Capture Successful

As Omba guarded the shelter behind it even more cautiously, three small figures darted out from the distance and steadily approached it.

These three figures were Genma's clones, two of whom had transformed into Kurenai and Namiashi Raidō.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" ×2

The two Shadow Clones launched two fireballs at the alert Omba.

"Omba!"

Omba neither dodged nor evaded, taking both fireballs head-on with its elbows. The flames were not especially large, but they still burned away a large patch of fur on its arms.

Even so, Omba did not charge at the clones in anger. Instead, it retreated several more steps.

These unusual reactions left Genma and Ebisu somewhat puzzled.

This was hardly the savage beast-like Omba they had expected. It looked more like an enlightened Summoning Beast.

Still, the Naruto World could not be judged by common sense. It was understandable for a wild beast to possess some intelligence.

Thus, the three Shadow Clones returned to Genma's side, and they began working out another strategy.

"Come to think of it, Genma, Omba might actually make a pretty good Summoning Beast. Look, ordinary beasts are afraid of fire, but it took two fireballs head-on just to protect its children. If we could form a bond with them, they'd probably make excellent combat partners."

Resting one hand against his chin, Ebisu glanced sideways at the tree beside him and spoke with a smile.

"Mm, but with that said, are you planning to give up on luring Omba away?"

Seeing Genma look at him, Ebisu smiled helplessly. "What else can we do? It isn't even afraid of fire. How about you launch a couple of Great Fireballs? Hey, if it doesn't move, maybe you could burn it to death."

At the mention of burning Omba to death, Genma suddenly felt someone grab his arm.

Obviously, Namiashi Raidō, that big oaf, would not do something like that. The only one who would was Kurenai.

Remembering how Kurenai had been unable to bear it earlier, and how she had just witnessed the adult Omba endure two fireballs to protect its cubs, Genma understood how she felt.

He took Kurenai's small hand in his and said to Ebisu, "Forget it. Stealing someone else's cubs is already bad enough. Wiping them out would be even more unreasonable. Besides, we came out here to gain experience. It's only natural that we might get a little hurt in a direct fight, right?"

"Oh! Genma, you really are the man my father approves of. You're right! Youth is meant to spill sweat and blood in battle! Then let's all go together!"

At first, Might Guy had merely been throwing punch after punch into the air in Omba's direction. But as his youthful spirit rose, he eventually stood tall, looking as though he were about to command the world.

"Ahem, Guy, we've decided to attack head-on, but we still need to discuss it first..."

Ebisu covered his face and spoke awkwardly.

"Oh! I may not be very smart, but I know that leaving these things to you and Genma will definitely be fine. Give it your all! Ebisu, Genma!"

Might Duy flashed his pearly white teeth. Against his bronze skin and dark hair, they seemed to gleam even beneath the shade of the trees. He then gave Genma and Ebisu one thumbs-up each.

"Ahem. Ebisu, how about Guy and Raiton hold the front line together? Washi, you and Kurenai provide support, and I'll steal the cubs?"

Genma quickly laid out the assignments. Ebisu clicked his tongue, paused for a moment, then replied, "It sounds... reasonable enough. Guy and Raiton will restrain Omba from the front. Washi will use Earth Release ninjutsu to defend them or launch surprise attacks. Kurenai will use Genjutsu to control it. I'll look for an opening to attack with Fire Release or harass it with Shuriken. But is your speed fast enough?"

Faced with Ebisu's doubts, Genma simply kept smiling. "Don't worry. Since I suggested it, I wouldn't have done so without confidence."

"Fine. Let's work out our positions for the fight. We may not get another chance to do this in the future, but we're not in an especially urgent situation yet. It's only right to make the plan as detailed as possible."

Genma deeply agreed with Ebisu's words and nodded. After dismissing the three Shadow Clones, he called everyone over and began refining the plan once more.

With everyone working together, the plan was quickly finalized.

Since they had discussed it together and had taken into account the possibility that the other Omba might join the battle, Genma created a Shadow Clone to observe the surrounding environment. Everyone else's duties remained unchanged; only their positions and contingency measures had become more complete.

"This is our first operation to capture Omba cubs. There may be a second time, or even a third. So I hope everyone will raise their spirits and take this operation seriously!"

Shiranui Genma spoke as he extended his hand first and placed it in the center of the circle.

This was a necessary gesture for boosting morale before teamwork, so everyone understood and placed their hands atop Genma's.

"Understood."

"Understood."

"..."

"Oh!"

When the last person placed their hand down, everyone let out a unified shout, then broke apart and ran toward Omba.

Charging at the front were Genma, Guy, and Raiton. Following behind were Kurenai, Washi, and Ebisu.

Seeing so many people rush toward it, Omba straightened its body, trying to make itself appear taller, and let out a huge roar.

"Omba!"

Just as Genma was about to reach it, Omba raised its palm high. Once he entered its attack range, it suddenly swiped downward.

"Boom!"

The ground caved in beneath its claw, sending dust flying everywhere. When visibility cleared somewhat, only Guy and Raiton remained in front of its claw.

Whether due to sharp danger instincts or because it had kept its attention on the shelter behind it, Omba did not attack the two people before it. Instead, it looked behind itself.

But with that turn, it spotted Genma climbing the tree.

"Omba!"

Omba was furious. After pounding its chest several times, it prepared to climb the tree and chase Genma.

"Not good! Guy, Raiton, use the chains to tie it up!"

Ebisu immediately shouted at the two.

"Understood!"

The two immediately took out their chains and rapidly approached Omba. Ebisu's urgent shout made them both furrow their brows.

"Washi, quickly use ninjutsu to stop Omba!"

Seeing that Guy and Raiton had yet to spread out the chains, Ebisu looked toward Tatei Iwashi beside him.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow!"

Tatei Iwashi said nothing more. While running, he rapidly formed hand seals and immediately unleashed Earth Release.

The soil beneath Omba's feet instantly turned sandy, causing its feet to begin sinking.

That brief obstruction was enough for Guy and Raiton to wrap the chains around Omba's legs. The two began running in opposite directions, preparing to wind several more loops around it.

But Omba, which Jiraiya had called unmatched by anyone, was not so easy to deal with. Its bulging muscular arm grabbed the chain and yanked Guy straight to the ground.

Seeing Guy pulled down, Omba swung its other claw at him, intending to deal with Guy first.

However, just as it brought down its claw, Kurenai instantly flashed in front of Omba and cast Genjutsu.

Omba seemed frozen in place, its scarlet eyes beginning to lose focus.

With Omba's threat suddenly gone, Guy and Raiton both stopped moving and stared blankly. Ebisu rushed over and urged them anxiously.

"Don't let your guard down, Guy! Hurry and wrap a few more loops around it with Raiton!"

Hearing Ebisu, Might Guy immediately climbed to his feet, moved the arm that had been painfully yanked, and resumed wrapping Omba's legs with Raiton.

"Kurenai, how long can your Genjutsu hold Omba?"

Seeing Guy and Raiton resume winding the chains, Ebisu watched Genma's direction while asking Kurenai.

"I don't know. I've never controlled an animal like this before. Ordinary Genjutsu disrupts the opponent's Chakra flow. I'm afraid I won't be able to control such a large animal properly."

Kurenai continued watching Omba vigilantly, not daring to relax in the slightest.

She had seen everything just now. It had been able to yank Guy, the strongest in Taijutsu, straight to the ground and even injure him slightly. The strength of this creature was truly terrifying.

"Uh, that makes sense. We need to be even more careful. Too bad none of us have Water Style. Otherwise, we could coordinate with Washi and turn the ground muddy. Such a large creature must be quite heavy. Maybe we could make it sink in."

Ebisu helplessly glanced at the sandy ground, then looked in Genma's direction again.

Genma had already reached the shelter. He was taking out a box, preparing to put the little Ombas inside.

"Not good! The other Omba is coming!"

Genma's Shadow Clone came sprinting over and shouted at everyone.

Yet at that moment, Omba before them suddenly opened its eyes wider, the scarlet in them growing even more intense.

"Omba!"

The Omba before them let out a huge roar. But misfortunes never came alone—the other Omba had drawn even closer, and its running made the ground tremble.

"How can our luck be this bad? Quickly throw Shuriken! Try to injure the Omba in front of us and reduce some of the pressure!"

The pressure Omba exerted on everyone seemed almost tangible. They no longer hesitated and began pulling out their Shuriken.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Several Shuriken cut through the air, all flying toward Omba's body.

"Omba..."

Pierced by several Shuriken, Omba was enraged. Yet its cry also carried a trace of sorrow, like a lonely old ape that had lost its young.

"Everyone, retreat now!"

Just as Omba's cry left everyone dazed, Genma flashed to their side and shouted.

"Go! Everyone, retreat!"

Ebisu finally came to his senses and hurriedly yelled as well.

Everyone began running toward the forest. The two close-range fighters brought up the rear, Genma and Ebisu stayed in the middle, while Kurenai and Washi led the way.

"Omba... Omba..."

They had already moved some distance away from the two Ombas' home, but their cries continued to echo from behind, making everyone's hearts tighten.

It was not that they feared being caught. Once they entered the forest, it would greatly hinder the two Ombas' pursuit. But thinking of how the Omba guarding its cubs had seemed almost human, always placing its cubs first no matter what attacks it suffered, made them feel even more sympathy for the creatures.

After a long while, Omba's cries could no longer be heard.

Just as everyone was feeling somewhat gloomy, their two jōnin teachers appeared before them.