Under the dim light of dusk, the mysterious figure standing in the tree looked even more terrifying than he had in the daytime!
Yet Sasuke and Neji were both trembling.
This time, though, they weren't trembling with fear. They were trembling with excitement!
They knew that if they didn't dare look their opponent in the eye, if they backed down, this shadow would cling to them like a curse for the rest of their lives.
"This time, I won't let you beat me so easily!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his dark eyes instantly turning crimson.
Neji activated his Byakugan and suddenly furrowed his brow. "He—"
Whoosh!
Just as Neji tried to say something, the mysterious figure suddenly moved. With a sharp whistle as he cut through the air, he lunged straight at Shinji, who had quietly retreated behind Sasuke and Neji.
"Total Concentration!"
Seeing the man charge straight at him, Shinji pushed his Breathing Technique to its limit and went to meet him with the last Kunai in his pouch.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In an instant, a string of ear-splitting metallic clashes rang out, sparks flashing as the Kunai collided beside the dim little river.
"Something's wrong. He isn't Orochimaru!"
"How could that be!?"
In the brief clash, both Shinji and the mysterious figure were secretly taken aback.
Shinji had assumed the attacker was Orochimaru and had prepared to use his Mangekyō Sharingan if things came to that. But as soon as they crossed blades, he realized that although his opponent was strong, he was nowhere near as skilled as the mysterious figure from earlier that day. This man was clearly an impostor.
The Root shinobi disguised as the mysterious figure was also surprised.
During the day, he had easily knocked Shinji down several times. So when he received the