Chapter 53
Hyuga Chinano was baffled by the enemy's self-introduction. Since when was it common for shinobi to reveal their abilities at the start of a fight?
"Sonic attacks, huh..." Chinano's mind raced, searching for a counter. She swiftly formed a seal and summoned her trusted companion.
"Momohiko, stop his movements," she commanded.
A small kōmori panda (red panda) curled into a ball and shot forward like a rolling furball.
"I already told you, my sound waves can shatter rock! You think a mere summoned beast can stop me?" The young man with lifeless eyes—Sack—grinned, pushing both hands forward as an invisible wave of sound burst forth.
"Sack, don't be careless," the bandaged man warned, sensing something was off.
But Sack paid no heed. "Relax, Toss. How could they possibly defend against an attack they can't even see—Nani?!"
Before he could finish, the rolling panda suddenly expanded.
Originally the size of two footballs, Momohikos's body swelled dramatically, ballooning to the size of an ōkyū-dama (giant festival ball)—completely absorbing the incoming attack.
If one looked closely, they'd see that Momohiko itself hadn't truly grown. Instead, its kuroshiro-mō (black-and-white fur) had stretched unnaturally, forming hoso-shimenawa (fine threads) that absorbed and deflected the invisible sound waves. Though much of its fur was sliced away, the main body remained unharmed.
Meanwhile, Aburame Hatsuizumi faced her own opponent—a long-haired kunoichi wielding senbon (throwing needles) and a small suzu (bell). With a flick of her wrist, the girl rang the bell and launched a volley of senbon.