In the silent Forest, only the rustle of a light breeze could be heard. Then a flurry of footsteps drew near, and figures appeared one after another on one side of Kannabi Bridge.
Ning looked across the bridge. "Looks like the Uchiha are all cowards. You don't even dare show yourselves when you see us. Let me, Ning of Explosion Release, see what you can do."
With that, he strode onto the bridge, Kitsuchi close behind. The instant Ning set foot on it, a figure appeared at his back.
A Kunai flashed coldly as it stabbed toward him. Ning gave a savage grin, whipped around, and drove his fist at Takigawa's blade.
"Haha! Uchiha Takigawa, die! Landmine Fist!"
Takigawa frowned as what he knew of Explosion Release flashed through his mind. He pushed off the ground and retreated. Behind Ning, Kitsuchi seized the opening and formed hand signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
Two earthen spikes shot up from the ground and stabbed forward.
Whoosh.
The spikes struck nothing. Takigawa vanished and reappeared at Ning's side. Still committed to his punch, Ning had no time to dodge and could only twist his vitals out of reach.
The Kunai slashed across Ning's ribs, scattering droplets of blood. Takigawa vanished again and appeared at the far end of the bridge, calmly watching the Iwagakure Ninja.
The exchange had lasted only two or three breaths, yet it had been fierce. Kitsuchi and the two Jinchūriki grew wary.
"Heh. A moment ago, you were bragging about how little you thought of Uchiha Ninja. Turns out you're all talk yourself.
"Ning of Explosion Release? Just a title Iwagakure gave you to boast about."
Ning's expression darkened. Takigawa's display had made him wary: he had been wounded after only a couple of exchanges.
The pain in his