With the Dance of the Camellia, a swordsmanship technique for close-quarters combat, even Rock Lee and Shino together could barely hold their own!
Although Shino's taijutsu had improved considerably under Hatake Ziyan's guidance compared with how he would have developed otherwise, this Kimimaro was not the sickly Kimimaro he would have been, either!
As for Rock Lee, he practiced the Steel Fist, which relied on broad, sweeping movements. Fighting at such close quarters left him somewhat at a loss!
Having Shino beside him also kept Rock Lee from fighting freely!
Fortunately, Rock Lee had the Sixth Gate open, allowing him to overpower Kimimaro in strength and speed and keep Kimimaro from defeating them just yet!
"Shikotsumyaku-Dance of the Larch!"
Seeing that the two could still put up a fight, Kimimaro activated his bloodline power again!
The bone spikes that had already fallen from Kimimaro's body grew back, even more densely this time. He was practically a human hedgehog!
Shino had only been barely holding on with Rock Lee looking out for him. Once Kimimaro unleashed the Dance of the Larch, he abandoned defense entirely and attacked with everything he had!
Several wounds appeared on Shino's body in quick succession. He was clearly about to reach his limit!
"Shino, fall back! I'll handle him! Support me from the outside!" Rock Lee shouted when he saw Shino getting injured repeatedly, while he himself was struggling to hold his ground.
Shino knew he could not help much and was even getting in Rock Lee's way, so he tried to withdraw from the fight!
But Kimimaro controlled the pace of this close-quarters battle. He was not about to let Shino retreat so easily.
Feeling the pain spreading across his back, Kimimaro knew he had to end the battle as quickly as possible!
**"Shikotsumyaku-Dance of