Hmph! Evil Ninja from Another Country, I'll...

Faced with the sudden situation, Tejima Shinichi halted, his gaze sharpening.

Without any hesitation, he instantly formed hand seals.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three Shadow Clones appeared at once, standing back-to-back around his original body as they coldly surveyed the suddenly appearing ninjas.

"Hmph!" Tejima Shinichi snorted, his gaze sweeping over the ninja wearing a tanuki mask before him. "Who are you... and why are you blocking my way?"

The tanuki-masked ninja at the lead seemed utterly unconcerned by the three Shadow Clones that had appeared in an instant and directly answered Tejima Shinichi's question.

"We are Root Ninja. By Lord Danzo's order, we have come to invite you for a discussion."

"Root?"

Ah, so they were Pot Kage Danzo's men!!!

Looking at the speaking Tanuki Mask Ninja, Tejima Shinichi chose to believe him without hesitation.

How could he possibly know nothing about the Ninja World's renowned Pot Kage?

Besides, their appearance gave Tejima Shinichi an overwhelming sense of just as I thought!

Interesting... truly interesting.

Tejima Shinichi folded his arms and leisurely sized up the Root Ninja before him. There was not the slightest trace of panic in his eyes; instead, they were filled with amusement.

Why should he panic!?

During yesterday's bell test, Tejima Shinichi had already figured out where his current strength stood.

With his inexhaustible Chakra and the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could unleash such dense bombardments of high-level ninjutsu that even Yamato, an elite Jonin who wielded Wood Release, had been forced to take the initiative and stop—

That undoubtedly proved that, in terms of destructive power and endurance in actual combat, he... Tejima Shinichi, had firmly crossed the threshold of a Special Jonin. In terms of Chakra reserves alone, he could even look down on countless Jonin.

With such strength, as long as he did not directly face one of those Kage-level figures or fall into the extreme situation of being besieged by a large number of elite Jonin, he could handle the vast majority of sudden situations within Konoha. Protecting himself would be more than easy.

So—

"Heh..." Tejima Shinichi chuckled inwardly. Fueled by absolute confidence in his own strength, he looked upon the scene before him with utter disdain. A few rats hiding in the shadows think they can make me nervous?

As his thoughts turned, Tejima Shinichi looked over the three Root Ninja, his tone contemptuous.

"Root? Danzo?" Tejima Shinichi raised a brow. "What kind of nonsense is that? I've never heard of those names in the Ninja Handbook or the village's official roster. Hiding your identities and blocking the road to invite me somewhere... You look more like spies sent by another country, trying to abduct a Konoha ninja!"

The leading Tanuki Mask Ninja did not seem surprised by his denial and attempted to explain.

"Our existence does not need to be recorded in ordinary handbooks. Root is buried within Konoha, a shadow within the shadows..."

"Enough!" Tejima Shinichi interrupted impatiently, his tone growing ever more disdainful. "A shadow within the shadows, what a grand-sounding load of nonsense. I, Tejima Shinichi, am a registered Genin of Konoha, directly under the Hokage's command. I obey only the Third Hokage and my Jonin Instructor, Teacher Yamato! Any stray cat or dog thinks they can come 'invite' me? What a joke!"

He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the three as he threatened them.

"I don't care whether you're Root, or some 'Dan' whatever 'Zo.' Move aside immediately! Otherwise, don't blame me for treating you as enemy-country ninjas who infiltrated the village!"

At those words, the three men's hearts sank.

To insult Lord Danzo like this...

"Tejima Shinichi," the Tanuki Mask Ninja's voice finally carried a trace of chill. "Refusing the invitation is not a wise choice."

"Wise?" Tejima Shinichi reacted as if he had heard something ridiculous. "My fists are the wisest choice there is! Since you insist on being dogs blocking my path... Hmph! Evil ninja from another country, I'll... personally put an end to you!"

Before his words had even faded, Tejima Shinichi and his three Shadow Clones erupted into action at the same time!

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Four high-level ninjutsu roared forth almost simultaneously!

Massive Chakra poured out without reservation. The water dragon and earth dragon intertwined as they soared into the air, stone spears burst from the ground like a forest, and a towering waterfall crashed forth as if the Milky Way had burst its banks. With a force that threatened to crush everything, they blanketed the three Root Ninja and the vast area around them without discrimination!

"What?!"

"He actually dared to do this in the village..."

Even the rigorously trained Root Ninja, whose emotions had been suppressed, were briefly stunned and caught off guard by this direct barrage of ninjutsu erupting within the village!

Their orders had been to "invite" him—or "forcibly bring him back" if necessary—not to cause large-scale chaos and destruction in Konoha's core district!

Tejima Shinichi's actions had completely thrown off their plan!

The range and power of these ninjutsu were not something a Genin should possess, much less use within the village!

Facing the violent ninjutsu that struck in an instant, the Tanuki Mask Ninja at the front formed hand seals and pressed his hands to the ground—

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

An earthen wall surged up with a thunderous roar, attempting to block the charge of the two dragons.

"Rumble—!!!"

The water dragon and earth dragon slammed ferociously into the hastily raised defensive ninjutsu, while the enormous waterfall swept over everything!

The roar of clashing ninjutsu exploded like thunder!

The ground trembled as water mixed with mud and shattered stone sprayed madly in every direction. A nearby wall, a streetlamp, and one corner of an unoccupied old house were ripped apart and destroyed like papier-mâché beneath the savage impact of the ninjutsu!

Dust and mist surged into the sky. The massive disturbance was like a boulder thrown into a tranquil lake, instantly shattering the quiet of the evening.

Almost the instant after the ninjutsu erupted—

"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—"

Piercing whistles rang out from every direction—the emergency signal of the Konoha Military Police!

From afar came several sharp rushing sounds through the air. Clearly, nearby Konoha Jonin had been alerted by the astonishing Chakra fluctuations and destruction and were racing over at full speed!

The three Root Ninja barely managed to block or evade the aftershocks of the ninjutsu amid the chaos. Through the billowing dust and watery mist, they could see Tejima Shinichi standing where he was, his figure flickering in and out of view. Within those dark amber eyes lay nothing but cold calculation and understanding.

Things had completely blown up!

Their mission had failed.

And all of this seemed... to have been anticipated and set in motion by this young Genin!