"Not bad, Neji."
Shinji looked at Neji, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
Although he had thought Neji's talent was not bad, he hadn't expected his bloodline to have regressed so much that it was almost reaching the third stage.
"Uh—"
Hearing his master's praise, Neji scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.
"It must be the recent missions. I feel like I've made rapid progress."
Seeing Neji's reaction, Shinji couldn't help but chuckle softly.
This boy's getting shy.
Reaching out to pat Neji's head, Shinji slowly said, "Next, Iwagakure is probably going to launch a major attack. At that time, remember to stick close to me."
Neji nodded.
For a rookie like him, it was best not to wander off on the battlefield. Being by his master's side, he naturally didn't have to worry too much about safety.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an urgent sound rang out.
Shinji unexpectedly turned his head to look into the distance. It was the signal for war.
Neji, behind Shinji, was startled. He had learned about this back in the Academy.
It's just...
So sudden?
"Sensei, how should we proceed?" Neji turned to look at Shinji and asked.
Naturally, his actions now would entirely follow Shinji's lead.
"Although it's sudden, Neji, we need to move. Remember to stay by my side. While protecting yourself, help the other senpais defeat the enemy." Shinji said, instantly condensing Chakra.
He had to rush to the battlefield as quickly as possible. If he wasn't mistaken, not only had Ōnoki appeared this time, but Iwagakure's other Jinchuriki had also likely joined the battle.
"Yes." Neji nodded, then took a step, following Shinji's pace.
—
The battlefield was cruel.
Even though Neji was prepared, seeing the scene before him still made him feel shocked.
Everywhere he looked, the soil was stained with blood. There were severed limbs, broken bodies, and cracked ground everywhere. Along the way, after approaching the battlefield, it was almost all this sight.
Not far ahead, people in different ninja uniforms were fighting each other. Each one seemed to harbor a deep-seated hatred, falling one after another.
"Is this war?"
Neji looked at everything around him, realizing for the first time how naive he had been when he had applied to graduate.
Just as Neji was momentarily stunned, Iwa ninjas naturally noticed him.
The next moment, countless shuriken flew towards Neji.
Clang—
Shinji blocked in front of Neji, deflecting all the shuriken.
He turned sideways and shouted at Neji, "Neji, don't zone out, pay attention to your surroundings!"
Snapping back to reality, Neji nodded with a serious expression, then deflected a shuriken flying towards him from the side with a palm strike, while also dealing with the Iwa ninjas trying to ambush him.
Seeing Neji regain his composure, Shinji felt a little relieved. He looked around. This part of the battlefield was mostly Genin or Chunin fighting.
Behind them, Konoha ninjas who had received the signal kept arriving as reinforcements. However, Jiraiya's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Shinji frowned. He guessed that the Jinchuriki and Ōnoki had entered the fray. Otherwise, it was unlikely to be this way. There was a high probability that Jiraiya was worried about the Tailed Beast's deterrent. He might have lured it away alone, to prevent Konoha ninjas from being affected.
While observing, Shinji led Neji forward, sweeping through. Any Iwa ninja who approached were killed under the combined attack of him and Neji.
"Neji, keep up!"
Shinji didn't hesitate, continuously pushing forward, rescuing Konoha ninjas who were being ambushed or were in danger along the way.
Neji, behind him, saw his master effortlessly defeating enemies, and even looking out for him at the same time.
"Sensei is so strong!"
Although this was already a known fact, it still made Neji exclaim in admiration.
The Konoha ninjas who were rescued also noticed Shinji and began to intentionally pressure Iwagakure.
Seeing this, Shinji chuckled, then raised his hand, and a brilliant blue Rasengan appeared.
The next moment, a vast Wind Chakra emanated.
The sound of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken released from Shinji's hand drowned out this part of the battlefield.
To the despairing gaze of the Iwa ninjas, the Rasenshuriken flew from his hand, heading towards the Iwa ninjas intentionally cornered by Konoha.
Rumble!
Amidst wails and screams, the Iwa ninjas on this part of the battlefield were wiped out by Shinji's single attack.
"So strong!"
"As expected of Shinji-sama!"
Shinji didn't stop, stepping towards the more distant battlefield, shouting as he went, "Everyone, those with serious injuries retreat quickly. Those who can still fight, support others!"
"Yes!"
Neji didn't hesitate, seeing this, he immediately followed.
With Shinji's arrival, Konoha immediately launched a counterattack. More and more Konoha ninjas followed behind Shinji and Neji, and countless Iwa ninjas were taken down before they could even call for reinforcements.
"Sensei! Up ahead, I sense several very strong Chakra signatures!" Neji said, pointing towards a location to the side.
Shinji nodded. That's probably where Jiraiya was fighting.
"Everyone, go support other positions!"
Shinji no longer let the Konoha ninjas behind him follow. If that was truly Jiraiya fighting a Jinchuriki, then in an instant, a single Tailed Beast Ball could wipe them out. It would be better to let these people go support other areas.
"Yes! Shinji-sama!"
The ninjas behind him understood the situation, and after responding, they began to systematically rush to other positions.
Screech—
Two extremely fast whooshing sounds came.
Shinji dodged with a sidestep and then blocked a long sword with a kunai.
Two Iwagakure Jonin gritted their teeth, trying to overpower Shinji.
Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!
Neji, from behind, seized the opportunity, striking towards the two Iwagakure Jonin.
"Damn it! Isn't this guy a Genin?!"
The two Iwagakure Jonin, who were both sent flying, spat out a mouthful of blood, their bodies crashing to the ground.
Chidori!
Sizzle—
A figure swiftly passed over the two fallen Iwa ninjas. Before they could even scream, their two heads fell to the side.
"Hmph—" Shinji slowly exhaled.
The air now was already filled with the scent of blood, making one feel overly suppressed.
Thump—
A figure landed not far in front of Shinji.
Looking up, Shinji straightened his body and said faintly, "As a commander, isn't it inappropriate for you to stop me?"
Directly in front of Shinji, Kitsuchi's sturdy figure stood firmly.
"My mission is to stop you. Only then can Iwagakure achieve victory."
(End of Chapter)
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