Chapter 197: Try Harder
The giant shadow hands aimed to completely crush Arthur from below.
Ino, in retaliation, used her binding technique to ensure he wouldn't escape. Then, in a moment's notice, the hand closed, producing loud crunching sounds.
Koko's eyes remained wide open, fixed on where Arthur had been.
As the light faded and the dust settled, Ino asked, "Shikamaru, did we get him?"
"Y-Yeah, but..." Shikamaru's voice trailed off as he saw Arthur walk forward, cracking his neck as if nothing had happened. "His body's too dense; my jutsu didn't do anything."
Arthur's walk transformed into a sprint, and Zabuza quickly rushed in to confront him first, brandishing the Executioner's Blade. He lunged forward, swinging multiple arcs, each one avoided by Arthur, who sidestepped effortlessly.
Just then, Koko appeared behind him as she reached out to touch him. "Gotcha, Daddy!"
'Substitution jutsu...'
Arthur narrowly evaded her reach, substituting with the grass just as her tiny hand brushed the air where he had been standing.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Koko exclaimed, indignant at being outmaneuvered.
Tatewaki, wielding the Long Blade, engaged Arthur directly, though his swings were frantic and mindless.