"Class, this is Chunin Toma, who's here to give us special instruction today. He specializes in shurikenjutsu and the application of basic elemental ninjutsu. Let's give him a warm welcome!"
Iruka introduced him.
"Hello, Toma-sensei!"
The children called out in scattered voices, some intimidated by Toma's stern presence.
Chunin Toma's sharp gaze swept over every child present, finally pausing briefly on Ling Xuan, Sasuke, and Naruto.
"Iruka, are these the promising students in your class?" His voice was deep and resonant.
"That's right, Toma. They all have a lot of potential," Iruka replied with a smile.
Ling Xuan had already activated his Eye of Truth.
[Target: Toma (Konoha Chunin)] [Chakra reserves: Standard Chunin level. Elemental affinities: Fire, Wind.] [Specialties: Shuriken throwing (Accuracy A, Power B), Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Wind Style: Wind Cutter...] [Overall assessment: Extensive combat experience, solid fundamentals, but lacking creativity in ninjutsu...]
"Very good." Toma nodded and said no more, getting straight to the point.
"Today, I won't be teaching you any advanced techniques. I'll teach you how to make the most of what you've learned, along with some basic techniques, in actual combat."
He began by demonstrating Shurikenjutsu. Unlike the basic throwing Iruka had taught them, Toma's throws came from tricky angles.
Sometimes the shuriken spun through the air; sometimes he coated them in a faint layer of chakra to increase their penetration. He could even make them shift their trajectories slightly midair.
"Watch closely!" Toma-sensei held three shuriken between the fingers of each hand and hurled them with a sharp motion.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
All six shuriken struck different bullseyes on the distant target with pinpoint accuracy, embedding themselves deep in the wood.
[Technique analysis: Multiple shuriken throws, chakra coating (minor adjustments using Wind affinity), wrist strength burst technique... Possible improvements: correcting for predicted shaking, calculating wind resistance...]
Ling Xuan's eyes lit up. Toma's shuriken techniques really were much more refined than the ones in the books.
The chakra coating and precise control over their trajectories, in particular, gave him plenty of inspiration.
Next, Toma demonstrated two C-rank ninjutsu.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" After forming the Hand Seals, Toma exhaled several small fireballs. They scattered like falling blossoms, striking targets in different directions with pinpoint accuracy.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!" He formed Hand Seals quickly with one hand, and a pale-green blade of wind took shape in an instant. It shot forward and sliced through a wooden post, leaving a smooth cut.
[Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: Chakra distribution control, flame-form compression... Analysis complete: 85%...] [Wind Style: Wind Cutter: High-density Wind chakra cutting... Analysis complete: 90%...]
Compared to the Miniature Wind Blade I've been secretly practicing, it has greater explosive power, but it falls short in sustained cutting and concealment... It could be worth combining and refining.
Ling Xuan watched with keen interest. To him, it was like having the "dishes" served straight to his mouth.
After the demonstrations, Chunin Toma began assigning practical exercises.
"Now, pair up for a mock fight. No lethal ninjutsu. Keep it to a controlled exchange."
"The goal is to test how well you can combine the Three Body Technique with Shurikenjutsu. I'll give extra instruction to those who do well."
The pairs were quickly decided, and Ling Xuan's opponent happened to be Sakura Haruno.
When Sakura saw that she'd been paired with Ling Xuan, she looked a little nervous, but there was a defiant glint in her eyes. "Ling Xuan, I look forward to fighting you!"
She knew Ling Xuan was an excellent student, but her competitive spirit wouldn't let her give up easily.
"I look forward to it," Ling Xuan replied, as calm as ever.
The fight began. Sakura attacked first, sending several shuriken whistling toward Ling Xuan.
Through the Eye of Truth, the shuriken's trajectories, speed, and angles of rotation were crystal clear.
Even the slight tremor in Sakura's wrist as she threw them, and the resulting deviation in their angles, were accounted for.
Ling Xuan merely shifted to the side, letting every shuriken pass him.
"So fast!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise and immediately formed Hand Seals. "Transformation Technique!"
She wanted to take Iruka-sensei's form and trick Ling Xuan.
But the moment she began forming Hand Seals, Ling Xuan moved.
Before Sakura could complete her transformation, he was already right in front of her. He lightly pressed a finger against the numb spot on her shoulder, where she was about to make her next move.
Sakura stiffened all over. The Transformation Technique was interrupted, and her body no longer responded properly.
"You lose, Haruno," Ling Xuan said, withdrawing his hand.
Sakura stood frozen, disbelief written all over her face. She hadn't even seen how Ling Xuan had gotten there.
"Beautiful!" A flicker of approval crossed Chunin Toma's eyes. "Ling Xuan, how did you figure out what she was planning and seize the right moment?"
Ling Xuan lowered his head slightly. "I saw Haruno's Hand Seals and the way her chakra started to flow. I guessed she was going to use the Transformation Technique to create an opening, so I anticipated her move."
Of course, it was only half the truth. He had seen it, but he hadn't guessed. The Eye of Truth had analyzed and predicted her actions perfectly.
Toma gave Ling Xuan a long look. "Excellent observation and judgment. In a fight between shinobi, information and anticipation are often more important than strength."
He turned to the other students. "Did you all see that? Even if you're weaker than your opponent, accurate anticipation can give you a chance to defeat them! Ling Xuan did an excellent job of that!"
Sasuke gave a cold snort from the sidelines, clearly unimpressed. He had just fought Kiba Inuzuka and won, but his victory had been nowhere near as effortless as Ling Xuan's.
Naruto watched Ling Xuan enviously and shouted, "You're amazing, Ling Xuan! Teach me!"
In the next few matches, Ling Xuan won just as easily, using similar tactics. He always found his opponents' openings and ended the fights at minimal cost.
What he showed wasn't merely talent, but a composure and experience far beyond his years.
When the lesson ended, Chunin Toma specifically asked Ling Xuan to stay behind.
"Ling Xuan," Toma said, his expression a little softer than before.
"Your understanding of ninjutsu and combat is far beyond that of your peers. Would you be interested in learning some more advanced shuriken techniques ahead of time, or the two C-rank techniques I demonstrated earlier?"
It was unquestionably an opportunity for extra instruction.
Iruka smiled and nodded too. "Ling Xuan, this is a great opportunity. Toma-sensei is highly accomplished in Shurikenjutsu, Fire Style, and Wind Style."
Ling Xuan's heart stirred. This was exactly what he wanted. "Thank you, Toma-sensei. I'd be happy to learn."
Toma nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. Starting tomorrow, come find me at Training Ground 7 after school every day."
"Your fundamentals are good, but remember: true strength comes from absolute control over your own power and insight into your enemy's mind. Don't be satisfied with superficial victories."
"Yes, I understand," Ling Xuan replied respectfully.
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