Chapter 21: Tamashii
Raiga cried out, "Ranmaru!"
It was clear that he was both furious and fearful at the sight of the only thing he cared about in this world, which was about to die.
"Don't even think about it," Arthur warned, bringing the tip of the sword to the boy's eye. Ranmaru, personally, couldn't do anything because he was handicapped. "Drop the swords and step away. Slowly..."
Raiga hesitated, struggling internally with the command. But when he saw how serious Arthur's eyes were, the swords clattered to the ground. He took a slow, deliberate step back, his eyes never leaving the terrified Ranmaru.
Suddenly, one of the abled Kurosuki members materialized behind Arthur to launch a sneak attack. He silently lunged, his claws aiming straight for Arthur's back. But before the blade could connect, a figure blurred between them.
A tall, masked Anbu ninja from the Leaf Village kicked the attacker away.
"I wouldn't try that again," the Anbu said in a gravelly voice. His mask hid his expression, but Arthur knew how capable a member of the Anbu Black Ops was.
Then something registered. Why was an Anbu from the Leaf here in the first place?! There could only have been one logical explanation: Hiruzen.
The Anbu cast a brief glance at the Kurosuki members before turning his attention to Raiga.
"Arthur, I was under orders to make sure your journey was safe," he said, "but to think the situation took a dire turn for the worst."
Arthur should have known the Hokage wouldn't let him disappear on a mission without some form of backup. He mocked his own naivety and calmed himself. At least he hadn't done anything truly reckless, revealing any of his secret techniques.