Facing Death

In the grass.

Watching Sasuke's spectacular performance in the distance, Rock Lee stared wide-eyed. "Th-this is way too outrageous! I can't believe Sasuke is in the same class as us!"

Tenten also looked astonished. "The one who fought four opponents alone in the smoke just now was only a Shadow Clone? When did Sasuke use it? I didn't notice at all!"

Still staring fixedly at the distant battlefield, Neji explained in a low voice, "When he charged into the smoke, he used its cover to cast the Shadow Clone Technique."

Tenten finally understood. "No wonder I didn't notice!"

Rock Lee said, "He used tools pulled by shuriken to create smoke, then used the smoke as cover to cast the Shadow Clone Technique. Sasuke's tactical ability is incredible!"

Neji said evenly, "That's normal. Without knowing what ninjutsu the teachers specialize in, I would have used a Shadow Clone to test them too."

Tenten was speechless. "That is not normal, okay? Not everyone can use the Shadow Clone Technique like you and Sasuke can. If it had been Rock Lee and me just now, we would've been smashed by the teacher's giant hammer!"

Rock Lee hurriedly nodded.

A rare smile appeared on Neji's usually serious face. He believed that if he had been in Sasuke's position just now, even without a Shadow Clone, he had a way to withstand Izumo Kamizuki's hammer attack.

That method was the forbidden Gentle Fist technique he had only recently mastered: Kaiten.

After losing to Sasuke in their last taijutsu assessment, he had not relaxed for even a moment. Now that he had mastered Kaiten, a Gentle Fist forbidden technique that could be called an "absolute defense," he had the confidence to defeat Sasuke in today's practical exercise!

On the battlefield.

Sasuke, holding a kunai against Izumo