Hastily repairing the damage, I blocked the next blow from the dark-skinned blond, only noticing out of the corner of my eye that the biju's carcass was beginning to disintegrate, gradually revealing Yugito.
Next, I had to be too focused on the enemy's frantic onslaught to pay too much attention to my surroundings, but after a rapid exchange of blows, I began to notice that Ai's speed was beginning to slow down.
It was very, very slow, judging by the measure of the duration of battles at our level, but it was an undeniable fact. And then I noticed that there was a bloody stain on the back of the shinobi's clothes. So that blow had gone through after all!
But before I could rejoice at the slight advantage I had gained, the situation on the battlefield changed dramatically: the Uchiha had finally reached the unconscious Yugito and were charging straight for her, sweeping away the wounded cloudbearers who were trying to stop them.
The kunoichi had just been reached and was being dragged away by Kumo's advancing troops. And far to the right a chakra-burning figure appeared, approaching the battle site very quickly in place with my clone just behind.
- I'm here!
Kushina's ringing voice could be heard very well.
***
Ryo raced toward Kumogakure's camp, the five Uchiha following behind, and the jonin squad was almost at the edge of the battle zone. Kushina could see shadows moving quickly among the trees, barely distinguishable in the night darkness, flashes of fire techniques, flashes of lightning and thunder, the forest on fire, the sound of clashing weapons and fierce screams mixed with groans of pain.
And even from a distance, it was clear that the Konohovans were retreating rapidly, far outnumbered by the enemy, and only the advantage of territory and training prevented the Kumo-nin and their allies from smashing the defenders.
Chunin swallowed nervously, realizing that a few dozen seconds more and she would be in the thick of a battle with a vastly superior number of opponents, the very first large-scale battle on which a great deal depended and the squad was counting on her and her strength to level the situation and save her comrades-in-arms.
- Uzumaki-san, what can we count on? - Hyuga addressed her.
Nara's approximate abilities were known from the Book of Search and rumors, but very few even among the jonin knew of those of the biju bearer - during the Chunin Examination, there had been an unfortunate lack of demonstration for true appreciation.
Taking a deep breath, the girl cast a quick glance at Ryo's approvingly smiling clone, and quelling her excitement, replied:
- I'm proficient in futon techniques, so I'll be able to stand up to the koumen in ninjutsu, exceed most jonins in speed and strength, not to mention stamina, plus the usual jinchuriki advantages and a good knowledge of fuinjutsu with kekkai jutsu.
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