"No."
Aburame Shino's calm reply cut through Kiba's protest like a blade. He didn't show a hint of panic or emotion. His tone remained flat, his expression hidden behind dark lenses. But he turned to look directly at Karin—who was visibly uncomfortable under Kiba's glare—and began to explain.
"Karin-san knows as well as we do: surviving alone in the Forest of Death is nearly impossible. And right now, the only team capable of helping her avenge her teammates and guaranteeing her safety... is us."
Shino adjusted his round sunglasses. The lenses caught a faint glint of sunlight as he turned back to Karin and said, with utter certainty:
"We can track you no matter where you go. In this forest, we have ways. If you were to betray us or harm Hinata, not only would you fail to obtain any scrolls—" his tone dropped slightly, colder now, "—but you'd also make enemies you cannot escape. You'd be hunted. And there would be no gain."
He turned to Kiba.
"Hinata is injured. Staying here only increases the risk. You've seen how strong the enemy is. If we're distracted trying to protect her mid-battle, and he uses her as leverage—"
He didn't need to finish.
"Shino…" Hinata's voice was low. She looked away in guilt. She wanted to protest, but she knew everything he said was true. Staying would be dangerous for everyone.
"You've done your part, Hinata," Shino said, for once softening his tone. "Let us handle the rest. You'll be joining us in the next stage of the exams—just be ready."
"…Okay." Hinata gave a weak nod, then stood slowly. Karin came to her side and helped her up. The two girls moved carefully into the brush, vanishing into the trees in search of a safe place to hide.
BOOM!
Chōji's Human Boulder technique tore across the forest floor with crushing force, gouging a long trench in the soft earth. The ground trembled with each rotation, dust and leaves bursting up behind him like a wake of fury.
Seeing the oncoming attack, Kawasemi Zaiman grimaced.
"Persistent little brats."
He had already been dodging Shikamaru's shadow for several minutes. Now, with Chōji bearing down like a battering ram, and the shadow closing in from the other side, escape was narrowing fast.
He stepped back and vaulted over the twisting shadow. But then the Human Boulder shifted—curving slightly, adapting to his movement.
Shikamaru, off in the distance, was reading him like a chessboard.
"Tch."
Kawasemi glanced from Chōji to Shikamaru. He didn't understand exactly how the shadow technique worked, but its unpredictability made it dangerous. Getting caught even once could end it all. He was constantly being forced to move—react—dodge. The pressure was mounting.
"So… the shadow travels through the forest… using the cast shadows of the trees to extend its reach?"
Kawasemi's eyes narrowed.
"…And maybe there's a limit to how far it can stretch?"
He glanced at the Shadow Blade still embedded in a tree trunk—the anchor for Shikamaru's earlier gambit. A thought struck him.
He can't move while using that jutsu.
The realization hit like lightning.
A grin curled beneath his mask.
"That makes things easier."
Without hesitation, Kawasemi launched backward, retreating quickly as his fingers flew through a rapid sequence of hand seals. He landed, planted both hands on the ground, and whispered:
"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!"
The forest floor split in a perfect rectangle before him, and a thick wall of stone erupted upward with a thunderous groan. Dust and debris exploded outward. The stone rampart blocked Chōji's path—and Shikamaru's line of sight.
Still rotating, Chōji didn't stop.
CRASH!
He slammed directly into the barrier. Stones cracked and shattered. For a moment, it looked like the wall might hold—but with a furious bellow, Chōji pushed through, sending chunks of rock flying.
But Kawasemi was already gone.
Behind the wall… nothing.
"He's gone!?" Shikamaru's eyes widened. The instant Kawasemi vanished, the connection with his shadow jutsu snapped. He scanned the surroundings, but with Chōji's impact still ringing in his ears, the vibrations and noise made it hard to hear anything else.
Then it clicked.
"No sound… He's underground!"
At the same moment—
"Rasengan!"
A swirling orb of chakra exploded to life in Shikamaru's hand. Pale blue and dense with spinning energy, it hummed with power. He released the shadow jutsu, pivoted, and drove the Rasengan directly into the forest floor beneath his feet.
BOOM!
The ground exploded as if detonated from within. Dirt, roots, and chunks of earth flew skyward in a deafening blast.
Kawasemi erupted from the soil, tossed up by the shockwave.
What the hell is this jutsu!?
That's not a genin's technique!
His mind reeled in disbelief, repeating the same two thoughts over and over as he was flung into the air.
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