Picking Battles

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Finally, after an intense back-and-forth, the Atronachs started to falter. The Frost Atronach had significantly reduced in size, its movements sluggish. The Air Atronach, too, had lost its solid form, the swirling winds beginning to disperse.

Taking advantage of the Atronachs' weakened state, Kisame and Hidan attacked simultaneously. Kisame released a massive fireball, which slammed into the Frost Atronach, causing it to shatter. Hidan, meanwhile, used an Earth Release to trap the Air Atronach within a dome of earth, stifling its movements.

Watching his Atronachs dissipate, Koushin let out a low chuckle. "I suppose that's enough playtime for now," he said, his tone filled with underlying anticipation.

As Yamato observed the confidence creeping onto Koushin's face, a crease of worry etched into his forehead. He squared his shoulders, turning his focus onto the younger man. "Remember what Hokage-sama said, Koushin," he sternly reminded him, a seasoned air in his voice. "Our mission is to secure the Jinchuriki's exit."

Koushin tilted his head, shaking it slightly. "Yamato-san, we're already neck-deep in this situation. I don't think they're just going to let us waltz out of here," he retorted, glancing over at the menacing figures of Kisame and Hidan. His eyes held a glimmer of audacious challenge, yet beneath that, a layer of calculated reasoning lurked, marking his words as more than just reckless bravado.

Yugito watched the exchange between the two Konoha shinobi, her expression steadily growing more vexed. "I trapped them here to kill them, not to let some leaf-ninjas mess up my plan," she snapped, her golden eyes flashing dangerously. "Remember your place. You came later. Don't go making plans on your own."

Her aura shifted, a pulsating, bluish chakra radiating from her body. The chakra morphed and expanded, taking on the distinct shape of a gigantic feline. A soft growl reverberated in the air, causing Kisame and Hidan to momentarily shift their focus onto her. She stood, now clad in the spectral figure of the Two-Tails, her aura imposing and fearsome.

Koushin's eyes widened for a moment, admiration flashing through his gaze before he turned his attention back to Yamato and the Akatsuki members. "Well, you heard the lady," he said, gesturing towards Yugito. "She's calling the shots here, and I'm not one to argue with a fiery, two-tailed cat."

Yamato's frown deepened at Koushin's words, but he refrained from making a retort, aware that their current situation needed unity, not petty disagreements. Nodding once in understanding, he prepared himself for the next phase of the fight.

Koushin then turned back towards the Akatsuki duo, the light-hearted glint in his eyes replaced by a serious, steely gaze. "Leave Hidan to me. Deal with Kisame," he said.

Yamato cast a skeptical look at Koushin. "Are you sure?" His voice carried a tinge of concern, his eyes flicking between the eager young ninja and Hidan, whose scythe glinted ominously in the dim light.

Koushin met Yamato's gaze head-on, a seriousness that was unusual for him present in his eyes. "Positive," he replied, his tone resolute. "Hidan's no joke, Yamato-san, but he has patterns. I've been studying his moves during our fight with the Atronachs. I think I can handle him."

Yamato's worry didn't ease. As the appointed leader of this mission, the safety of his team was his primary concern. Koushin might be confident, but Yamato had enough experience to know that the young shinobi could be underestimating his opponent.

"And what if you can't?" Yamato pressed, his stern gaze never leaving Koushin.

"If I can't," Koushin began, a playful smirk creeping onto his face as he added, "then you'll have the honor of saving my hide. Consider it an exciting addition to your mission, Yamato-san."

Yamato raised an eyebrow at Koushin's nonchalant response, the tension in his features softening just a fraction. "Very well. But don't push your luck, Koushin. Remember, our primary objective is to protect Yugito."

"I'm aware, Yamato-san," Koushin assured, his tone sincere. He turned his attention to Hidan, a determined glint in his eyes.

Yamato watched Koushin for another moment before he turned his attention to Kisame. He hoped that Koushin's confidence was well-founded, for the Akatsuki were not to be taken lightly. He steeled himself, mentally preparing for the battle to come.

Meanwhile, Yugito observed their exchange, her eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't particularly care about the Leaf shinobi's plans, but their presence had become a variable in her own. She wasn't about to let them compromise her fun. As the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails, she wasn't one to be underestimated either. She trapped two Akatsuki members for sole purpose of killing them.

"Enough with your chatter," she snapped, her voice echoing ominously as it was amplified by the spectral figure of the Two-Tails. "Remember that the longer we linger, the more likely reinforcements will arrive. If you're going to act, do it now."

Koushin looked at Yugito and snorted lightly. In the original; she had died due to her arrogance, despite her prowess and control over the Two-Tails, Matatabi. However, it was Hidan and Kakuzu she underestimated then, not Kisame. And Kisame, with Samehada, was a formidable force. Even Killer B had trouble dealing with him, let alone Yugito. "Bossy, kinky!"

Yugito's golden eyes narrowed at his tone, her spectral cat hissing, ears flat. "Watch your tone, Leaf-nin," she warned, her voice reverberating with a low, guttural growl.

Koushin just shrugged, seemingly unfazed by her threat. His gaze shifted to Kisame, a contemplative gleam in his eyes. "You're quite the piece of work, aren't you?" He muttered to himself before addressing Hidan, "Hey, Scythe-man, you're with me."

Hidan's response was a malicious grin. "Ready to die, kid?" He taunted, twirling his weapon.

Koushin, on the other hand, responded with a smirk. "Why? Are you?" His witty reply took Hidan aback, but Koushin didn't let the moment linger. He moved with a swift grace, covering the distance between him and Hidan.

Simultaneously, Yamato and Yugito engaged Kisame. The shark-like man looked genuinely delighted at the prospect of facing them. "This should be fun," he said, his voice like the rasp of sandpaper.

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