93. Last struggle

As soon as Tomoka’s body began falling Hinata held her by the waist as she ran towards the wooden cage past Yamato. Yamato on the other hand was having a really bad time. No matter what he tried, the lightning beasts wouldn’t leave him alone. Destroy one and two would take their place. Block their attacks and more would follow from another angle. 

Seeing Hinata moving with Tomoka towards the cage, Nozomi made her move as well. With quick movements Nozomi began throwing smoke bombs all around. A moment later the place became filled with white smoke. Next Nozomi moved her hands before shooting a wind ball forwards. This removed just enough smoke to make a corridor towards the cage. 

Reaching the cage Hinata didn’t waste a single second as she struck it with all her strength aided by her earth style. Like a battering ram she broke through before jumping inside. To her left she saw Nozomi entering the cage as well. Victory was right in front of them until Hinata felt something grabbing her legs.   

Looking down Hinata saw a pair of wooden hands holding her ankles as a wooden clone began leaving the ground. In a last second decision she threw Tomoka towards Nozomi. 

“Win it!” Hearing this, Nozomi felt conflicted. If she touched the Totem and made Tomoka touch it then Hinata would have to go back to the academy. Making her decision Nozomi took Tomoka’s hand and made her touch the totem.  

“We are going to get through this together!” As soon as Tomoka’s hand touched the totem Nozomi left her there as she ran towards Hinata who was currently engaged in a taijutsu battle against Yamato’s clone. Unfortunately another adversary appeared. 

The clone that had been inside Nozomi’s smoke came out of it and intercepted the Uchiha. Now the two girls had to deal with a clone each. To make matters even worse Tomoka’s jutsu started to run out. The lightning beasts stopped multiplying and started to diminish in number.  

Seeing this Hinata knew that there was no way for the two of them to pass. One would need to be left behind. She hated it, she wanted to be together with the other two but in the end one would need to be left behind. Hinata made her decision then, she would be the one to be left behind. 

‘Earth style: Earthen Burial’ It had been hard for her to find a gap to use her jutsu. Not only that but it had been even harder to find a way to use it on both clones at the same time. She had to move closer to Nozomi’s fight and prepare everything. 

As she finished her preparations and found the needed gap Hinata planted her palms on both of Yamato’s clones. Once she did so earth began covering her arms from the elbow down, then it attached to the clones and buried them under the earth. The only problem is that she couldn’t move if she wanted to keep them under her jutsu. 

“Go! I don’t know for how long I will be able to hold them and Tomoka’s jutsu is about to run out!” Hinata turned her head to see an exhausted Nozomi. Hianta’s chakra reserves were low now and they were being drained fast by her jutsu. Nozomi wasn’t in any better condition. 

“No, we will find a w-” 

“There is no time. This is my decision. Please just go.” Hinata was trying really hard to not cry. She really hated the situation her teacher had placed them in. However, there wasn’t anything else she could do. 

Seeing Hinata’s determination Nozomi didn’t argue anymore. She turned around and with a heavy heart touched the Totem. As she did, Yamato's clones that were struggling inside Hinata’s jutsu stopped. Seeing that everything was over Hinata stopped her jutsu just in time to see Yamato walking towards them. 

“So Tomoka and Nozomi passed. You know what this means, Hinata.” Yamato said in a stern voice. Hinata just nodded as she tried to contain her tears. That is until…

“If she is going back to the academy then I am going as well.” Hearing this Hinata turned around to see Nozomi with a serious expression. 

“If you two are going back then there is no point in me going forward. Guess we are all going back.” Hearing this, Nozomi and Hinata’s gaze landed on Tomoka who was getting back on her feet. 

“Is that your final decision?” Saying this Yamato’s stern eyes looked at the three girls. 

“““yes.””” 

“I see.”