The valley.
Whoosh!!
Two chains shot out one after another from the sleeves of the Root Ninja, each aimed at Neji's arms. The blades at their tips gleamed coldly, as if they meant to cripple both his arms and prevent him from forming Hand Seals.
Another Root Ninja quickly formed Hand Seals and pressed his hands to the ground.
"Earth Style: Rock Pillar Prison Technique!"
Many thick stone pillars burst without warning from beneath the earth, trapping Neji inside an earthen prison. Sharp stone spikes pierced his flesh and impaled his body.
Thud.
But with a muffled sound, Neji's body scattered into lightning. It had been a Lightning Clone.
"A Lightning Clone?"
"That kid hasn't gone far. He's still in the valley."
The Root Ninja reacted swiftly, standing back-to-back as they warily surveyed the valley, trying to locate Neji's real body.
In the shadows, a pair of sapphire-blue eyes fixed on the three Root Ninja standing back-to-back.
Crackle!
Black lightning seeped from his palm. He flicked his hand toward the Root Ninja.
Lightning Release: Black Panther!
Roar!!!
The black lightning gathered into a massive panther-shaped creature. The instant it took shape, it seemed to come alive, letting out a series of deafening roars.
Then the panther arched its body and sprang toward the Root Ninja with a whoosh.
"What is that?"
The moment the panther took shape, the Root sensor Ninja had sensed an astonishing surge of Lightning Release Chakra. When he turned around, he saw a majestic panther roaring as it pounced toward them.
"Not good! Move!"
"It's too late. Earth Release..."
As the panther charged toward them with unstoppable force, one Root Ninja formed Hand Seals at nearly his utmost speed and unleashed an Earth Release technique.
Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!
A fearsome earth dragon burst from