The shrill whistle of shuriken slicing through the air sounded like the whispers of death.
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they swiftly adopted defensive stances.
Kawakyu and his wife stood back-to-back, warily scanning their surroundings.
Zhiwei formed Hand Seals, and a Kikaichū silently burrowed underground.
Haotian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, spreading his senses outward.
"Ten enemies, lying in ambush in the surrounding woods." Haotian suddenly opened his eyes, his scarlet Sharingan gleaming with an eerie light in the sun.
At his words, the group, who had been somewhat panicked, instead calmed down.
Kawakyu looked at Haotian in surprise. "You can sense the number and positions of the enemies? Impressive, Haotian!" His previously tense shoulders relaxed, and he was filled with confidence in Haotian.
"These Iwa Ninja really are underhanded." Zhiwei's expression was grave as he gave a cold snort.
Before his words had even faded, the ground suddenly trembled!
The Iwa Ninja lurking in the woods launched their attack.
They pressed their hands together and slammed them against the ground, shouting, "Earth Release: Earth Flow Spear!"
In an instant, the ground churned like boiling mud. Countless sharp rocks burst from the earth like javelins, hurtling toward the Konoha group in a sweeping barrage with a howling rush of wind!
Kawakyu and his wife turned pale and were about to form Hand Seals to raise an Earth Flow Wall, when Haotian shouted, "Nuclear Style: Vibrating Wave!"
A deep hum rang through the air. Visible ripples spread rapidly outward from Haotian, colliding with the incoming rocks.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Under the vibrating waves' impact, the sharp rocks shattered into rubble, raining down across the ground.
Amid the billowing dust, the corners of Haotian's mouth lifted slightly, and a cold light gleamed in his eyes.
He slowly surveyed his surroundings and said in a low voice, "Guy..."
"Guy, Gate of Healing, charge!" The instant Haotian spoke, Might Guy shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
His fists clenched, his muscles tensed, and a visible green energy surged around him.
With a low growl, Guy's speed abruptly increased. He became a green blur, charging straight toward the Iwa Ninja's hiding place.
At the same time, Meihui activated her Two-Tomoe Sharingan. Two black tomoe slowly spun in her scarlet eyes, taking in everything around her.
She keenly caught the Iwa Ninja's slightest movements and predicted the paths of their attacks in advance.
Haotian swiftly formed Hand Seals, muttering, "Nuclear Style: Radiation Infusion!" An invisible wave of energy emanated from him, spreading like ripples and silently seeping into the surrounding air.
The Iwa Ninja hiding in the woods felt their bodies tremble. An inexplicable oppression weighed on their hearts, as though the air had grown viscous and breathing had become difficult.
Their movements began to slow, and their reactions grew sluggish.
"Two-Tomoe Sharingan! That little girl is from the Uchiha Clan!" the Iwa Ninja leader cried out, greed flashing in his eyes. "Kill her! Take her eyes!"
At the order, the Iwa Ninja turned their attention to Meihui, their eyes glinting with ferocity.
They abandoned their original plan and decided to concentrate their forces on taking out this Uchiha with a powerful Kekkei Genkai first.
"Gate of Healing, open!" Guy roared. His muscles swelled further, and his speed surged once again.
He kicked away an Iwa Ninja who had tried to sneak up on Meihui. His tremendous strength sent the man flying, and he only stopped after crashing through several trees.
The other Iwa Ninja were stunned. They hadn't expected this Konoha Genin to possess such powerful Taijutsu.
Two Iwa Ninja hurriedly turned to block Guy's attack, while the rest continued charging toward Meihui.
"Trying to gang up on Meihui? Have you forgotten about us?" Kawakyu snorted and swiftly formed Hand Seals...
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" Kawakyu and his wife shouted together, and two thick earthen walls rose from the ground, blocking the Kunai and shuriken the Iwa Ninja hurled at them.
The clanging of impacts rang out without pause, and sparks flew.
At the same time, four Iwa Ninja leaped out of the woods and charged straight at Kawakyu and his wife.
They brandished sharp Kunai, their eyes gleaming with ferocity. They clearly intended to end the fight quickly by taking out these two troublesome Konoha Ninja first.
Seeing this, Meihui took a deep breath and swiftly formed Hand Seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A huge fireball burst from her mouth like a roaring fire dragon, hurtling toward the four Iwa Ninja.
However, the Iwa Ninja were prepared.
One of them swiftly formed Hand Seals and shouted, "Earth Style: Stonefication Technique!" A flash of gray light passed, and the fireball crashed into a huge boulder that had suddenly appeared, erupting in a deafening explosion.
Flames scattered and rocks flew, but none of the Iwa Ninja were hurt.
"Damn it!" Meihui cursed under her breath and formed Hand Seals again, preparing to unleash another jutsu. But three Iwa Ninja had already closed in on her, their sharp Kunai glinting as they aimed for her vital points.
The shadow of death fell over her. Meihui's heart began pounding, and her breathing grew ragged.
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