XVI 01.16

Kimimaro's emerald eyes locked onto those of the Kawakage's, the surrounding movements doing little to interrupt the clash of green and blue. The surrounding Kaguya moved and thrashed within the water, but whatever had reeled them in held strong, locking them in place despite their protests.

The situation had grown dire. They'd been having little success until now, and the Kawakage's appearance had turned their 'little'' into 'none at all'. The great wave of water had disrupted the advance of the secondary group, negating the boost in morale the influx of allies would have provided them.

It didn't help that neither Katsuo nor any of his vulture summons were anywhere to be found. His task to kill the Kawakage prior to the assault had obviously failed, making his absence even more worrying. With his attention already so split, all Kimimaro could do was pray that his brother still lived.

Their assault wasn't unsalvageable, however. No, it was quite the opposite. The Kawakage's appearance had given the fighting Tanataki a central figure to back them—the rather effective entrance the man had made went far to boost their morale and install within them a second wind.

It was clear to all that the Kawakage had arrived, which in turn upped the stakes even more. The Tanataki and the Kaguya had been brought to equal standing, even despite the results of the battle until this point. The battle between the two patriarchs would be the biggest turning point in the assault, and may even decide the victor all together. 

With Katsuo gone, Kimimaro's defeat would be the end of the Kaguya's assault. The Kawakage would continue whatever ninjutsu he had been previously prepared to use and completely wipe them out without anyone else to stand in his way.

If Kimimaro were to win, their would-be savior would be dead and the morale of the Tanataki would plummet. That loss in morale as well as the reintegration of the second group of Kaguya would all but certify a Kaguya victory.

Kimimaro's emerald eyes moved away from the blue of the Kawakage's, this time scanning over his body. Despite being half submerged in water, the wear-and-tear of battle was clearly etched onto the blue-haired man.

Dirt and grime caked over his skin, painting over the many cuts and bruises adorning him. Thick bags sat underneath his eyes as if he hadn't slept in weeks, a dried up trail created by what Kimimaro assumed to be tears streaming down them.

The man's chest moved up and down at a greater pace than normal as well. For someone experienced enough to be the Kawakage, Kimimaro was sure that it wasn't the result of anxiety, which meant it was a signifier of fatigue. If he'd had to guess, the Kawakage's previous stunt had used a great amount of chakra.

Kimimaro, on the other hand, looked as if he hadn't seen battle at all. He stood tall without the smallest sign of fatigue, and hadn't adorned even a scratch on his body. The only signifier that he had been in any fights were the gaping holes in his clothes—holes that he'd created himself.

The battlefield had been skewered to the younger boy's advantage as well. Despite the knee-high water housing what Kimimaro assumed were the Kawakage's summons spread all across the compound, the failure to complete the string of jutsus had surrounded the Kawakage with Kaguya.

If one of those Kaguya were to free themselves, or the Kawakage beckoned his summons to turn towards the young patriarch, it'd be granting Kimimaro a numbers advantage. Adding onto the Kawakage's injuries, it was clear that Kimimaro had the upper hand.

With a wave of his hand, five more bone pellets shot towards the Kawakage, forcing the man to move. Despite being new to his arsenal, 'Teshi Sendan' had seen great usage in the assault so far. The bone-bullets were both faster and stronger than any thrown kunai, while also not requiring hand signs to use. That combination had already caused the death of more than a few Tanataki.

With a great leap the Kawakage landed just a few feet away from Kimimaro, who dodged the downward kick that accompanied the maneuver. The roof underneath crumbled at the impact, sending bits of debris into the air.

With a spin of the heel, the Kawakage's other leg shot outwards towards Kimimaro, forcing him to duck underneath. A loud whistle sounded from the attack as Kimimaro felt the displaced air above him.

Twin spears of bone emerged from his palms which shot upward towards the Kawakage. The man swiftly dodged the attack and responded with his own, his fist colliding with the side of Kimimaro's head. 

Kimimaro swiftly jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding the follow up punch that wheezed through the air. The Kawakage swiftly rushed forward, not wanting to give up the pressure he'd asserted.

Bone erupted from Kimimaro's torso, forcing the Kawakage to abandon the punch he'd prepared. In the same movement, Kimimaro's hand, which now had a nail-blade gripped tightly in its palm, raced toward him.

The sword was met by the Kawakage's kunai, but Kimimaro didn't let the block disrupt him. A second sword formed within his hand, forcing the Kawakage to dodge. Kimimaro moved forward, weaving his sword through the air with every movement.

If the Kawakage's injuries were affecting him in any way he'd made sure not to show, as he blocked and dodged around Kimimaro's frantic movements. Kimimaro intentionally left faux openings in his advance in an attempt to draw the Kawakage in, but the man hadn't taken the bait.

The world became pitch black as unfamiliar chakra flooded Kimimaro's pathways. The second it took to dispel the genjutsu was all the Kawakage needed, allowing him to knock one of the swords away and stab into Kimimaro's torso with his kunai.

A bone shot out from his rib in an attempt to cut the man's outstretched arm, but he was able to pull it back just before getting struck. Kimimaro grit his teeth at the wound, but pushed forward regardless. 

His disarmed hand floated directly in front of his face, all five of his fingers spread out. Bullets of bone raced towards the Kawakage, who swiftly moved his body so that the five pellets soared just inches away from his face.

The bullets had forced the Kawakage to abandon his next attack, giving Kimimaro an opening. His other arm sliced downward, painting a line of red down the Kawakage's side. It seemed the cut hadn't been deep enough, as the Kawakage's leg implanted itself into Kimimaro's side. The force sent Kimimaro careening through the air, allowing the Kawakage a bit of breathing room.

His hands blurred as he went through hand signs, a racing bullet of water shooting out towards Kimimaro. Since he was still in the air, he didn't have any way of dodging the ninjutsu, which crashed into him with great speed. His pace increased as the bullet of water carried him further through the air until he crashed into the side of a nearby building.

The impact had knocked all of the air from his lungs, forcing him to gasp. The high water pressure had easily torn through what remained of his shirt, forcing his torso to don a purple color.

His body ached, but Kimimaro did his best to ignore it. He knew the battle was far from over, and the rushing form of the Kawakage had only confirmed that notion. The man's hands were brought together as he moved forward, producing a bullet of water similar to the one before.

Kimimaro's own hands raced as he began a ninjutsu of his own, a slab of rock quickly shooting upward to protect him. The water easily punched through the rock, but slowed it down enough to allow Kimimaro to dodge. 

The Kawakage rocketed forward after the water bullet, his kunai raised high in an attempt to catch Kimimaro off guard. Thick bone encased Kimimaro's forearm, which he brought upward to meet the descending metal.

The Kawakage's superior size along with the momentum gravity had granted him brought Kimimaro to a knee as the metal struck bone. His other arm moved to support the clash of strength, but was knocked away by a swift kick from the Kawakage.

Kimimaro's stance faltered, the change in resistance causing the Kawakage's kunai to slide along his bone-encased forearm and slash underneath the exposed bicep and shoulder. A column of spiked bones erupted from the gash, skewering the Kawakage's extended arm.

A spiked palm raced towards the Kawakage in an attempt to take advantage of the opening, but the man rocked his head back at just the right angle to avoid any damage at all. His free arm shot outwards, striking Kimimaro in the face.

The bone protecting Kimimaro's forearm retreated underneath his skin as he quickly positioned his hands to face the Kawakage. Keeping his fingers together, pellets of bone shot out from the usage of 'Tenshi Sendan'. Being used at such a close range didn't allow for much room for the Kawakage to dodge. All five pellets tore through the Kawakage's left shoulder, causing the corresponding arm to fall limp.

A grin formed on Kimimaro's face as the Kawakage jumped backwards, his right arm holding the injured shoulder. Keen on finishing the battle, Kimimaro rushed forward. His quick advance had blinded him by the other figure which had been summoned sometime in the scuffle, as the long tusks of a rather large walrus dug into his right leg.

Kimimaro flopped to the ground at the sudden change in momentum, landing a few steps before the Kawakage. His extended foot struck out at him, turning him onto his side. His uninjured arm raised high as he prepared to bring the kunai down upon him, but was forced to block a thrown kunai from the side.

Both of them turned to see the form of Baiza, who had a fierce expression on his face despite the bleeding wound on his leg. His hands formed together as he shot a ball of water out at the Kawakage, who easily dodged the attack.

The failed ninjutsu didn't deter Baiza, as he raced forward even though his wound was causing him to hobble. His kunai strike was easily blocked, but was enough of a distraction for Kimimaro to make use of.

Bone shot out from his leg, impaling the mouth of the walrus and freeing himself. His left hand gripped tightly on the Kawakage's ankle, followed by a spiked bone from his palm shortly after.

The attack changed the Kawakage's balance everslightly, allowing for Baiza's second attack to cut into his already injured arm. The man cursed to himself before swatting Baiza away. His foot struck at Kimimaro once more, sending him flying without the walrus holding him down.

Kimimaro quickly brought himself to his feet, ignoring the throbbing that accompanied where he'd been struck. The Kawakage looked back at him, the accumulation of his wounds clear to all.

Blood streamed down his left arm, adding to the pool that was forming underneath his right foot. Despite trying to keep his stance tall and firm, the injuries forced him to lean slightly, his left arm dangling loosely to the side.

Despite that, a fierce expression remained on his face. His eyes darted towards Baiza before returning to Kimimaro. It was clear who the bigger threat was, but he couldn't afford to ignore Baiza completely. 

The two Kaguya weren't in perfect health either, though. Kimimaro's body was bruised and he sported a long slash that traced from underneath his right arm to his upper rib. His left eye specifically had started to swell from being repeatedly struck, causing him to squint slightly.

Blood streamed down Baiza's left leg from where one of the walruses had bit at him. Black, blue, and purple bruises decorated all over his body, as well as a few smaller cuts here and there.

The two were outclassed in skill, but the Kawakage had worse injuries. His injured arm made it so he couldn't use any jutsu anymore either. Kimimaro's fist tightened. The battle was entering its final stages.