End × Unexpected

Due to limited Chakra, or perhaps because Hatake Kakashi intentionally controlled the range of the Swamp of the Underworld, the swamp—which should have covered a radius of nearly a hundred meters—only covered the area around Nara Dan, primarily to restrict his movement.

Indeed, for a Taijutsu ninja, Ninjutsu like the Swamp of the Underworld that restricts speed is quite troublesome to deal with.

Before Nara Dan could react, a gust of wind came from beside his ear, causing his body to stagger and retreat half a step.

"Eight Trigrams, Palm Bottom!"

Still in a state of paralysis, Hyuga Nana lay half-prostrate on the ground, her right hand hanging limply, while her left hand struck out with a palm, the fluctuation of Chakra clearly visible.

"Palm Bottom? Did you learn that yourself? Or did the Main Family arrange it?"

Seemingly controlled by the series of attacks, Nara Dan secretly pondered why Hyuga Nana knew the secret technique of the Main Family, the Palm Bottom.

"There's still one person left, right? The bait has been laid out so obviously."

Sure enough, a wave of moist Chakra fluctuations arrived.

"Water Release! Water Prison Technique!"

It was Ino Rinya, who had been ignored from start to finish. He appeared from the side at some point, using a Water Release technique he wasn't particularly skilled in to deliver the final blow to Nara Dan.

"Not bad. With this kind of coordination, if it were an ordinary Special Jonin, they might really have been beaten by you lot."

Seeing the water prison floating up to his waist, Nara Dan did not show the slightest panic, commenting with composure.

Indeed, being able to quickly combine attacks to target Nara Dan's weaknesses was impressive.

Knowing that ordinary Ninjutsu could not directly damage Nara Dan's body, they quickly shifted their strategy to focus on containment and trapping.

They even wanted to use a technique like the Water Prison Technique to 'suffocate' Nara Dan; one has to admit, they possessed considerable combat intelligence.

"But what I want to teach you today is: don't underestimate any Jonin based on hearsay."

"The formula for victory is complete."

"To dare to stand in the sunlight when facing a member of the Nara Clan... how bold."

Upon hearing the second-to-last sentence, Hatake Kakashi opened his only visible eye, as if he had realized something.

He suddenly looked at Nara Dan's hands, which were forming hand seals at some point.

"Shadow Possession Technique, Black Spider Lily!"

The three of them, with great tacit understanding, simultaneously changed their expressions and looked at the shadows beneath their feet.

Without them realizing it, their shadows had linked with Nara Dan's and were rapidly climbing up their bodies.

Immediately, all three groaned in pain on the spot, struggling to breathe, yet unable to move a muscle; the sensation of being gripped by the throat by a materialized shadow was extremely unpleasant.

Naturally, the techniques the three were maintaining could no longer be sustained.

The ground around Nara Dan returned to its normal state, and the water prison exploded with a crash, leaving a puddle of water behind.

Just as the three felt they were about to lose consciousness and were nearing death, Nara Dan released the Shadow Possession Technique.

"Not being good at Ninjutsu doesn't mean I can't use it."

Nara Dan walked gently toward the three, who were gasping for air and had no strength left to resist, and said this.

To tell the truth, as a transmigrator, Nara Dan had lived two lives, and his mental energy far exceeded that of ordinary members of the Nara Clan, making his study of the Shadow Secret Technique twice as effective with half the effort.

It was just that, for Nara Dan, the potential of the Shadow Secret Technique was limited, the cost-effectiveness was low, and the power was quite small.

Most scenarios for the secret technique required the cooperation of teammates, which simply wasn't worth it.

Naturally, it wasn't as satisfying as using his Cheat System.

But that didn't mean Nara Dan's proficiency in the Shadow Secret Technique was poor; on the contrary, it was absolutely no weaker than any Jonin of the Nara Clan. It was just that he usually treated it as a supplement in battle and used it very rarely.

"Facing a ninja from the Nara Clan without even the most basic vigilance against the Shadow Secret Technique—you have truly fallen into a foolish intelligence blind spot."

Hearing this, the three rolled their eyes in their hearts. They never expected that Nara Dan, who looked so honest, would turn out to be such a schemer.

They naturally knew it was impossible to truly defeat a Jonin-level ninja, even an ordinary Special Jonin. They had considered many situations, such as how Nara Dan would break their moves.

This included him using brute force, or perhaps the Nara Dan they were fighting wasn't the real body but just a Shadow Clone that had been seen through after a long struggle.

They really hadn't expected to be defeated by the Shadow Possession Technique, which left them feeling both bitter and amused.

"However, in terms of talent, you have barely passed my test."

Hearing this, the three secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"But."

Nara Dan changed his tone, looking at the three with a serious expression as his fierce aura flared once again.

"In terms of the battle just now, you are still too green."

"Hatake Kakashi, when facing an enemy you cannot defeat, you showed absolutely no team coordination."

"Your Kenjutsu is full of openings; you haven't inherited even half the essence of the White Fang's sword skills."

Upon hearing this, Hatake Kakashi hung his head low, his fists gripping the ground tightly, his heart unable to find peace.

It wasn't because Nara Dan was criticizing him, but because he had mentioned his father, the White Fang.

"Hyuga Nana, your Gentle Fist is passable, and your combat awareness is also okay."

"But as a Taijutsu ninja, even for a woman, your physical strength is far too weak."

"The foundation of Taijutsu is the physical body, not techniques or the Byakugan."

Nara Dan looked down from above, his sturdy frame looming as he explained this principle to Hyuga Nana, leaving her without a shred of courage to retort.

Your fists are bigger, so everything you say is right.

"Finally, Ino Rinya. It is a fact that as a civilian ninja, your foundation is poor, but that is no excuse to shy away from combat!"

"Your final Water Prison Technique showed some tactical intelligence, but you have lost the nerve required of a ninja."

"And so, you have reached your limit."

Ino Rinya had felt a flicker of pride when his tactical intelligence was mentioned, but at the mention of his lack of nerve, he hung his head in dejection.

In an instant, Nara Dan had rendered the three of them speechless, leaving them no choice but to lower their heads and admit their faults.

"That is all for today."

"I am not like those other Jonin who just help you coast through your days; under my command, there are only two choices."

"Become stronger, or..."

Nara Dan revealed a smile filled with murderous intent, making his rugged face appear somewhat ferocious. Seeing this, all three felt a chill in their hearts, a bad premonition taking hold.

"Death."

"I also have no interest in leading you on low-level missions; I barely have enough time for my own training."

"Gather here for training at this time every day. Any questions?"

Nara Dan swept his gaze across the group, the invisible pressure causing their exhausted bodies to straighten up involuntarily.

"No!"

"Then you are dismissed."

Nara Dan did not drag things out in the slightest and turned to leave.

"Teacher Nara!"

Hyuga Nana's voice rang out, clear as a nightingale. She dragged her weary body over to stand before Nara Dan.

"Aren't we going to have a gathering?"

"Usually, newly formed squads go out for a meal, don't they!"

Hyuga Nana blinked her clear, white eyes, looking at Nara Dan's puzzled expression.

"How about I treat everyone!"

Only then did Nara Dan notice that Hyuga Nana had delicate features and a refined face.

Although she was still young, children in the ninja world matured quite early; every glance and smile carried the temperament of a mature woman, and while her figure couldn't be called a child-faced bombshell, she was certainly well-endowed.

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Please, please, please!

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