Uchiha Shisui answered solemnly, "Understood. Leave the rear to me. I won't let a single person break through my defenses."
Hyuga Neji rapidly shifted his stance, fully assuming a Gentle Fist defensive posture. "Leave any close-range enemies to me. I can block and counter any physical attack or chakra infiltration."
Kawaki Aoba replied in a deep voice, "Understood. I'll keep all enemy chakra movements locked on throughout. I'll report any changes immediately."
The next second, the Sunagakure ninja on the left finished his hand seals first and shouted sharply, "Wind Release: Wind-Sand Dance!"
A skyful of yellow sand suddenly swept toward them, carrying sharp Wind Blades as it frenziedly crushed down upon the four of them. The entire airspace was instantly flooded with violent Wind Release chakra.
Kawaki Aoba immediately warned, "Wind Release ninjutsu is covering the front and both flanks. The Wind Blades are dense, and the chakra is fragmented and razor-sharp. Ordinary defensive ninjutsu will be torn apart!"
Yuhi Shinku swiftly formed hand seals and called out softly, "Genjutsu: Mist Lock!"
Layers of faint chakra mist instantly enveloped the four of them. The moment the falling sand and Wind Blades touched the mist, all their trajectories shifted, unable to draw even the slightest bit closer.
Ebizo frowned and said, "A genjutsu barrier? Yuhi Shinku's genjutsu defenses truly live up to their reputation. No wonder he can serve as a squad-leading Jonin in Konoha."
Yuhi Shinku said coldly, "This crude Wind Release isn't enough to break my genjutsu defenses.
Ebizo, your ambush is far too halfhearted."
Taking advantage of the mist obscuring their vision, the hidden Sunagakure ninja on the right suddenly accelerated into a sneak attack. "Wind Release: Piercing!"
Kawaki Aoba caught the suddenly accelerating chakra fluctuation at once and shouted, "Front right! Enemy closing in! Chakra concentrated