CH_28

"Maybe that's the only option!" Natchi, however, agreed to this stupid plan.

No sooner had he said that to Tōji than Natchi shouted without hesitation, "Everyone, let's charge together—or we'll all be slaughtered in the end!"

Natchi's shout obviously got the surface-level agreement of all the Konoha genin.

"Let's fight!" One genin shouted as he threw a single shuriken at one of the Iwa jōnin.

Tōji still had the presence of mind to roast internally, 『This guy's shouting "fight" but he's not charging—just chucking shuriken from far away. What a pro!』

So Tōji didn't fall behind either—he pulled out a big handful of shuriken. "Fight the Iwa dogs!"

Though Tōji had pulled out a lot of shuriken, he threw them one at a time—carefully avoiding his own chūnin while targeting the Iwa jōnin. It took good aim and skill!

Those who were confident in their projectile skills followed suit, adding pressure on the two Iwa jōnin.

But the Konoha chūnin were also under increased pressure! Who wasn't worried about friendly fire? Even though no one had been hit yet…

One Konoha chūnin got cold feet and jumped back from the center of the fight. "【Water Release: Water Rush】!"

A fairly standard mid-range Water Release jutsu blasted toward one of the Iwa jōnin.

But Water Release was weak against Earth Release—the Iwa jōnin simply used his 【Rock Fist】-coated fist to punch through the water spout and block it.

Seeing that, that Konoha shinobi didn't re-enter the fray either—he just stood there preparing his next Water Release jutsu…

Tōji saw right through him but couldn't be bothered to roast him.

Jakkō, for now, was still holding his own. He was skilled with blades, especially dual short swords.

The Iwa jōnin who'd been harassed twice by the Konoha chūnin's Water Release was getting annoyed. He started spending chakra on a more efficient jutsu.

【Earth Release: Retsudo Tenjō】!

The Iwa jōnin used the same move again—and it was still effective! Without even canceling his 【Rock Fist】, he slammed both fists into the ground, and fissures instantly spread across the surface.

The Konoha chūnin managed to dodge in time—but the two genin at the very front immediately fell into the cracks.

【Earth Release: Rock Cannon Technique】!

This Iwa jōnin spat out a rapid stream of small stones formed from Earth Release chakra, shooting them at the temporarily trapped Konoha genin!

"Ah!" "Ah!" The two genin went down like they'd been hit by bullets—killed instantly!

The Konoha chūnin who'd been forcing themselves to engage the two Iwa jōnin all jumped back at once, regrouping in front of the Konoha crowd… catching their breath.

The two Iwa-nin weren't in a hurry either—they took a brief breather as well.

"Stop struggling. Fighting us is just a waste of our time!" One of the Iwa jōnin started getting cocky…

This guy probably didn't know that villains talk too much before they die. The moment you start showing off, you're about to have a bad day…

Too bad there was no one like a savior figure among Tōji and the others—otherwise, they could've stepped up right now and been blessed by great fortune, turning this whole mess around in one go!

The two Iwa jōnin exchanged a nod, having come to some unspoken agreement, and charged again at the Konoha rookies!

Jakkō—the guy who looked like a schemer—actually stepped up to block them. "【Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique】!"

The fireball wasn't particularly big, but it was enough to slow down the enemy's advance.

"Roar~" After the sound and flash of the Great Fireball faded, there was nothing—the two Iwa jōnin had vanished!

"Crunch!" "Crack!" The ground beneath two Konoha chūnin suddenly split open, and a hand reached out from each, grabbing them and pulling them down!

One of them was Jakkō!

It was 【Earth Release: Decapitation Technique】!

The two Iwa jōnin had used Jakkō's "Fire Release decoy" as cover to launch a surprise attack!