Chapter 20: Co-operation
Chapter 20 cooperation
"Bang bang!" The group
of shadow clones noticed the fireball immediately, but it was too quick. They
only had time to push one shadow clone out before being engulfed by the flames.
In an instant, two shadow clones
were consumed and exploded. At the same time, Uchiha Hirohiko flew out of the
bushes, kicking in mid-air and exploding the shadow clone pushed to the ground
by its companions.
On the other side, Eight Trigrams
Palm collided with a shadow clone, pushing it away with great force. The impact
caused three shadow clones to collide, and the initial one exploded with a
"bang." The other two were knocked off balance.
Hinata Yukina rushed out, her
fists bursting with chakra. Two "bangs" later, the remaining shadow
clones were blown up.
Almost simultaneously with Uchiha
Hirohiko, she had taken down two shadow clones.
In a flash, Uzumaki Kushina lost
six shadow clones. Including the nine clones surrounding Kiba, only four teams
remained, totaling twelve members including herself.
Are they trying to blow up all the shadow clones to
find my location?
Uzumaki Kushina realized.
Moreover, had the three teams of
clones drawn by Kiba just created dead spots in their vigilance? Did the other
two teams have no time to react to Hirohiko and Yukina's attacks?
Though usually silent, the three
coordinated surprisingly well, which reassured Uzumaki Kushina.
With excellent teamwork, even
three ninjas can take down stronger opponents. Their strategy was solid, though
still a bit reckless.
The remaining four teams now had
one in the front, two on the sides, and the last with Kushina herself.
As the shadow clones were being
attacked, Uchiha Hirohiko and Hinata Yukina stood their ground. The two clone
teams on the flanks quickly moved in, surrounding Hirohiko and Yukina.
At that moment, all three—Kiba,
Hirohiko, and Yukina—were surrounded by shadow clones. Surrounded by three
Kushina clones, Hirohiko and Yukina were in a hopeless situation.
Before, they had blown up the
clones with surprise sneak attacks. Facing three ninja shadow clones ready for
battle, they couldn't break through, no matter their talent.
It's over... Uzumaki Kushina thought, concluding the battle in her
mind.
Yet she felt proud of her
disciples. Their coordination and talent meant they would soon become
independent ninjas with proper training.
Suddenly, within the circle of
nine clones surrounding Kiba, a soil cone thrust out, piercing a shadow clone
and causing it to explode. Simultaneously, a figure rushed along the soil cone.
Kiba! Uzumaki Kushina's eyes widened slightly. Earth Release ninjutsu? He
can use Earth Release?
As Kiba sprinted on the soil cone,
the eight remaining shadow clones quickly reacted, chasing him.
"Hirohiko!" Kiba yelled,
reaching the top of the soil cone. He leaped up, splitting his legs at
lightning speed to strike one of the three clones surrounding Hirohiko.
Prepared, Hirohiko rushed towards
Kiba.
"Snapped!"
As Kiba landed, Hirohiko's hand
was already extended, ready. Kiba grabbed it, turned, and threw Hirohiko
towards Yukina's encirclement at incredible speed, holding a kunai tightly.
"Boom!"
A shadow clone with its back
turned to the incoming Hirohiko was swiftly stabbed by his kunai. Although the
other clones tried to intervene, Hirohiko was too fast. The clone exploded
immediately upon contact.
Seeing a gap in the encirclement,
Yukina ran towards Kiba, pulling Hirohiko up as she passed him. The three
quickly joined together, forming a back-to-back defensive stance similar to
Kushina's clones, each guarding all directions.
Uzumaki Kushina's shadow clones
had arrived, surrounding the trio.
Panting, Kiba said,
"Hirohiko, Yukina, are you both alright?"
"I'm fine," Yukina
replied, though she was nearly exhausted, with 80% of her chakra depleted.
Eight Trigrams Palm had consumed a lot of her energy.
Hirohiko was also panting like
Kiba. "Twenty percent," he said succinctly, indicating his remaining
chakra.
Watching from a distance, Uzumaki
Kushina exhaled. Their coordination had been seamless, creating a sense of
fighting beauty. For a moment, she believed they could break through and
attack.
This is finally over, she thought, feeling proud yet burdened
with the responsibility to train them well.
At that moment, Kiba smiled.
"Hirohiko, Yukina, let's start!"
"Oh!" they responded.
As soon as Kiba finished, two
shadow clones turned and struck their comrades, causing them to explode. They
quickly rushed towards Uzumaki Kushina's main formation.
What! Uzumaki Kushina was horrified. My own shadow clones
betrayed me?
The two traitor clones attacked so
quickly that the others were stunned. They didn't react in time and were
instantly defeated.
Seeing the smiles on the traitor
clones' faces, Uzumaki Kushina intervened. "Don't be too proud!" she
said, punching them both and causing them to explode.
As she spoke, a figure descended,
grabbing her fist.
"It seems this is the real
Teacher Kushina!" Kiba's voice sounded.
Looking down, she saw Kiba
squatting with a smile, surrounded by dust. He looked at her, then at the
circle, where Yukina and Hirohiko had formed a springboard with their hands.
Did they leap over using each other's strength?
Kushina realized Kiba had set up a
plan. During the earlier attack, he deliberately swapped shadow clones and
lured attention to himself and his team, creating an opening for the traitor
clones.
Such thoughtful planning!
Uzumaki Kushina was shocked. She had lost!
These three were outstanding, especially Kiba—a peerless genius!