Co-operation

Chapter 20 cooperation

"Bang bang!" The group

of shadow clones noticed the fireball immediately, but it was too quick. They

only had time to push one shadow clone out before being engulfed by the flames.

In an instant, two shadow clones

were consumed and exploded. At the same time, Uchiha Hirohiko flew out of the

bushes, kicking in mid-air and exploding the shadow clone pushed to the ground

by its companions.

On the other side, Eight Trigrams

Palm collided with a shadow clone, pushing it away with great force. The impact

caused three shadow clones to collide, and the initial one exploded with a

"bang." The other two were knocked off balance.

Hinata Yukina rushed out, her

fists bursting with chakra. Two "bangs" later, the remaining shadow

clones were blown up.

Almost simultaneously with Uchiha

Hirohiko, she had taken down two shadow clones.

In a flash, Uzumaki Kushina lost

six shadow clones. Including the nine clones surrounding Kiba, only four teams

remained, totaling twelve members including herself.

Are they trying to blow up all the shadow clones to

find my location?

Uzumaki Kushina realized.

Moreover, had the three teams of

clones drawn by Kiba just created dead spots in their vigilance? Did the other

two teams have no time to react to Hirohiko and Yukina's attacks?

Though usually silent, the three

coordinated surprisingly well, which reassured Uzumaki Kushina.

With excellent teamwork, even

three ninjas can take down stronger opponents. Their strategy was solid, though

still a bit reckless.

The remaining four teams now had

one in the front, two on the sides, and the last with Kushina herself.

As the shadow clones were being

attacked, Uchiha Hirohiko and Hinata Yukina stood their ground. The two clone

teams on the flanks quickly moved in, surrounding Hirohiko and Yukina.

At that moment, all three—Kiba,

Hirohiko, and Yukina—were surrounded by shadow clones. Surrounded by three

Kushina clones, Hirohiko and Yukina were in a hopeless situation.

Before, they had blown up the

clones with surprise sneak attacks. Facing three ninja shadow clones ready for

battle, they couldn't break through, no matter their talent.

It's over... Uzumaki Kushina thought, concluding the battle in her

mind.

Yet she felt proud of her

disciples. Their coordination and talent meant they would soon become

independent ninjas with proper training.

Suddenly, within the circle of

nine clones surrounding Kiba, a soil cone thrust out, piercing a shadow clone

and causing it to explode. Simultaneously, a figure rushed along the soil cone.

Kiba! Uzumaki Kushina's eyes widened slightly. Earth Release ninjutsu? He

can use Earth Release?

As Kiba sprinted on the soil cone,

the eight remaining shadow clones quickly reacted, chasing him.

"Hirohiko!" Kiba yelled,

reaching the top of the soil cone. He leaped up, splitting his legs at

lightning speed to strike one of the three clones surrounding Hirohiko.

Prepared, Hirohiko rushed towards

Kiba.

"Snapped!"

As Kiba landed, Hirohiko's hand

was already extended, ready. Kiba grabbed it, turned, and threw Hirohiko

towards Yukina's encirclement at incredible speed, holding a kunai tightly.

"Boom!"

A shadow clone with its back

turned to the incoming Hirohiko was swiftly stabbed by his kunai. Although the

other clones tried to intervene, Hirohiko was too fast. The clone exploded

immediately upon contact.

Seeing a gap in the encirclement,

Yukina ran towards Kiba, pulling Hirohiko up as she passed him. The three

quickly joined together, forming a back-to-back defensive stance similar to

Kushina's clones, each guarding all directions.

Uzumaki Kushina's shadow clones

had arrived, surrounding the trio.

Panting, Kiba said,

"Hirohiko, Yukina, are you both alright?"

"I'm fine," Yukina

replied, though she was nearly exhausted, with 80% of her chakra depleted.

Eight Trigrams Palm had consumed a lot of her energy.

Hirohiko was also panting like

Kiba. "Twenty percent," he said succinctly, indicating his remaining

chakra.

Watching from a distance, Uzumaki

Kushina exhaled. Their coordination had been seamless, creating a sense of

fighting beauty. For a moment, she believed they could break through and

attack.

This is finally over, she thought, feeling proud yet burdened

with the responsibility to train them well.

At that moment, Kiba smiled.

"Hirohiko, Yukina, let's start!"

"Oh!" they responded.

As soon as Kiba finished, two

shadow clones turned and struck their comrades, causing them to explode. They

quickly rushed towards Uzumaki Kushina's main formation.

What! Uzumaki Kushina was horrified. My own shadow clones

betrayed me?

The two traitor clones attacked so

quickly that the others were stunned. They didn't react in time and were

instantly defeated.

Seeing the smiles on the traitor

clones' faces, Uzumaki Kushina intervened. "Don't be too proud!" she

said, punching them both and causing them to explode.

As she spoke, a figure descended,

grabbing her fist.

"It seems this is the real

Teacher Kushina!" Kiba's voice sounded.

Looking down, she saw Kiba

squatting with a smile, surrounded by dust. He looked at her, then at the

circle, where Yukina and Hirohiko had formed a springboard with their hands.

Did they leap over using each other's strength?

Kushina realized Kiba had set up a

plan. During the earlier attack, he deliberately swapped shadow clones and

lured attention to himself and his team, creating an opening for the traitor

clones.

Such thoughtful planning!

Uzumaki Kushina was shocked. She had lost!

These three were outstanding, especially Kiba—a peerless genius!