He was dead. The Mist Ninja lying on the ground had completely stopped breathing, dying in agony.
He hadn't merely lost the ability to fight back like the two Mist Ninja before him. He was truly, utterly dead.
The Mist Ninja present felt a chill in their hearts, and their movements unconsciously slowed for half a beat.
That gave Hyuga Rei and Morino Kei a chance to catch their breath. The two seized the opportunity to increase their attacks, forcing back the enemies in front of them.
"Haah... haah." They panted heavily, treasuring the brief respite their comrade had won them.
"Damn brat..."
On the roof, Shikamaru had recovered from the disruption to his Chakra and was glaring viciously at Uchiha Kai.
"I'm sick of hearing losers whine."
The boy turned his gaze toward him. Shikamaru hurriedly looked away.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." The boy looked disdainful.
Only a few minutes had passed since the battle began, and the Mist Ninja already had one dead and two seriously injured.
It looked as though the scales of victory had tipped in favor of Uchiha Kai and the others.
But the young people's breathing was growing increasingly ragged.
"Don't panic! These brats won't last much longer. Keep them tied up! They'll collapse soon!"
Shikamaru had a sharp eye and had noticed how tired they were.
At his words, their faces darkened slightly. They knew how serious the situation was, but they couldn't let their fatigue show. Saying they could do it was one thing; actually doing it was another.
If they let their guard down, the enemy would surely seize the chance to relentlessly attack them.
An eerie silence settled over the battlefield, and the situation grew increasingly unfavorable for Uchiha Kai and the others.
In the stillness, the sound of a weapon