Shurikens flew in arcs from both sides, their curved trajectories designed to disorient the target and make defense difficult. With each throw, Kuro demonstrated a skill level that did not match a newly graduated Genin.
'He's not at the level of a Genin... his ability is comparable to that of a Jōnin.'
Yamato recalled the Hokage's words as he narrowed his eyes.
Without hesitation, he crossed his hands and thrust them forward. In the motion, his palms began to transform.
The fleshy texture gave way to wood, which rapidly grew and expanded into two massive shields that blocked all possible angles of the shurikens.
Dong, dong, dong
The sound of shurikens embedding into the wooden palms echoed. None managed to penetrate the defense.
But a moment later, a figure emerged from behind the shurikens.
The sound of a blade piercing flesh cut through the air.
It was Kuro.
He had taken advantage of the shurikens' distraction to close the distance, holding a kunai that stabbed directly into Yamato's abdomen.
However, his expression did not show joy at his apparent victory. Instead, he frowned.
Something's wrong…
Before his eyes, Yamato's body began to fade. The flesh and blood disappeared, transforming into wood that collapsed to the ground.
Wood Release: Wood Clone Jutsu.
A wood clone, harder to distinguish than shadow clones but much weaker than the original. It was generally used for reconnaissance or deception, but the wooden figure before him made no further moves and simply fell to the ground.
Was he just testing me? Does he think this is a basic Genin evaluation?
As he pondered, a sharp scream from Sakura broke the silence. It came from the trees in the distance.
Kuro quickly turned in that direction.
From the shadows, Yamato calmly emerged.
"The Hokage-sama told me you have Jōnin-level abilities," Yamato said as he walked toward him. "That's why I asked Naruto and Sakura to withdraw first."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "You mean you prioritized attacking the weakest to weaken the group?"
"No," Yamato shook his head, smiling slightly. "I just wanted you to stop holding back and use your full strength."
His explanation was clear: if Naruto and Sakura saw Kuro's true potential, their confidence might be shaken. That's why he had decided to remove them from the main fight.
Kuro smiled wryly.
"You underestimate your students, Yamato-sensei."
"Do I?" Yamato asked with interest, though his attention remained fixed on Kuro. "Even so… you're the one I'm most interested in."
Before Kuro could respond, Yamato formed a hand seal and aimed at him. His right arm transformed into a thick column of wood, which extended rapidly toward Kuro.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique."
Kuro leaned to the side, narrowly dodging the wood's charge.
But the wooden column didn't stop. It twisted behind him, extending upward and encircling him in an attempt to trap him.
As the wooden pillar began to tighten, a cold light gleamed in the air.
Clang
The pillar was cleanly cut in half.
Kuro held his kunai, now enveloped in chakra as volatile as a flame but as sharp as a blade.
Wind Release: Vacuum Blade.
This ninjutsu, known to be one of Danzo's favorite techniques, allowed wind chakra to be imbued into a weapon to increase its sharpness.
!
Yamato's eyes widened slightly.
He's even mastered chakra nature transformation?
He had seen talented Genin mastering advanced techniques shortly after graduating, but he had never encountered someone who could handle chakra nature transformation.
That level of control was typically only achieved at the Jōnin rank, given the precision and discipline required.
Moreover, Kuro's reaction had been flawless.
The wooden pillar had almost trapped him, but at the last second, he had condensed a wind blade on his kunai and freed himself with a clean cut.
This speed and precision… definitely Jōnin level.
Suddenly, the air roared violently, filling the surroundings with an unsettling sound.
Yamato, startled, looked up just in time to see a kunai wrapped in wind chakra slicing through the air like a sharp arrow, heading straight for him.
This isn't normal for a kid!
Wasting no time, he rolled to the side to dodge the attack.
"You're distracted in battle, Yamato-sensei… Don't underestimate me just because I'm a newly graduated Genin!" Kuro said firmly as he formed hand seals.
Chakra began to flow through his body, gathering in his chest and throat. He inhaled deeply, his chest swelling before releasing a powerful fire.
Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu.
In front of him, a large fireball took shape, advancing with intense heat toward Yamato.
The latter had barely risen from the ground when he saw the enormous fireball, at least three meters wide, heading his way.
"It's huge!" he muttered, quickly forming hand seals with his hands.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall"
From the ground, wooden pillars emerged, curving to form an arch that enclosed and protected him from the attack.
Boom
The fireball collided with the wooden barrier, exploding with tremendous force. The flames scattered, creating a shockwave that made the nearby trees roar.
Kuro observed the dense smoke that covered the area.
'I can't see the enemy, but the enemy can't see me either.'
Taking advantage of this, he created a shadow clone. Silently, the clone slipped into the forest, hiding behind Yamato as a backup measure.
Kuro remained in position, alert to any movement in the surroundings, while analyzing his opponent's possible actions.
'If the enemy wants to attack while visibility is blocked, it's most likely a large-scale attack to cover the area.'
Just as he thought that, a deep voice echoed from the smoke:
"Mokuton: Daijurin no Jutsu"
Suddenly, multiple wooden branches shot through the smoke, darting toward Kuro like deadly spears.
Kuro reacted quickly, jumping side to side to dodge each branch. But when he thought the attack was over, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble.
Rows of square pillars rapidly emerged, surrounding him and forming a wooden prison that trapped him inside.
At that moment, the smoke cleared, revealing the shattered wooden arch and Yamato's absence.
"Here."
Kuro turned to the left, following Yamato's voice, and found him crouched on the ground with his hands clasped together.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Rampart.
The ground shook violently, and beneath Yamato's feet, the earth rose to form a massive wall that resembled a cliff.
"What is this…?" Kuro looked at the structure with a sense of déjà vu.
Yamato smiled proudly, not stopping.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique"
With a roar, a torrent of water descended from the wall like a massive waterfall. Trees, flowers, and plants were swept away in seconds, destroyed by the force of the wave.
'If this hits me, I'm done.'
"Damn it!" Kuro drew his katana. Quickly, he infused wind chakra into the blade.
Buzz
The sharp chakra enveloped the katana, making it shine with an almost tangible edge.
Without hesitation, he cut the wooden prison into pieces and dashed forward, trying to escape the approaching giant wave.
However, it was already too late.
The water reached him, enveloping his figure in an instant, as the torrent's force dragged him away.
________
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