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A thought suddenly struck Inoiki, and he slapped his forehead.
"Kakashi-senpai! How could I forget?" he said, turning toward him. "Why don't you escort Kurotsuchi back to Konoha while I stay behind and guard the base?"
Kakashi shook his head, his expression calm but firm. "No, that wouldn't be the best move."
He crossed his arms, explaining, "You have the ability to fly. You can reach Konoha much faster than I ever could, and more importantly, you won't face any obstructions along the way. That speed gives us a huge advantage. Besides, don't worry about me. I've recovered a lot, and in two or three days, I'll be back at full strength."
Inoiki nodded in understanding. Kakashi had a point.
With their decision made, the Iwa ninjas began their retreat, leaving the Konoha base completely. Inoiki used his 'Observation Haki' to confirm their departure, his senses scanning the area. Only when he was certain they were gone did he turn back to Kakashi.
"Alright then, I'll take my leave. Take care of the Konoha ninjas here." A small smirk crossed his lips. "And finally, our captured comrades will be freed."
Kakashi gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry about us. I'll handle everything here."
Satisfied, Inoiki stepped closer to Kurotsuchi.
A sky-blue aura flared around him, the air shimmering with power. The same light enveloped Kurotsuchi, her body lifting slightly off the ground as she felt the invisible force of Inoiki's 'Psychokinesis' binding her in place.
Then, without another word, they ascended.
Inoiki floated effortlessly, and Kurotsuchi, despite her resistance, was carried alongside him.
In the blink of an eye, they shot into the sky, disappearing at incredible speed.
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They had been flying for nearly two hours when Kurotsuchi suddenly spoke up, her voice urgent.
"Stop… Stop!"
Inoiki halted midair, and since he was controlling her movement, Kurotsuchi came to a stop as well.
He turned his head slightly, brows furrowed. "What is it?"
Kurotsuchi hesitated, her cheeks flushing red. Then, in a barely audible voice, she mumbled, "I… I need to pee."
Inoiki's keen ninja senses caught every word, and despite himself, he felt a flicker of embarrassment.
He cleared his throat and nodded, deciding not to comment on it. "Alright." He descended toward the forest below, landing in a small clearing. Kurotsuchi was released from his hold as her feet touched the ground.
In a way, this break worked in his favor. His chakra reserves had dropped to just a fraction of their full capacity—he was down to nearly one-fifth.
As he stretched slightly, he made a decision.
"We'll rest here for the night. We'll resume our journey to Konoha in the morning."
Kurotsuchi, adjusting herself after landing, gave him a knowing look.
"Why? Running out of chakra already?"
She was a Jonin. It wasn't hard for her to piece together the real reason. If they hadn't stopped here, he would have been forced to stop a few kilometers ahead anyway.
Inoiki didn't bother denying it. "Yes." Then, with a smirk, he added, "But it's still more than enough to kill you."
Kurotsuchi scoffed, crossing her arms. "Why do you always talk about killing? And you have the nerve to say you hate it?"
Inoiki met her gaze, his voice calm but firm.
"I don't want to kill you. That's exactly why I keep reminding you. So you don't forget… and do something foolish that forces me to."
A heavy silence settled between them.
For the first time, Kurotsuchi truly understood—he wasn't threatening her. He was warning her.
And the worst part?
She believed him.
Kurotsuchi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah…" she muttered before turning and heading toward the bushes.
Just before stepping in, she glanced back over her shoulder, smirking. "Don't peek."
Inoiki didn't even flinch. "I have no interest in watching a girl pee," he said flatly. "But don't forget—I'm a sensory ninja. So don't try anything stupid like escaping."
Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow. "So, in a way… you are peeking."
Inoiki's expression remained unreadable. "Think whatever you want. But don't mistake me for a fool."
Kurotsuchi let out a short huff before turning away, her usual smirk fading as her face hardened into something colder.
Her plan had failed.
She had hoped to use Inoiki's youth and morality against him, tricking him into lowering his sensory abilities under the pretense of privacy. If she had succeeded, she would have used the opportunity to attempt an escape—
Unsealing her chakra and using 'Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique' to vanish underground.
But clearly, Inoiki wasn't so easily deceived.
With a sigh, she disappeared into the bushes, cursing her bad luck.
This wasn't going to be easy.
While keeping a constant watch on Kurotsuchi with his 'Observation Haki,' Inoiki busied himself.
With a simple flick of his 'Psychokinesis,' he pulled two large boulders into place—seats for himself and Kurotsuchi. Next, he gathered fallen firewood from the ground, arranging it neatly in the center. A quick spark later, flames flickered to life, casting warm, dancing shadows against the trees.
Satisfied, he took a seat on one of the boulders, his gaze still subtly tracking Kurotsuchi's location.
A few minutes later, she returned, brushing past the undergrowth.
Her eyes immediately landed on the small campsite—the crackling fire, the neatly arranged setup, and Inoiki already sitting comfortably on his makeshift stone seat.
"You're quite efficient," she remarked as she settled onto the boulder across from him.
Inoiki glanced at her, his expression neutral. "My Kekkei Genkai makes things easier for me, that's all."
Kurotsuchi nodded, intrigued. "By the way, when did you awaken your Kekkei Genkai?"
She leaned forward slightly, her interest genuine. "I also have one—Lava Release. I even used it on you, remember?"
Inoiki smirked slightly. "I awakened mine when I was six." Then, tilting his head, he added, "And you mean that quicklime attack, right? Honestly… that barely looks like Lava Release. It's more like Earth Release."
Kurotsuchi stiffened.
Her confidence wavered for a brief moment, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. Because he was right.
She had no real counterargument.
So, instead, she huffed and looked away, trying to shake off the mild embarrassment.
The fire crackled between them, its warmth contrasting the unspoken tension in the air.
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