Rescuing someone from the massive Hidden Sand Village and then fighting their way out is no easy task.
She spoke a few more words privately with Temari, who, of course, wanted to save her brother. She didn't care if it earned her the title of a Village traitor, and besides, it might not even come to that, as she also had a Sunagakure Elder on her side.
"Alright, we'll rescue Kankuro first, then we'll all leave the Hidden Sand Village together," Ino made the final decision.
Shikamaru stepped forward and said, "This idea was mine. I'll go with you."
Ino shook her head, "Your abilities aren't suited for charging into battle. Let Temari lead the way, Choji and I will go save him."
Choji, hearing that he had a mission, looked serious, pursed his lips, and nodded heavily.
Shikamaru was such a smart person; he immediately realized he had been neglecting his best friend's feelings. It was supposed to be a three-person operation, but he had often excluded Choji. He had indeed been too busy lately.
He immediately tried to make amends, "In terms of charging into battle, Choji is indeed more suitable than me. My combat ability is at a level that would only hold you back. So, I..."
Ino pursed her lips, gesturing for him to look at the "Gaara Harem" behind him, implying that these young girls were his mission.
Looking at the diverse, charming girls, Shikamaru was dumbfounded.
Choji also chuckled and patted his friend's shoulder. Afraid of trouble? Afraid of women's trouble? All the women here are your responsibility! Not many, just about a hundred or so!
Shikamaru alone certainly couldn't command these girls. Miss Maki appeared at the right time. Her Sealing Technique was unique in the Hidden Sand Village, but her personal combat ability was only average.
A Jonin in the Hidden Sand Village was not the same as a Jonin in Konoha; their Jonin were more like Konoha's Special Jonin.
Temari asked Miss Maki to assist Shikamaru in escorting these supporters and Elder Ryusa, who had fallen into a deep sleep after being detoxified, out of the Village.
Miss Maki accepted the mission.
As Pakura's disciple, she was twenty-six years old and had enough prestige to keep those young girls in line.
Shikamaru and Miss Maki led the main group away first.
Ino, Choji, and Temari escorted them for a while, then changed direction to find Kankuro.
At this time, the Hidden Sand Village was ablaze, screams echoed, and Sand Ninja could be seen throwing Kunai and Exploding Tags at the "Madmen." However, lacking command, their counterattack seemed very weak.
The "Madmen" were improving their intelligence quickly. Besides the physical techniques that formed muscle memory, two "Madmen" had already begun clumsily forming hand seals and releasing Ninjutsu.
Shortly after leaving the stone house, Ino and her group were surrounded by dense crowds of "Madmen."
They forced their way into the Village, quickly carving a bloody path.
Kankuro was trapped in the Puppet Brigade by Elder Huangsha; they needed to cross the entire Hidden Sand Village to reach him.
Normally, they could sneak through using the Transformation Technique, but now with the Village full of "Madmen," they could only charge straight through.
"You all stand behind me! I'll protect you!" Choji said resolutely.
Who are you?
Temari truly looked down on Choji's strength. In her opinion, Ino might be a tiny bit stronger than herself, and she admitted that, but the fatty? You should just go somewhere cool and stay there.
"Don't be reckless, we should hurry..." Her words were cut short as Ino pulled her back.
"Watch Choji. Today is his day to transform into a butterfly."
Transform into what? Temari was confused, but then she witnessed a bizarre scene.
Choji was exhaling and inhaling deeply, his chest vibrating wildly. With each inhale, his body became a bit thinner, and his eyes, which had been squeezed into a line by the fat on his face, now gleamed. A massive and dense Chakra formed light blue wings, fluttering on his back, making him look like a giant colorful butterfly.
Though Temari wasn't particularly focused on looks, she also liked handsome men. At this moment, she was stunned!
Without all that fat, the current Choji looked incredibly handsome! In terms of handsomeness, a slimmed-down Choji was no longer much worse than Sasuke.
Was this the same mascot-like fat pig from before?
"I'm going in! Stay close to me!" Without the fat on his neck, Choji's voice even became clearer after successfully slimming down.
Having known him for so many years, this was the first time Ino had seen Choji "transform." Shirō's breathing technique indeed had its unique qualities. By vibrating the Chakra pathways and maintaining a state of roughly "three breaths," it actually achieved an effect similar to the Chili Pill, and the enhancement effect of this breathing technique was greater and lasted longer than the Chili Pill.
Choji charged ahead, unstoppable. Any obstacles in his path, whether living or dead, could not withstand a single blow from him.
"Die!" Two Sand Ninja leaped out from the shadows. The Kunai in their hands were like two venomous snakes, one aiming for Choji's throat, the other for his heart.
Their vicious moves seemed like slow motion in Choji's eyes.
He grabbed one Sand Ninja's leg and, like a human weapon, slammed him into the chest of the other Ninja. Both spat blood and fell unconscious without a sound.
Those fearless "Madmen" also swarmed them from all directions.
A tall, thin figure stood in the shadows. This was Sasori's other subordinate in the Hidden Sand Village besides Yura, the Jonin Centipede.
Now, this Jonin had changed dramatically.
Another head with suture marks had appeared next to his neck, and his chest showed signs of becoming a human puppet. Where his heart once was, three hearts now beat, and two puppet arms had grown from his left and right ribs.
As he let out a series of howls, the "Madmen" charged forward relentlessly.
Choji shattered the face of one "Madman" with an elbow, then grabbed the "Madman's" shoulders with both hands, like using a sledgehammer, turning the person upside down and smashing their head onto the ground. The immense shock caused all the "Madmen" within a ten-meter radius to fall. He rushed over, punching and kicking, eliminating these enemies, then, while maintaining his breathing technique, threw a punch at Centipede, who was watching the scene.
Ino and Temari followed behind.
"Centipede Jonin?!" Seeing the transformed Centipede, Temari finally understood the meaning of what the gentle Elder Ryusa had said earlier, "They've all gone mad." This was more than just madness; he no longer looked human, did he? If Centipede had turned into such a monstrosity, then what about Yura?
Choji wanted to quickly deal with Centipede, but facing a Sunagakure Jonin, and one who had been haphazardly human-modified by Sasori, he also needed time.
The Butterfly Transformation mode was not invincible.
"You two go first! I'll deal with this guy!" He roared, attracting more "Madmen" to surround and attack him.
Ino absolutely could not let him stay behind to cover their retreat. Whether Kankuro was rescued or not didn't matter; Choji absolutely could not perish here.
"Less talk, let's go together!"
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