The ground exploded, and foul, muddy tentacles lashed toward them from every direction like wildly thrashing pythons! These tentacles were not living creatures. They were formed from highly concentrated water nature chakra mixed with underground sludge and some cold, sinister will, possessing tremendous strength and no fear of destruction!
"Protect the doctor!" Asuma roared. His flaming Chakra Blades swept into a curtain of light, severing and vaporizing several tentacles striking at the doctor with sharp hisses. But severing them did not kill them. The muddy water that hit the ground soon writhed and reassembled into new attacking forms!
"Shadow Imitation Technique!" Shikamaru tried to restrain them, but his shadow sank into the muddy water without any effect. Clearly, it was useless against these nonliving entities!
"Partial Multi-Size Technique: Palm Thrust!" Choji slammed his enormous palm down, flattening a swath of tentacles, but more surged in from other directions!
Ino swept her sensory awareness across the chaotic battlefield and said urgently, "Their core is underground! The energy source keeps moving. It's hard to pin down!"
Ling's expression remained grim as his hands flew through seals.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
"Water Release: Water Blade Slash!"
Several thin yet razor-sharp jets of high-pressure water crisscrossed, precisely slicing the tentacles lunging at him and Ino into pieces, leaving cuts as smooth as mirrors. His attacks were remarkably efficient, each strike carrying chakra compressed to the utmost, temporarily checking the tentacles' assault.
But the tentacles seemed endless, rapidly reforming after being scattered. They also appeared highly resistant to pure Water Release. Ling's Water Blade Slash was noticeably less effective than Asuma's attacks imbued with fire nature chakra.
Foolish! Fighting them with brute force is a waste of chakra! Tobirama snapped. *These things are crude guardian constructs formed from ancient chakra lingering in the ruins,