Prepare for Battle!

"You!"

Yamazaki Taku choked on his words, his face flushing red. "Cut the crap! This guy's Ice Release is too bizarre—I can't handle him alone!"

Yuhi Shinku watched their exchange coldly, but his hands never stopped forming seals.

Chakra circulated through his body, and his icy killing intent was nearly tangible.

"Are Konoha's ninja only good at talking? Since you're here, come at me together and save me the trouble of wasting time!"

Before he finished speaking, he slammed his hands together, and a low hum suddenly filled the air.

Frost patterns rapidly spread across the ground, transforming into icy spikes that snaked along the earth toward Kawaki Aoba and Yamazaki Taku.

The ice spikes moved with incredible speed, their tips glinting with cold light as though they would pierce through everything in their path.

"This is bad!"

Yamazaki Taku's expression changed. He sprang upward and leaped onto a nearby tree, barely evading the ice spikes.

He turned toward Kawaki Aoba and said urgently, "Aoba, if you don't make a move soon, we're both done for!"

Kawaki Aoba finally shifted his gaze from Yuhi Shinku to the spreading field of ice spikes.

He sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Taku, you're really useless. You can't even buy us some time."

"Stop yapping! If you don't act now, I'll report you to Lord Hokage when we get back!"

Yamazaki Taku gritted his teeth in anger, though a trace of anticipation flashed through his eyes.

Though Kawaki Aoba was young, his strength was unfathomable. He was one of Konoha's most dazzling geniuses in recent years.

Kawaki Aoba did not respond. He merely slowly raised his right hand, palm facing upward, as a faint green glow gathered within it.

The light was gentle yet brimming with vitality, like tender sprouts