Ōnoki, Who Was a Little Jealous

"Lord Tsuchikage!"

"The three thousand Iwa shinobi have all assembled. Aside from the genin class that just graduated from the Ninja Academy, every ninja currently in the village has gathered here."

After bowing slightly to Ōnoki, a man wearing a red flak jacket spoke.

"Mm."

Ōnoki nodded slightly, then raised his head and looked toward the Iwa shinobi before him. Just as he was about to say something—

Whoosh!

A sudden whistle split the air as a sharp kunai tore through the sky and shot toward Ōnoki.

The man beside him instantly changed expression. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped forward to shield Ōnoki. At the same time, his raised hands had already completed their seals.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"

He let out a low shout, and the ground before him rapidly trembled as an earthen wall swiftly rose from the earth.

Whoosh!

But at that moment, the kunai passed through the wall before it had fully risen.

The man's pupils contracted slightly. Though he had moved quickly enough, he had still been a step too late.

Clang!

A crisp metallic clash rang through the air. A shuriken shot out from behind the man and struck the kunai, knocking it aside. The one who had thrown it was Ōnoki.

"Stand down, Shi Hai!"

Ōnoki's somewhat hoarse voice rang across the field.

"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"

Upon receiving the order, the man turned and stood behind Ōnoki. Beads of sweat the size of beans could now be seen on his forehead.

As the captain of the Tsuchikage's guard, he had failed to detect the enemy beforehand. That was negligence on his part. Worse still, he had not even managed to stop that kunai just now, making him seem all the more incompetent.

For a moment, Shi Hai blamed himself inwardly.

However,