Hinata moved swiftly, unleashing her Taijutsu Guardian Sphere, infused with Shikamaru's Taiji philosophy. The snow ninja, a burly man, barely had time to appear before he was sent flying.
"Not bad, little girl." the snow ninja said with a smirk as he formed hand seals.
"Ice Release: Ice Pillars!"
With a rumbling sound, several ice pillars shot up from the ground, targeting Hinata. Her eyes narrowed with caution as she spun her hands in graceful motions, deflecting the ice pillars with her sphere.
"Tch, troublesome brat." the snow ninja cursed, launching another technique.
"Ice Release: Snow Swallow Barrage!"
Snowflakes in the air transformed into razor-sharp darts, whistling as they darted toward Hinata.
"I won't lose!" Hinata exclaimed, spinning her protective sphere with precision to ward off every attack. Behind her, Koyuki Kazahana, the former princess, stood frozen in fear, unable to move.
Meanwhile, Shino and Kiba were locked in their own battles. Shino, determined to save their trapped Kurenai-sensei, commanded a swarm of insects to charge at the female snow ninja, Fuyuki.
"Ice Release: Wolf Fang Howl!" Fuyuki slammed her hands into the ground, summoning icy wolves that charged at Shino's insect army.
The clash was fierce, Shino's insects corroded the wolves as they were overrun. However, the cold environment reduced the effectiveness of the insects, forcing Shino to retreat.
"Foolish leaf ninja." Fuyuki sneered. "You dare use insects in this frigid land?"
"Ice Release: Snow Swallow Barrage!"
Snowflakes morphed into deadly projectiles that obliterated Shino's remaining insects. Left with no choice, he recalled his swarm and resorted to dodging with basic ninja tools.
Kiba, his stamina depleted, panted heavily as he glanced at the still-imprisoned Kurenai. Gritting his teeth, he and Akamaru launched a desperate Fang Over Fang at their opponent.
"You reckless brat!" the older snow ninja sneered, summoning an Ice Dragon to counter. With a loud crash, the ice dragon's tail smashed Kiba and Akamaru into a nearby ice wall.
Inside her icy prison, Kurenai screamed, "Kiba!" Frustrated, she struck her kunai against the barrier, to no avail. Finally, she retrieved an explosive tag from her pouch and pressed it against the ice.
"Explode!" With a low growl, the barrier shattered, the blast throwing Kurenai out of her prison. She landed hard, her clothes tattered from the explosion.
"You stupid woman." the older snow ninja mocked, appearing behind her in an instant. Pressing a kunai to her neck, he sneered, "You should've stayed in your cage."
"Cage or not, I'm no pushover." Kurenai coughed, smirking faintly. "Explode."
The snow ninja's expression twisted in shock as another explosive tag detonated on Kurenai's back. Both were thrown apart in the fiery blast. Kurenai, bloodied and exhausted, coughed up blood as her vision dimmed.
"Is this the end?" she wondered. "Kiba… Shino… Hinata… I failed to protect you."
Suddenly, she felt a firm grip around her waist and heard a familiar voice. "Shadow Ninja Art: Shadow Sharing."
She opened her eyes weakly to see Shikamaru. The shadow chakra he transferred into her body began healing her injuries, closing the gaping wounds on her back. Her exposed skin healed rapidly, leaving her embarrassed as her tattered clothes failed to cover her entirely.
"Shadow Ninja Art: Shadow Cloak."
Shikamaru created a protective shadow outfit around Kurenai, shielding her modesty. "Rest, Kurenai-sensei. I'll handle things from here."
Kurenai looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru smiled gently before moving to confront the remaining snow ninjas. His presence alone shifted the tide of the battle.
To Hinata's astonishment, he appeared beside her and took her hand. "Hinata, you've done well."
Blushing, she stammered, "Sh-Shikamaru…" Her heart swelled with pride at his praise.
The burly snow ninja snarled, "Who are you?!"
Shikamaru's gaze turned cold. "A man you shouldn't have crossed." His voice dripped with menace.
"Shadow Ninja Art: Shadow Power Punch."
With blinding speed, Shikamaru disappeared and reappeared before the burly man, delivering a devastating punch. The man's armor shattered, and he was sent flying.
"Brother, help me!" the man cried out, fear consuming him.
"You're out of chances." Shikamaru said, leaping above him. "Shadow Power Kick."
The impact was catastrophic, leaving the snow ninja lifeless in a crater. Shikamaru turned his lethal gaze toward the remaining enemies.
The older snow ninja, now visibly shaken, barked at Fuyuki, "We're retreating. Now!" The two fled, unwilling to face the might of Shikamaru any longer.
Returning to Kurenai, Shikamaru knelt beside her. "Are you alright, Sensei?"
She struggled to respond, her strength completely drained. Shikamaru chuckled softly. "Looks like I'll have to carry you again. Don't worry, I'll be careful this time."
"Don't…" she protested weakly, blushing furiously. But Shikamaru ignored her protests, lifting her gently.
As they headed back to the ship, Kurenai's face burned with embarrassment. For the first time, she realized how deeply she trusted Shikamaru.
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The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
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