Live on in fear of me

"Watch out!"

In the dark woods, stones flew in close to the tree trunks.

The stones swelled as they flew, growing into boulders several meters across.

This was Iwagakure's famous combined ninjutsu, Earth Release: Flying Gravel!

The boulders hurtled toward Sarutobi Neito's squad with a roar.

Iwagakure had more ninja than any other ninja village. By mastering two Earth Release techniques, Flying Gravel and Earth-Style Wall—one for offense, one for defense—they could perform combined ninjutsu with other ninja.

A bitter taste filled Sarutobi Neito's mouth. Why was his squad so unlucky? They had just suffered a devastating attack from an Explosion Release jonin, and Nara Saku had died. Now they had run into a Stone Ninja Squadron's combined ninjutsu.

Seeing the barrage of flying boulders, Akimichi Takashi rolled to the side.

He had barely risen into a crouch when he saw a rock hurtling toward Yamanaka Mei.

After regaining consciousness and learning of Nara Saku's death, Akimichi Takashi had cried with Yamanaka Mei for a long time.

It was as though he had grown up overnight. There was no one left to make his decisions for him. He could no longer follow Nara Saku without thinking for himself.

"Partial Multi-Size Technique!"

Akimichi Takashi thrust out his hand, enlarging his hand and arm to block the rock in front of Yamanaka Mei.

But another rock came flying toward Akimichi Takashi.

Sarutobi Neito appeared just in time, cleaving the boulder, over two meters across, with a single slash.

Akimichi Takashi breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness their teacher Neito had made it in time.

Sarutobi Neito formed hand seals and unleashed a ninjutsu.

"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"

An enormous, oval fireball shot straight into the woods.

The light of the flames illuminated several dark figures deep among the trees.

Akimichi