103. Sasuke Retrieval Arc, Part 4

We’re down to the final matchups. It’s me, Hinata, Sakura, Karin, and the Naru-twins versus Sakon, Ukon, Guren, and Kimimaro. Except I’m stuck here in this cocoon attached to Sakura, bored out of my skull, breeding my crystal-resistant bugs until the last minute. Every second helps. The task is a bit mind-numbing, though, as the hours pass, we slowly gain ground.

I hope Tenten, Kin-Kitty, and Fubuki are okay. No, they’re definitely alright! I've worked my ass off to get them every advantage!

“We’re closing in on the enemy,” Karin reports using her Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to sense our targets.

We brace for a fight to the death.

“I can’t believe that idiot Kidomaru-kun failed to restrain the Leaf Genin! He had one job!” Sakon gripes.

“Guren-chan, Sakon-kun, occupy these troublesome meddlers. I’ll go on ahead. Nothing else matters but getting Orochimaru-sama his dream-vessel.”

“Hey, get back here with my dreamboat!” Naruto yells at the retreating Kimimaro carrying Sasuke’s casket.

Guren cackles with glee as she turns to face us, “Finally, it’s my chance to wreck shit. Crystal Release: Wild Dance of the Hexagonal Shuriken!”

Giant shuriken snowflakes of pink crystal form around Guren rotating like sawblades. She merely flicks her wrist, and they fling themselves at us. There are a lot of them, and they cut through the branches between us with a high-pitched whine before barreling headlong our way.

Dozens of Naru-Clones pop into existence only to burst instantly as they’re shredded by the deadly projectiles. The Naru-twins are sweet, but they struggle to deal with opponents they can’t easily close with to punch into submission. Karin doesn’t even bother with Wood Release against the buzzsaw shuriken, preferring to dodge alongside Hinata or deflect them with kunai. Unfortunately, the spinning crystal snowflakes make a U-turn and come at us again from behind. It quickly becomes a dangerous game of evasion.

Sakura raises bone-gauntleted fists and punches at the blades flying at her and me on their flat sides, shattering them. However, this results in an explosion of razor-sharp shards that cut into any exposed soft flesh. The pink-haired kunoichi covers her face and has her gauntlets to block the worst but is soon dripping with blood from multiple scratches.

Seeing how they burst into shrapnel upon destruction, Karin and Hinata aim to throw their kunai at the buzzing pests pursuing us. The crystal constructs automatically dodge to evade, making both girls seem glad they have the visual acuity of a Sharingan. We finally break the crystal shuriken, but this is taking too long and Kimimaro is getting away.

“No fair hogging all the fun, Guren-chan!” Sakon accuses before turning to address us while chucking a kunai with an explosive tag our way, “Don’t worry, I’ll kill you all in no time flat!”

Karin uses Wood Release to move a tree branch that easily intercepts the projectile, but the point is that we’re being stalled. I’m useless until I stop channeling my Insect Cocoon jutsu, and I need to make a lot more bugs if I’m going to duel Guren.

“Crystal Release: Giant Hexagonal Shuriken!”

Guren creates a five-foot diameter jade-crystal snowflake shuriken that she revs like a buzz saw and hurls at us.

Shit! She’s a big problem, and I’ve got the most reliable counter. It’s just not ready…

Sakura flinches before the oncoming death-blade, unsure whether her bone armor can deal with an upgraded version of the previous jutsu. Karin bites her lip and adjusts her glasses, unable to think of a solution. A few Naru-Clones hop in the way to block it with their bodies or half-formed Rasengans, to no avail.

*Voooosh!*

In a flash of yellow, Hinata dashes forward bearing the suit of Chakra Armor and slashes through Guren’s Crystal construct, dividing it in half with her Longsword of the Thunder God. She raises the vajra hilt to point its semi-physical blade of Lightning chakra at Guren while standing sentinel between us and the enemy.

“Well, this just got interesting!” The cerulean-haired servant of Orochimaru seems pleased.

With a fond glance back in our direction, Hinata says, “I’ll hold her off, Shino-chan. Naruto-kun, do your best!”

H-Hinata! Alone versus Guren?!?

I explained to everyone how (according to the Naruto universe’s elemental rock-paper-scissors chart) Lightning beats Earth, which gives it a type-advantage against Crystal. Still, though, I’d intended us to team up with my Crystal-immune bugs.

“Right,” Sakura, ever the pragmatist, nods her affirmation to Hinata’s bravery and proceeds to focus on the mission. She carries me after Kimimaro and Sasuke.

“Thanks, Hinata-chan, I’ll never forget this,” Naruto tells her solemnly as he rushes off.

“Hinata-chan! You’re amazing!” Naruko encourages as she follows her twin brother.

“Don’t lose!” Karin instructs before retreating as well.

““Oh no you don’t!”” Sakon and Guren both shout.

“Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Blade!” Guren grows an arc of sharp blue crystal attached to her arm and lunges after us.

*Schvrmmm!* *Krrrrk!*

Hinata blocks Guren’s attack with the edge of her Lightning sword, the two blades locked in a contest of determination and ability. We leave them behind with their fates unknown, tree trunks obscuring our view the further we travel as we exit Byakugan range.

Sakon and Ukon, meanwhile, are catching up.

“Multiple Feet Barrage: Double Jump!”

The pair of Amalgam users time every kick to achieve perfect unison, their precision evidencing thousands of hours of training, allowing them to combine their strength when leaping from branch to branch. Explosions rock the forest as they toss more explosive tags in our direction while gaining on us by the second. I’m facing their way as they draw closer and closer to Sakura from behind.

As much as Sakura and Karin want to about-face and pummel this guy, they both have their marching orders. Completing the mission takes priority. Which is why I know what I have to do.

I cease my Insect Cocoon jutsu early, disregarding the consequences, separate from Sakura, and throw myself at Sakon to sock him in the jaw.

“Ugh!”

“Shino-chan!” Naruko shouts as I’m left to fight on my own, but Sakura tugs on the blond girl’s shoulder to keep her moving.

“She can handle herself, Naruko-chan. Focus everything you have on retrieving Sasuke!”

“Get back here!” Sakon growls as he tries to get around me, but he’s underestimated me.

“Gentle Fist!” I throw a finger-jab at a vital area, forcing him to dodge backward.

That allows Naruto and the girls precious time to escape the evil twins’ meddling. It’s a two-vs-one in my disfavor, but I’m not complaining. This is the most efficient use of our resources.

I hear the sounds of Hinata and Guren’s fight in the distance and know I need to beat Anime-Kiba’s score and win this duel in record time!