[Clarification from Yosh - 
[12:00:30 AM] Innue: Are you targeting the upper set or lower set first with that counter?
[12:03:01 AM] Yosh: Both. 1 lower (Akine's right) 1 upper (Akine's left).]

Chiyoko was not a fool. The tying of the line gave away Akine's actions. Despite the close distance with which Akine had let them approach, the counter was simple - alter the profile of the weapon near impact to a more vertical position to prevent him from threading ring like a needle and likely even hitting the rings. By doing so, Chiyoko would not be forced to reveal the true extent with which she could control the Eien no Sai's rings, as a profile alteration was a simple action for nearly any shinobi adept at utilizing their chakra through weapons to preform. In the case of the Eien no Sai, it was even easier for her given the threads of the Yuganori clan. The rings that could would continue towards Akine, the two closest initially opting to close in on his new position with their arc, rather than the move behind him like originally intended, aimed for his wrists. The other two would cross in an arc in front of him (at a point that was behind his initial position) before creating a new wide arc from the cross point in a move similar to the original - a repeat attempt to get behind him, but rising slightly to move upwards to just below waist height on their new path. However, these rings had a much shorter distance for Akine to react to, providing they were not disrupted by an additional counter.

She could see his usage of some form of energy given the ability of her clan. However, she could not determine what it was other than the fact it was in the line that he had thrown to catch the rings. Of course, Chiyoko was not going to let up on an opponent and released four more rings of the Eien no Sai. The paths on these rings were unique. Two would drop quickly to the ground before they would move on an arc from near the ground to an upward trajectory towards Akine, intended initially to be in an arc to get around behind him. The other two went to different directions, as well as heights, to form a quick square in front of her with the lines created by the paths of these four rings before the two side rings would adjust to an original ankle height along the grass in an even wider arc than the initial set of rings.

Beginning to move forward slightly, with a slow initial walk, Chiyoko began to form a quick string of signs with her left hand in an attempt to augment the attack she was initiating. Given the response he had to her initial attack, Chiyoko began to form the beginnings of a strategy.

Hitsujiki remained close to Chiyoko, Tokiko still riding upon the sheep.

The shiki would now be finding its stoping point within the forest away from Akine, where Chiyoko could make use of it as assurance to the safety of her group.