Hotaru killed the Sunagakure ninja with a single whip kick, leaving even herself momentarily stunned.
After all, a ninja's Chakra normally enhanced their resistance to blows.
But after being suppressed by the formation, the Sunagakure ninja before her had failed to withstand even one attack.
Though Hotaru was briefly stunned, Koji on the other side was equally dumbfounded.
His captain was no weakling, yet he had not even managed to take a single move.
The next moment, Hotaru snapped out of it. She formed a claw with her hand and lunged at Koji.
She wanted to take him alive!
Koji was already weak, and as a ninjutsu-type ninja, Shion's barrier affected him tremendously.
The moment he drew his weapon, Hotaru seized his wrist and took it from him.
Hotaru grabbed his shoulder with her other hand and squeezed.
"Ugh... Ahh!"
Koji screamed. With no chance to resist, his shoulder was crushed by Hotaru's grip, and he collapsed to the ground.
At that moment, Ajisai leaped out from the nearby house.
She raised a card and mobilized the Chakra within her body.
Shion's formation did not distinguish between friend and foe. Even Ajisai's Chakra had become sluggish.
Even the Unsealing Jutsu she normally used with the greatest ease took several seconds to activate.
"Unsealing Jutsu, Rope!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Amid a continuous rush of wind, numerous ropes flew out of the card and bound Koji tightly.
"Hehe, see how amazing I am!"
Only after Shion's smug voice rang out did the rectangular formation surrounding them slowly fade away.
The Sage Mode Markings on Hotaru's face gradually receded.
She let out a long breath, and the tension left her face.
"There's too little natural energy here. Entering Sage Mode is still a bit troublesome."
Shion arrived beside Hotaru in two quick leaps.