章 93: Gone
The air crackled with electricity as Asuma's battle-worn form unleashed a primal fury, his injuries forgotten, as he charged headlong into the fray, channeling a surge of raw power that pushed him beyond the limits of exhaustion. "I'll smoke you."
Whoosh! Gritting his bloodied teeth, Asuma's body became a blur of motion, seamlessly darting between enemies, his blade a swift and deadly conductor of retribution. Swish!
His blade fluidly diced the enemy's body, yet, frustration gnawed at his core as he realized their was an absences of blood, proving that his usual fatal strikes were ineffective against his adversaries.
However, his anger drew a crimson veil over Asuma's judgment, clouding his senses in a storm of anger. If a single cut wouldn't suffice, then he would unleash a relentless onslaught of unyielding fury, slashing and slicing until his foes were vanquished!
Kiba, too, unleashed a guttural growl that reverberated through the battlefield, his body transformed into an enormous two-headed ferocious beast, hurtling towards the slippery enemies with Akamaru.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru retreated into the shadows, his sharp intellect sought to ensnare the shadows of his foes, evading the enemy assaulting him while distracting the other enemies, disrupting their attacks with his shadow imitation technique.
But a shrewd understanding of his abilities led the enemy to adroitly evade his grasp, utilizing the Body Flicker technique to skillfully dance around his extending shadows. Their movements never faltered, even if it meant forgoing the opportunity to attack.
"They don't seem to want to fight, but Asuma is biting on to them, but it seems physical attacks are ineffective… unless it's a blunt strike, covering a large area. No, it seems their weakness is near their abdomen? But this may be a smoke screen… On the other hand, ninjutsu should be effective, but they are wary of my shadow and their body flicker is a problem. Perhaps Asuma's fire release would be effective if they were slowed down for a moment, but… he doesn't seem to be in the condition to use it… Kiba should be able to deal the finishing blow, but the premise is still trapping them in place… Tch. So troublesome."
However, Shikamaru's analytical mind had already calculated their trajectory, taking into account the movements of his own team, a meticulous strategy unfolding. Some of his shadows extending out, seemingly herding the adversaries towards an inescapable corner, while the rest of his shadows crept through the rubble of the battlefield.
With every passing moment, the enemies' avenues of escape dwindled, slowly confining them within a certain area, a preparation for Kiba's unavoidable finishing blow.
Yet, the enemies appeared to possess a keen awareness that prolonging the battle would yield them no benefit, and seemed to have the intention of retreat.
In the blink of an eye, the furious exchange between Asuma and his adversaries reached a climactic crescendo, and the four enemies abruptly chose to retreat with their body flicker techniques, but Shikamaru seemed to have predicted this!
Shadows, laying in ambush, swiftly extended out on their escape route, successfully capturing all four enemies! "Shadow imitation technique, success. Target their stomachs!"
Both Kiba and Asuma's indomitable spirits refused to relent, propelling them forward to deal the finishing blow.
"Wolf Fang Over Fang!"
"Die!"
However, Shikamaru's eyes suddenly widened in alarm, being the first to recognize the telltale signs of danger, and he urgently called out to Asuma, "Asuma! Kiba! Explosives!"
The warning laced with concern, awakened Asuma from his fury. In a moment of swift comprehension, Asuma's anger was extinguished as he swiftly reversed course, evading the impending peril.
BOOM! The enemies detonated with a cataclysmic blast, igniting a maelstrom of destruction that sent both Asuma and Kiba hurtling backward, their bodies tossed like rag dolls amidst the chaos.
Poof! In a dramatic display, their transformation canceled, leaving Kiba to catch Akamaru mid-air and roughly tumble to the ground, their well-honed beast transformation skill and reflexes mitigating some of impact and ensuring they emerged relatively unscathed.
On the other hand, Asuma, caught in the tempestuous aftermath, tumbled across the unforgiving ground, his body wracked with pain from both old and new injuries. Coming to a stop, moans of anguish escaped his lips as he struggled to rise, his trembling form a testament to his battered state.
His bloodshot eyes fixated upon the scorched earth, remnants of the recent explosion, his search yielding no signs of his remaining foes.
Frustration welled within him, his clenched fist crashing against the unyielding terrain, an expression of his mounting anger. "Damn it!"
Shikamaru, approached Asuma with determined steps, offering a supportive hand to help him rise from the battered terrain. Concern etched upon his features, he offered a steadying assistance, lending his support both physically and emotionally, his voice laced with genuine concern. "Asuma, are you okay?
Asuma nodded, his cough-ridden response punctuated by the searing pain coursing through his body, his hand clutching the open wound that marred his stomach, blood seeping through his outfit. Leaning heavily upon Shikamaru, he grunted in a weak voice, "I'll make them pay. I swear… help me, Shikamaru-"
Just as they began to gather their bearings, Kiba's voice pierced through the lingering echoes of battle, raw shock coloring his words, "Where is Kurenai sensei?!"
The duo turned their attention towards the source, their eyes widening with a mix of confusion and shock as they beheld the bloodstained patch upon the ground, devoid of any trace of Kurenai's fallen form, leaving a chilling void where Kurenai's presence should have been.
Rage, a simmering inferno within Asuma's being fueled by anguish and desperation, reached its boiling point, surging through his veins until he could no longer contain it.
PUFF! A gush of crimson liquid spewed forth from his mouth, a testament to his inner anguish. The strength drained from his weary body as he succumbed to the overwhelming darkness, his trenching knives slipping away like his consciousness, Shikamaru's worried cries fading into the distant recesses of his consciousness.
"ASUMA!"
Meanwhile, as Ino, Choji, and Hinata finally approached Shino's battlefield, their eyes widened in sheer disbelief as they took in the vast expanse of destruction, the charred remains of thatched huts forming an ominous circle of destruction.
A mixture of shock and concern colored their voices as they called out to Shino, relieved to see him walking towards them with an air of calmness, hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"Shino-kun, you're alright!" Hinata exclaimed, a bright smile spreading across her face, her worry dissipating at the sight of Shino's well-being.
Their gazes swept across the desolate scene, the scorched earth bearing witness to a fierce confrontation. Ino's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but blurt out her question. "What happened here?"
Shino's response was measured, his voice tinged with a quiet confidence. "I took care of the enemy."
"EH?" Ino's shock lingered in her tone as she processed his words. "You did all this?!"
Choji, in his typical nonchalant manner, continued to munch on his bag of chips, seemingly unfazed by the destruction. "Well, knowing Shino, he always manages to handle things."
Shino shook his head slightly, clarifying, "No, it was the enemy's doing."
Ino let out a relieved sigh, her astonishment giving way to a lingering curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder how Shino had overcome adversaries capable of wreaking havoc on such a grand scale.
Her words reflected her lingering surprise, though now tempered by a hint of understanding. "I see... But still, to face enemies who could cause this level of devastation..."
Shino adjusted his glasses with a subtle movement, his silence serving as his default response. The weight of his actions spoke volumes, leaving his comrades to ponder the extent of his prowess.
Meanwhile, Choji continued to savor his bag of chips, his calm demeanor suggesting his lack of surprise and shock, a trust in Shikamaru's decision in not sending additional support to Shino.
After all, there must have been a reason behind Shikamaru's strategic choices. It was definitely not because they forgot about Shino. Choji's faith in Shikamaru's judgment remained unwavering.
The tranquil atmosphere surrounding Shino, Hinata, Choji, and Ino shattered as a chilling scream pierced through the air, reverberating throughout the village.
Choji's hand froze mid-reach towards his beloved bag of chips, his brow furrowing as he recognized the anguished cry. "That voice... It's Asuma-sensei!"
Ino's fists clenched, her concern mingling with a surge of determination. The thought of Asuma-sensei in such distress stirred a mix of emotions within her.
"What could make Asuma-sensei scream like that?" she wondered aloud, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
Turning her gaze to her companions, she proposed a plan. "We may need to lend our support. Let's head over there." However, her gaze shifted to the visibly exhausted Hinata, her voice softening. "Hinata, you should rest if you need to."
Hinata's determination flickered in her eyes, her trembling body a testament to her resilience.
She shook her head, her voice resolute, despite her struggle to maintain her footing. "I'm fine... I can still go," she insisted, her gratitude washing over her as Shino provided a steadying presence, silently supporting her. "Thank you, Shino-kun."
Shino, ever calm and composed, spoke in a steady voice. "Let's go."
Ino's eyes darted between Shino and Hinata, a flicker of curiosity and speculation dancing within them.
However, the urgency of the situation took precedence over idle gossip. She knew there were more important matters at hand.
With a resolute nod, the four comrades acknowledged one another, their unspoken agreement propelling them forward as they hurried towards the battleground where Asuma-sensei's tragic scream still echoed.
Soon, noticing their teammates in the distant, their footsteps quickened, and it didn't take long for Hinata, Ino, Choji, and Shino to arrive at the scene.
The sight of an unconscious Asuma leaning against Shikamaru sent shockwaves through Ino and Choji, their worry etched on their faces as they rushed up to them, their voices filled with concern. "Asuma-sensei! Shikamaru, is he okay?"
Shikamaru's response was a weary affirmation, his gaze shifting towards Kiba, a silent indication for Ino and Choji to turn their attention.
Their voices trailed off as they absorbed the strange and heavy atmosphere that enveloped Kiba, who held Akamaru tightly in his arms, his hands clenched into fists that drew blood from his own flesh.
Kiba's body bore the marks of dirt, his hands stained with soil, and coupled with the telltale signs of recent digging in close proximity, it became evident that he had exerted tremendous effort in a futile search.
Hinata approached with gentle concern, her voice filled with kindness as she addressed Kiba. "Kiba-kun, are you alright?" However, her words were met with a pained avoidance, Kiba unable to meet her gaze as if burdened by an unseen weight.
Hinata's perceptive nature picked up on the unusual tension lingering in the air. Her white eyes scanned the battlefield, taking in the scars of the recent conflict, before shifting her gaze towards Kiba's troubled countenance and then to Shikamaru, who mirrored the avoidance.
In a voice as soft as a whisper, she voiced the question that hung heavy in the air. "Where is Kurenai-sensei?"
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット