Shikamaru had everyone squat down to make up a game plan. "Kiba make sure you time the smoke bomb accurately. Its imperative."
"Yep."
"Alright lets split into two groups." Naruto, Choji, and Kiba shot off in a different direction while Kira crouched down low in the bushes with Shikamaru and Neji. Though when she looked through the bushes she saw her enemy. Four of them. But there was no Sasuke.
"Where's Sasuke?" Shikamaru sounded startled.
Neji taking a closer look could see inside the container. "My guess is he's probably inside that coffin." Kira's heart rate picked up incredibly. Was Sasuke dead? No. He couldn't be, he was Sasuke!
"Is he dead?!"
"The coffin is sealed with barrier ninjutsu, it's hard to see through. I say anyone who wanted Sasuke that bad wouldn't kill him so abruptly." Neji's smart words were true, it sounded like he was right but still the idea that Sasuke could be dead made Kira nervous.
"True enough…" Just then one of the enemies shot a kunai into a tree Neji, Kira, and Shikamaru were crouching close enough too. Paper bombs! The three quickly jumped out of the way, but it didn't protect them from the blast. The blast sent them flying in the air till they were practically in front of the group now.
"Well, well. The things you find in the underbrush. I was expecting a snake. Turns out it was just a couple of bugs." one of the four scoffed staring down at the three of them.
Shikamaru was quick to get up holding his hands up in surrender as he spoke. "Now just wait! Hang on a sec!" He called trying to sound peaceful. "We didn't come to fight! We're here to negotiate."
The man with four arms laughed at Shikamaru's words. "Then what's your explanation for this?!" Naruto, Choji, and Kiba shot out away from the oncoming explosion, Kiba throwing his smoke bomb clouding the enemies sight for just a moment. "Hehehe, what do you intend with that smoke bomb? Whatever you do there's no escape from me."
The smoke started to clear and the group was able to see this webbing of sorts around the four armed man's fingers. "Thinner than hair, stronger than wire, my threads are practically invisible. And they're cobwebbed all over this place."
Damn it.
"That two wire trap..it was triple wired?" Shikamaru gasped "Gee whiz...heh...never expected to face talent like yours." The four armed man chuckled to himself.
"I'll take care of you fools" It took him a moment to realize he couldn't move his body...none of them could. "W, what? My body?"
Kira glanced at her team looking them over, they looked fine. Few bumps and scrapes but no major injuries yet. Shikamaru smirked glad his Shadow Possession Jutsu worked in his favor. "You know, I've got a few talents myself. Though I admit you made it easy for me. I must thank you."
The silver haired girl frowned as she spoke up. "THe thing is, I also have a power like this." Somehow, the group wasn't sure how. The silver haired girl was able to release herself from Shikamaru's jutsu. She slammed her hand to the ground and broke the ground to pieces knocking the group of six off balance. Shikamaru's concentration broken released rest of the enemies.
The rock rumbled surrounding the group in a dome. Trapping them inside the earth.
Naruto and Kiba were the ones to attack the wall in a way to dig them out, but whatever damage was dealt to the walls, the walls just grew back and kept them trapped. "Get us out!" Naruto screamed. The three were getting away with Sasuke!
Neji looked outside to see what was going on and frowned. "Oh, hrm...it's bad."
"What? Whats happening?"
"It's bad. He's siphoning out chakra like lamp oil." It wasn't good at all. Everyone was staring to feel the effects of the enemy's powers. Kira's body was starting to feel drained. A sweat started to form on her brow, it was like the worst workout she's ever done.
She remembered hearing Kiba say something about getting an air hole because he gave Akamaru a pill and the two resembled. They worked together to created multiple deeper holes but in the end those just closed like nothing had happened. Akamaru was beat after that.
Naruto stood trying to produce his rasengan but the ball wouldn't form. The man outside was sucking it out of him. "The way things are going, we won't last ten minutes. When our chakra's gone…" Well they already knew what would happen if their chakra's all gone.
Shikamaru nodded in understanding. He needed to act quick. "Hey listen! I want to speak with your leader! We admit defeat. We give up Sasuke! So please let us out of here!" Shikamaru tried to peaceful way.
The man outside only laughed at Shikamaru's words. Naruto and Kiba were astounded that Shikamaru would say such words. Neji and Kira stared at the pineapple haired boy in wonder, that couldn't possibly be it. And Choji? He didn't have a worry. He fully trusted Shikamaru.
"In fighting? Heh what fun. But you're my meal. I can't let you out." the man outside taunted.
"Then never mind the rest. Just let me out. Me alone. I'm tired of fighting. It's too troublesome." Naruto, Kira, and Neji stared wide eyed at the boy. Choji didn't like those words but he still trusted Shikamaru.
"You jerk! Do you have the faintest clue what you're saying?" Kiba screamed glaring at the back of Shikamaru's head. He hadn't moved from his crouched position.
The man on the other side of the dome just started laughing his ass off. "I take it you're the leader? Never thought I'd hear you beg for your life!" The air grew thin inside the dome. What was going through Shikamaru's head. "Though I guess the shadow of death always brings out a man's true colors. And to think your teammates put their lives in your hands. You really are a scumbag, you know that? Deserting Sasuke, selling out your teammates so thats the chunin of Konoha, huh? Hehehe. No, you're not going anywhere. You deserve to die."
Naruto growled glaring at the boy. "To think I had faith in you! I won't make that mistake again. You're trying to get my best friend killed!" Naruto snarled "Just get out Shikamaru!"
"Look you dunce, he can't get out. Thats why he's begging." Kiba shot back. Naruto spun to stare at a quiet Kira, he felt horrible. It was his idea to bring her, awkward or not she was the best healer he knew.
Naruto walked over to his friend, she was quiet staring at the ground with wide eyes. She didn't know what to think. "I'm sorry I got you into his mess…" he muttered drawing her attention back to the spikey blonde boy.
Shikamaru spun so now he was facing the group. Kiba and Naruto were still mad at him but he looked to be doing something, they didn't know though. "Shut up, all of you!" Choji ripped out a bag of chips and started to scarf down chewing fast and grabbing more to eat.
"Is this really the best time for a snack?!" Naruto screamed.
"So when Choji loses his temper he binges on junk food. Sheesh another another useless one." Kiba scoffed rolling his eyes. They were done for.
"I've got no choice. I'm using Shadow doppelgangers!" Naruto announced getting ready to attack the walls.
"Don't… the walls around us are shielded heavily with the enemy's chakra. Even if you damage them a little it will repair themselves just as quickly. This means if we are to penetrate this wall, we must use a focused physical attack concentrated at one point." Neji explained in a matter of fact tone.
"Taijutsu with destructive power stronger than mind. That would be Choji...but look at him."
'I think...I think Choji and Shikamaru have a plan…'
Kiba jumped, he actually jumped when he heard Kira's voice in his head. Neji stared at her nodding his head in agreement. Naruto rolled his eyes. 'But Shikamaru just said he wanted out and didn't care if we died or not.'
Her head was killing her keeping the link open with little chakra.
"How long have you been able to do that?!" Kiba yelled pointing in Kira's face. Her eyes zero'd in on the pointy finger before she smacked it away.
"I've been able to do that for a while now." She muttered looking back at Naruto who was still glaring at Shikamaru he didn't seem to care. Shikamaru smirked facing Neji.
"Neji. Do you mind using the rest of your chakra to observe the spot on the wall behind you and Choji?"
"Sure." Neji didn't seem to mind. He had a feeling that Shikamaru had a plan in motion, thats why he said those things to their captor.
"Shut your trap Shikamaru!"
"Naruto! Don't you get it?! Don't you remember what Shikamaru said when we took off?!" Choji yelled clearly angry that Naruto was so thick headed.
Though Naruto was confused Choji ignored Naruto for now. Choji was an insanely loyal friend to Shikamaru. "Kira can you keep that link up for a little bit longer?"
Kira let out soft yes and concentrated on her chakra, she couldn't hold it for long but it would be long enough for them to speak without being heard.
'Yes,' Her voice echoed through the boys heads.
'Neji. Use a kunai knife.' Shikamaru's nodded towards the spot behind Choji. 'Choji, you ready?' Choji grinned dropping his bag of chips and throwing his hands in front of his chest ready for anything.
'Totally, give me the word!' Choji quickly changed into a larger and fatter version. Something like what he did during the Chunin exams.
'What the heck is that?!' Naruto screamed staring at Choji in shock. He couldn't understand how Choji was able to do that. All their chakra was being drained.
Neji smirked kunai knife out at the ready before he spoke up. 'As I said earlier, the entire wall is soaked in chakra. Still, even this seemingly impenetrable wall may have a weak spot, with a lower chakra saturation so shikamaru speculated.'
'How on earth did you figure that out?' Naruto wondered confused giving both Neji and Shikamaru strange looks.
'Links crashing hurry it up.' Kira warned a cold sweat started to soak her. Her arms started to shake the harder she concentrated. All this sitting around and explaining was giving her the biggest migraine in the world. She needed to crash it soon or it wouldn't go away.
Neji nodded and got to work throwing his kunai at the spot on the wall. 'When Kiba and Akamaru attacked the wall, I noticed that some damage was repaired faster than others. Slower to recover means a lower saturation of chakra. Furthermore, my skillfully drawing out a conversation, Shikamaru managed to determine the enemy's position. The theory being the area furthest from the enemy has to be the weakest. He just needed to confirm it.'
"OKAY LETS DO IT!" Choji yelled spinning rapidly fast and attacking the spot where the Kunai was. It was amazing to watch as the dome wall crumbled creating an opening for everyone to escape.
First thing Kira did when she was out was take in some fresh air. Next was stare at Choji in shock, he did it. He set us all free.
"Choji?" The fat boy glanced at the girl confused. "That was incredible! You're amazing!"
"I knew it Choji. You're awesome."
Choji loved being praised by the two. While Naruto and Kiba had no idea that Choji could ever be that powerful. They just thought he was a fatty who just sat around and ate all the time even though he was a ninja, his weight made others think differently of him.
"So, you broke free of my barrier ninjutsu...Thats pretty good, kids." The enemy growled. He was pissed that his meal was trying to escape.
Naruto and Kiba shot forward screaming about how they would have the upper hand now that we all were free. Neji was the one to stop them. "It's risky to fight him head on right now. We may be six on one but with our chakra drained he can draw out the battle for a while. If we take too long Sasuke will cross the border. And if that happens our power will be useless on it's own."
"SO WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?!"
"We broke his barrier. We can beat him." Kiba snarled turning animalistic.
"Wrong, smarty pants. You're my meal, is what you are! Well, more like a half decent appetizer but anyway…"
"Look out guys! We're in for something big!" It was insane! The enemy slammed his hand on the ground making the earth crumble like a horrific earthquake, knocking all of the kids off balance. The enemy was able to pick up a large chunk of earth and was going to crush all six of them.
Choji was able to destroy the large boulder rock into smaller capable rocks. The bad part? Choji was face first in front of our enemy. Our enemy kicked Choji backwards so hard, it knocked him out for a moment. Shikamaru caught the flying boy and instructed Kira to hurry over while Kiba, Neji, and Naruto took cover.
Kira was quick to fall to her knees and look over Choji. She felt under his chin feeling a pulse. He wasn't dead but he was hurt badly. He might have a concussion. Kaida taught her how to heal properly, she wished she got a few lessons from Lady Tsunade but oh well. Bringing her hands to her chest she concentrated the last bits of chakra she had to healing Choji, after all he did help her escape the dome.
Her hands started to glow blue when she placed them on either sides of his head. "We're running out of time. Lets split up into two groups. The way this is going we won't be able to catch up to Sasuke. Neji, I'm making you my second in command. You take Kiba, Choji, and Kira to track Sasuke. As for this guy, Naruto and I will manage."
"Shadow Possession again? It's a useless technique. It's no better than a cheap stage trick. Heh…" Our fatter enemy smirked looking over our group. Already thinking us for chumps before locking eyes with Shikamaru. "And you're the squad leader, right? Do you honestly think splitting up puts you in a better position? Having a nitwit for a leader makes things tough for his subordinates."
Choji woke slowly sitting up. "How're you feeling?" Kira whispered feeling physically drained but she was glad he was awake and looked better.
"Better, I feel like I have more than enough energy now." She nodded glad he felt better.
"Well, scumbags. Given the shadow loving depressing moron you work under I'll be nice and kill you before you even notice what you're suffering."
"You pig! Shut your filthy trap! I'll kick your…"
"HE'S MINE!" The group jumped staring at Choji shocked. "I'll take him!" Choji wouldn't let this asshole hurt his friends or disrespect Shikamaru. Pulling out a small bag he extended the hand towards his best friend. "Shikamaru divide up these military ration pellets, and raise your chakra."
"Wait, Choji. You, you don't mean…" Shikamaru was visibly worried about him. He knew something Choji was up to and didn't want him to be alone.
"Yeah exactly. I've got my special reserve." The words spoken confused most of the group but Shikamaru knew. He knew what was going on and knew how dangerous it was.
"But look, thats…"
"Go on shikamaru! Take everyone and get out of here!" Choji hollard, he wouldn't take no for an answer. No one wanted Choji to be by himself against this dude.
"Are you nuts? You can't take this guy on by yourself!" Naruto tried to reason with the boy, it was a suicide mission!
Choji grinned at his friends as he spoke. He knew he might die but he believed in this mission. "Why is it we banded together? If we lose Sasuke now, we'll be just what he said we are. A nitwit, towing around a bunch of scumbags."
Frowning Kira stood from her spot looking Choji over. "Are you positive you feel better? Is there anything else that hurts?"
Choji shook his head keeping his eye on the man in front of him as he spoke. Shikamaru was holding out the soldier pills for everyone to take. "I'm fine. Just take some soldier pellets and rebuild your chakra." She nodded slowly.
"Be careful okay Choji? After this mission is over we'll celebrate." Choji chuckled at the proposal, never in a million years did he think a girl would be the one asking him out. But he agreed to her proposal saying he couldn't wait.
The fat bastard didn't help him feel better only built his anger. He wouldn't let this guy hurt his friends anymore. "You catch up to us, you got that, Choji?"
"Yep."
Kiba shot off first, then Neji, then Naruto, then Kira, and finally Shikamaru bringing up the rear. They were down a man and it didn't feel right without Choji.
"Shikamaru, back when you were talking with Choji, it sounded like he has an ace up his sleeve. You think he has a chance to win?" Neji spoke up from the rear unsure if they made the right decision.
"Yeah, that special reserve? What is it?" Kiba called confused.
Shikamaru cringed in fear. Everyone heard Choji's 'Good Luck' as they took off. Shikamaru didn't feel right leaving Choji behind but he couldn't argue with the boy. He knew Choji was right and that he'd be okay.
"Choji brought along the Akimichi clan's secret triple threat. Green, yellow, red. The triad of colored pellets, sanshokugan, can give you explosive power." Shikamaru explained still having that uneasy feeling in his stomach at leaving him behind.
"No wonder he was so sure of himself!" Naruto called back. Akamaru started to whimper to Kiba his own fears about that guy's power.
Kiba grunted down to Akakamru his agreement. "Yeah I was thinking the same thing just now."
"What's Akamaru saying?" Both Naruto and Kira called at the same time.
"You know Akamaru analyzes the enemies strength by its smell right, he's just worried whether those pellets alone will help Choji win against that monster, thats all."
"If you really think about it, that mammoths power is still unknown, Choji might not have a chance of survival. Though thats the nature of battle." Neji muttered though everyone heard.
"Thats right, we new from the start we weren't out for a picnic. We've staked our lives on this mission. I did imagine the worst case scenario, in which each of us must fight separately right now, I calculate, unless we're prepared to kill one enemy apiece, we won't be able to reach Sasuke. Choji has a good heart, what he lacks in confidence. The one thing he is confident about is that he's the weakest link amongst us."
Kiba rolled his eyes sure he didn't like leaving the guy behind but he knew Choji was weak. "Tell us something we don't know. Thats why he stayed behind. He wanted to be the first one to be useful." Shikamaru shook his head not believing anything Kiba said.
"Sure...Sure I know what you all think. But there's something else I know. That compared to me or Neji, or anyone else here Choji is by far the strongest." We all paused at a tree while Shikamaru started to carve into the bark for Choji so that he can catch up. "Besides he promised me, he'll beat his enemy and he will catch up to us. It was just an arrow but it would be more than enough for Choji to know where to go.
"Yep!"
"Hmph! 'Course he will. He's an able man when he tries."
"So listen guys, while he's catching up, how about we go pick up Sasuke!" Everyone was moved by Shikamaru's words. Even they believed that Choji would be fine and he would make it. Choji wouldn't have any trouble no, but still they were worried but they now were confident that their teammate would be fine.
Okay end of this chapter I'm done writing for Naruto today, I'll pick back up tomorrow and probably post another two chapters. I've got extra hours now for work so that means more down time to read, write, and play on my phone. Woo? Honestly it's a pretty boring job sometimes. Anyway I'll try to post tomorrow!