Elsewhere, Yongye stood in the clearing where the thick fog had dispersed, without so much as a crease in his robes.
He had not moved a step the entire time the milky-white mist surrounded him.
The so-called deadly poison was nothing more than a mist of floral-scented water he had thrown together. He had handed it to Shisui on the way here, setting up a double bluff within a double bluff.
He glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, sprawled on the ground, then at Orochimaru, curled up nearby. His fingers flew through hand seals.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Puffs of white smoke burst out in rapid succession. Six figures took shape within them, split into two teams, and fanned out toward the edges of the Four Violet Flames Formation.
One team charged toward Kimimaro at the southeastern corner.
Kimimaro watched the whole situation collapse in an instant. He had only just withdrawn his hands from casting the Four Violet Flames Formation and had not yet adjusted his stance when three Shadow Clones sealed off every escape route.
The clone in front swept a leg out, forcing Kimimaro back half a step. The clone on the left reached out and clamped five fingers around his right wrist.
The clone on the right closed in from behind and struck the back of Kimimaro's neck with the edge of his hand. Hidden force erupted, pierced the protection of his extraordinarily tough bones, and shot straight toward his brain!
Kimimaro swayed. His knees bent half an inch before he went limp. The three clones caught him, laid him on the hard ground, and sealed his Chakra.
Kimimaro was far weaker than Yongye had expected. He probably had not fully developed yet. Sending three Shadow Clones after him had been pure force of habit from knowing the