Team Seven's POV (Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
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Neji's POV
Misumi roared with anger as he surged forward. Neji dodged a wild punch, but to his surprise, the man seemingly became boneless, completely wrapping around Neji in an odd tackle."I'm gonna crush your spine!" The man raged as he started to tense, in what he was sure would become a bone crunching embrace.
However Neji merely smiled. Once again releasing a chakra pulse, but twice as potent. Before Misumi fell off, he screamed in blood curdling pain. Blood shot through his eyes and mouth. Yoroi's eyes widened. Yoroi and his team had been dominated by the man. And though he showed signs of tiring, he was relatively undamaged.
"Using the same strategy twice? I was prepared to fire needle-like chakra from my points. Good for grapplers like your groups, and proof of how sloppy you all are. Prepare yourself, you're in range, and I don't have time to waste!" Neji called as he blitzed Yoroi. The difference in speed was so great that Yoroi could barely flinch before Neji slammed a palm into the man's left wrist. "One palm!" Another palm jabbed just above the right knee, and another poked the left shoulder joint. "Two palms!" Yorio cried out in pain as he lost control of his left arm. He attempted to back peddle, but his leg was too injured. Four more strikes came before he could beg.
The speed was so great that Yoroi could barely tell where they were landing. "Four Palms!" Eight more hits, the force of the blows taking him off his feet and carrying him forward through the air. "Eight Palms!" Yoroi lost count of the next flurry, his world becoming an odd mix of numbness and pain. "Sixteen Palms!" Yoroi is barely conscious of the next valley. "Thirty-two Palms!". Yoroi's life flashed before his eyes as the last flurry destroyed his organs and chakra points. "Sixty Four Palms!" Yoroi flew back and slid against the ground. Obviously, dead from the boneless way he fell.
Neji breathed heavily as he stooped low. His pride demanded he stand, but he collapsed on the ground regardless. Defeating the three had taken Neji's best for a long fight. Almost to the same level as the fight with blondes, purely with numbers this time. "Need to work… on… stamina." Neji panted as he passed out.
Ino arrived several minutes later. She scrambled to the exhausted Neji and nearly cried when he was okay. She hugged him emotionally and then rose as if to take off.
"I gotta check on Naruto." She said as she slowly walked on. But she was stopped as a bloodied Kakashi appeared in front of her.
"Good work, you two. I'll check on Naruto; you two catch your breath. I'm sorry for failing you," Kakashi said in a no-nonsense tone. Ino collapsed on her knees, relieved to see Kakashi. There was no doubt he would save Naruto. The Jounin treated the two for their minor wounds. As soon as he was done, he would check on the blonde. But before anything else could be done, a laugh startled the two.
"I'm afraid you'll be quite busy." A rough voice interjected. "We have business with him after all. As such, I have business with you. Gotta let Juzo work, so let's spar, Kakashi of the Sharingan…" The man was tall and muscular. Most of his person was covered in a black cloak with red clouds. His face showed he had pale blue skin. His smile was wide and sharkish. This was reinforced by his sharp teeth. He had what appeared to be gills beneath his eyes, which were simple and bloodthirsty. "Hope you can still fight decently well, afraid we of the mist don't believe in fair fights. I'm looking forward to fighting you all the same. Impress me and I'll make sure I remember you…" He started lifting a large sword off his back with one hand. The large object is covered in bandages, it radiated chakra and killing intent.
Kakashi quickly rose in front of his Genin. He would defend them to his last breath, but there was no denying they were in trouble. Kisame Hoshigaki was a known legend now Missing Shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Mist. One of the small amounts of S-rank shinobi left alive. Kakashi doubted he could defeat him but would not hesitate to try. Minato and Rin would never forgive him for less. 'Naruto, just hold out! I won't leave you behind!'
"Ino, take Neji and check on Naruto. If you find him in trouble, try to get him out of it. I'll hold this new enemy here. Retreat to the Leaf once you have him." Kakashi ordered.
"Bu-"
"But nothing! This is do or die!" Kakashi countered harshly.
Ino seemed to look around, confused, before nodding. She managed to rouse Neji, and she took off. Neji followed shortly after. They were both hurt, but Kisame's friend was even half as strong as him. Naruto would desperately need the help. Kakashi merely silently prayed to Rin to help him get through this. Neither he nor his students were ready to die yet.
Dosu / Naruto's POV (South Bandit Camp Exit - Land of Fire)
Dosu wouldn't call himself an arrogant man. He knew his capabilities well, and had strived hard to raise them over the years. He learned his comrades' abilities and even established leadership over them. They had great teamwork; his teammates were not entirely on his level, yet they had found their niche within the team. Within the small and secretive Sound Village there were not many shinobi present, fewer of any notable quantity. The three of them hadn't been all that different. Until they worked together, it was only then their leader noticed them.
The Hidden Sound Village wasn't a conventional nor even recognized Hidden Village. For one they had no official ground they held or political backing as the others. Their leader, Orochimaru-sama, was powerful and wise as most kage. But he was also an internationally recognized criminal. As such they operated differently. They sulked around in the shadows, subtly gathering power all the once they had been noticed it was only a matter of time before they were utilized. The Sound couldn't afford to ignore potential…
Orochimaru-sama had given them a simple mission. Their leader had gained knowledge of a valuable team of Leaf shinobi partaking in a mission nearby their current home. Their village was new and meager, yet they had already made themself a formidable enemy. The Leaf Village was their target in most acts. To be asked to aid with their efforts against them was an honor among the Sound. Even better yet, was their role in this. The three of them would kill one measly Genin. To make the matter easy. They had received substantial information on him. It was damning, to say the least. An assassin's dream job. Their target was labeled unintelligent, untalented, and criminally weak. They had seen his clones. Something the file hadn't mentioned, and Dosu knew the data might be off. But he was a newbie up against three of the Sound's finest. What could he honestly do?
Well, endlessly summoning clones and surprisingly efficient kenjutsu were the answers he found. Dosu did not doubt that they could take him if they could mob the original. Yet their ambush had been turned on its head.
At all points in the fight, they were significantly outnumbered. At least eight to one. The clones were easy to dispatch, specifically for Zaku and him. But Kin struggled to do the same. Even with their dispatching of multiple clones, the original was further reinforcing clones. The three of them had no choice but to stand their ground and beat back the army. This led to an odd loop of dispatching clones and saving Kin. But in turn, the clones got closer and closer to landing decisive blows on them.
Dosu cursed his luck, this so called easy target was showing himself to be a considerable threat. Had their intel been wrong? Every second the battle raged, the blonde army made more progress.
Zaku blasted two away, only to be nearly beheaded by a third. Kin kicked the clone away and barely deflected a slash for another, but was kicked away herself by another clone. Dosu slid under a punch from another as he joined the other two, using his gauntlet to destroy the clones as he did. It was only a matter of time now, if they didn't somehow turn the tables. Things may get grim fast…
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Naruto's POV
Naruto silently crept through the forest around the battle. Occasionally, stopping to summon shadow clones to continue his relentless assault. He was looking for his moment. It was clear between Dosu and Zaku, they had consistent coverage against the fragile clones. The woman named Kin was already struggling, even with the other two's help. Doubtless, she would shortly follow if one of the men were defeated.
His eyes watched as Dosu swung his gauntlet, destroying groups of clones. Seeing a clone sneaking up on Kin, Zaku sniped it with his Cannon. Kin peppered two more witn senbon destroying them. But the group was already slowing down. Dosu and Kin were forced to dodge a barrage of kunai, Naruto smiling as the clones successfully separated the three. It was time.
Naruto locked his eyes onto Zaku, he spawned six more clones that moved with intention. Two separated from the rest and began a mad dash toward the mobile Dosu and Kin. The rest used the chance to close in on the real target. The first approached head on and were reasonably obliterated first. The next two approached from opposite flanks as the last two lagged behind from the front. Zaku predictably blew away the flankers, but the last two drew close. Zaku cackled as he aimed his weaponized palms at them, but the clones reacted sagely, one throwing the other to close the ground. Despite the clever attempt Zaku managed to get off his attack, however the clone drew close enough to swipe the hands away even as they blew him apart. Zaku was wide open!
Naruto's training kicked in as he dashed into the field at max speed. His sudden approach left Dosu and Kin stunned as he closed in on Zaku. Zaku attempted to point his left hand at Naruto but the blonde was too close. Naruto roared triumphantly as he thrust Riptide for Zaku's chest. However even off guard he leapt back, still being stabbed but turning a sure kill into a shallow wound. The man fell to his ass before Dosu and Kin landed around him. As they did, Naruto's own clones landed around them as well. They stared the three down as his clones surrounded the now weakened team of enemy shinobi.
"Zaku, don't tell me you're out!" Kin called angrily as she shifted her stance nervously. Naruto was certain she was out of her element. So why were they attacking him? Surely now they recognized they weren't able to, retreating was their only option…
"Heh, like fuck I am," Zaku growled as he climbed to his feet. Dosu merely nodded as the three prepared for an assault against the clones. Naruto sighed as he realized this fight wouldn't end nearly so cleanly. Before they three could renew the battle again Naruto spoke out, his voice oddly tired.
"Please surrender. I cannot waste any more time here. You cannot beat me, you must know that now…"