Chapter 166: Chōji and Karin vs. Jirōbō and Dosu
The tension in the air was palpable as the Sasuke Capture Team moved swiftly through the forest. The team, led by Kimimaro, had been moving for hours, and Sasuke's transformation within the coffin continued to progress. The cursed seal pulsated with energy, a dark reminder of the dangerous path Sasuke had chosen.
Kimimaro, ever alert, felt a subtle disturbance in the flow of chakra around them. Her sharp green eyes narrowed as she turned her head slightly to the side, signaling to the others that something wasn't right. Without saying a word, she slowed her pace, prompting the rest of the team to do the same.
"They're getting closer," Kidōmaru muttered, his black eyes flickering toward the trees. His senses, heightened by his cursed seal, could pick up the faint vibrations of footsteps approaching. "They're persistent."
Kin Tsuchi frowned, glancing back at the coffin being carried on Jirōbō's back. "How much further can we go with Sasuke in that state?"
Kimimaro, still composed, spoke calmly. "It doesn't matter how far we get. What matters is that Sasuke completes his transformation. Orochimaru-sama needs him in his prime."
Sakon grunted, his impatience clear. "If they catch up to us, we'll be dealing with more than just exhaustion. We can't risk them interrupting the transformation."
Jirōbō, who had been silently trudging forward with Sasuke's heavy coffin on his back, let out an exasperated groan. His large frame, burdened by both the coffin and the growing frustration, finally stopped moving.
"I'm tired of carrying this thing," Jirōbō growled, his voice low but filled with irritation. "Let me stay behind. I'll handle these pests. I've had enough of being the pack mule."
Dosu, standing nearby, raised his head slightly, his bandaged face turning toward the group. His expression was unreadable beneath the wrappings, but there was a palpable excitement in the air. "I've been itching for another fight," he said, his voice calm yet sinister. "Let me stay with him. I want to see what they're made of."
Kimimaro, the leader and final authority among them, considered the request. Her gaze lingered on Jirōbō, sensing his weariness and frustration. It was clear that he wanted to fight as much as he wanted to rid himself of the burden of Sasuke's coffin.
After a brief moment, Kimimaro nodded, her decision made. "You may stay," she said in her usual calm tone, her eyes locking with Jirōbō's. "But don't take too long. We cannot afford any more delays. If you fall behind, you're on your own."
Jirōbō grinned, cracking his knuckles in anticipation. "I won't be long. They won't know what hit them."
Dosu, maintaining his eerie composure, simply nodded in agreement. "I'll take care of the noisy pursuers. Think you can keep up, big guy?" His Melody Arm hummed faintly, as if anticipating the imminent battle.
Jirōbō nodded in response, "This is probably going to be a waste of our time, but I'd rather do this than carry that thing any longer."
With Kimimaro's permission granted, Jirōbō unceremoniously dropped the coffin to the ground, his muscles visibly relaxing as the weight was lifted from his shoulders. He stretched, his massive frame towering over the others as he prepared for the fight ahead.
Dosu stepped forward, his bandaged head tilted slightly as he listened to the sounds of their pursuers drawing nearer. "They'll be here any minute," he remarked, almost casually.
Kimimaro didn't linger. "We'll continue ahead. You know what to do." With that, she turned to the others, gesturing for them to move. Sakon, Ukon, Kidōmaru, Tayuya, and the rest of the group quickly resumed their journey, leaving Jirōbō and Dosu behind in the clearing.
The two Sound shinobi stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the trees. They could sense the approaching chakra signatures of their enemies, and both knew that the real fight was about to begin.
Jirōbō cracked his neck, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I'll crush them," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "One by one."
Dosu remained quiet, the Melody Arm on his right vibrating faintly as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation. "We'll see if they can handle us," he muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The chase was over. The Sasuke Recovery Team was closing in.
And now, the real battle was about to begin.
===
The forest around the Sasuke Recovery Team seemed to grow denser with each step they took, the canopy above them blocking out much of the sunlight. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig heightened their sense of urgency. Sasuke was getting further away, and the longer they took, the harder it would be to bring him back. Their mission was clear: return Sasuke to Konoha, no matter the cost.
As they sprinted through the trees, Shikamaru noticed something off. His sharp mind was quick to pick up on the subtle changes in the forest. The tension in the air thickened, and he could feel it—the presence of an ambush.
The team came to an abrupt halt as a large figure emerged from the shadows ahead. It was Jirōbō, towering and confident, his smirk mocking as he blocked their path. Behind him, Dosu Kinuta stood quietly, his bandaged face giving nothing away, though the faint hum of his Melody Arm warned of the danger he posed.
Shikamaru's eyes darted between the two enemies. "This is bad," he thought. "They're trying to split us up."
Jirōbō chuckled, his deep voice echoing through the forest. "You're too late," he said. "Sasuke's already on his way to Orochimaru. There's nothing you can do to stop us."
Chōji, who had been quietly observing the enemy, stepped forward, determination etched on his face. "I'll handle these two," he said firmly, surprising everyone. His voice was calm, but there was an intensity in his eyes that his teammates hadn't seen before.
Dosu, hearing Chōji's declaration, tilted his head slightly. His voice, calm and almost casual, broke the silence. "I remember you," Dosu said, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "Back during the Chūnin Exams... I beat you once, didn't I?" His Melody Arm gave a faint hum, the sound filled with malice. "You were weak then, and from what I see, not much has changed."
Chōji's fists clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowing as the memory of that defeat flashed through his mind. But this time, it was different. He wasn't the same person who had been knocked down during the exams. He was stronger now, and he wasn't going to back down.
Karin stepped forward, her chakra sensing abilities picking up the dangerous auras surrounding both Jirōbō and Dosu. "I'm not letting you fight them alone, Chōji," she said, her voice unwavering. Her crimson hair caught the dim light filtering through the trees, and her eyes were locked on their opponents. "We do this together."
Chōji glanced at her, his resolve strengthened by her presence. "Alright," he said with a nod. "Let's take them down."
Behind them, Shikamaru's mind was already working through the situation. The Sound Four had clearly planned to stall them, splitting up to force the Konoha team into individual battles. It was a dangerous strategy, and Shikamaru knew they needed to adapt quickly.
As he analyzed the situation, Shikamaru turned to Chōji and Karin, concern etched on his face. "If we're going to keep moving, someone needs to stay and fight them," Shikamaru said. His tone was serious, but there was no hesitation in his voice. "You two can take them, but you need to promise me something."
Chōji nodded, understanding immediately. "We'll catch up," he said confidently. "I won't let them stop us."
Karin, her senses fully attuned to the battlefield, added, "We'll deal with them and make sure to rejoin you. Sasuke's not getting away."
Shikamaru paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on his best friend. He trusted Chōji, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the battle ahead would push them to their limits. "Alright," he finally said. "But mark our route. If things go south, I want you to be able to follow us."
The team exchanged brief nods, and with that, Shikamaru led Naruto, Kiba, Neji, Rock Lee, Hinata and Sai ahead, continuing their pursuit of Sasuke and the remaining Sound Four. The weight of the mission pressed on everyone's shoulders, but none more so than Chōji and Karin, who now stood face-to-face with their enemies.
Jirōbō stretched his massive arms, rolling his neck as he cracked his knuckles with a menacing grin. "I was hoping for a real fight," he said, his eyes narrowing on Chōji. "But this will do. You look like a good warm-up before we reach the real prize."
Dosu, standing slightly behind, remained silent, his Melody Arm beginning to vibrate more intensely. His focus was sharp, calculating, and dangerous. He knew how to exploit weaknesses, and his cold, analytical mind was already picking apart his opponents.
Karin stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with chakra as she prepared for battle. "Stay sharp," she muttered to Chōji. "They're not going to hold back."
Chōji took a deep breath, reaching into his pouch and pulling out the Akimichi clan's secret pills. He hesitated for a moment, knowing the risks that came with using them. But there was no turning back now. This fight wasn't just about him—it was about protecting his friends, about bringing Sasuke home.
With a final glance at Karin, Chōji popped the green pill into his mouth, feeling the surge of power course through his body. His chakra flared as he activated his Partial Multi-Size Technique, his arms growing larger as he prepared to engage Jirōbō head-on.
"Let's do this," Chōji said, his voice filled with determination.
And with that, the battle began.
Jirōbō lunged forward with brute force, swinging his massive fists at Chōji, while Dosu's Melody Arm began emitting a high-pitched sound, aiming to disrupt Karin's chakra control. The forest erupted into chaos as the two sides clashed, the sounds of battle echoing through the trees.
But Chōji and Karin were ready. Together, they would fight, and together, they would win.
Jirōbō stood at the center of the battlefield, his towering frame radiating raw power and confidence. "You really think you two can stop us?" His voice boomed through the dense forest, his eyes glinting with malice. "I'll crush you like the insects you are."
Before Chōji and Karin could react, Jirōbō slammed his hands onto the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath their feet. The tremors quickly intensified as the ground split apart, and from beneath, a massive dome of rock shot up, surrounding them on all sides.
Jirōbō smirked as he activated his Earth Release: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness, sealing Chōji and Karin within. "This is the end for you. I'll drain every last drop of your chakra until you're nothing more than husks."
Inside the dome, the air felt thick, and Chōji and Karin could already feel the chakra being slowly siphoned from their bodies.
Karin's sharp sensory abilities instantly picked up on the danger. "He's sapping our chakra!" she warned, panic creeping into her voice. She could feel their energy being pulled from them with each passing second. "We need to get out of here before we're too weak to fight back."
Chōji, already determined, clenched his fists. "Not if I can help it!" With a battle cry, he launched himself at the dome's wall, slamming his enlarged fists into the rock with a sickening crack. Despite his strength, the rock barely fractured, and the oppressive sensation of being drained didn't cease.
Karin reached out, placing her glowing hands on Chōji's arm, sending healing energy into him. "This will help you recover some of the strength you're losing, but we can't keep this up for long. We need a plan."
Chōji gritted his teeth, feeling the slight restoration of his energy but also the relentless drain from the dome. He looked at Karin, determination blazing in his eyes. "I've got one," he said, his voice low and resolute. "But it's risky."
Karin gave a quick nod, her eyes scanning the dome for weaknesses. "We don't have much choice. What's the plan?"
Chōji took a deep breath. "I'll use my Human Bullet Tank to try and break through the dome while you keep healing me. If I can weaken it enough, you can use your Chakra Chains to pull us out."
Karin's eyes narrowed. "And Dosu? He's still out there."
"I'll worry about him once we're out of this," Chōji replied, determination fueling his every word. "I trust you to watch my back."
With a mutual understanding, the two prepared for their next move.
Meanwhile, outside the dome…
Jirōbō stood with his arms crossed, watching the dome with satisfaction. "They'll be too weak to fight in a matter of minutes," he muttered.
Dosu, leaning against a tree, eyed the dome silently. His bandaged face betrayed no emotion, but his fingers twitched near his Melody Arm. "Don't get too confident," he said quietly. "If they break out, it won't be that simple."
Jirōbō's grin only widened. "They won't break out."
Back inside the dome…
Chōji focused his chakra, his body swelling as he activated his Partial Multi-Size Technique. "Here goes nothing!" he shouted, transforming into his Human Bullet Tank form. His massive, spinning form hurled itself at the dome's walls, the sound of impact reverberating through the enclosed space.
The first impact barely scratched the surface, but Chōji wasn't deterred. He continued to ram into the walls over and over, each strike weakening the structure slightly more.
Karin stood beside him, her hands glowing as she poured healing energy into him, keeping his strength up as the strain of the chakra drain and his technique began to take its toll. "Keep going, Chōji!" she urged, her voice steady despite the tense situation. "You're almost there!"
With a final, thunderous impact, Chōji's Human Bullet Tank shattered a portion of the dome's wall. Light poured in through the cracks, and the oppressive feeling of the chakra drain lessened.
Karin didn't waste a second. "Now!" she cried, her hands forming seals. Glowing golden chains erupted from her body as she summoned her Chakra Chains, wrapping them around the broken section of the dome. With a sharp tug, she yanked the damaged rocks apart, creating an opening large enough for them to escape.
The fresh air of the forest hit their faces as they burst through the hole in the dome, landing on the ground outside.
Jirōbō's smug expression faltered as he saw them escape. "What?!" he roared, his surprise quickly turning to anger. "You're going to pay for that!"
But before he could charge, Chōji stood tall, his body still pulsing with power from the Akimichi clan's secret pills. "I'm not finished yet, Jirōbō!" Chōji shouted, his voice filled with resolve. "This ends now!"
Dosu, who had been observing the situation calmly, stepped forward, raising his Melody Arm. "You've done well to get out of the dome," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the hum of his arm. "But this is where your luck runs out."
Karin's eyes narrowed as she sensed the shift in Dosu's chakra. "Chōji, he's going to use his sound waves. We can't let him attack you directly!"
Chōji nodded. "I'll take Jirōbō. You handle Dosu."
Karin smiled, her confidence growing. "Deal."
As Chōji charged toward Jirōbō, their fists clashing with the force of a small explosion, Karin faced Dosu head-on. Her Chakra Chains swirled around her, ready to defend against his sound-based attacks.
Dosu's Melody Arm began to vibrate more intensely, emitting high-pitched frequencies that could disrupt chakra flow and cause immense damage. But Karin wasn't about to let that happen. She channeled her chakra into her chains, creating a barrier that absorbed the vibrations, nullifying the attack.
"You're going to have to do better than that," Karin taunted, her eyes gleaming with confidence.
Dosu's eyes narrowed behind his bandages. "Don't underestimate me," he muttered, preparing his next move.
Chōji and Jirōbō, meanwhile, were locked in a fierce battle of raw strength. Jirōbō, relying on his massive size and earth techniques, tried to overpower Chōji, but the Akimichi's newfound power kept him in the fight.
"You're stronger than I thought," Jirōbō growled, his muscles bulging as he blocked Chōji's blows. "But you're still no match for me!"
Chōji's response was simple: "We'll see about that!" He launched a devastating punch, enhanced by his chakra, straight into Jirōbō's gut, causing the larger man to stagger back.
With the battle raging on both fronts, it was clear that Chōji and Karin were giving everything they had. Together, they fought with determination, refusing to back down.
The fight had only just begun.
As Chōji's body expanded into his Human Bullet Tank, the sound of his battle cry echoed through the forest. The power of the Green Spinach Pill surged within him, giving him the strength he needed to shatter Jirōbō's earthen attacks. Rocks splintered and flew through the air as Chōji and Karin battled the two enemy ninja, dust and debris swirling in their wake.
Jirōbō's expression darkened as he took a step forward, his fists clenched. "You'll regret that!" he growled. His large frame exuded pure strength, and his chakra began to spike with fury. "I'll make sure you never leave this forest alive!"
Dosu, the ever-calm shinobi, stepped forward with eerie silence. His Melody Arm hummed faintly as he raised it, preparing for his deadly attack. "No need for drama," Dosu said, his voice cold and precise. "I'll end this quickly. Sound will tear through your body and scramble your mind."
With a swift motion, Dosu swung his Melody Arm, sending a powerful wave of sound through the air. The vibrations rippled like invisible blades, aimed straight at Chōji.
Karin's sharp instincts kicked in. Her sensory abilities, heightened through her Mind's Eye of the Kagura, allowed her to sense the incoming attack even before it hit. With a burst of speed, she grabbed Chōji by the arm and yanked him out of the way, narrowly avoiding the sound waves.
"He's using sound as his primary attack," Karin muttered, her eyes narrowing. "We need to break his rhythm before he overwhelms us."
Chōji nodded, focusing on Jirōbō as his main target. "I know I've faced him before, his sound attacks can do some real damage, If you think you can't handle him. . ."
"maybe . . . I might have a plan." She answered.
"Then I'll handle Jirōbō and give back up if needed."
As Chōji squared off against the towering Jirōbō, Karin locked eyes with Dosu. She knew she had to disable his sound-based attacks quickly or risk being overwhelmed by their destructive power.
Dosu grinned beneath his bandages, his Melody Arm humming with a menacing frequency. His Resonating Echo Drill was already deadly, but his recent enhancements allowed him to unleash even more precise and powerful sound waves that could penetrate even the toughest defenses.
He swung his arm again, unleashing a Sonic Boom. The air vibrated violently as the shockwave shot toward Karin, aimed to disorient and destroy her from within. The sheer pressure of the sound threatened to crush everything in its path.
Karin reacted quickly, forming a sequence of hand signs as she summoned more of her Chakra Chains. The chains burst from her body, now glowing with a brilliant red hue as they extended toward Dosu. With a crack, the chains collided with the sound waves, creating an explosion of energy that disrupted Dosu's attack.
"You're not going to take me down that easily," Karin said through gritted teeth.
Dosu chuckled darkly, clearly unfazed. "I don't need to. Sound disorients everything—your balance, your senses, your mind. You'll fall eventually."
He raised his arm again, preparing to unleash another volley of sound waves, this time an Echoing Barrage—a rapid series of sonic blasts that would overwhelm Karin's defenses.
Meanwhile, Chōji had his hands full with Jirōbō. The large Sound Four member charged at him with brute strength, his fists slamming into the ground and creating shockwaves with each blow. The earth beneath them cracked and trembled as Jirōbō's raw power threatened to crush everything in its path.
"You're strong, but strength alone won't win this!" Chōji shouted, his body still powered by the effects of the Green Spinach Pill.
Jirōbō sneered. "And you think a fat weakling like you has any chance against me?"
Chōji's eyes hardened. "I'm not weak!" His body began to glow with a chakra aura as he activated his Partial Expansion Jutsu, enlarging one of his fists to monstrous proportions. "And I'm not fat! I'm strong because I fight for my friends!"
He lunged forward, his massive fist slamming into Jirōbō's chest with a thunderous impact. The blow sent Jirōbō stumbling back, blood trickling from his mouth as the air was knocked out of him.
But Jirōbō wasn't done. Wiping the blood from his lips, he activated the first stage of his cursed seal, black markings spreading across his body as his power increased exponentially. "You're going to regret that," he snarled, launching himself at Chōji with renewed fury.
Back with Karin, the battle had escalated. Dosu's Echoing Barrage rained down upon her, each sonic wave threatening to break through her defenses. But Karin, using her incredible chakra control, continuously summoned her Chakra Chains to block and deflect the attacks.
"You rely too much on that sound," Karin taunted, her eyes gleaming with determination. "But I can sense every move you make. I know where the next attack is coming from before you even strike."
Dosu's eyes narrowed beneath his bandages. He knew that if he didn't adjust his strategy, Karin would continue to counter his attacks. He decided to go for a more subtle approach, activating his Harmonic Disruption technique, targeting Karin's inner ear to throw off her balance and senses.
Karin suddenly felt the world tilt around her, her vision spinning as the effects of the sound-based genjutsu hit her. She staggered, trying to steady herself, but the disorientation was too strong.
Dosu grinned, sensing victory. "It's over."
But Karin wasn't finished yet. Summoning all her willpower, she bit into her own arm, drawing blood. The intense pain snapped her out of the genjutsu, allowing her to regain her focus.
"You think that's enough to stop me?" she growled, her chakra flaring once more as she charged forward, her Chakra Chains wrapping around Dosu's Melody Arm and pinning him in place.
With Dosu immobilized, Karin shot him a fierce glare. "I told you. I can sense every move you make."
As Chōji and Karin each faced their respective opponents, the battle raged on. The power of the Green Spinach Pill had given Chōji the strength to match Jirōbō blow for blow, while Karin's sensory abilities and tactical prowess allowed her to hold her own against Dosu's devastating sound-based attacks.
But the fight was far from over, and both Chōji and Karin knew they had to dig even deeper if they were going to emerge victorious. With their determination unwavering, they prepared for the next phase of the battle.
As Chōji and Karin each faced their respective opponents, the battle had intensified to a fever pitch. The once-calm forest now roared with the sounds of clashing fists and devastating jutsu. Jirōbō's towering form, enhanced by the cursed seal, seemed unstoppable, but Chōji, driven by his fierce loyalty and the power of the Green Spinach Pill, met him strike for strike.
Karin, her senses on high alert, weaved through Dosu's relentless sound-based assaults, her Chakra Chains snaking through the battlefield, deflecting the sound waves that threatened to disorient and incapacitate her. Dosu, cool and calculating, adjusted his strategy, sending wave after wave of sonic blasts her way, but she kept her focus, avoiding the worst of the damage.
They had held their ground, but both Chōji and Karin knew that they were reaching the limits of their endurance. Sweat dripped down their brows, their breathing labored. Every move felt heavier, every decision more critical.
Amid the chaos, Chōji felt a surge of power, a deep well of strength that he hadn't tapped into before. His muscles, already straining under the force of his attacks, seemed to burn with renewed energy. He glanced at Karin, who, despite the pressure, managed to offer him a quick, determined nod. They were in sync, their shared determination propelling them forward.
But as they continued to fight, they both felt the shift in the air. The tension mounted, and the battle reached its peak. Jirōbō, having grown tired of playing around, began to gather his chakra for one final, devastating blow. Dosu, too, sensing the endgame, prepared a finishing move—an echoing, thunderous sonic attack that could potentially end the fight in an instant.
Chōji and Karin exchanged a glance, knowing that their next move would decide the outcome.
Chōji took a deep breath, reaching into his pouch for the second Akimichi clan pill, the Yellow Curry Pill. The green pill had given him the edge, but he needed more—he needed the strength to finish this fight. As the yellow pill dissolved on his tongue, Chōji felt the surge of chakra once more, his body becoming lighter, his strikes faster and more precise.
"This is what happens when you underetamte Chōji Akimichi," Chōji screamed. With a roar that shook the trees, Chōji launched himself at Jirōbō, his body spinning into a Human Bullet Tank, aimed directly at his opponent. Jirōbō, caught off guard by the sudden burst of speed and power, raised his arms to defend while transforming into his full curse mark form, but it was too late. Chōji's chakra-infused attack smashed through his defenses, sending the towering ninja crashing into the forest floor with a thunderous impact. "With the strength of my friends behind me, nothing can stand in my way!"
At the same moment, Karin faced Dosu head-on. She could feel the vibrations of his Melody Arm as it hummed with lethal intent. But Karin wasn't backing down. Summoning every ounce of her Uzumaki heritage, she extended her Chakra Chains in a wide arc, wrapping them around Dosu's body and pulling him toward her, disrupting his concentration just as he was about to unleash his final attack.
"Not this time," Karin growled, her eyes glowing with fierce determination. With a swift motion, she slammed Dosu to the ground, binding him tightly with her chains. His Melody Arm fell silent, the soundwaves dying before they could cause any more harm.
The forest fell silent as Chōji and Karin stood amidst the wreckage of their battle, breathing heavily from the intense clash. Jirōbō's monstrous, cursed seal-enhanced body lay crumpled in the underbrush, motionless. Despite the overwhelming physical strength he had gained through his cursed seal transformation, he had underestimated Chōji's resolve and the power of the Akimichi pills.
As the ground beneath him shifted from the force of Chōji's final supercharged human Bullet tank, Jirōbō realized too late that brute force alone wasn't enough. Chōji's will—fueled by his loyalty to his friends—was unbreakable, and now, Jirōbō lay defeated, his body reverting back to its original form.
Dosu, though more subtle in his defeat, was no better off. Karin's Chakra Chains had left him incapacitated, his once menacing Melody Arm now useless at his side. He had underestimated her ability to counter his sound-based attacks, and now, he was paying the price.
As Jirōbō's vision began to blur, his mind raced through the battle. He had thought his cursed seal would give him the edge, but he hadn't anticipated the strength that came from Chōji's heart. Fighting for his comrades had made Chōji stronger than Jirōbō could have ever imagined.
"How... could I lose... to someone like you?" Jirōbō muttered weakly, his voice fading into the forest as his consciousness slipped away.
Dosu, now bound and defeated, struggled to raise his head. His sound-based techniques had failed him, and Karin had proven to be more than a match for his cunning. He had believed that sound, invisible and all-encompassing, could defeat anyone. But in the end, even sound could be silenced.
"You... were stronger than I thought," Dosu rasped, his voice barely audible. "But... this isn't over... for any of us."
Karin stood over him, her eyes cold and unwavering. "It's over for you," she said softly, tightening the chains around him, ensuring that he wouldn't pose any further threat.
Karin knelt beside Chōji, her hands glowing with healing chakra as she worked to stabilize his body. The effects of the green and yellow pills were severe—Chōji's body had slimmed down completely, and while his chakra had surged to dangerous levels during the fight, the toll it took was evident. His breathing was labored, his face pale from the exertion of using such an extreme power.
"I didn't even . . . need the red . ." Chōji muttered, Karin only hearing half of it.
"You saved us, Chōji," Karin said softly, her voice calm but filled with admiration. "That last attack—there's no way anyone could've survived that."
Chōji smiled weakly, his eyes half-open. "I wasn't going to let him get away with insulting ... our team."
Karin nodded, her eyes scanning the forest. They were alone now, but the rest of their team was still ahead, chasing after Sasuke. The sound of leaves rustling in the distance reminded them that their mission wasn't over yet. But Chōji needed time to recover, and Karin wasn't about to let him push himself any further in this state.
She bit her lip, contemplating their next move. The mission was critical, but so was Chōji's life. For now, they needed to regroup with their team—there was no telling what dangers lay ahead.
"Take it easy, Chōji," she said, her chakra still flowing into him. "We'll catch up with the others, but only when you're ready."
Chōji nodded, his body feeling lighter as Karin's healing chakra spread through him. The effects of the pills wouldn't disappear immediately, but with Karin's help, he could at least regain some of his strength. He struggled to sit up, grateful for the support she had given him.
"We make a good team," he said, glancing at her with a grateful smile.
Karin smiled back, adjusting her glasses as she stood. "We do."
After taking a few minutes to rest, Karin helped Chōji to his feet. Though he was still weak, Chōji's determination remained strong. They couldn't afford to lag behind—the rest of the team was relying on them.
As they began to move through the forest, making their way toward their comrades, the gravity of their mission weighed heavily on both of them. Sasuke was still ahead, and the Sound Four—or what was left of them—were doing everything they could to ensure he reached Orochimaru.
Chōji and Karin exchanged a look of silent understanding. The battles would only get tougher from here, but they had to keep going. For their friends, for their village, and for the future of Konoha.
Together, they pressed forward into the shadows of the forest, ready to face whatever came next.
The air was thick with the aftermath of the battle. With Jirōbō and Dosu defeated, the quiet forest around them felt like a brief sanctuary, but there was no time to waste. Sasuke was still out there, and every second lost was another step closer to Orochimaru. Chōji, though visibly weakened, pushed himself to stand. His face, pale and worn from the fight, carried a determined expression.
"We should go," Chōji muttered, his voice strained. He took a shaky step forward, his legs nearly giving out beneath him.
Karin, sensing his exhaustion, placed a steadying hand on his arm. "You're not in any shape to fight," she said, concern flickering in her crimson eyes. "You'll collapse before we make it two steps."
Despite her words, Karin understood the unspoken determination between them. They had to keep moving, for the sake of their mission, their friends, and the future of Konoha. Chōji wasn't going to back down, no matter how much his body screamed at him to rest.
Still, they couldn't move at the same pace as before. Every step Chōji took seemed heavier, more labored. Karin sighed, knowing they had to come up with a better plan. Then, as they slowly trudged forward through the dense underbrush, she remembered something—Malik's snacks.
Her hand slipped into her pouch, fingers brushing against the box Malik had given her before the mission. She pulled it out, feeling a strange sense of curiosity as she opened the container. Inside were a variety of small baked goods, each looking freshly made, almost glowing with a faint warmth.
"Here," Karin said, offering one of the small pastries to Chōji. "Malik gave me these. He called them his 'Super Snacks.'"
Chōji, despite his condition, smiled faintly at the term. "Super snacks? That sounds cheesy, even for Malik."
Karin couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, but at this point, we might as well try it. You need the energy."
Without hesitation, Chōji took the small snack and bit into it. His eyes widened in surprise as the flavor hit his tongue. "This is… incredible," he mumbled, his mouth full. "I've never tasted anything like this."
Karin watched him closely, wondering if the snack would actually make a difference or if Malik's title for them was just playful exaggeration. But then something unexpected happened. As Chōji continued to eat, his skin began to glow faintly with a pinkish-gold hue. The bruises on his face lightened, and his breathing evened out. His posture straightened, and, before long, he was walking on his own, his steps sure and steady.
Karin blinked in astonishment. "What… was in that snack?"
Chōji, now walking with newfound strength, looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "I don't know, but I feel great! Better than I've felt since before the fight started." His skin still had that faint glow, and his exhaustion seemed to have melted away entirely.
Karin, intrigued, pulled out one of the snacks for herself. "Well, if it worked for you…" She bit into the pastry, savoring the taste. Almost immediately, she felt a surge of energy course through her body. Her muscles relaxed, her senses sharpened, and the lingering fatigue from the battle faded away. "Malik… what did you put in these things?" she muttered to herself, half-joking.
Unbeknownst to them, the effects of Malik's Super Snacks were more than just a temporary boost.
Super Snacks Lv. 12
Super Snacks: People who eat your food will have enhanced performance, accelerated recovery, and regeneration. They also taste amazing.
Feeling rejuvenated, Karin and Chōji picked up their pace, moving through the forest with far less strain than before. The tension between them eased, and for the first time since the battle had ended, it felt like they could actually catch up with the rest of their team.
But the energy wasn't boundless.
Just as Chōji was about to make a comment about Malik's mysterious snacks, his steps faltered. His eyes fluttered shut, and before Karin could react, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm—he was fine, just completely knocked out.
Karin, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over her, wobbled on her feet. The effects of the snack were powerful, but now the toll on their bodies was catching up. Her vision swam slightly, but she managed to stay awake, just barely.
She knelt beside Chōji, checking his pulse. "You're okay," she muttered, relieved. "Just sleeping."
Choosing to wait for a while before continuing, Karin settled against a nearby tree, keeping an eye on the surroundings while allowing herself a moment to rest. The rest of the team was still ahead, and Sasuke was still out there, but for now, they needed a few minutes to gather their strength.
As Karin leaned back, she allowed herself to think about Malik and his endless quirks—always cooking, always experimenting. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of how cheesy "Super Snacks" sounded, but now, she had a newfound respect for their power.