Uchiha Hikari did not even dare to use the Fire Release she was best at.
She was afraid she might accidentally blow this estate sky-high.
Although Shinazugawa Sanemi had a violent temper, he was not stubbornly foolish. Once he realized the enormous gap in strength between them, he returned to the center of the courtyard with Rengoku Kyoujurou's support and honestly lowered his head to admit defeat.
Meanwhile, Himejima Gyoumei noticed something—
"Miss Uchiha, that move you used just now... was that ninjutsu?"
"Yes. It was merely a ninja's basic skill."
As Uchiha Hikari spoke, she demonstrated a bit of the Transformation Technique and explained that this, too, was a basic ninjutsu that every ninja could use—even children still attending the Ninja Academy.
—That was true. It was part of Konoha Ninja Academy's graduation exam.
And so...
After personally witnessing her flawlessly transform, beginning with Shinobu Kocho, into the forms of all nine Pillars present, the eight Pillars—including Shinazugawa Sanemi—turned their eyes in unison toward Uzui Tengen, the Sound Pillar.
"No, why are you all looking at me..."
Uzui Tengen was starting to panic. "Although I was a ninja before joining the Demon Slayer Corps, what school of ninja has basic skills this flashy?!"
"Ninjutsu is essentially nothing more than sleight of hand performed with tools. It is nowhere near as miraculous as the legends make it sound. Even the simplest disguise requires careful application with specialized cosmetics... How could someone transform just by clapping their hands together?! And being able to freely change your height and build too—this is completely absurd!"
"But we saw Miss Uchiha Hikari's ninjutsu with our own eyes."
Kanroji Mitsuri, the Love Pillar, spoke very seriously. "I even went over and touched her just now. I really couldn't find the slightest flaw."
"Could it be..."