Provoked into going all out with the Shadow Clone Technique, Naruto sent the situation spiraling out of control. In an instant, his shadow clones packed the entire area.
This sudden turn of events also left the two Kirigakure Shinobi, who were only chunin, afraid to make another move. They froze in a standoff.
Meanwhile, the sheer number of clones had changed Naruto's outlook, sending his confidence soaring. Over a hundred shadow clones eyed the two isolated chunin with ill intent, rubbing their hands together eagerly as they prepared to teach them a lesson.
Still, these two Kirigakure Shinobi had come out of the Bloody Mist Village. Though they were not particularly strong, their nerves were far steadier than Mizuki's had been.
So, when they saw the situation change, they exchanged a glance and decided to retreat. They could complete their mission once they had a clearer understanding of what was going on.
Just as Naruto's shadow clones charged forward, shouting excitedly and itching for a fight, the two Kirigakure ninjas pulled out two smoke bombs and hurled them to the ground.
Bang!
At the sound, thick smoke billowed across the ground and engulfed everyone present. Shikamaru and the others grew even more tense, while Naruto's shadow clones lost sight of their targets. They blindly rushed toward where the chunin had been and began beating each other up in the smoke.
But just as the two chunin tried to slip away unnoticed, a shuriken flew at them from the side. One of them flinched, hastily stopping to block it with the Iron Claw in his hand.
This unexpected attack brought both of them to an immediate halt, and they looked toward where the shuriken had come from.
What they saw was Sasuke, bright blue lightning flickering all over his body and