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Hinata's POV (Eastern Forest of Irminsul - Terra)
It felt terrible leaving Sakura behind like that; she had been through so much and seemed desperate to help someone who was not even her teammate. That spoke extensively of her character and inner strength. But Shino was also correct in saying she was exhausted and needed rest. Her physical reserves were low, and Hinata supposed her health was more important than her pride.
Her mind shifted to focus as Choji's earth-shaking gait came close, their friend roaring in rage as he sent a haymaker of a punch right for Shino. The Aburame broke into a cloud of bugs as the fist punched through, the cloud mobbing around the fist. Choji growled as he used his other hand to bat them away, leaving him open; Hinata formed a hand sign as she sought to take advantage of such, calling out her technique with a frown. "Gentle Fist: Precise Beam!" Hinata spun as she slashed the beam into the back of Choji's left knee. Causing the giant to scream in pain as his left knee folded, making him kneel.
Shino suddenly appeared in the sky, standing on what seemed to be a platform of insects; the man then tossed even more paper bomb-tagged kunai, each of which exploded and knocked Choji off balance once again. The large man barely stood, grunting in fury and pain. Hinata followed up with a jab of her palm, sending off an Air Palm, which slammed into Choji's back and helped Shino floor him. The giant fell to his back flat, once again dazed. Shino wasted no time on such weaving hand signs as the dazed Choji attempted to rise.
"Something I didn't get to use in the exams, my elemental chakra nature…" Shino explained as he finished his signs. "Earth Style: Earthen Restraint!" As he bellowed, the earth beneath Choji writhed, several large strands of it wrapping around the wrist and ankles of the giant; it didn't stop there, also wrapping around his waist and neck. Shino then raised his arms above his head, his hoodie writhed as thousands of beetles flowed from it, the insects all surging onto the downed Choji and greedily sucking as much chakra as they could from him.
Hinata also raced in, recognizing Shino's plan, quickly adapting to it, and aiding it. She dropped her hands into a hand sign, mentally thanking Naruto again as three clones formed around her. The four split into two groups of two, running up separate legs of the giant and jabbing with absurd speed as they did. Though their progress was slow, the chakra points enlarged as they were, and they were resistant to Gentle Fist, and each required several attacks to close. Hinata felt it needed to be more practical but was confident it would undoubtedly have an effect if she continued.
Hinata could see thousands of insects feeding upon the giant, but even their combined efforts were slow to affect his chakra like this. She could see it was slowly working on the foreign chakra and his own. But all the while, Choji roared and writhed against his restraints. From the thuds and rumbles of the ground, as well as knowing the strength of the Akimichi, Hinata doubted they could keep him down for long. Suddenly, however, he stopped as Choji chuckled.
"I FORGOT I COULD GO BACK! YOU'RE IN TROUBLE NOW!" The giant called before there was a sudden poof of smoke. Though his voice and tone seemed off, something was different about him. Having been on top of the giant, Hinata and her clones fell to the ground roughly at his disappearance. The three Hinata's sacrificed themselves to soften her landing. Allowing Hinata to be safe, Shino landed from the sky next to her, and the two eyed the cloud of smoke with suspicion. Still trying to figure out what had happened, but certain this was merely the beginning.
Suddenly, two giant feet flew from the cloud of smoke, catching the two of them completely off guard. Shino raised an earth wall to take the brunt. Hinata stepped in front of Shino but behind the wall, also activating Kaiten. Their combined effort barely stopped the blow. It smashed through the weak stone wall and Hinata's Kaiten, sending the two flying back as Choji bodily laughed as he left the cloud of smoke.
"I forgot I could return to normal size; good thing I did, too. You two former friends of mine are rather sneaky attempting to stick and suck me like that." Choji spoke goofily.
"Why are you attacking us?" Shino asked calmly. "I am your friend, a comrade who has bled and shed tears with you."
"Don't worry, buddy! We'll do so again! Just join the masters, and we'll rule this world! All we have to do is serve! You'll never be forgotten again, friend!" Choji laughed merrily.
"Masters…" Hinata said concerned. "You were right…"
"If the true Choji can hear me in their fret not," Shino assured. "I will free you from whoever controls you, as well as punish these so-called mast-" Shino was suddenly taken from view as a giant black blur flew by and snatched him.
Another blur did as well, though this one stopped to face Hinata and Choji. Revealing a lanky, tall, blonde man smiling happily at them. "Ah, trying to kill each other, aye?" Jibachi jokingly said as he flipped the two off. "Fine by us. Kill each other while we torture that shitty Aburame to death~!" The blonde man offered before jumping after Shino.
Hinata went to follow before Choji's giant fist cut off her path. She frowned as she realized Choji, in this odd state, would not allow her to leave with ease. She would have to defeat Choji before she could help Shino.
"Hinata, can you handle Choji on your own!?" Sakura cried as she raced by the two.
"Hai! B-but wait. Certainly, but you're still injured!" Hinata said with worry and determination in equal measure.
"You'll have to trust me! That weirdo said they intend to torture and kill him! He'll need help!" Sakura refuted, not stopping her pace for even a moment.
Sakura wasted no more time explaining, racing off after Shino. Hinata fearlessly dropped into a stance as Choji became large again. As much as Hinata was worried about Shino and Sakura, she had no time to help them. She would merely have to trust that they would hold their own. Perhaps she could defeat Choji quickly…
"Only one now! The masters won't be pleased, but they said to bring any humans!" Choji roared.
Hinata merely prepared to free her ally with some tough love. Though she had the oddest suspicion, it would be more challenging than she had thought.