Chapter 6: The Fight
When the others heard Takahashi, they all looked at him. Even Guy was surprised. He was a taijutsu master, and his ability to sense others was much stronger than a normal ninja's. If Takahashi's count was more accurate than his, that was strange. He still had his doubts.
Lee and Tenten were even more skeptical.
"Takahashi, this isn't the time for jokes," Tenten said, frowning. "This is serious. It's not about showing off."
He just answered lightly. "Four from the southwest. Four from the northeast. And one from the southeast. Nine total. The last attack came from the southwest. My guess is they split into two teams of two jonin and two chunin each. The ninth person is hanging back to support."
His words were clear, but it was still just a guess. Guy hadn't felt a ninth presence either.
They all looked at Neji. His Byakugan could see the chakra of their enemies. But now, he just shook his head, frustrated.
"This Hidden Mist technique is different. I don't know what they did, but it's filled with dense chakra. I can only see blurry shapes. Their figures are all overlapping. I can't tell exactly where they are."
Right then, another wave of attacks came. Four Water Dragon Bullets shot toward them at the same time. The sense of danger was overwhelming.
Seeing there was no way to dodge, Guy made a decision. In a crisis, he directly opened the Sixth Gate: the Gate of Joy.
"Get behind me!" he yelled.
Guy stood in front of them alone. The energy from his body changed violently. A powerful force exploded from inside him. Veins bulged on his skin.
He jumped high toward the four water dragons. In an instant, he threw nearly a hundred punches. His fists were a blur, violently rubbing the air, creating a series of fiery projectiles.
"Morning Peacock!"
Under the great power of the technique, the water dragons were smashed into nothing but falling water. But this was only the beginning.
Because the enemy had the advantage of the mist, they were hidden in the dark. Guy's team was completely out in the open, like living targets.
Suddenly, hundreds of shuriken flew at them from the fog. A single shuriken wasn't a big threat, but hundreds of them together was a different story.
Guy-sensei used his Konoha Whirlwind. A powerful gust of wind knocked all the flying shuriken away.
From behind him, Lee and Tenten cheered for their teacher. But Guy knew the truth. Dragging this out was a bad idea. His Eight Gates couldn't last forever. If this wasn't resolved before his time ran out, they would be in real trouble.
The fog around them was thick. You couldn't see more than a meter ahead. This wasn't the work of one person. It was clearly several ninja layering their jutsu to create this powerful effect.
In this kind of fog, Takahashi's Glint-Glint Fruit was also limited. His speed would drop. He couldn't be sure of his direction. He couldn't guarantee he could flash around safely.
After all, turning his body into light and attacking all used up chakra. If he didn't pick the right moment, it would be game over.
Thinking of this, he hesitated for a second, then decided to speak up.
"I have a plan."
"Tell me!" Guy yelled back, still deflecting shuriken.
"We need to blow away part of the fog first. Just enough for me to see their exact positions. Then we break through their line. You protect me until I get close. Once I'm in, I'll take them out fast. If we can take out the ninja holding the mist, the technique will break. Then it's our fight."
Everyone was shocked by his suggestion. They thought Takahashi had gone crazy. He wanted to charge a team of two jonin and two chunin? Did he think he was the Fourth Hokage?
It sounded like nonsense. But then, in a surprise move, Rock Lee spoke up.
"I believe in Takahashi. If he says he can do it, he can. Right, Takahashi?"
Hearing Lee's trust touched him.
"I'll do it. Give me this chance. I'll give you a miracle back."
When he spoke, a natural confidence came from him. It wasn't empty. It came from real strength.
They formed up quickly. Guy was at the front. Lee and Tenten were on the left and right. Neji was at the rear.
Takahashi was the one who had suggested Neji take the back. This surprised Neji.
It surprised everyone else, too. The bad blood between the two of them was no secret.
Betrayal was common among ninja. If you crossed someone during the day, you might not live to see the night.
But it was rare to trust a teammate the way Takahashi was trusting Neji now. Hearing it, Neji felt more than just surprise. He felt a little relieved. Maybe he hadn't misjudged this guy after all.
A complicated look flashed in Neji's eyes, but he said nothing.
Truthfully, Takahashi had his reasons. First, he believed in Neji's character. He wasn't a sneaky person. Takahashi wouldn't dare do this otherwise.
Second, Neji was more careful than Lee or Tenten. And he had the Byakugan. Even if the enhanced mist was messing with his vision, it was still better than nothing. Takahashi was still wary of that ninth ninja hiding in the dark.
Once they were ready, the team got into formation. Guy, with six gates open, held back from opening the seventh. For a long fight, the drain would be too great.
A smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Lee! Are you ready to burn your youth with me?!"
"READY, GUY-SENSEI!"
The figures of the two suddenly moved as one. Two green blurs spun in the mist, their voices echoing together.
"Double Leaf Hurricane!"
Two powerful whirlwinds of force ripped a temporary gap in the thick fog.
"NOW!"
The command echoed in all their minds.
Five fast-moving figures shot forward, breaking toward the enemy's position. The enemy thought these Konoha ninja were just making a desperate, blind charge. They thought it was a suicide run.
They had no idea that Takahashi was coming to hunt them.
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Which logia Would You Take From the One-Piece World? I would take the ice fruit