22 Chapter 21 - Fighting to grow

"Why are you against us helping the Sodachi clan?"

Ernie asked Hina.

He didn't even want to bring up the issue about marriage again, both her and Himari were furious that the Sodachi clan even proposed it to him. They gave Ernie an earful about having more than one wife, and that there were not many if any in this world who had more than one.

After that, Hina said that he should decline their offer and instead mind his own matters.

"It's simple, the Sodachi clan is going to use you for their own gain. You've already given them enough information, I don't see the need for you to help them out any more. Also, the chance of you being thrown into the front line is high, we don't want you to end up dead!"

Hina told Ernie.

From the look on her face, Ernie could tell she was concerned for his wellbeing.

"That can also be considered true, but Hina… we cannot grow as ninja if we do not face danger. Even if you have an endless supply of chakra, without real battle experience you will still lose in battles. How many times have you and Himari faced danger, like real danger?"

Ernie asked.

Hina opened her mouth, but quickly shut it.

Her mind were drawing blanks. Besides the recent events that occurred, they never killed any other shinobi before. Sparring happens on a daily for any clan, but fighting for your life is another thing.

Seeing Hina's reaction Ernie nodded his head.

"See, you can't even tell me. The only two times have probably been just the two events that recently happened, and that wasn't even a fight, we mostly fled. A true shinobi must fight, win or lose we learn and grow."

"I'm on Ernie's side here. If we ever want to face off against the Kizamaru clan in the future, we need allies as well as our own personal strength. Do you want to be useless and let others handle matters for us?"

Himari said as she uncrossed her arms.

Hina shook her head.

"Then believe in Ernie, and believe in ourselves. We might not be the strongest around, but we know various techniques. As long as we don't falter in battle, we just need to use what we were taught."

Himari continued.

Himari knew that Hina was scared, even she herself was scared, but it was something they needed to face eventually. If her sister wasn't going to be the brave one, then she would.

Hina sighed and gave up.

"I give up! We can help them out, but in return we need equipment. Look at what we are wearing, you think we can fight in this?"

Hina said as she grabbed the helm of her blue kimono.

Ernie laughed.

Besides him who was covered in protective gear, Hina and Himari were just wearing plain clothing. If they did go to war without any gear to protect them, they'd have a high chance of dying.

"Relax, I plan on asking for a lot of compensation in return for helping the Sodachi clan out."

Ernie told Hina as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Hina did not know how Ernie managed to stay so calm in this situation, but it gave her a sense of comfort.

Two days swiftly went by but now Ernie was traveling in a large group as they were heading towards the Itaku clan. Closely behind him were both Hina and Himari who were dressed in the same black clothing as him with metal plates covering the front of their chest.

Lord Meimu gave them each a few kunai and a couple of shuriken.

Ernie asked for some other things, but he wouldn't be able to get that until later.

Soon the group stopped moving as each of them hid behind rocks, and boulders.

Lord Meimu made a hand signal and five ninja in front vanished. After ten minutes they returned, one of them came next to Meimu.

"Lord, there are three at the entrance but I sensed to presence of a few dozen inside their village."

The man reported his findings.

Meimu nodded his head and made another sign with his hand. This time, everyone moved.

The group was thirteen strong, this was all the Sodachi clan could manage right now. Behind them at a safer distance were other clan members, but they were wounded, too young, or taking care of the wounded and young.

Meimu's body appeared in mid air as he looked down at the entrance of the Itaku clan where there were three ninja posted. He made hand signs with his hand, his stomach expanded a little bit.

"Water Bullet Technique!"

A stream of water shot out of his mouth as it flew towards the ninja guarding the entrance. Sensing danger, they moved.

One a little late had her leg hit by Meimu's jutsu causing her to tumble on the ground. As she rolled a few feet, five ninja from the Sodachi clan appeared by her side and stabbed her with their katana.

"Hina, Himari! You two get those two that managed to dodge!"

Ernie yelled out.

Hina threw out three shuriken that flew towards the ninja who dodged Meimu's attack. As he was mid air it was hard from him to dodge once more, but he pulled out a kunai and deflected Hina's attack.

Hina pulled out two small fans that fit perfectly in her hand and did a twist like a ballet dancer. She spun around three times while a whirlwind covered her body.

The whirlwind went toward the ninja she was aiming at as she stopped spinning around.

"Great Cyclone!"

As the ninja hit the ground he slammed both his hands on the ground, creating a giant earth wall.

Hina quickly made her way towards him as she lept up and landed on top of the wall. She swung her two small fans that created small blades of wind.

"Dance of falling sky!"

As Hina was dealing with her opponent, Himari clapped her hands together as the ground beneath her opponent started to move. The rocks started to surround the man.

"Bedrock coffin!"

As the rocks were closing in, the man vanished.

"You've a long way to go before you can touch me!"

The man said as he appeared behind Himari and sliced through her body with his sword.

His eyes grew big.

"An earth clone?"

Hina appeared above the man with her hand being the same color as charcoal, she threw a punch towards the man which caused him to hit the ground and roll.

Ernie observed the two girls at the beginning, but seeing that they were handling their fights well, he started to move.