The Final Dance

But Naraka was far stronger than they had expected!

"Petty tricks!"

The mass of flesh contracted violently, then unleashed an even more terrifying torrent of Dark Energy!

"Abyss Burst!"

A ring of violet-black energy exploded outward, scattering the Lightning Cutter and Wind Release in an instant and hurling Kakashi and Asuma away.

Then several of the sharpest tentacles shot toward the two men like spears. Trapped in midair with no way to dodge, they were about to be pierced through!

"Watch out!" Uzuki Yugao cried, her eyes wide with horror.

She abandoned her attack without hesitation and formed Hand Seals, turning the surging Moonlight Power within her into protective barriers.

"Moonlight Guardian!"

Two soft yet incredibly resilient silver shields appeared before Kakashi and Asuma, barely stopping the deadly tentacles!

But Naraka was too powerful. The shields held for only a moment before shattering, and the impact still sent Kakashi and Asuma flying like kites with severed strings. They struck the ground hard. Though both suffered internal injuries, they had narrowly escaped with their lives.

But by turning her attention to saving them, Uzuki Yugao had left herself wide open!

"Foolish compassion!" Naraka snarled. From the shadows, its thickest tentacle shot upward like a striking viper, faster than the eye could follow!

Squelch!

With a sickening, muffled sound, the tentacle pierced straight through Uzuki Yugao's abdomen!

"Argh!"

Uzuki Yugao convulsed and spat blood. The searing pain nearly knocked her unconscious.

The tentacle twisted inside her, its foul energy eating into her organs. Worse, its tip probed around like a living thing, seized the Four Souls Jewel shard flickering unsteadily within her, and tried to wrench it out!

"I... won't let you... threaten Konoha!" Uzuki Yugao's gaze began to lose focus, but her resolve blazed ever higher.

She knew this was her