Chapter 65: Finally Awake

Just as Borea was about to close in for the kill, Capriolo suddenly got up and punched her in the gut. Surprised, she looked at his hand and noticed a small shadow wrapping around his index finger which was bent backward.

"So you broke out of my Illusion by breaking your own finger?" Borea smirked. "How clever!"

"That's not all I did," Capriolo grinned.

Borea looked down and saw that her and Capriolo's shadows were intertwined as the shadowy arms kept them in place.

"I only pretended to throw the knife off-target, figuring you would pick it up and try to kill me," Capriolo described. "But it was all a ruse to get you close enough to step into my shadow, and with the Revenge of the Shade still active you're not going anywhere anytime soon."

The two struggled as Capriolo attempted to strangle Borea's throat with the shadow hands, but she still managed to resist causing them to recede. Unable to come up with anything, Capriolo felt his power growing weaker when a sudden gust of wind blew Borea into a nearby building. Confused, Capriolo looked to his right and saw Pallamano (Temari) standing there with her white parasol opened though instead of the pink dress she now wore a purple dress-top and short black skirt.

"Who…the hell are you?" Borea asked as she recovered from the wind blast.

"An ally of the Foglia family," Pallamano answered bluntly.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Capriolo admitted.

"Don't get too excited," Pallamano responded. "I'm only following orders."

"The Fifth Godfather sent you, didn't she?"

Pallamano said nothing.

"Funny how women seem to think men need help, even though they can take care of themselves."

"On the contrary," Pallamano retorted. "I think you've gotten a lot dumber since we last met."

Taken aback, Capriolo argued, "My plan was working perfectly, thank you very much."

"Didn't seem like it."

"Ugh, get a room already!" Borea interrupted. "This lovers' quarrel is making me sick!"

"We're not lovers!" Capriolo and Pallamano shouted at the same time, causing them to glare at one another.

Meanwhile, Borea picked up her flute and started playing another melody.

"Careful," Capriolo warned Pallamano. "That flute allows her to create different Illusions depending on the melody."

"Got it," Pallamano nodded. "War Birds' Dance (Sickle Weasel Technique)!"

Twirling the parasol, Pallamano summoned another gust of wind which not only blew Borea away but it also broke her flute. When the dust cleared, neither Capriolo nor Pallamano could see Borea anywhere.

"Guess she must've run away," Pallamano assumed.

"Unlikely," Capriolo claimed. "She's probably hiding somewhere, waiting to attack when we least expect it."

Scuffing, Pallamano bit her thumb and spread the blood all around the parasol's circumference. "If she thinks she's got the upper-hand here, big mistake! Divine Punishment of Aethon*(Summoning: Quick Beheading Dance)!"

As Pallamano sent another wind blast with her parasol, a large brown eagle appeared in a puff of smoke and spread its wings in a gliding position. With its metallic beak and talons the eagle tore through the air, knocking down telephone poles and cars as it went. Once the dust settled, the entire traffic circle was torn to shreds with the buildings miraculously intact. Under one turned-over car lay Borea, who no longer looked demonic and had her eyes closed.

Satisfied, Pallamano closed her parasol. "It's finished."

###

During the battles that took place between the remaining members of his Squad and the Suono Four (Sound Four), Gelato was attempting to fight Astraeus (Kimimaro) but every single one of his Homunculi (Shadow-Clones) got destroyed by Astraeus' sword which was made from solid bone. Angered, he felt the Nine-Headed Hydra's (Nine-Tailed Fox's) energy starting to take over but tried to resist it. Just then, the barrel Astraeus was carrying suddenly burst open. In its place stood Tony (Sasuke), only his skin was dark gray and his hair was longer and ash-colored. But then a few seconds later, his skin and hair color returned to normal.

"So you're finally awake," Astraeus said casually. "If you keep going that way, the Suono territory is just across the bridge."

"Don't listen to him!" Gelato cried, feeling the Hydra's influence weakening. "You should come home with me. Rosa's waiting for you, and so is everyone else."

In response, Tony just laughed and ran away.

"Hey! Get back here!" Gelato attempted to follow Tony but was blocked by Astraeus.

"This is the end of the road," Astraeus stated as he attempted to strike Gelato with his sword.

"Not so fast!"

Gelato looked in shock as Beni Niro (Rock Lee) came flying out of nowhere and kicked Astraeus in the face. He staggered back, while Beni stood in front of Gelato.

"Beni?" Gelato blinked. "What happened to your body?"

"Go now!" Beni demanded. "Rosa's counting on you! I'll beat this guy!"

Hearing that, Gelato immediately ran. Astraeus tried to attack him, but Beni blocked his attacks long enough for Gelato to safely run out of the park towards a large bridge in the distance. Meanwhile, Beni and Astraeus exchanged blows but neither could defeat the other.

"You've got good reflexes," Beni complimented as he breathed heavily. "And you're always improvising new attacks."

In turn, Astraeus scuffed. "On the other hand, you're too predictable and attacking without thinking."

Angered, Beni ran straight toward him but Astraeus moved out of the way. This caused Beni to trip and raise his hand just as Astraeus raised his sword.

"Hold on a second," Beni said and reached into his hidden coat pocket. "I need to take my medicine now."

Pulling out a small metal flask, Beni unscrewed the top and drank the whole thing. He stood up, but soon became wobbly afterwards. Astraeus watched as Beni's cheeks turned red and his eyes became droopy.

"Who the heck are ya, anyway?" Beni asked in a slurred voice. "Thinking yer so cool an' stuff, well I'll show you who's cooler!"

End of Chapter 65

*Aethon was the name of the eagle that pecked out Prometheus' liver as punishment from Zeus for giving fire to mortals