Neji took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He could hear Chasing Fang struggling to breathe behind him, while Heart Butterfly and Captain Hoshino were locked in a bitter fight... The situation had deteriorated to the extreme. Yet strangely, he did not feel the slightest panic. Instead, an unusual calm settled over him.
"Thank me?" Neji suddenly smiled, and the smile made the Land of Lightning Jonin pause slightly. "You think breaking through into Lightning Release Chakra Mode means victory is assured?" He unhurriedly took out his last three Lightning-Proof Talismans from his ninja tool pouch, his movements as elegant as though he were preparing tea. "You've only just broken through. Your Chakra Mode is still far from the Raikage's level. That means this isn't a hopeless battle for me."
The Jonin's expression instantly darkened, and the lightning on his Lightning Armor grew even more violent. "Sharp-tongued little brat!" he roared. "I'll break every bone in your body one by one and make you regret ever being born!"
Before his words had even faded, his figure vanished from the spot. Neji's eyes spun frantically, barely catching a streak of lightning racing toward him at astonishing speed. Without hesitation, he threw out the three Lightning-Proof Talismans and formed seals with both hands. "Three Talents Lightning-Repelling Array, activate!"
Boom!
The lightning collided with the talisman array, erupting with a deafening crash. The triangular barrier formed by the Lightning-Proof Talismans shook violently, but it successfully stopped the Jonin's first charge. Neji used the chance to retreat several steps and stood back-to-back with Chasing Fang.
"Can you still fight?" Neji asked quietly, his gaze never leaving the Jonin as lightning gathered around him once more.
Chasing Fang spat out a mouthful of blood and forced a smile. "Still... not dead. But