
Ichihime glanced down at the ground, where a slender shadow overlapped with hers, binding her movement powerfully.
"Finally caught up, it was really a close call..."
Having used Shadow Imitation Jutsu to halt the confrontation, Shikaku sighed with relief.
If there were casualties here, things would be much harder to handle.
"Shikaku, what are you doing?"
The Konoha ninja who ambushed Ruri and Ichihime clearly recognized Shikaku, glaring dissatisfied at him for interrupting the battle.
Of course, he intervened to stop you from dying. Still, Shikaku didn't utter such harsh words.
He spoke in official tones: "These two are honored guests from the Land of Demons, Asuma, do not be disrespectful here."
Really, there was no way to win this battle.
The Konoha ninja named 'Asuma' merely snorted coldly, not agreeing with Shikaku's words.
But he too was bound by Shikaku's Shadow Imitation Jutsu, unable to move freely, and knew he had failed in his revenge attempt.
At this point, two Anbu agents jumped out from one side, pulling out ropes to bind Asuma's hands behind his back, thus preventing him from acting again.
Seeing this, Shikaku then released his Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
Shikaku approached, apologizing with a solemn tone: "I deeply apologize for causing trouble. This is Sarutobi Asuma, our Jonin from Konoha. Due to a past misunderstanding, his family died on the battlefield of the Land of Wind, making him somewhat aggressive now. We will ensure he reflects properly."
Shikaku signaled to the Anbu agents to escort Asuma away, as leaving him here causing trouble seemed risky.
Ichihime ignored Asuma's hateful and resentful gaze upon departure, instead turning her head slightly to look at Ruri behind her, letting her make the decision.
"Your restraint over ninjas here is indeed too lax. I hope such misunderstandings do not occur a second time."
This level of attack couldn't harm them, but Ruri still coldly faced Shikaku.
"I sincerely apologize, we will have Lord Hokage instruct Jonin Asuma thereafter."
Asuma differs from ordinary Jonin—he is not only a ninja of the Sarutobi clan but also the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Perhaps now he behaves immaturely, driven by emotion, but his unique identity ensures he won't be treated like an ordinary Jonin.
If any mishap occurred here, it would significantly damage the trade between Konoha and the Land of Demons, creating unpredictable consequences.
At this critical moment, neither Konoha nor the Land of Demons wished for complications.
It's best to reconcile peacefully.
"This is an internal matter of Konoha, how you handle it is up to you. But as a word of advice, outside, there will be no one indulging his reckless behavior nor showing mercy due to his status as the son of the Hokage."