Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
With every dull thud, another figure was sent flying out of the combat circle.
As the thuds continued, fewer and fewer people remained in the circle, and the battle grew more and more intense.
At the center of the circle, Sasuke wore a smug, excited look.
His scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan darted from side to side, tracking every opponent around him. His body moved in response to their actions, swiftly countering each attack.
"Shino, cover me!"
Kiba shouted as he charged in from one side.
Shino didn't hesitate. He immediately sent his Kikaichū swarming toward Sasuke from every direction, trying to disrupt his judgment.
Seeing this, Shikamaru knew it was their chance. He gave Choji a look, then formed Hand Seals. "Shadow Imitation Technique!"
In an instant, a shadow stretched out from beneath his feet, rapidly snaking toward Sasuke.
Choji also activated the Expansion Jutsu. His body grew several times larger, and he lumbered toward Sasuke.
On the outer edge of the circle,
Ino finished forming her Hand Seals and made the sign for the Mind Body Switch Technique, taking aim at Sasuke from a distance.
Among the girls beside her, Sakura looked conflicted, Hinata hesitated, Shion seemed bewildered, and Yakumo looked both eager to try and full of reservations.
Faced with his classmates' assault, Sasuke's lips curled into a smile.
He dodged Kiba's attack with a quick sidestep, then spun and kicked Kiba onto the shadow Shikamaru was controlling, causing Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Technique to lock onto Kiba.
Then he crouched to evade Choji's punch while he was enlarged, hooked a foot around Choji's leg, and tripped him. Using Choji's massive body, he crushed all of Shino's Kikaichū beneath him.
Whoosh!
Next, he appeared behind Shikamaru with the Body Flicker Technique. Before Shikamaru could react, Sasuke struck