Dance of the Seedling Fern!

Just as Jiraiya had said, attacks along the border were frequent. By the time they reached the Land of Grass, the team had already been attacked three times.

However, bounty hunters were no match for an elite team like theirs. No matter how many came, they were slaughtered.

"These bounty hunters really are reckless. They even dare to get involved in a war between great nations."

Sarutobi Jun'suke remarked as he walked at the back of the team.

"They're willing to risk their lives for money—that's why they're bounty hunters. In the eyes of the great nations, they're just cannon fodder. During periods of conflict, the major villages hire bounty hunters to harass one another along the borders."

"By the way, these aren't the only people you need to watch out for. Be wary of the people from the Land of Grass and Iwagakure, too. A small nation like the Land of Grass is fickle and always sides with whoever seems strongest. And Iwagakure goes without saying."

Jiraiya walked ahead, keeping watch on their surroundings as he warned the three of them.

Under Jiraiya's lead, the team used the Transformation Technique to change their appearances. They arrived at the gates of a small town, passed the guards' inspection, and entered without trouble.

Once inside, Jiraiya led the team to a tavern, where they sat in a corner. About an hour later, a bald man walked over.

Jiraiya exchanged a glance with him, then made a few subtle gestures with his hand. It seemed they'd confirmed each other's identities.

"It's too crowded here to make a move. I'll go with him to pick something up. Stay on your guard."

With that, Jiraiya stood and left with the bald man.

"So all we have to do now is wait, right? This mission's a piece of cake!"

Sarutobi Jun'suke said with a pleased grin.

"That's because we've got a strong leader with us. My previous A-rank missions weren't this easy."

Aburame Takuma took a sip of hot water and replied calmly.

But the next moment, he frowned and turned to look at a passerby who had just walked by them.

He was only looking, but Akiyama Shun reacted much more directly. He'd completed plenty of missions alone and immediately recognized that the passerby had been watching them.

[Haku] out.

[Hatake Kakashi (Young)] in.

The White Fang Blade flashed from its sheath as Akiyama Shun slashed at the passerby, cutting him in two. Blood sprayed everywhere.

The sight stunned not only the other diners nearby, but also Sarutobi Jun'suke, who stared in bewilderment.

"Move!"

Though still confused, Sarutobi Jun'suke immediately sprang into action at Akiyama Shun's call. After spending so much time together, he trusted Akiyama Shun.

The three of them rushed out of the tavern.

Seeing their target flee, the several ninjas inside dropped their disguises and gave chase.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

Facing the incoming lightning ball, Akiyama Shun swiftly countered with Wind Release.

The Vacuum Wave not only stopped the lightning ball, but also knocked back one of the pursuing ninjas.

"Stop. We're surrounded."

Aburame Takuma stood on a tree branch and spoke up.

Akiyama Shun and Sarutobi Jun'suke landed beside him.

"So, how exactly did they find us?"

Sarutobi Jun'suke was still baffled.

"Our spy was probably exposed. The enemy is using the spy to lure us out."

Akiyama Shun voiced his guess. Aburame Takuma nodded, agreeing with him.

"What? Then isn't Lord Jiraiya in danger? He's all alone right now!"

Akiyama Shun and Aburame Takuma: "..."

Akiyama Shun sighed and asked, "Are you saying these people could threaten Lord Jiraiya?"

"Oh, right. Yeah." Sarutobi Jun'suke seemed to suddenly understand and scratched his head awkwardly.

"Do the people from Konoha still have time to chat?"

A voice came from the distance, drawing the three of them's attention.

"Iwagakure. Two teams, and some bounty hunters, too."

Aburame Takuma spotted the Forehead Protectors on their heads and felt the pressure mounting. The leading ninja from one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages had to be at least a Jōnin.

And the strongest among them was only him, a Special Jōnin.

"Let's hold out as long as we can. We just need to last until Lord Jiraiya arrives to help."

That was the best solution Aburame Takuma could think of.

Once Akiyama Shun realized there were too many enemies, he promptly switched in [Haku].

"Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"

As the technique took effect, mirrors of ice appeared one after another, encircling Akiyama Shun.

"Ice Release?"

The Iwagakure Jōnin was surprised to see Ice Release, then grinned, a hint of excitement in his eyes.

"Hahahaha! I didn't expect to catch such a big fish. You're Akiyama Shun, right?"

Akiyama Shun didn't answer. Instead, he slipped into the ice mirrors.

In the next instant, Akiyama Shun appeared beside the Iwagakure Jōnin and fired ice needles, but his opponent dodged them.

"Kid, do you think I'm one of your opponents from the Chunin Ninja Exams? You think a little trick like that will work on me?"

The Iwagakure Jōnin laughed. But the next moment, a cry of pain came from nearby. He turned to see that one of his own men had been killed by Akiyama Shun. He also caught the look Akiyama Shun had given him before slipping into the ice mirror—a look reserved for an idiot.

"..."

The Iwagakure Jōnin flew into a rage.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow!"

The Iwagakure Jōnin slapped the ground, and the whole area shook. The earth broke apart into countless grains of sand, surging toward Akiyama Shun like a tide.

Some of the ice mirrors close to the ground were also shattered by the earth flow.

Akiyama Shun shifted to an ice mirror high above and used Chidori to pierce an Iwagakure Chunin.

"That kid... Break the mirrors! He's using them to move around quickly. If we destroy them, he won't be able to move anymore. They're fragile!"

The Iwagakure Jōnin figured out how Akiyama Shun's mirrors worked and hurriedly warned the other ninjas nearby. He also hurled an "Earth Release: Rock Stealing Staff" at Akiyama Shun.

But after dodging the attack, Akiyama Shun still ignored him. It wasn't that he couldn't win; there was no need to fight him yet. Akiyama Shun planned to take out the others first, then focus on the Jōnin.

While Akiyama Shun fought, Aburame Takuma and Sarutobi Jun'suke were locked in combat with another Iwagakure Jōnin.

"Wait, aren't there more and more enemies?"

Sarutobi Jun'suke clutched the wound on his chest and swallowed nervously.

"There really are. Iwagakure hired quite a few bounty hunters. We can only hope Lord Jiraiya gets here to help soon."

After speaking, Aburame Takuma looked at Akiyama Shun with a complicated expression. He'd never imagined Akiyama Shun would be this strong!

So far, Akiyama Shun alone had taken out more than a dozen enemy ninjas, and he'd even managed to hold an Iwagakure Jōnin at bay.

Wait!

Aburame Takuma's pupils contracted. He stared at Akiyama Shun as if he'd seen something unbelievable.

What had he just seen?

What were those white things on Akiyama Shun's body? Bones?

What was that?

A Kekkei Genkai?

Aburame Takuma had heard that the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure possessed a Kekkei Genkai called Shikotsumyaku. But the Kaguya Clan had already been wiped out, just like the Haku Clan!

Why did Akiyama Shun have both Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku?

Under Aburame Takuma's watchful gaze, Akiyama Shun sighed.

He really didn't want to use the Cursed Seal. It put too much strain on the body. In the original story, it had killed Kimimaro, and Akiyama Shun cared too much about his own body to take that risk. But it seemed he had no choice now.

There were too many enemies. He couldn't take them out one by one anymore.

He needed a technique with a huge area of effect, one that could wipe them all out at once!

Curse Mark Stage Two!

"Dance of the Seedling Fern!"