Blood Universe

Konohagakure, Shikamaru's Office

As Shikamaru and Ino planned their next move, the window from Shikamaru's office suddenly broke, with Kurenai's body hurling through it. Angel and Jack of Hearts appeared in front of them.

Angel: You must be the acting leader, tell us where to find your core.

Ino: Miss Kurenai!

Ino quickly rushed towards Kurenai, while Shikamaru did a stance ready for any incoming attacks.

Shikamaru: I don't know what you're talking about. Surrender, and we might let you live.

Jack: Fool, you're the one who should be bargaining.

Enraged, Jack of Hearts flew across the room and grabbed Shikamaru by the collar. He flew through the roof, Shikamaru in hand. Now, Ino and Angel was left.

Angel: Stupid. Always rushing head on. Well, I guess this would make things easier.

Ino: You'll pay for this!

As Shikamaru was yanked through the roof, his sharp mind worked rapidly despite the dire situation. Meanwhile, inside the office, the tension between Ino and Angel grew palpable, their resolve mirrored in their stances.

Angel smirked, unfazed by Ino's fierce declaration. His wings flared, a radiant yet ominous sight against the office's broken and dimly lit interior.

Angel: "You're bold. But I've faced far worse than you, little kunoichi."

Ino crouched protectively beside Kurenai, quickly checking her pulse. She was alive, but unconscious and severely injured. Ino's rage boiled over as her chakra flared.

Ino: "I won't let you get away with this!"

Angel lunged forward, his wings cutting through the air with deadly precision. Ino narrowly evaded the attack, sliding across the shattered floor and flipping backward into a defensive stance. She formed a hand seal, her sharp eyes tracking Angel's every move.

Ino: "Mind Transfer Jutsu won't work on someone this fast. I'll have to keep him close…" she thought, strategizing as her fingers brushed a pouch of kunai.

Angel smirked again, sensing her hesitation. He leaped forward, his wings glowing faintly as they aimed to slash at her again.

Ino closed the distance between her and Angel with a feint, throwing a kunai to distract him. She then swept low, aiming to knock him off balance. Angel blocked her strike effortlessly, countering with a wing swipe that sent her skidding back.

Angel: "Predictable. Is this all the Yamanaka clan can do?"

Ino gritted her teeth, her determination unwavering. She formed a new set of hand seals, weaving chakra into her next move.

Ino: "Let's see if you're still smiling after this."

She unleashed a combination of kunai infused with explosive tags, forcing Angel to leap back as the room exploded in a shower of debris.

Ino stared down Angel, her chakra flaring as the dust settled from the explosion. Her heart pounded, but she pushed aside any fear. This wasn't just about her; it was about Kurenai, the clan, and her village.

Angel emerged from the debris unharmed, his feathers glowing faintly, forming a barrier that had absorbed the blast. He grinned, his voice laced with mockery.

Angel: "Is that all? Explosions might work on lesser opponents, but I am far beyond your tricks."

Ino's sharp mind worked quickly, formulating her next move. She knew she couldn't beat him in raw power, but she didn't need to. If there was one thing the Yamanaka clan excelled at, it was turning the tide with precision.

Ino: "You talk too much."

Angel's grin faltered for a fraction of a second before he charged forward. His wings flared, aiming to cut her off before she could react. Ino held her ground, waiting until the last moment before leaping to the side.

As she moved, she formed a single hand seal, focusing her chakra. Angel turned to follow her, but his movement slowed for just a moment, his steps faltering.

Angel: "What—?"

Ino: "I got you."

She had used her clan's specialty—a subtle Sensory Confusion Technique, sending faint signals to disrupt Angel's balance and coordination. While he stumbled, Ino closed in, her kunai aimed at his side.

Angel snarled, his wings folding defensively as he narrowly deflected the blade.

Angel: "Clever, but not enough."

He lashed out with a powerful gust of wind, sending Ino tumbling back. She landed in a crouch, her sharp eyes never leaving her target.

Ino: "I don't need brute force to win. All I need is for you to slip."

Angel lunged again, this time moving faster. His wings sliced through the air, each swipe aimed to corner her. Ino darted between strikes, her movements precise and deliberate. With every dodge, she guided him closer to the desk where Kurenai lay unconscious.

When Angel raised his wings for a final, crushing blow, Ino's hand flashed through a series of seals.

Ino: "Mind Body Switch Technique."

Her chakra surged forward, and in the blink of an eye, she connected with Angel's mind. The force of her technique knocked her body back, but her consciousness entered Angel's form.

From within, she could feel his immense power—a swirling, chaotic storm of energy. But she wasn't here to control him for long. She focused on disrupting his chakra flow, targeting the intricate network that fueled his abilities.

Angel's body staggered, his wings faltering. He let out a guttural roar, his own mind fighting back against the intrusion.

Angel: "Get out of my head!"

Back in her own body, Ino gasped for air as she regained control. Angel stumbled, his glowing wings dimming momentarily.

Ino: "You're strong, but strength alone won't save you."

She prepared for her next move, knowing this was her chance to end the fight. Angel growled, his composure cracking as he realized he wasn't facing just another shinobi—he was up against the tactical brilliance of a Yamanaka.

Ino took a deep breath, her body trembling from exhaustion as she stared down Angel, whose glowing wings cast an eerie light over the ruined office. She knew she couldn't overpower him directly, but the Yamanaka had never relied on brute strength to win a fight.

Angel: "You're resilient, I'll give you that. But this game ends now."

With a roar, Angel surged forward, his wings cutting through the air like blades. Ino stood her ground, her hands weaving through a rapid series of seals. As he reached her, his hand outstretched to strike, she locked eyes with him.

Ino: "Mind Body Switch Technique."

Her chakra shot out like a spear, piercing through Angel's defenses. In an instant, her consciousness invaded his body. The sensation was overwhelming—his mind was a storm of arrogance and fury, but Ino clung to her control, pushing deeper into his psyche.

Inside Angel's mind, she felt the raw power of his abilities coursing through him, but she focused on one goal: turning his strength against him.

Angel: "What... what are you doing?!"

His voice echoed within his own head, laced with panic as he realized what was happening. His body stiffened, no longer under his command.

Ino (through Angel): "You've caused enough pain. It's time to end this."

Using his own wings, Ino forced Angel's body to ascend into the air. His wings flared brightly, their glow now erratic. He struggled internally, but Ino's will was stronger, fueled by her determination to protect her comrades and her village.

With a sudden jolt, Angel's wings turned inward, their razor-sharp edges aimed directly at his chest.

Angel: "No! Stop! You can't do this!"

Ino (through Angel): "You made your choice."

With a final surge of chakra, Ino drove his wings into his heart, the energy slicing through him in an instant. A burst of light erupted from his body as his wings dissipated, and his lifeless form plummeted to the ground.

Ino's consciousness returned to her body just as Angel's corpse hit the floor with a dull thud. She gasped for air, clutching her chest as the strain of the technique took its toll.

Behind her, Kurenai stirred, groaning softly as she began to regain consciousness.

Ino (weakly): "It's over... one less monster to worry about."

She leaned against the wall, her body trembling from exhaustion but her resolve unshaken. The battle had cost her dearly, but she knew it was necessary to protect those she cared about.