A dark shadow quickly stretched out from the base of Kagetsu's feet, like a black snake slithering across the ground, rushing towards the opposite side where Aburame Aoshi was standing.
However, it seemed that Aoshi had anticipated this. After releasing his insects, he almost simultaneously leaped backward, tapping the ground a few times with his toes, and finally flipped in mid-air to land safely on the ground.
The black line extending from Kagetsu's feet came to an abrupt stop three meters away from Aoshi, as if the rope had reached its limit.
"What's that?" Uchiha Obito looked at the line extending from Kagetsu's feet, which seemed like a shadow stretched to its limit, his eyes widening in surprise.
"It's a technique from the Nara clan. They are known for manipulating shadows," a somewhat indistinct voice replied from behind Obito. He turned around to see a chubby boy holding snacks, pouring them into his mouth and chewing as he spoke.
"Don't talk to the last place loser!" Behind the chubby boy, a little girl with a single ponytail tugged at his collar.
"Okay, Yuki," Akimichi Chōfū said, pulling out another bag of snacks from somewhere on his body and skillfully opening it to stuff into his mouth.
"Who's the last place loser!?" Obito was about to argue in response to Yuki's comment but was distracted by the surrounding crowd's reactions, refocusing on the ongoing battle.
"Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique. Some say it can control a person's body, but as long as you keep your distance and avoid close contact, the technique won't work."
After confirming the limit of Kagetsu's shadow, Aoshi established a safe distance. Meanwhile, he continued to maintain this distance from Kagetsu and ordered his insects to attack.
A dense swarm of insects, like an open dark bag, surged through the air towards Kagetsu under Aoshi's control.
The sight made everyone present shiver, and the girls, including Yamanaka Yuki, took a step back in fear, watching the unsettling swarm chase and surround Kagetsu.
"Kagetsu's Shadow Imitation Technique has been seen through. Aoshi had prepared for this," Yuki said, frowning as she observed Kagetsu dodging and weaving under the insect swarm's attack, trying to close the distance with Aoshi. Her tone was filled with concern.
"It's fine if he loses, he can just surrender. But Kagetsu probably won't lose so quickly, right?" Chōfū paused, reflecting on his usual impression of Kagetsu, and gave his somewhat hesitant response.
For him, losing a match was no big deal as long as no one stole his food. Children from the Akimichi clan were naturally optimistic. After all those who weren't were often discouraged by the surrounding looks.
Of course, his optimism was bolstered by friends like Kagetsu and Yuki, whom he had grown up with.
"Hmph! These insects can be dealt with using a big Fireball Jutsu," Obito said, showing a bit of eagerness. He imagined himself casting a Fireball Jutsu to effortlessly eliminate the insects, defeat the dark, sunglasses-wearing opponent, and receive Rin's admiration and praise in the process.
"He looks a bit foolish."
"He looks a little stupid."
After hearing Obito's comment, Yamanaka Yuki thought to herself, taking a step back and pulling Akimichi Chofu, who was focused on eating snacks, closer to him.
After dealing with Kagetsu for a while, she had learned some truths from the team's smartest member, like: stay away from foolish people to avoid being influenced by them.
"Did you make a mistake?" Several people in the audience at the training ground noticed Kagetsu stagger for a moment, then get surrounded by the insect mist that had been chasing him, which quickly covered him entirely.
Soon, Kagetsu was completely enveloped in the thick, dark insect mist, making him hard to see. All that was visible was a figure stumbling forward, wrapped in a mass of insects.
The girls, including Yamanaka Yuki, covered their eyes in unison. The sight of so many insects crawling over a person, as if they were going to devour him, made everyone uncomfortable and they couldn't help but gasp.
Many people looked at Fumito and the Chunin ninjas on the viewing platform, expecting them to step in and stop it.
But even Fumito didn't rush to intervene immediately.
Aburame Aoshi, who had been keeping a safe distance from Kagetsu, stopped in a safe spot and looked at Kagetsu, now tightly wrapped in insects. After a moment, he slowly raised her hand towards Fumito.
"Teacher, he has no combat power left," Aburame Aoshi said.
Fumito looked at the field, considered it for a moment, and was about to call an end to the battle when the situation suddenly changed.
"Shadow Imitation Technique, success."
Kagetsu's voice came from within the swarm of insects. Instantly, Aburame Aoshi lost control of his body.
As everyone watched in surprise, confusion, shock, or curiosity, the insects surrounding Kagetsu began to peel away in large chunks.
Under Aburame Aoshi's worried gaze, some of the insects, sensing danger, started to escape from Kagetsu's body, flying a short distance before falling to the ground.
As the insect layer peeled away, Kagetsu's face and body were revealed, and beneath him lay a pile of insect corpses, with shadows connecting the two people.
"How is this possible?" At this moment, only his eyes and mouth could move under Kagetsu's control.
"'I thought I was at a safe distance!' That's what you're thinking, right?" After successfully using the Shadow Imitation Technique, Kagetsu said, releasing the seal he had been maintaining with his hand.
"You made me misjudge the distance on purpose, didn't you?" Aburame Aoshi, clearly sharp-minded, quickly realized what might have happened.
"Yes, from the moment you showed caution towards my shadow, I knew you were familiar with the Nara clan's jutsu. Since you had some knowledge and were on guard, it was unlikely you'd take a big risk to win. Your physical abilities far surpass those of the Nara clan."
With the battle turning in his favor, Kagetsu didn't mind explaining further as he prepared for his next move, knowing he needed more time for the next technique.
****
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