The razor-sharp claws paired with his rapidly spinning body made Kiba Inuzuka's secret clan technique, Fang Over Fang, tear through the air like a drill. With a howl of wind, he launched himself toward Kawakami Shiman, who was perched steadily on a tree branch.
Half-crouched, Kawakami flicked his wrist and loosened the iron chain that had previously wrapped around the branch. As he locked eyes with the rapidly approaching Kiba, a snort of derision escaped from beneath the cold metallic oni mask on his face. For a seasoned jōnin like Kawakami, Kiba's attack—though powerful—was far too linear and predictable. Worse yet, Kiba didn't even hold a speed advantage. To Kawakami, evading or countering this kind of assault was child's play.
"Kiba's being reckless."
Hidden among the foliage, Shino Aburame frowned, his expression tightening with concern.
Ever since Shikamaru had failed to shake off Kawakami earlier, Shino had reevaluated the enemy's combat ability. Now, after watching both Chōji and Kiba's ambushes fail in succession, he was impressed—and wary—of Kawakami's speed and adaptability. Judging by what they'd seen so far, it was clear: Kiba wasn't fast enough. And without a smokescreen to obscure vision, Fang Over Fang's trajectory was too easy to read.
Regardless of their personal bonds—or the fact that injury to a teammate would disqualify the whole squad—Shino had every reason to worry about Kiba's safety.
"Swish!"
Just as expected, Kawakami didn't try to meet Kiba head-on. Instead, he stepped backward, allowing himself to fall from the branch. As he dropped, he grasped the limb tightly with both hands, leaving himself hanging below it.
Fang Over Fang tore overhead, missing Kawakami by mere inches. He could feel the pressure of wind on his back as the technique rushed past, but not a scratch touched him.
With impressive agility, Kawakami swung his body back up onto the branch like a monkey, reclaiming control in an instant. His right hand grabbed the iron chain again, spinning the steel weight at its end with practiced ease.
At this point, their positions had flipped. Kiba was airborne, his momentum leaving him with no footing, and his spinning motion making mid-air adjustments nearly impossible. Kawakami, however, stood ready, composed, and fully in control.
"Clink—!"
The spinning iron chain sliced through the air, leaving ghostly trails behind. Once Kawakami judged the force was right, he released his grip.
The weighted end of the chain flew out with a high-pitched whistling sound, rapidly wrapping around Kiba's legs. The iron ball at the tip slammed against his thigh, sending a jolt of pain through the muscle as his legs bound tight.
"Damn it!"
Kiba had sensed the danger the moment his attack missed. The sudden weight on his legs and the impact left him disoriented mid-air. He glanced toward Kawakami—only to see the man's right arm tightening, muscles straining as he yanked the chain with brutal force.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
In Kawakami's left hand, four kunai glinted under the filtered sunlight, ready to be thrown—but just as he was about to strike, a burst of rapid footsteps echoed across the branches.
"Hyaah!"
A sharp cry rang out. From around the tree came a girl in a white jacket and short-cut hair. Her skin gleamed pale under the sun, and her grayish-white eyes were traced with fine, spiderweb-like lines of her activated Byakugan.
The bulging veins near her temples gave her usually gentle features an unexpected fierceness. It was Hinata Hyūga.
Hands out in the stance of the Gentle Fist, Hinata moved in with small, deliberate steps, keeping her balance as she rushed forward. While she couldn't yet emit chakra from all tenketsu points like an advanced Hyūga, her control over her hands made her palm strikes deadly.
But her inexperience showed. The sound of her approach betrayed her position. Kawakami reacted immediately.
With a flick of his left hand, he hurled the kunai—originally meant for Kiba—toward Hinata instead. At the same time, he jerked the chain again, swinging Kiba's bound body like a wrecking ball, hurtling it straight toward Hinata.
She was stunned for a second—caught off-guard by the sheer speed of Kawakami's counterattack. But her Byakugan gave her a critical advantage. She weaved through the incoming kunai with tight, fluid movements—dodging each one by a hair's breadth.
The kunai hadn't been thrown with full force—likely due to Kawakami's divided attention—but the danger hadn't passed. Her eyes widened as she noticed Kiba, still spinning and helpless, being swung toward her like a human weapon.
If she dodged, Kiba would be slammed violently into the tree.
That was Kawakami's cruelty.
In a split-second decision, Hinata pivoted. Instead of avoiding the blow, she stepped forward and caught Kiba's body. The impact forced her to stagger backward, struggling to maintain her balance. Pain rippled through her arms and ribs, but she managed to hold on.
"Damn!"
Both Shikamaru and Shino reacted instantly.
Shikamaru dashed toward Hinata without hesitation, while Shino began weaving hand signs.
From Kiba's solo charge, to his entanglement by the chain, to Hinata's interception—everything had happened within moments. Neither of them had time to respond before, but now they knew things had turned bad.
Shikamaru's plan was beginning to unravel.