Breakout

Crack.

Crack.

The sound of shattering rang out incessantly in everyone's ears, confirming Haku's judgment. The ice crystals he had created with Ice Release truly couldn't hold out much longer.

After all, the First's Wood Release could move mountains and overturn seas. Crushing a block of ice was hardly difficult.

"Everyone, get ready!"

Shinji raised his right arm, his tone utterly calm.

Perhaps influenced by Shinji's composure, everyone hiding inside the ice crystals became much more composed, and the panic in their eyes faded considerably.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Shinji nodded toward Haku.

With Shinji's signal, Haku immediately activated Ice Release, opening a passage in the ice crystals large enough for only one person to enter or exit at a time.

Whoosh.

In an instant, Shinji charged out through the opening first.

The First, who was activating Wood Release outside, had also judged the limits of Haku's Ice Release, so he had already prepared himself. The moment Shinji emerged, he sent Wood Release surging toward him.

Not only that, but the Second was lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Boom!

After fully activating the Twelve Palaces, Shinji shattered the trees rushing toward him with a single punch.

Yet at that moment, the danger signal brought by Killing Intent Perception made the temples on both sides of his forehead throb repeatedly.

"Here they come!"

Shinji's heart tightened. He immediately activated his Sharingan and surveyed his surroundings.

Suddenly, a figure burst out from the wood chips filling the sky, kunai in hand, stabbing toward Shinji. The kunai's tip was aimed straight at his throat!

There was no doubt about it—the Second, who had been waiting for an opportunity, had made his move!

Having sensed it in advance, Shinji did not lose his composure in the face of the Second's