Elite Jonin

"No, I can't hold it back any longer!"

After holding out for three seconds, this was what Kakashi thought.

The enormous energy and terrifying cutting power contained in Moon Crescent Sky Rush made Kakashi realize that he had no chance of winning.

If he kept holding on, the only fate awaiting him would be having his Chakra exhausted and then being sliced in half.

"Retreat! I have to get out of the way!"

Having made up his mind, Kakashi immediately withdrew both hands and formed a hand seal.

With Kakashi's Chakra no longer supporting it, Lightning Blade was directly cut apart by Moon Crescent Sky Rush and dispersed into streaks of lightning. Moon Crescent Sky Rush continued forward without slowing and passed straight through Kakashi, splitting his entire body in two.

"Bang!"

The Kakashi who had been cut in half suddenly turned into a wooden post split down the middle. Clearly, he had used Substitution Technique at the last moment. The real Kakashi appeared to one side, panting heavily. The Chakra in his body was clearly almost depleted.

"That was close. If I'd been even a moment slower, I really would have died this time. I say, little Narak, that technique of yours is seriously dangerous!"

Having narrowly escaped death, Kakashi spoke to Narak with lingering fear on his face.

But Narak ignored him. Instead, he stood there with his mouth hanging open, staring in the direction Moon Crescent Sky Rush had flown.

Curious, Kakashi turned his head. He saw that the Moon Crescent Sky Rush he had dodged had crashed directly into the barrier cast by the ANBU. The entire barrier shattered at the slightest touch, like a bubble, and the four ANBU maintaining it suddenly spat out mouthfuls of blood.

Moon Crescent Sky Rush continued forward without slowing and charged toward the Hokage and the others on the viewing platform.

"Holy crap, run!"

Someone on the viewing platform shouted, and everyone fled in panic toward both sides, each one moving faster than the next. Even Utatane Koharu and Shimura Danzō were no slower than anyone else. Their nimble movements gave no hint that they were old people with graveside soil nearly up to their necks. This scene thoroughly displayed the formidable strength of Konoha's higher-ups and the various clan heads... Well, at least when it came to running away!

"Boom... rumble..."

Moon Crescent Sky Rush burst out through the tower, cutting a huge gap through the entire structure. But it did not end there. After breaking through the central tower, it flew straight ahead for several hundred meters before finally dissipating.

Through the tower that had been cut open, everyone looked outside and saw a massive trench ten meters wide and several hundred meters long carved into the ground.

"Gulp..."

One after another, everyone swallowed hard, clearly terrified.

However, the person most shocked was Kakashi. At that moment, he was nearly scared out of his wits, cursing inwardly: What the hell was I fighting head-on just now?!

At that moment, Kai had already broken free of the binding spell on his own. He came over to Kakashi and looked at him with admiration. "Kakashi, you actually went head-to-head with that thing? So you've always been this brave?"

Kakashi was completely bewildered.

What the hell do you mean, this brave...? If I'd known this thing was so powerful, I would have had to be kicked in the head by you to choose to fight it head-on...

Konoha's higher-ups and the clan heads gathered around. As they stared at the rift cut by Moon Crescent Sky Rush, the head of the Akido Clan, Akido Teiza, spoke first. "Hiss... That thing is incredibly powerful. It probably reached the level of an S‑Rank Ninjutsu, right?"

"Remove the uncertainty from your wording. This technique definitely possesses the power of an S‑Rank Ninjutsu. Don't forget, most of that Moon Crescent was cutting through the air. If it had been aimed directly at the ground, its destructive power and impact would have been even greater."

The head of the Nara Clan, Nara Shikaku, spoke to everyone with certainty.

"Ahem. Yes... Shikaku is right. In terms of power alone, this technique can more or less stand on equal footing with a Tailed Beast Bomb. Forget S‑Rank—it can even be classified as Super S‑Rank."

"However, after watching Hyuga Naraku use this technique just now, I noticed at least two weaknesses. First, the consumption is too great. Once he uses this technique, Hyuga Naraku is basically incapable of fighting any longer.

"Second, it lacks flexibility. If I'm not mistaken, once this technique is released, it can only travel straight forward and cannot change direction. In that case, as long as the opponent chooses to evade instead of foolishly waiting for it to reach them and fighting it head-on, this technique becomes completely useless. I'm not wrong, am I, boy from the Hyuga family?"

Hearing the Third Hokage's analysis, Narak was secretly startled.

As expected of the Third Hokage. The title of "Ninjutsu Doctor" was well deserved. He had spotted the limitations of the technique at a glance!

Moon Crescent Sky Rush was Kurosaki Ichigo's signature move. Thanks to his abnormal level of spiritual pressure, an attack this powerful could be used like an ordinary attack in his hands. But Narak could not do that.

With Narak's current level of spiritual pressure, after already going through a battle and using the technique for the first time, he had failed to properly calculate the amount needed and had been drained dry in one go. On a battlefield, that would be extremely dangerous.

"Th-Third Hokage... Lord Third is right. Those two points are indeed weaknesses of this technique. I only developed it over the past two days, and this can be said to be my first time using it. I'll need to make further improvements later!"

Narak shamelessly claimed that he had developed the technique himself. What? The original author, Kubo Tite, has a problem with that? Then come over here yourself. If you can make it here, I'll admit you're impressive!

"Hmm. To be able to develop a ninjutsu like this at such a young age, the current generation of young people really is remarkable. If you can resolve those two flaws, this technique may well be ranked among the Super S‑Rank Ninjutsu. For now, however, based on those two weaknesses, it can only be temporarily ranked as S‑Rank!"

The old Third Hokage looked at Narak with a pleased expression. The smile on his face never faded, and his old features crinkled into countless wrinkles, like a chrysanthemum. Narak found the sight unbearable.

"Kakashi, Kai, thanks for your effort today. Go back and get some proper rest. If there are any missions, hand them to someone else for now. You can return to them in a couple of days." The Third Hokage turned and spoke to the two of them.

"You're too kind, Lord Third. Then we'll take our leave first!"

The two spoke to the Third Hokage and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Kai turned around and said to Narak, "Little Narak, you won this match today. However, I still hope we can fight again when we have time. No ninjutsu—just a battle between the 'Steel Fist and Gentle Fist'!"

Seeing how serious Kai was, Narak nodded. "All right. When we have time in a couple of days, we'll set a time and have another match."

Hearing that Narak agreed to his challenge, Kai happily grinned, baring his teeth. He even gave a thumbs-up with his right hand, making his signature gesture.

Then he helped Kakashi, whose Chakra bar was empty and who was somewhat exhausted, leave.

"Then today's Jonin exam ends here. After testing Hyuga Naraku's actual combat ability and comprehensively evaluating his various abilities during his usual missions, I discussed the matter with the Konoha Elders, and we have decided that, from today onward, Hyuga Naraku is Konoha's elite Jonin!"