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Chapter 26 - CHAPTER 26

Chapter 26 – The Blood Chain Trap

The chains whirled again, slicing arcs of light through the mist. Two silhouettes of Mist Ninjas danced like predators born in darkness, their movements sharp and fluid.

Kazuki planted his feet firmly on the ground. His breath came heavy, but his gaze stayed razor-sharp.

"Hinata," he called, "can you track their movements with your Byakugan?"

Hinata's eyes widened, veins bulging around them as her dojutsu flared. She nodded quickly.

"Y-yes! They're fast… incredibly fast. But I can predict the direction of their chains!"

Shikamaru, crouched slightly with narrowed eyes, traced the rhythm of the enemy's steps.

"…Good. If Hinata becomes my eyes, I can wait for the perfect opening to trap their shadows."

Kazuki turned, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Perfect. Then I'll be the blade."

Hinata froze for a moment, her face heating with a faint blush. But she clenched her fists, determination firming her voice.

"I… I'll support you both!"

---

Team 7 Strikes Back

The first Mist Ninja lunged, his chain whipping toward Tazuna once again.

But Hinata was ready.

"Watch out, Master Tazuna!" she cried.

Her shuriken flew, deflecting the chain's trajectory just in time.

Kazuki seized the chance. He shot forward, speed exploding from his stance.

SLASH! His kunai bit into the chain, forcing the enemy back a step.

Shikamaru dropped low, his shadow stretching swiftly through the mist.

"Kage Mane no Jutsu… got you."

The Mist Ninja froze, his body mirroring Shikamaru's every move.

Kazuki didn't hesitate. He drove a kick into the man's chest—BAM!—sending him crashing into a nearby tree.

---

Chains of Distraction

The second Mist Ninja roared, fury dripping from his voice. His chain spun wildly, forming a deadly cyclone around his body.

"Akihiro-kun, don't go in!" Hinata shouted desperately. "It's a chain-circle trap—once you're caught, there's no escape!"

Kazuki halted, eyes gleaming as a sly grin spread across his face.

"Then I won't go in. But what if I throw?"

Two kunai left his hands, cutting through the air. The Mist Ninja deflected them with ease. But the attack had never been meant to land.

Shikamaru's shadow slipped between the tiniest gap in the chains, creeping toward its target.

"…Got you again," he muttered.

The enemy stiffened for a heartbeat.

That was all Kazuki needed. He launched into the air, spinning before slamming his heel into the ninja's mask. CRACK! The mask shattered, blood spraying beneath it.

---

Both Mist Ninjas staggered back, panting heavily. Their chains, once threatening, now dripped crimson.

The first hissed, voice laced with frustration.

"These brats… they move like a real unit. We can't underestimate them. They may look like kids, but they fight like trained shinobi."

The second touched his bleeding face, eyes burning with hatred.

"That's true. But don't get cocky, brats… this was only a warm-up."

Kazuki stood tall, kunai at the ready, then turned to his comrades.

"Well done, Hinata, Shikamaru. Without you two, I'd already be dangling from their chains."

Hinata ducked her head, cheeks scarlet, but her chest warmed with pride.

"I-I… just did my part…"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his neck.

"What a drag… but I guess we're pretty coordinated."

Kazuki's grin widened.

"Then let's prove it—Team 7 isn't just a bunch of kids."

The mist thickened once more, the enemy's chains spinning with renewed frenzy.

The battle was far from over—but now, the Mist Ninjas knew their prey had become predators.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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