Chapter 18: United in Defeat
Hinata watched the path ahead nervously, her pale hands clenched tightly together. Her timid heart fluttered erratically; even the slightest rustle of leaves was enough to startle her.
Earlier, using her Byakugan, she had sensed Kurenai's chakra from a distance. It was vast, powerful, and overwhelming, which only served to heighten her fear. Her slender frame pressed tightly against the rough bark of the tree trunk, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Swish!
A sudden rustle in the grass signaled something—or someone—approaching at high speed.
"She's here... Kurenai-sensei is here."
Hinata's body tensed, her nervousness spiking.
With her Byakugan active, Hinata could clearly see everything within a one-kilometer radius. What unsettled her was the presence of multiple chakra signatures moving around her.
But clones are just illusions... why do they have moving chakra?
Panic began to set in as she realized these figures exhibited clear signs of chakra flow. At the Academy, they had only learned the basic Clone Technique, not its advanced counterpart. What Kurenai was using was the Shadow Clone Technique, which created solid, chakra-wielding duplicates.
"Little Hinata, I found you."
Kurenai's voice, clear as a bell, rang out. Several shadow clones surged forward simultaneously, surrounding Hinata.
Completely flustered, Hinata couldn't tell which was the real one.
"Gentle Fist!"
Driven by panic into a corner, Hinata's fighting spirit ignited. She focused chakra into her palms.
She took a step forward, striking out with one palm, then another step with the second palm. Two swift Gentle Fist strikes shot toward the approaching Kurenais.
"The Gentle Fist? Potent, but full of openings," the Kurenais remarked in unison.
Two of the clones rushed directly toward Hinata's palms. Poof! Poof! They vanished into clouds of white smoke upon impact.
However, another Kurenai materialized directly behind Hinata, her hand already descending in a swift, decisive chop.
Just as Hinata was about to be defeated, a voice called out from the woods where he had been lying in wait.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Strike!"
A brilliant arc of white lightning, sharp and fast as a shooting star, shot from the trees, aimed directly at the Kurenai behind Hinata.
"Hm? An ambush?"
Kurenai's clone frowned, turning to see Aizen emerging from the foliage. The white lightning bolt struck its target and exploded. The Kurenai clone dissolved into a puff of white mist.
"Are you alright, Hinata?" Aizen called out, jogging toward her. He had been waiting here, anticipating Kurenai's arrival. While Shadow Clones possessed chakra, they were fragile. His Lightning Strike had easily dispelled all of Kurenai's clones in the vicinity.
But just as Aizen thought he had gained the upper hand, Hinata cried out, "Aizen, behind you!"
Before he could fully turn, a soft yet firm palm pressed against his back. A warm breath ghosted past his ear, carrying a faint, captivating scent.
Kurenai's voice, laced with sly amusement, whispered, "I expected an ambush, boy. But the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Those were all my Shadow Clones."
With that, she delivered a light push. Aizen's body was sent flying backward, tumbling directly toward where Hinata was standing.
"Oof!"
Aizen grunted in pain as he landed. He felt something surprisingly soft cushioning his fall.
He looked back and found himself sprawled awkwardly on top of Hinata. The softness he felt was pressed against Hinata's chest.
"A-Aizen-kun... could you please get up?" Hinata stammered, her ears burning a brilliant red. Her entire face was flushed crimson, like a ripe apple. Flustered and with no one else to turn to, she could only wring her hands nervously.
"My apologies," Aizen said, getting up awkwardly and deftly shifting all blame. "It's all because Kurenai-sensei is too powerful." Being taken advantage of in such a manner left Hinata feeling deeply uncomfortable.
"Too weak. All four of you are far too weak." Kurenai appeared once more, her face a mask of disappointment. "To be picked off one by one like this... you've truly let me down."
She scanned the grassy areas on either side. "You other two, come out as well."
Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino let out simultaneous, resigned sighs and emerged from their hiding spots.
All four members of Team 8 looked thoroughly disheveled. Not only had they failed to even touch the bells, but they had also been soundly defeated.
"You are weak. Not only in individual strength, but you showed no regard for teamwork. I am deeply dissatisfied with your performance," Kurenai stated, her tone stern and final. "This means all four of you have failed the assessment!"
Her words landed like a thunderclap, striking directly at the hearts of the four genin.