hen Kotobuki requested the group's aid, the man at the front turned to the companion directly next to him and they discussed something for a few seconds at a low volume. Whether they were deciding to really escort Kotobuki away or had intentions to rob him, too, didn't really matter so much. Either way, the man said,
"There are a lot of bandits and wild animals. Here, we'll help show you back." He motioned for one of the men behind him, not the one hiding, to step forwards. He did so and began to approach Kotobuki.
He stepped over a covered seal and a sudden flame ruptured upwards, exploding into the sky, and the man's scream rose with it. He stumbled back, attempting to pat out the fire, then collapsed into the snow to put it out. But he was badly burned and would probably be little use in the fight that was now to come.
"Motherf- Get him," the leader of the group told the others.
"Watch the ground," he warned.
One of Kotobuki's tags was exhausted. He still had a few left.
The leader of the group grabbed a shuriken from his supplies and threw it in Kotobuki's direction. Midway through its flight, it lit aflame, threatening to burn Kotobuki if it struck him. The second man began to weave hand seals for another technique, but it didn't come through yet. The third man left standing readied a weapon.
That was when Kotobuki noticed something odd. The third man, hidden at the back until now, was wearing a forehead protector. With the symbol of Yukigakure. If they'd found Aoto, that must be Ren. But what was he doing with the bandits?
Up above, at the entrance of the cave, Asa was still carefully hidden. None of the bandits had yet noticed her presence and that meant she could send a hail of arrows. With her skillset, she could easily choose one of the men to take out. Who would she target?
Aoto would listen to her instructions and would not move.