Namikaze Minato appeared behind Uesugi Shinji in an instant. The Flying Thunder God Kunai in his hand was less than half a foot from Shinji's neck, but Shinji still didn't seem to have noticed.
"Did I get him!?"
Minato felt no joy at the prospect of landing a successful hit. Instead, doubt filled his heart.
He had never underestimated any opponent, especially a formidable enemy like Uesugi Shinji. He didn't believe he could take him down so easily.
With a clang, Minato's strike landed on Shinji's neck.
But the attack had no effect. It didn't cut off Shinji's head—or even break his skin.
The force of the blow merely tilted Shinji's head slightly to the other side. That was all.
As it turned out, after entering the "Inner Ice Release" state, Shinji had used Ice Release to coat his body in an incredibly hard layer of Ice Armor. This armor could withstand Might Duy's attacks to a certain extent after he opened the Eight Inner Gates, so blocking Minato's Kunai was no problem.
Ignoring Minato behind him, Shinji looked toward Kakashi, who had already grabbed Nohara Rin by the shoulder with one hand. A barely perceptible trace of murderous intent lurked in Shinji's icy gaze.
At that moment, Kakashi felt an intense sense of danger. He looked up and saw an Ice Spike right in front of him, almost touching the center of his forehead.
The Ice Blade Shinji had formed in his hand suddenly extended, stabbing straight toward Kakashi as he charged in.
With Natural Energy fused into his body, Shinji was already much faster than usual. Kakashi hadn't expected Shinji to still have enough strength to attack him while being struck by his teacher, and he was suddenly in grave danger.
"Damn it, I'm too late!"
Kakashi twisted