No Countermeasure Came to Mind

"Uchiha Ling versus..."

Yamano looked at the student roster and hesitated. He wasn't sure who to pit against Uchiha Ling.

The other students tensed at once, as if their teacher were reading from a death note.

Some clenched their buttocks, unwilling to relive the pain of the Thousand Years of Death—Namiashi Raidō and Iwashi Tatami among them.

Some kept their heads down, hoping their teacher wouldn't call their names.

Others pretended to be calm while swallowing nervously, like Asuma Sarutobi.

"Uchiha Ling versus Nara Saku!"

Uchiha Ling headed for the Training Ground, thrilled. He could use the Thousand Years of Death on Nara Saku again.

He wants to control me with a Shadow Secret Technique? I won't give him the chance.

Nara Saku's eyes darted about. Then he raised his hand. "Teacher! I have a proposal!"

"Go on."

"The three of us are the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation. I'd like Akimichi Takashi and Yamanaka Mei to join me so we can practice our combination techniques against Uchiha Ling."

Yamano considered it. There was no reason not to allow it. Ino-Shika-Cho had always worked seamlessly together and was one of the Hidden Leaf Village's signature teams.

"Uchiha Ling, do you agree?"

Akimichi Takashi's lips drooped. He looked ready to cry and desperately hoped Uchiha Ling would refuse.

Seriously, would three of us be enough to beat Uchiha Ling?

"Sure. I don't mind."

Takashi's last hope died. Why did Uchiha Ling have to agree?

He trudged onto the field and stood beside Yamanaka Mei, trying to reassure her.

"Don't be scared, Mei. Uchiha Ling will definitely target me. I'm fat. I'm the biggest target."

Mei nodded in a panic, then shook her head. Uchiha Ling hadn't gone easy on girls at all these past few months.

The last time Uchiha Ling sparred with Rin