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Kagaya tilted his head slightly.
"Have your comrades join in, Kakashi. The situation has changed. You are no longer my teacher, and I am no longer your student. Back then, I needed to use a clone to distract you and then launch a sneak attack from behind. Now, the one who needs to resort to such tactics is you. Don't you understand the difference in our strength now?"
"That's true. Your strength has indeed surpassed mine. Shikaku, how is it looking?"
Kakashi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked towards Shikaku.
Shikaku nodded. "It's ready. But, Kakashi, are you still fit to fight?"
Kakashi forced himself to reply, "Of course!"
Shikaku glanced at Kakashi. "Don't push yourself too hard! Alright, Shibi!"
Shibi, wearing his dark glasses, responded, "Mhm."
Immediately, vast swarms of black insects began emerging from the ground all around them.
Kagaya instantly moved to Haku's side, eyeing the insects warily.
These Jōnin were now preparing to act together. Among them, the one Kagaya was most wary of was Nara Shikaku!
Kagaya wasn't afraid of Jōnin themselves; what he feared was these Jōnin's combat effectiveness skyrocketing under Shikaku's command.
'I need to take out Shikaku first!'
With that thought, Kagaya turned his gaze to Shikaku, intending to eliminate him.
But Shikaku merely smiled slightly.
"Though I feel a bit sorry for you, our objective is simply to retrieve the Scroll of Seals. You just need to hand it over. Guy!"
"No problem! Konoha Whirlwind!"
Guy suddenly appeared, launching an attack towards Kagaya and Haku.
Kagaya frowned slightly, pulling Haku away to dodge Guy's assault.
'An attack like that is useless; it can't possibly hit me. What is Shikaku planning? No matter, I still need to deal with Shikaku first.'
Thinking this, Kagaya charged towards Shikaku. He wasn't worried about Guy pursuing him; without activating the Eight Gates, Guy couldn't possibly land a hit. However, what Kagaya didn't realize was that Guy's target was never him!
It was Haku!
Swoosh!
The moment Kagaya shot forward, he instantly reversed direction, blocking Guy's attack before it could reach Haku.
Shikaku spoke, his tone almost apologetic.
"You're definitely thinking of taking me out right now. So, I had Guy target the girl beside you to keep you tied down. She's important to you, isn't she? I surmised you wouldn't be willing to trade her for me."
Kagaya snorted coldly. "You think you can tie me down? You're underestimating me!"
Five clones of his Body Flicker technique materialized once more. Three remained by Haku's side, while two charged directly at Shikaku!
Shikaku showed no sign of panic.
"Body Flicker technique? I know a little about it too. So, Chōza!"
"Partial Multi-Size Technique!"
A gigantic hand appeared, encompassing all of Kagaya's clones, and slammed down! This type of large-scale area attack was the perfect counter to his flicker clones!
With this one strike, they would undoubtedly flush out Kagaya's real body, as all the clones were trapped beneath the attack.
Once Kagaya's true form was exposed, he could no longer simultaneously protect Haku and attack Shikaku.
The massive hand crashed down, raising clouds of dust. Kagaya, with Haku in tow, escaped the hand's range. In the end, Kagaya had chosen to protect Haku. Haku's strength was no match for these Jōnin; if Kagaya didn't protect him, death was a real possibility.
At this moment, Haku was nearly in tears of frustration. He knew perfectly well he was becoming a burden to Kagaya. But how could he allow himself to be a hindrance? Absolutely not! He must not!
"Kagaya, don't worry about me! I can definitely protect myself, I promise!" Haku declared earnestly to Kagaya.
Kagaya shot a brief glance at Haku but ignored his words. He knew exactly what Haku was thinking. This was not the time for stubborn bravado.
Looking at the surrounding Jōnin, Kagaya clicked his tongue. Under Shikaku's direction, this group of Jōnin had instantly put him in a very difficult position.
Kagaya's defensive capabilities were low, and his offensive power wasn't exceptionally high. In his usual fights, he relied on his overwhelming speed to relentlessly pressure his opponent, defeating them before they could fully utilize their strength.
To put it simply, speed was Kagaya's core. But this time, Shikaku, in concert with the other Jōnin, had severely restricted his mobility.
First, using Guy to pin Kagaya near Haku. Then, using Chōza to counter his Body Flicker technique.
And also...
Glancing at the black insects surrounding them, Shikaku had also used Shibi to shrink Kagaya's available movement space.
It seemed Shikaku understood perfectly: speed was Kagaya's most terrifying asset. If they could lock down his speed, the fight would become much easier. Conversely, if they couldn't contain his speed, any effort would be futile.
"Headhunter Jutsu!"
Kakashi's hands suddenly shot out from the ground, firmly gripping Kagaya's ankles!
'When did he—?!'
Shuriken flashed out instantly, piercing Kakashi's hands.
Poof!
Kakashi's hands disappeared.
'A shadow clone?'
Thinking this, Kagaya took two steps back with Haku.
"Shibi!"
Shikaku suddenly called out to Shibi.
"Mhm."
Shibi acknowledged. Immediately, the black swarms of insects surged towards Kagaya.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A fireball incinerated countless insects, but it was futile. There were too many; they couldn't possibly burn them all!
With no other choice, Kagaya could only retreat step by step with Haku.
One step, two steps, three steps...
After retreating over a dozen paces, the insects suddenly stopped, advancing no further.
Kagaya was momentarily stunned.
'They stopped? They're not attacking anymore? This is... Wait... Did they deliberately force me to this spot? If that's the case... then something's wrong...'
The moment Kagaya tried to retreat with Haku, his body froze, completely immobile!
Shikaku smiled.
"Checkmate."
Mind Body Switch Technique.
Kagaya had been hit by Inoichi Yamanaka's Mind Body Switch Technique!
It should be noted that aside from the caster's own body being immobilized during the technique, this jutsu had another flaw: it could only be released in a straight line!
When releasing one's spirit, it could only hit a target directly in front along a single straight path.
Ever since Shikaku took command, Inoichi had begun preparing this technique. He released his spirit, sending it slowly forward along a straight line.
And Shikaku's coordinated attacks not only restricted Kagaya's speed but also subtly maneuvered Kagaya into position along that straight line directly in front of Inoichi.
Through layer upon layer of relentless pressure, Shikaku had finally succeeded in forcing Kagaya onto that precise line.
So now, the plan had succeeded!
"The whole thing is so you, Shikaku!" Guy gave Shikaku a hearty thumbs-up.
Then, he strode confidently over to the motionless Kagaya and retrieved the Scroll of Seals Kagaya had been carrying.
Guy looked at the immobile Kagaya before him. "Alrighty then, let me think... what should we do with you?"
Kakashi stepped forward and pulled Guy back. "Just retrieving the Scroll of Seals is enough. Let's go, Guy."
"Oh, alright then."
Shikaku looked at Kagaya and sighed. "A formidable youngster indeed!"
Although they had subdued Kagaya, how old was he? Only 12! At that age, it took the combined effort of eight Jōnin to subdue him. In a few more years, wouldn't he be practically invincible?
As he spoke, Shikaku began walking towards Inoichi's original body. They needed to take Inoichi's body with them when they withdrew. Once they were a safe distance away, Inoichi would release the Mind Body Switch Technique.
But just as Shikaku reached Inoichi and was about to wrap things up and leave, a sudden change occurred.
Inoichi's eyes snapped open, and he shouted in terror, "Watch out! He's not under my control!!!"
The moment his words landed, the eyes of every Jōnin present widened in shock.
'Not under control? Then that means... Could it be...?'
They hurriedly turned to look at the spot where Kagaya had been.
But by the time their gazes arrived, the spot was already empty.
A cold kunai blade quietly settled against Shikaku's neck.
"Like you said, checkmate..."
Kagaya stood behind Shikaku, with Haku beside him.
*****
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