Another path

The time for counterattack !

- How could it not ?!

- Because this is life. Everyone eventually dies. So you have to cherish those who remain by your side. Just stop wallowing in your self pity, everyone is a victim in this world but as a shinobi, you're supposed to endure it. You just like people putting you on a pedestal and cursing Itachi because it makes you feel like you finally caught up to him.

Naru dodged the kunai Sasuke tried to slit her throat with in a swift movement. She laughed half-heartedly.

- So I did see right. You loved Itachi but you hated how inferior you always felt compared to him. Going rogue won't make you more like him. It just makes you an idiot.

- Enough. I'm tired of listening to your bullshit !

He went through some more hand signs and fired another fireball. Naru dodged it but Sasuke was already charging a chidori. He ran toward her and tried to thrust it in her chest. She summoned wind chakra around her left hand and caught his, her chakra suppressing his.

- I told you so already. I am stronger than you.

She drove the rasengan she had been forming while he ran toward her in his stomach, knocking him back on the shore. The blond chūnin then applied one of her subduing seals on his forehead to make sure he wouldn't try and leave. The cursed seal receded back and she took out a brush and ink.

- Better fix that seal while he's out."

* Back with Kiba and Chôji *

At the same time, Kiba and Chôji were still struggling with their opponent.

" - Look, you two are no match for me. You are weak and so your team sacrificed you to complete their mission. Too bad for you but eh, you can only blame yourselves for being so useless.

- Now ! Gatsuga !

Kiba once more used his Gatsuga but to no avail as Jirobo just swung his arm to repeal them. Chôji then used his human boulder technique but being fast as he was, Jirobo just dodged, leaving the genin to crash into nearby trees.

- Chôji ! Are you okay ?

- I am but... We have to do this... How long can you distract him ?

- What ? Uh well, I'd say ninety seconds.

- That's enough time, let's do this !

Kiba nodded and then called Akamaru and both started to attack Jirobo on every side, being careful not to get hit by the ginger boy. They had somehow managed to have him use his second stage cursed seal in the course of the battle and while it was quite the achievement, it also made things even more difficult for them.

Just as Jirobo was about to punch Kiba in the face, Chôji appeared and caught the blow.

- Huh ?

- Wha- Chôji ?!

- I'm going to end this... NOW !

He punched Jirobo in the face and in an instant, he was above him. The sound nin didn't even have time to react than Chôji had already punched his chest, crushing the heart of his opponent with unparalleled strength.

- Wow... How did you do that ? And what's with the wings ?

- It's my clan's... jutsu... My chakra can... take this form... to enhance my... my power... The chakra pills... we use... allow us to... make those appear... but the side effects... are... quite...

He didn't finish his sentence and lost consciousness.

- Chôji ! Ah, damn it, I'm so... fucking tired..."

***

" - How is that !

Another arrow pierced Neji's body. The Hyūga prodigy screamed in pain.

- Well well well... How about I finish this now...

Kidomaru fired one last arrow, aiming it for Neji's heart. The arrow cut through the air and stroke Neji from behind.

- Finally !... Wait... He's still alive ? I aimed for his heart... Did he actually dodge it ?

The arrow was impalling Neji's shoulder instead of his heart. Pissed off, Kidomaru armed another arrow but this time attaching it a thread so he could redirect it.

- This time you won't be so lucky...

He fired again but this time, Neji completely dodged the projectile and sent back using some of his chakra.

- How in the world ?!

Kidomaru took the brunt of the hit and fell from the tree he was hiding in. His liver had been injured, along with his stomach.

- Tch... damn Konoha shinobi... But he can't possibly still be alive. Must have been his dying efforts, hehe... Better leave now, he'll die anyway.

- That's what you wish !

- What ?!

In the blink of an eye, Neji's hand struck Kidomaru's chest with a gentle fist blow that destroyed the latter's heart.

- Never underestimate Konoha shinobi... We don't die... that easily..."

Neji fell back, slowly losing consciousness.