Cheerleaders

On the surface, the two sides seemed to have reached a stalemate, with neither able to defeat the other anytime soon.

But don't forget, this was the Land of Water—the territory of Kirigakure.

Mist Ninja could be drawn here to provide support at any moment.

If the Raikage and the others were trapped here, it would undoubtedly be a massive disaster for Kumogakure.

Since Kumogakure had dared to send only a few people deep into enemy territory, they had naturally thought it through carefully and had long prepared a means of retreat.

Just then, while Kyōkotsu and the Raikage had finally separated, the cloud ninja behind the Raikage seized the opening. One of them swiftly pulled a sphere from his waist and hurled it into the sky without hesitation.

The sphere traced an arc through the air and soared into the sky.

A trace of wariness flashed through Kyōkotsu's eyes. He knew that sphere could not be anything simple.

Not daring to let down his guard, he shielded the two Karatachi Yaguras behind him.

"Bzzzz..."

A faint yet highly penetrating sound exploded through the air.

Immediately afterward, something like a shockwave spread outward like lightning.

Wherever the shockwave passed, the surrounding air seemed to twist, producing a hissing sound.

Kyōkotsu felt his entire body grow heavy, as though an invisible force had wrapped tightly around him, subjecting every inch of his skin to immense pressure.

The bones in his body felt as though they had been hammered over and over by a heavy mallet, shaken loose, with every movement accompanied by piercing pain.

The powerful impact produced by the Shockwave Bomb swept over him like a raging tide, nearly making him lose his footing.

The people from Kumogakure on the other side were no better off.

Aside from the Raikage