Chapter 37: Muscle and Lightning

"He's the only one. Seems like the others went ahead." Shikamaru comments.

He stretches out as he cracks his head. Now that the group was out, they were finally able to continue to get Yuri. Something that they all needed to do. Kenji was ready to get moving and get his friend back. No way was this going to end until they got her back. All of them are ready for it.

Kenji could get some frustration out for being trapped for a while. They just needed to get past this guy so they can move on.

"Yeah. They're not around here anymore." Neji confirmes.

"Damn… just when we thought we caught up." Shikamaru shakes his head.

The guy claps. "Everybody, you did well for some losers."

Kenji can only sigh, this wasn't going to end very well… sadly, he didn't think about getting Yuri back as quickly as they could. Standing here was only going to delay the time it would take for them to catch up. And they should be moving now!

If they continue to stand here, Yuri would get further and further away. If they aren't moving soon, Kenji is worried they won't be able to get Yuri back.

"What?" Naruto yells.

"Who are you calling losers?!" Kiba begins to run forward. Followed by Naruto.

"They are the losers…" Saksue mumbles.

Kenji rolls his eyes. Leave it to these two to get into a fight when they need to keep moving. Naruto and Kiba could take it and they might have a better idea of what they are dealing with.

Isamu nudges Kenji. "We might be in a tight battle. With depleted chakra and all. I don't have medical tools with me."

Stuffling a groan, Kenji almost forgot about that. Isamu is their healer. He was going to play a big part in keeping them all alive. And if he was out of chakra and didn't have his normal ninja tools with him… they would all be out of luck. It wasn't something Kenji liked to think about.

Isamu had a point… a battle isn't what they needed right now, and one glance at Shikamaru told him he had the same thought.

"Wait you two!" Neji calls out. "It's dangerous to fight them head on right now!"

"We just tore through this guy's barrier. How tough can he be?" Kiba exclaims.

Of course… Kiba and Naruto don't listen to Neji in the slightest… and go ahead and attack the guy. It takes everything in Kenji not to groan and facepalm with how dumb they are. He can only hope they would grow out of this phase and become thinkers in a fight. By the look of it… they wouldn't. And they get knocked around. Badly.

Kenji puts a hand on Choji. The two of them might be able to handle this guy together. With them being strong with taijustu… but it makes Kenji nervous. Choji is a great fighter, and Kenji was training to be a good user of taijustu. If only Lee was with them… they might be able to handle him no problem. But Choji and Kenji might be the front runners in this case.

He steals a glance at Isamu, and nods his head. Kenji would have to trust the others to keep Isamu safe. It would be him and Choji that would ensure the others can move forward and try to get Yuri back.

He was just worried that Isamu wouldn't be able to hold his own. Or he would end up in a dumb fight that could end poorply for Isamu. Kenji couldn't have that. He needed to keep Isamu alive. But right now, he needed to help Choji.

"I can–" Sasuke starts.

"No." Isamu says. "You should be there when Yuri is recovered. Kenji and Choji should be the ones."

Isamu has a point and Kenji nods his head. He, Shikamaru and Naruto needed to be there when Yuri was recovered. She knew them and they would be a comfort to her. Naruto and Shikamaru being her oldest friends and Sasuke as her boyfriend. Even though Kenji hated to admit it… Sasuke would need to be there.

Kenji hated that. He would want himself and Isamu to be there. But if they were there, Yuri would try to fight them.

The guy tries his dome again and Choji steps in, expanding and ensuring the rest of the team is safe. Allowing them to escape into the bushes. With them all crouched down in a circle, Kenji can only shake his head.

"There's no time." Shikamaru says right away. "We're going to split into two here!"

"Why?" Naruto asks.

"It gives us a chance to get Yuri." Kenji answers. "I don't like it… but it might be our only way."

He glances at Naruto who shakes his head. None of them liked the idea of splitting up, but it was something that needed to be done. Nothing was going to change that. Kenji looks at Choji, who is also looking back at him.

A small nod from Choji tells him everything he needs to know.

Choji knows the two of them are the best ones to fight this guy. Let the others get away. Kenji and Choji, working together. They barely sparred together, and Kenji didn't know his fighting style too well.

"Even with 9 against one, he still won't be easy to take out. Not to mention, with every second we spend here, Yuri gets closer to the border. Once she crosses it, we won't be able to do anything." Neji explains.

"So we split into two groups. One goes after Yuri?" Sasuke asks.

"The sub leader is going to–" Shikamaru begins

Isamu cuts in. "I think you have to go with us Shikamaru."

The ground rumbles and a tree comes crashing down around them. Revealing their location to the big guy. And Shikamaru didn't even give the order of who was staying and who was going to go. Something the leader should do, but doesn't have time for.

"I found you." Big guy says.

"The rest of you go. I think we have it, right Choji?" Kenji puts his hands in his pocket. "Just be sure we don't catch up to you before you get her."

Kenji glances at Sasuke and Isamu. Sasuke snorts as he crosses his arms and Isamu nods his head. Kenji didn't like the idea of not being there for Yuri when she woke up… but what could be done about it? He was going to make sure Yuri got back so Asami sensi didn't murder him and Isamu for letting a teammate get kidnapped.

Plus, if he was there, Kenji knows he would feel guilty about letting the others stay back and fight. He would let the others be there.

"We do have this." Choji steps up and pulls out his staff.

Kenji glances back at Shikamaru. "Are- are you two sure?"

With a smile, Kenji nods his head. Knowing Choji is watching the target carefully. He was sure between the two of them they would be able to get this guy down, since they were both good about taijustu. He had been trained by Asami Sensi and Guy Sensi had been helping him and Kiba with their speed.

Kenji had confidence he would be able to stall for them long enough to get Yuri.

"Ya. Choji and I can handle him. No way is he going to get the better of us." Kenji replies.

The guy, though, doesn't pause. Lifting up a large amont of Earth, Kenji steps forward as Naruto is screaming. He had to do something to stop this from becoming a disaster. And Kenji had the ability to. Kakashi was teaching him a few things about lightning, and Kenji was going to use them to the best of his abilities.

"Lightingi style: Lightning bolt!" As he throws the large earth, causing it to shatter right before their eyes.

"Go ahead guys. With my taijustu and Kenji's lightning style, we can take him." Choji comes up next to Kenji.

"I can't–" Shikamaru begins.

But Isamu puts a hand on his shoulder. Kenji knows Isamu is better at reading him and Yuri more than they care to admit. It's why the three of them worked so well together. Isamu knew their limits better than they did, and since Isamu had confidence in Kenji and Choji, that was all Kenji needed. Who knew what they had done to Yuri.

Isamu would be the one the be there. So long as either of them were there it would be worth it. If Kenji can get there, it would be good for them.

"Kenji loves Yuri as a sister plus, Asami sensi would kill us all if we don't bring her back… we have to let him and Choji handle this." Isamu explains.

"Besides, we need to try to catch up to them." Neji chimes in.

"Shikamaru, take these food pills for everyone. They should help replenish chakra. Kenji, take a few." Choji hands Shikamaru a bag.

He tosses some and Kenji catches a few and pops one into his mouth. He would need everything to get things going. And to be sure they could protect the others long enough for them to get Yuri.

But the guy comes charging at them.

"You think I'm going to wait around forever?" The big guy yells.

Kenji gets ready to fight but Choji gets in his way. Pulling out three pills, green, yellow and red. He takes the green one and stops the guy in his tracks. Leaving Kenji to wonder what it was Choji just took. Kenji pops a few more food pills into his mouth.

He couldn't be dead weight to Choji. He needed to be there for him and take this guy down with Choji.

"Shikamaru! Take the others but Kenji and go!" Choji yells. "Go get Yuri back!"

"You two better catch up to us." Shikamaru comments. "Let's move guys."

They all go away and Kenji shakes his head. "I can't be shown up by you Choji."

But Choji begins to push the guy back as they have a small exchange. Kenji jumps up into a tree and Choji notices him. Getting under the tree branch, Kenji launches himself at the guy and Choji. Hitting the guy right in the back, he is hoping to buy some time for them to be able to regroup and figure out some kind of plan. They can't afford to waste energy, but their whole job now is to delay and make sure the others get Yuri.

Delaying isn't something Kenji is good at. That is normally all Yuri. He comes in for the final blow. Leaving Isamu to fill in for them. But being the distractions? Delaying this guy so the others have a chance is going to be hard.

Choji is panting as the two of them throw the guy away from them. Kenji pulsed electricity through him to keep him down for a moment. Knowing it would help them in the long run. It was a new thing his parents had been teaching him recently. And he wasn't going to take chances, it wasn't perfect, but he had enough of a hold on it that he was able to use it. But then, Choji grimices.

"Choji?" Kenji asks.

"It's nothing Kenji. Not while we are in a battle." Choji waves him off.

With a slow nod, Kenji looks back at the guy, needing to remain focused on what they are going to be doing. And how they need to catch up with everyone soon. Choji pulls out lines of kunai and wraps them around himself.

Kenji makes some handsignes. He was getting better at his family's justu, and hitting the big guy with lightning was more than just to immobilize him. It now was making him a target. Choji expands and Kenji touches one kunai on him. As he becomes a human bolder and begins to move towards the guy.

He jumps out of the way, but instead of Choji ramming into the tree, he jumps up and follows the guy. He makes a stone wall, and Kenji sends a burst of electricity through the ground to the wall, weakening it. Allowing Choji to break through.

"Forget it. You have become a target." Kenji tells him.

"What the–" the guy starts, only to hold Choji off. As it's his only way.

Kenji sees a chance and rushes in, kicking Choji out of the way so the guy loses his grip on Choji and Kenji makes sure to go with Choji so the guy would fall forward. Allowing Kenji to get out of the way as Choji goes back to the guy and manages to get him with the kunai.

Now he can see, he is supporting Choji. But then… something weird happens. Tattoos begin to spread around this guy. And Kenji is on high alert.

"Don't get carried away you losers." The guy says.

"Choji!" Kenji yells.

The guy hits Choji and Kenji goes after him and catches Choji. Skidding across the ground as Kenji has to wonder what happened. One moment it looked like they had the upper hand… and the next they didn't. Looking at the guy, Kenji doesn't know what to do next. The guy goes off about how there is always someone who is the butt of everyone's jokes.

"Shut up. Choji isn't that. Sadly you probably are." Kenji mutters.

"What was that loser?" The guy asks.

"You are the butt of jokes. And look at me. I can end that for you, since you are the loser." Kenji stands up.

Once Choji is up, the guy charges at them, and as he goes straight for Choji. But Kenji ducks and punches the guy right in the stomach. Causing him to fly upward. Kenji would protect Choji. He owed Shikamaru that much as well. Kenji would do everything in his power to ensure Choji remained safe.

"Choji isn't the loser. He is a friend. One I personally like training with." Kenji clenchs his fist.

"Kenji…" Choji mumbles.

"Face it Choji. You are probably the strongest out of all the genin. Have some confidence in yourself. We can beat this guy. But it has to be together." Kenji snaps.

But the guy comes back and begins to attack Kenji, seeing him as the bigger threat. Kenji blocks a few of the blows and manages to get a swing or two in as well. But the big guy keeps coming after him. Causing Kenji to get punched around. He even takes a few hard hits that send him to the ground.

"I'll take care of you first. Then I'll go after the weak one. Since he won't have anyone to protect him then." The guy says.

He keeps coming, and Kenji can't even see Choji. Kenji would allow Choji to escape if he felt it was needed to save one of them. Kenji wouldn't blame him as it would be smart to run away at this moment. But he feels a burst of chakra. Causing the guy to look back at Choji.

"Oh? Pretty impressive chakra. But, it's a far cry from the main dish." The guy says.

"Let's go fatso!" Choji says.

Kenji sits up holding his midsection to look at Choji. A small smile came across his face. Choji was the one who had the most surprises out of all of them. It was why he enjoyed Choji a lot, and he hadn't even started fighting with his stick. That was when they could become a true combo.

"Don't you say that!" The guy charges at Choji.

"Partial Expansion Justu!" Choji yells.

Kenji ducks as Choji unleashes an arm that takes out the big guy. And then he extends his leg. Kenji knows this is going to be a pivotal moment for them. Choji begins to go after the guy and Kenji realizes he can slow him down. He has some kunai of Kenji's on him. Quickly Kenji goes to weigh him down, or keep him from running. Choji manages to land a hit on the guy, getting a sigh from Kenji, maybe they can end this now. But the guy is strong and throws Choji. Who does a full expansion justu.

Kenji had to move out of the way to not get crushed. Quickly diving to one side as he feels the wind around him. But what he sees amazes him.

"I didn't believe I have to go into the second state for an opponent like this one…" He raises a fist and hits Choji in the gut.

Kenji can only gawk, someone was able to lift Choji, and throw him. Kenji doesn't see when he turns his attention to Kenji, charging at him. Kenji is barely able to block when he is sent flying across the way into a bunch of trees. The air was getting knocked out of him. Kenji doesn't even see Choji shrink back down into his normal size.

He can hear Asami Sensi screaming at him to move, he always has to keep moving in a fight, no matter how badly he is getting beat, he has to keep moving, if not for himself, to protect those around him. And he needs to protect Choji, he might have the best chance at defeating this guy. Kenji needs to make sure Choji is able to.

But the big guy comes back to Kenji and hits him again, he is able to slightly break his hit with some wind, but it takes a lot out of him. The bad thing is… it hit Kenji's arm hard. And with the injuries Kenji is already getting, it's only going to get harder to fight as they continue on.

"I'm afraid it's over for you two. In the second state I can put out ten times more power than I have thus far. I'm invincible." Kenji is holding his side. He can feel a broken rib.

Not good for him or Choji. They need to move and get out of here. Kenji needs to pull them in for a retreat, until the others come back.

Kenji watches as the guy walks over to Choji, who can't even move. He knows this is where he and Choji die. Any calculation Kenji does, it all ends with their deaths. Something Kenji can't avoid. But to keep Yuri out of Orochimaru's hands… he has to do it. So he knows she has a chance of being safe.

"This is what happens to powerless scums for butting in!" He kicks Choji. "Playing ninja better suits you!"

Kenji can't stand it, and he musters his strength to get to Choji. He gets in front of Choji as he continues to pant. But his lungs can't expand too much, they hurt and… Kenji doesn't dare look at his side. He can't do that to himself. Choji was protecting him and he would protect Choji. While he never really talked to Choji, Kenji would after this. He swore it. With the guy approaching them, Kenji pulls out a kunai.

"That won't stop me."

Kenji throws it, he has to try out the new thing he learned. No way was he going to let him and Choji die here, but he was running low on chakra, he didn't have much to start out with, but he was going to reach his limit here soon. He attempts and nothing happens as the kunai sails past the guy.

And Kenji knows, he is finished. He doesn't have anything left. Nothing at all, the little chakra he has can't do anything. He used it all up.

He grabs Kenji by the throat and body slams him into the ground.

Kenji grunts, feels more ribs cracking and bruising. Alone with a roaring pain in his arms. With the guy's hand around his throat, Kenji can't even breath to try to master the pain like Asami Sensi taught him. He can't do anything else, he can't breathe and his throat is closing.

"Now that I'm in my second state, I'm going to need a lot more chakra, which means I'll take whatever you have left. Well then, I'll take them now."

There isn't anything Kenji can do, his arms won't reply to him and the chakra is being taken out of him. He can only feel himself getting weaker and weaker. So much he can hear the voice of the guy, but he can't place the words. Especially when the guy picks him up, Kenji can't even feel any chakra.

He is tossed into the ground again, unable to even think about breathing. It's hard to even focus on getting a deep breath, a struggle to take shallow ones. He barely even sees Choji getting thrown when his world begins to fade around him. And he can't keep his eyes open.

"I'm sorry… Yuri."

Notes: Not going to lie, this chapter was hard to write since I knew what was going to happen. But I hope you guys enjoyed it and it made sense. Sorry I haven't posted in a while! The holiday's were busy and I got sidetrack by another project I'm working on. Please leave a comment and follow!