Chapter 25 – The First Fangs of the Mist Ninja
The chain shot forward.
CLANK!
The sound of clashing metal rang out as the spiked chain struck the ground only a few steps away from Tazuna.
Kazuki instinctively deflected the chain with his kunai, sparks flying as metal met metal.
Kazuki: "ATTACK!! PROTECT MR. TAZUNA!!"
From the mist, two figures leapt out. Their bodies were low, movements swift, faces hidden behind black metal masks. In each of their hands, long chains gleamed sharply, the ends shaped like venomous claws.
Shikamaru cursed under his breath.
Shikamaru: "Tch… Who the hell are they."
Hinata's eyes widened, her heart pounding wildly.
---
The First Assault
One of them lunged toward Kazuki, the chain whipping violently.
SWIING!
Kazuki blocked, but the fierce impact sent tremors through his arm.
The two didn't waste a second—their chains lashed out toward Tazuna, who was still trembling behind them.
Hinata cried out in panic.
Hinata: "T-Tazuna!!"
She threw a kunai, cutting across the path of the chain. But the force was too strong—Hinata was pushed back.
Kazuki spun around, shielding Hinata with his shoulder.
Kazuki: "Hinata! Focus on keeping your distance! Don't take them head-on!"
---
The Chain War
The first Mist ninja growled, then spread his chain wide. One end shot down, hooking around Kazuki's ankle.
CRAANK!
Kazuki was trapped! His body was nearly yanked to the ground.
The second Mist ninja leapt in, ready to stab Kazuki with his metal claw.
Shikamaru's hands moved quickly, his shadow creeping along the ground.
Shikamaru: "Kage Mane no Jutsu!"
The shadow snared the second ninja's leg, halting his strike just before the claw could pierce.
Sweat beaded on Shikamaru's face.
Shikamaru: "Hhh… damn troublesome… their bodies are too fast, it's hard to hold them for long…"
Kazuki seized the opening. With all his strength, he stomped down.
CRACK!
The weak wooden bridge broke apart, the chain came loose, and Kazuki was freed.
---
Kazuki dashed forward, kunai gleaming. He slashed swiftly at one of the Mist ninja. The masked foe barely raised his chain to block.
CLANG!
A sharp clash, but Kazuki didn't retreat. He pressed forward, his eyes blazing with resolve.
Kazuki: "If you're targeting the defenseless, then you'll have to go through me first!!"
Hinata moved too, her Byakugan activating. The veins around her eyes tensed.
Hinata: "I-I'll help you, Akihiro-kun!"
With nimble precision, Hinata struck a chakra point in one Mist ninja's arm, loosening his grip on the chain.
The Mist ninja hissed angrily.
But the other didn't stand idle—he hurled his chain toward Shikamaru. The shadow binding snapped before he could react, and in an instant, Shikamaru's body was ensnared!
WHUUP!
The chain coiled tightly around Shikamaru.
Shikamaru: "Tch…! Damn it…"
The Mist ninja yanked his chain, dragging Shikamaru toward him. The claw gleamed, ready to pierce.
Kazuki's eyes snapped to him.
Kazuki: "Shikamaru!!"
He hurled his kunai with deadly accuracy. SHUK! The blade stabbed into the bridge's plank, pinning the chain for just a moment.
Shikamaru struggled and managed to slip free halfway.
Shikamaru (gritting his teeth): "If I die here… I'll never get any peace…"
The mist thickened around them. Their breaths came heavy, sweat dripping cold.
The Mist ninjas stood opposite, chains spinning wildly, gleaming in the dim light. They grinned behind their masks.
Mist Ninja 1: "You kids… tougher than you look."
Mist Ninja 2: "But we're no common killers. Your blood will be the beginning."
Kazuki tightened his grip on the kunai, standing firm in front of Hinata and Tazuna. Shikamaru stood on the other side, his face weary but resolute.
Kazuki: "In that case… let's see who truly survives this mist."
The chains began to spin again.
The battle had only just begun.
....
TO BE CONTINUED…