Countless translucent dark wraiths swarmed toward them like a plague of locusts, howling soundlessly, their icy malice threatening to freeze the air itself. They had no physical bodies, making physical attacks largely ineffective, but the dark chakra within them was enough to corrode life and disrupt the mind.
"Troublesome things." Zabuza snorted and drew the Kubikiribōchō, but rather than slash blindly, he poured a vast amount of chakra into its blade and drove it toward the sea!
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall-Modified!"
A ring-shaped wall of water, infused with his pure Water Release chakra and intense killing intent, surged skyward and temporarily held back the wraiths. They struck the wall with sizzling sounds of corrosion, one wave after another. The water wall shuddered violently; it clearly would not last long.
"You can't cut these things down or burn them away. They're the worst kind of trouble!" Zabuza maintained his Water Release, his voice grave. His methods were better suited to enemies with tangible bodies.
Ling stood at the bow, his gaze still calm as he faced the overwhelming swarm. His Senjutsu perception had already seen through the wraiths' true nature-they were masses of energy formed from victims' lingering soul fragments and negative emotions, forcibly fused and driven by that dark chakra.
"Physical attacks and ordinary ninjutsu aren't very effective. They fear purification," Ling said quickly. "Cover me for three seconds."
"Hmph, just don't get torn apart!" Zabuza asked no questions. His chakra surged again, thickening the water wall and even extending countless water whips that lashed at the approaching wraiths, buying Ling time.
Ling closed his eyes and pressed his palms together before his chest. Azure senjutsu chakra rose around him like flames! It resonated powerfully with the chaotic natural energy nearby, even dispersing the thick fog over a small