The group pressed through the chaos, shadows darting around them as more shinobi emerged to block their path. Out of the ranks stepped four figures, each radiating an aura of elite prowess. Three of them were high-level ninjutsu specialists, their eyes cold and focused, ready to defend their homeland with deadly precision. But the fourth—a woman with an ethereal presence—stood slightly apart. She was shrouded in an aura of mixed elemental energy, a master of a rare kekkei tōta, a rare technique even beyond the dual-element kekkei genkai. This promised to be a battle of immense skill and danger.
The woman with the kekkei tōta gave a slight smile, her eyes sharp as her chakra formed around her in a dance of light and shadow. Her technique was known as "Crystal Tempest," a fusion of wind, earth, and lightning chakra that could crystallize anything it touched. She was revered as one of Moukoku's most formidable shinobi and was known for her ruthless precision on the battlefield.
Naruto took a step forward, his Rasengan forming in his hand, while B stood by his side, his chakra pulsing in sync with the Eight-Tails within him. Neji activated his Byakugan, scanning their opponents, while Lee assumed a ready stance, his focus unwavering. Shino stood slightly back, calculating his approach, his kikaichū insects humming with anticipation.
One of the ninjutsu specialists—a tall man with a scarred face—started with a fierce attack. "Fire Style: Inferno Wave!" he called out, unleashing a torrent of fire that roared forward, blanketing the battlefield in flames.
Naruto countered immediately. "Water Style: Wild Water Wave!" he shouted, mimicking a jutsu he had observed from Kakashi. The water met the fire in a sizzling collision, steam rising and obscuring the view.
In the momentary fog, the second specialist made his move, using Earth Style. "Earth Style: Stone Pillar Surge!" He slammed his hands into the ground, causing pillars of stone to erupt, aimed directly at Naruto and Lee.
"Lee, dodge!" Neji called, leaping into action. With Byakugan activated, he saw the exact moment the earth beneath them was disturbed. He lunged forward, grabbing Lee by the arm and pulling him out of the path just in time.
But the third specialist wasted no time. He used Lightning Style to amplify his speed, appearing behind Shino in a flash, kunai raised. "You think your bugs can help you now?" he sneered.
Shino's calm voice broke through the tension as his insects formed a shield around him. "Yes, they can." With a simple command, his kikaichū shot forward, swarming the enemy and forcing him back. The ninjutsu specialist swung at the insects, but they absorbed his chakra with each touch, slowing his movements.
Meanwhile, the woman with the kekkei tōta stepped forward. Her hands moved in graceful yet deadly seals. "Crystal Tempest: Shard Gale!" she announced, sending a gust of wind laced with crystallized particles across the battlefield. The air shimmered as razor-sharp shards hurtled toward the team.
"Get down!" B roared, his Eight-Tails chakra forming a barrier to shield Naruto, Neji, and Lee from the cutting winds. But even his chakra began to show tiny cracks as the shards bit into it.
"She's on another level," Neji muttered, his eyes narrowing as he assessed her technique. "We need to isolate her, or she'll tear us apart with that kekkei tōta."
Naruto grinned, determination igniting in his eyes. "Let's do it then! I'll keep her distracted. You guys handle the others!"
Before anyone could respond, Naruto charged forward, summoning a cluster of shadow clones that scattered in every direction. The woman narrowed her eyes as they came closer, each clone wielding a Rasengan. But with a flick of her wrist, she created a wall of crystal shards that spun like a vortex, tearing through the clones as they approached.
While Naruto kept her busy, Neji and Lee turned their attention to the first two specialists. Neji spun into action with his Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation, deflecting another wave of stone pillars and sending them crashing harmlessly to the side. Lee followed up with a burst of speed, delivering a series of high-speed kicks to the scarred man, who was barely able to raise his arms in defense.
The third specialist, trying to break free of Shino's insects, was clearly losing patience. He channeled a final surge of Lightning Style chakra, causing the kikaichū to scatter briefly. But before he could land a blow, B appeared behind him, his fist glowing with chakra.
"Lariat!" B shouted, slamming into the shinobi with a thunderous impact that sent him sprawling. The specialist hit the ground hard, coughing but managing to scramble to his feet, his gaze wary and angered.
But the most intense clash was still between Naruto and the woman with the kekkei tōta. She moved with calculated precision, weaving her Crystal Tempest techniques into complex patterns that sent torrents of crystal shards and wind scythes through the battlefield.
Naruto dodged, rolling out of the way, but she seemed to anticipate his every move, her crystals following him relentlessly. His clones were shattered as quickly as he could create them, and she advanced, her hand already moving into seals for another attack.
"Time to end this," she murmured, forming her most potent jutsu. The air hummed with energy as a massive crystal blade materialized in her hand, sharp and translucent, glinting dangerously.
"Not so fast!" Neji shouted, diving in with a palm strike aimed directly at her shoulder. She staggered back, surprised at his speed, as Neji's gentle fist infused her chakra points with a burst of force.
The woman grimaced, but even as she was hit, she spun out of Neji's range and lifted her hand, still holding the massive crystal blade. "You won't stop me!" she shouted, raising the blade high.
The two sides faced each other in a silent, tense standoff, each shinobi breathing heavily, their eyes locked in determination. Both sides knew that the next clash would decide everything.