Teams Forged in Battle; A Pleasant Afternoon

The five Training Grounds sprang into operation simultaneously, the roar of Chakra and shouts of exertion shattering the Valley of the End's usual tranquility.

First Training Ground, assault squad.

The "Chakra Blind-Sense Coordination" training designed by Izumi Uchiha and Kurenai Yuhi was progressing with difficulty.

Within the dense mist barrier, sight and hearing had been stripped away. The ten members were like blind men feeling their way through darkness, able only to rely on their unfamiliar perception of one another's Chakra to locate and coordinate with each other.

"Front left, three o'clock! Two enemy Shadow Clones approaching!"

Hinata Hyuga kept her eyes tightly shut, fine sweat beading at her temples. The strain was truly no small matter.

She had to catch the distinct Chakra fluctuations of the others amid the chaos, then respond by sending out faint Chakra pulses of her own.

This kind of gathering and relaying information was precisely an essential skill for ninja.

At that very moment.

One small bug after another appeared, landing on everyone's shoulders.

A trace of relief appeared on Hinata's face.

Someone could help share her burden now!

"Got it!"

Choji Akimichi, who was closest to that direction, received some of the Chakra carried by the bugs and immediately responded in a muffled voice.

His body rapidly expanded, blocking the way like a wall of flesh.

However, almost at the same time, Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru cried out from another direction.

"Damn it! There are some on my side too! Shino, can your bugs... Argh!"

Kiba's words were cut off by a dull impact. He had clearly been struck by one of Kurenai's Shadow Clones.

Shino Aburame's voice came through the faint Chakra of the swarm, having received the latest intelligence.

"I need more time."

"Why not follow Hinata's direction and focus on