The warning to Neji and the others had barely left his lips when several vicious wolves summoned by Ranmaru lunged at Karin and the others from every direction.
"You little brats from Konoha! Let's see what makes you think you can steal someone from me!"
Ranmaru remained hidden, quietly observing Sasuke and the others.
Despite his rough appearance, Ranmaru became more cautious than anyone when it came to battle. Sending his summons out first to test an enemy's strength was standard practice for him.
The wolves sprang out of the grass, only to meet Neji's palms.
Neji killed the wolves Karin had considered unbeatable as easily as slaughtering chickens. Watching him dispatch them instantly before her eyes, Karin looked at his face, which seemed about her age, and couldn't help wondering whether they were even the same species.
Meanwhile, Sasuke tried cutting away some of the weeds blocking his view, but they grew back the instant his blade sliced through them.
That Hyuga Clan boy is strong at taijutsu. With that Rotation he used earlier, I need to avoid fighting him up close.
Despite Neji's impressive performance, Sasuke and the others had yet to display any strength that frightened Ranmaru.
Still hidden, Ranmaru formed hand seals again. The grass surrounding Sasuke and the others immediately turned into rigid spears and converged on them.
"Rotation!"
Faced with an attack from every direction, Neji immediately used Rotation to block it. Under his protection, Sasuke and the others remained unharmed.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Defense alone wouldn't win the battle. After blocking Ranmaru's first attack, Neji fired an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, pinpointing the enemy's position for Sasuke.
Thunder rang in Karin's ears. In an instant, a golden bolt of lightning shot past her toward Ranmaru's hiding place.
Ranmaru's kunai clashed with Sasuke's