Boom—boom—boom!
Three successive explosions erupted in the dense forest. Firelight flared from three different directions at once, shredding the shadows beneath the canopy.
Fragments and dirt sprayed outward. Scorching air carrying the shockwaves rushed toward them, while branches snapped and fell under the impact.
The three figures closed in toward the center at the instant before the explosions, standing back-to-back in a defensive formation that covered each other's flanks.
A thick fog had already appeared before the aftershocks of the explosions had fully dissipated.
It surged in from all directions at once. White mist filled the entire area at astonishing speed, completely swallowing the already-chaotic field of vision.
Even someone standing close by was hard to see clearly.
Along with the fog came the scent of flowers.
Uchiha Itachi's voice came from within the mist, low but still clear. "Everyone, be careful—it's Hidden Mist Village ninja."
Before he had finished speaking, several kunai shot out of the dense fog toward the position where the three stood.
Itachi flicked his wrist rapidly. The shuriken in his hand traced several arcs in the blink of an eye, accurately deflecting every kunai aimed at him and his two teammates.
The sharp clanging of metal rang out repeatedly through the mist.
Then the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. The vibration was steady and deep, as though something several meters underground was advancing toward them.
A low roar sounded as a wall of water surged out of the distant mist. It rose higher than the forest shrubs, carrying the roar of a waterfall as it poured down toward the three of them, its impact point directly targeting the area where they stood.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
Itachi and Kabuto completed their hand seals almost simultaneously. Two Water Release techniques unfolded at once,