Each to Their Own Opponent

Just as Akimichi Tōshi launched his interception, Nara Suzaku quickly formed Hand Seals and activated the Nara Clan's signature Shadow Technique. The shadow beneath his feet suddenly stretched out into a long, thin shape and extended toward a spot in front of Uesugi Shinji.

Even if Uesugi Shinji dodged Akimichi Tōshi's shovel attack, continuing forward would still leave him caught by Suzaku's shadow.

Uesugi Shinji kept moving forward at high speed, undeterred by the attacks from Akimichi Tōshi and Nara Suzaku. He brought his hands together and called out softly, "Ice Release: Sharp-Tailed Swift."

To Nara Suzaku and Akimichi Tōshi's disbelief, Uesugi Shinji's body transformed into a slender streak of white light shaped like a swift and shot a great distance straight ahead. A misty white chill trailed behind him, leaving a frost-covered, frozen path across the ground.

With a deafening crash, the shovel in Akimichi Tōshi's hands slammed down—but it landed far behind Uesugi Shinji, failing to touch even the edge of his clothes. Nara Suzaku's outstretched shadow had likewise been left behind.

"Ice Release: Sharp-Tailed Swift" was a short-range Body Flicker Technique infused with Ice Release chakra. It was considerably faster than an ordinary Body Flicker Technique, and the chill it released could hinder enemies who came close.

The Body Flicker Technique was not teleportation. Once a ninja had trained their Taijutsu to a certain level, they could expend stamina and chakra to move at tremendous speed over a short distance. To the human eye, it looked like teleportation over a short range.

In truth, different ninjas understood and developed the Body Flicker Technique to different degrees, so their speeds varied greatly. Uesugi Shinji's skill with it was first-rate among the jonin, while Namikaze Minato's was top-tier—fast enough to overwhelm him.

That was precisely why Shinji had recently developed "Ice Release: Sharp-Tailed Swift," hoping to narrow the gap between himself and Namikaze Minato in the Body Flicker Technique.

The sharp-tailed swift was the fastest bird in the world. After completing the technique, Uesugi Shinji had named it after the bird.

"Rin, that Konoha ninja's shadow technique is troublesome. Stay here and help Terumi Mei deal with him."

After dodging the attack, Uesugi Shinji spoke as if to himself. As soon as he finished, a soft snort sounded in his ear. Then a shadow split off from the one beneath his feet and, after flickering several times, appeared beside Terumi Mei in the distance. It was Rin, who possessed the Shadow Release Kekkei Genkai.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only helping you for the sake of the village. Don't think I'm trying to make friends with someone powerful like you," Rin said to Terumi Mei.

Terumi Mei smiled faintly. "What a shame. It's rare to meet such an outstanding kunoichi as you. I'd really like to get to know you."

Rin and Nara Suzaku had fought several times before, and their abilities countered each other. Terumi Mei also knew how troublesome the Nara Clan's Shadow Technique could be. One mistake could mean total defeat, so Rin's help significantly reduced the risk.

At that, Rin turned her face away and snorted again. But seeing how highly Terumi Mei thought of her, she felt her hostility toward her ease considerably. In fact, Terumi Mei seemed like a rather decent person.

With a powerful ally now at Terumi Mei's side, Nara Suzaku felt the pressure mount. There was no way he could stop Uesugi Shinji now. He could only find a way to use strategy to take out Terumi Mei and Rin as quickly as possible, then turn back to deal with Shinji.

Nara Suzaku turned and nodded to his two teammates. Akimichi Tōshi and Yamanaka Santen immediately understood. Tōshi charged toward Terumi Mei and Rin with his shovel, while Suzaku and Santen leaped onto the shoulders of the now-giant Tōshi, ready to support him and attack the enemy at a moment's notice.

Seeing Nara Suzaku and the others launch their attack, Terumi Mei and Rin charged forward to meet them, one behind the other. The battle between Konoha's Ino-Shika-Cho and Terumi Mei and Rin had officially begun!

Elsewhere, Team Kakashi, with Nohara Rin among its members, and Team Ebisu had gathered to fight the enemy. Everyone except Kakashi had only recently graduated from the Ninja Academy. Still looking like teenagers, they immediately became targets for the Kirigakure ninja.

Fortunately, Kakashi was exceptionally capable, and Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma all performed far better than ordinary rookie ninja. For the moment, they had managed to hold their ground.

Unfortunately, one of the other members of Team Ebisu had been killed as soon as the fighting began. That made them understand the cruelty of war for the first time. Their initial excitement vanished completely, replaced by fear and tension.

"Everyone, control your breathing. If your body tenses up too much, you'll use up your stamina twice as fast. This fight is nothing special. You'll get used to it in time."

Kakashi knocked back a Kirigakure ninja who was about to attack Obito, then stood protectively in front of him and spoke calmly.

The others were taken aback. Only then did they notice how their bodies were reacting. They hadn't been fighting for long, yet they were already breathing heavily and drenched in cold sweat. Now that Kakashi had pointed it out, they understood what was wrong and immediately tried to steady themselves.

Not far from Kakashi, Guy let out a long breath, as if expelling all the fatigue and tension in his body. The solemn expression on his face gave way to his usual look of boundless determination.

"Phew! As expected of my fated rival, Kakashi! I'll admit defeat in this contest, but I'll do even better than you in the next battle!" Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up and threw him a rather cheesy wink, but Kakashi didn't even look at him.

Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, Obito, and Nohara Rin gradually relaxed as well. Their movements in the fight against the Kirigakure ninja grew less stiff and sluggish, and working together, they gradually suppressed the Kirigakure Chunin around them. Even those battle-hardened Chunin found it hard to believe.

Just then, a figure suddenly lunged at Kakashi. A sharp glint flashed in Kakashi's eyes as he drew his short blade and exchanged several blows with the attacker. They then swiftly sprang apart and faced off at a distance.

"Hatake Kakashi, I never would've guessed the rookies from Konoha would be this good. In our previous encounters, you were lucky enough to escape with your life. But I won't let you get away this time."

The newcomer was Kakashi's old rival, Hozuki Mangetsu. They were close in age and both were talented ninja from their respective villages. Over the past few months, as their units clashed, the two had come to see each other as rivals.