Spar

On the training field, two figures leaped and darted, making crisp sounds as they approached each other.

Kimimaro kicked hard at Shin, who was approaching him, and swung his bone blade downwards. Shin anticipated Kimimaro's attack from his movements and Kunai Kimimaro.

Taking advantage of Kimimaro's momentary lapse in time, Shin deliberately deflected the force and unleashed a sweeping leg attack on Kimimaro's lower body.

Sensing Shin's intentions, Kimimaro arched his body, bone spurs protruding from his joints, making him look like a hedgehog. Seeing this, Shin quickly withdrew his strength, rolled on the ground, and deliberately distanced himself from Kimimaro.

"This kid's Taijutsu are quite good; he actually managed to fight Kimimaro to a draw."

Yamato stood at the edge of the training field, forced by his older brother to work as a masseur.

"Focus, squeeze harder, honestly, you're making so much noise just massaging my shoulders."

Kazashiro wasn't particularly surprised; someone who could catch his father's eye was certainly no ordinary person.

I just don't understand, Xin was clearly sickly in the original work, how come he looks so energetic now?

How is your brother's health?

With a question in mind, Kazashiro asked Sai was just watching silently.

"It wasn't very good before, but then Danzo brought in Jonin from the Medical Unit to treat him, and it hasn't recurred for many years."

Sai was surprised by the Hokage's keen observation skills; he could tell that his older brother had been unwell just from their brief exchange of blows.

"Oh, I didn't expect my old man to be able to get Tsunade's Tsunade involved. You know, he was one of the people my senior sister used to hate the most."

"Ahem, brother, watch your words." Yamato was startled by Kazashiro's words and hurriedly reminded him not to talk nonsense in public.

"Oh right, I almost forgot, you were watching a lot of the time when Old Deng beat me up, weren't you? Let's have a spar later."

The Fifth Generation Hokage never held grudges; he always sought revenge whenever he remembered.

"Elder brother..."

"It's no use trying to be cute. You're already this age, I won't fall for that." Kazashiro's answer was firm and resolute.

"It wasn't very effective when I was younger either..." Yamato muttered to himself.

Over the years, under Kazashiro's command, he could be said to have had no worries about food and clothing, but he had certainly endured a lot of hardships.

Sigh, it's all tears.

As the two talked, the battle on the training field was nearing its end.

Xin discarded the Kunai in his hand, brandished his Ninja Blade, and thrust it at a very tricky angle, completely abandoning his defense.

Kimimaro neither dodged nor evaded, but met the blade head-on. Just as the blade was about to strike him, he manipulated the bones within his body to burst forth, pressing sharp bone spikes against Shin's throat before the blade could hit him.

"I lost."

Xin loosened his grip on the knife handle, admitting defeat and surrendering.

"Your strength is not bad." Kimimaro caught the Ninja Blade before it hit the ground and handed it to the other person.

Although his tone was cold, Shin knew that Danzo's son had already accepted him.

"My Shimura Kimimaro. Protect him, or I'll kill you."

After Kimimaro finished speaking, he turned and walked towards Kazashiro.

Her previously cold face suddenly broke into a smile, and she quickly ran to Kazashiro's side, cleverly pushing Yamato and taking over his work.

Yamato: "I..."

"Haku, have a spar with Sai. You can use Ninjutsu too."

Shin's strength is now clear; the next step is to confirm Sai's strength.

"Not bad, your strength is already above Chunin, but still a bit short of Jonin. After all, not everyone is as talented as me."

While praising Xin, Kazashiro also elevated himself somewhat.

My older brother wasn't like this when he was little; he was always so timid and hesitant. How come he's become such a braggart now that he's older?

Yamato looked completely puzzled.

As one of the people who had been with Kazashiro the longest, he had witnessed Kazashiro's transformation.

Could it be that the Third Hokage spent too much time educating him, causing him to pick up some bad habits?

After all, the Third Hokage had a history of boasting; before the Fifth Generation took office, there were rumors in the village that the Third Hokage was the strongest Hokage.

"Ice Release: Magic Mirror Ice Crystal"

"Super Beast Imitation Drawing"

Just Yamato pondering Kazashiro's change, Haku and Sai had already clashed on the training field.

Neither side held back, unleashing their most powerful techniques right from the start.

The tiger, drawn with ink, roared and charged towards the Ice Mirror, while Bai, moving swiftly within the Ice Mirror, used his sharp Senbon to drive the tiger away.

The Super Beast Imitation Drawing does look impressive, but it's undeniable that the creature depicted has poor defensive capabilities.

However, one very useful aspect in Kazashiro's view is that the Super Beast Imitation Drawing can achieve the effect of flying by drawing birds.

In the Shinobi World where flying ninja tools were not yet widely available, there were very few ninjas who possessed air superiority.

Sure enough, Sai also saw the flaw in the Magic Mirror Ice Crystal. He quickly drew two ferocious beasts, and while Bai's attention was drawn to it, he drew a huge flying bird on the scroll.

However, he underestimated Bai's speed.

Before the bird could even take flight, its wings were severed, and the long, narrow Senbon were pressed against Sai's waist.

"I see, no wonder you're an Ice Release user whose skill is second only to Lord Kazashiro..."

Sai's lips curled up, revealing that Sai, who had not received education on suppressing emotions, was more lively than in the original work.

Just as Bai was about to push Senbon into Sai's body, he found that his arm was bound by some kind of object. Looking down, he realized that his body was entangled by several black objects.

"Ninpo Technique·Moliu."

Ink flowed from the scroll, transforming into ropes that bound the white figure.

"Looks like I'm the victor." As Sai spoke, he drew his Ninja Blade from its sheath on his back and slashed at Haku without hesitation.