One Shot, Down

The Konoha members acted according to Nara Shikaku's plan, constantly pressuring the Cloud forces with tactics such as self-preservation, close combat, and encirclement, before decisively using their trump card.

"Ninja Art: Super Expansion Jutsu!"

In the midst of the chaotic battle, Akimichi Choza unleashed his full power, rapidly burning through his body fat and swelling into a giant at an astonishing speed.

This technique consumes too much energy and can only be used once per battle. To ensure that he doesn't become a target for the enemy while using it, the Konoha Ninja must put enough pressure on their opponent. Now is the crucial moment to change the situation.

As his body grew larger, his shadow on the ground expanded accordingly. Nara Shikaku, standing beside him, cast a spell, "Shadow Imitation Technique!"

It was just noon. Since Konoha had taken the initiative to launch the offensive, they had the advantage of terrain and popular support. Only the weather was somewhat unfavorable for Nara Shikaku overhead, making his shadow very small.

However, he arranged for his partners to use Ninjutsu in coordination, successfully breaking this disadvantage and also catching Cloud off guard.

As he completed the Hand Seals, the black shadow beneath his feet instantly connected to the Akimichi Choza. The next moment, the black shadow became exceptionally agile, with dozens of long black lines shooting out at extremely high speeds, accurately targeting several Cloud Ninja engaged in battle.

"What?! We can't move!" The Cloud Ninja's eyes widened, their bodies stiff and unable to move.

The Konoha Ninja didn't let the opportunity slip by. Several Hyuga clan members jumped in and used Gentle Fist to quickly seal all the pressure points on their bodies, easily capturing this group of Cloud.

Nara Shikaku was extremely focused. The enemy hit by Hyuga was just freed from the shadow restraints and then chased after more Cloud Ninja.

Yamanaka Inoichi, who was standing nearby, was also ready. Once Shikaku's shadow appeared again, he would immediately take control of the targets to complete the relay.

Takai's expression changed drastically. Konoha's Ino-Shika-Cho truly lived up to their reputation, turning the tide of battle in the blink of an eye. Now, the number of combatants on both sides was more than double, and if no action was taken, they would be doomed.

Yugito could no longer hold back. She unleashed two consecutive Cat Claw Strike, repelling the Konoha Ninja, and without hesitation used the Tailed Beast Chakra.

While Takai was still hesitating, her body began to change rapidly. Blue cat-demon patterns surged from her back, her pupils turned completely white, and a surge of scorching chakra forced the Konoha Ninja to retreat continuously.

"Call out..."

Upon noticing the anomaly, Nara Shikaku immediately reacted, releasing several Cloud Village soldiers he had restrained. He then conjured an even thicker shadow, moving with incredible speed, even striking the feet of the sword -Yugito.

"Uh..."

Yugito unleashed her chakra and struggled with all her might. Shikaku also felt immense pressure; his hands, Hand Seals, began to tremble slightly. At the same time, he shouted, "It's Jinchuriki! Concentrate your power and defeat her!"

Several Konoha Ninja rushed forward at the same time, and were about to attack Yugito. She gritted her teeth and fiercely extracted a large amount of Tailed Beast Chakra. A huge blue patterned chakra surged out and transformed into a giant blue cat in a few seconds.

Shikaku's shadow could no longer hold on. When he withdrew, his forehead was slightly sweaty, and his brain was working quickly to think of a solution. No matter how well the plan was made, there was nothing he could do if there were unexpected changes.

"Waaaaah..." The Konoha Ninja who were close by were directly blasted away by the Two-Tails' chakra. The others realized that something unexpected had happened and, for the sake of safety, immediately retreated a distance.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Akimichi Choza quickly took advantage of the fact that his Ninjutsu was not finished to help. He swung a large iron rod with all his might, making the blue cat stagger and growl in pain.

But that was the end of it. The Two-Tails fox opened its mouth and unleashed a huge fireball that struck the clumsy Choza. The flames seemed to stick to him and burn as if they couldn't be extinguished.

"Ugh...!" Choza endured the burning sensation and quickly shrank, while his Konoha companions below followed up with a Water Release to barely extinguish the strange fire.

However, the water vaporized upon contact with the flames, and the amount was just right. The Konoha Ninja, secretly relieved by his good fortune, caught Choza in time and retreated. This blue cat was too fierce to mess with.

As the Two-Tails appeared, a Senbon a type of Japanese sage stick) flew from a high point near the battlefield and embedded itself in a tree. Immediately afterward, a figure appeared and stood atop the tree trunk. "So the Two-Tails has also made its move. Looks like I've arrived just in time!"

Shuichi again hurled the Senbon with great force, and his entire body flew out of the mountain like a cannonball. The ninjas fighting in the distance did not notice that someone had rushed over and circled behind the Two-Tails.

Shikaku racked his brains. The Menma. They had no way to counter the Tailed Beast and could only let Yamanaka Inoichi risk using the Mind Transfer Jutsu.

"Inoichi, wait a moment..."

"Buzzing..."

Just as Konoha was feeling troubled Cloud relieved, a piercing buzzing sound came from afar and became clearly audible in just a few seconds. Everyone immediately glanced in that direction.

Shuichi used Taijutsu to dash forward with incredible speed, easily closing in on the back of the Two-Tails and unleashing Rasenshuriken from tens of meters away.

The blinding white dart traced a small arc, first skimming the ground before spinning diagonally upwards, severing both of Two-Tails and successfully striking its rear end. "Boom boom..."

"Roar!"

The large blue cat was blown off balance, its rear end wracked with pain. It felt like being stabbed by a thousand steel needles; it couldn't possibly withstand that...

Shuichi pressed his advantage, leaping into the air to close the distance. In mid-air, he had multiplied into two, his Shadow Clone swiftly completing Hand Seals and exhaling sharply, unleashing "Wind Release: Vacuum Great Ball!"

The main body floated to the side, waiting quietly, using its 30-meter X-ray vision to firmly lock onto Yugito inside the Two-Tails' body. Its right hand was placed on the small pistol at its waist, injecting Explosion Release chakra to suppress it, while its left hand held a gleaming silver bullet between two fingers, which grew brighter and brighter as Wind Release chakra was injected.

The Vacuum Great Ball transformed into an air cannon, creating a large crater in the back of the Two-Tails. With lightning speed, Shuichi brought his hands together, inserted a Wind Release bullet into the muzzle, and instantly released Explosion Release, aiming at Yugito's non-vital parts before firing a shot.

"Bang!"

In the chaotic battlefield, the explosion was inconspicuous and went unnoticed by the Vacuum Great Ball. However, the Two-Tails' frantically shaking body stopped abruptly.

An invisible silver light seemed to flash in the air, and at the same time, a hole the size of a finger appeared on the ground. Then, the blue chakra began to fade rapidly, and soon the blonde girl fell from the sky, with a bloody hole in her waist and abdomen from which blood was constantly flowing.

"Brush!"

A Senbon needle was planted in front of the Konoha members, and another needle struck the falling Yugito, after which she disappeared into the air.

Many people followed her movements but couldn't see where she went until they spotted an extra person between the two positions, and saw the Yugito the newcomer.

"It's Shuichi-kun! You've arrived just in time!" Nara Shikaku breathed a sigh of relief. This was another unexpected turn of events, but this time it was a major boon for Konoha. "Your battle is over, right? You probably won't be coming over directly, will you?"