Asuma's Lingering Resentment

As the two stopped, the gazes of the others couldn't help but shift toward Lin Cheng and Asuma.

"How about it? Want to play for a bit?"

Asuma, who had lit a cigarette at some unknown moment, looked toward Lin Cheng in the center of the field and asked.

"Sure!"

Nodding, Lin Cheng said with a smile.

"As Kakashi mentioned earlier, Little Kimimaro and I originally came from the Land of Water.

Therefore, I also know a little bit of the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique!

So, you had better be careful."

With a nod and a smile, Lin Cheng, amidst the shocked gazes of everyone, instantly completed the casting of the Hidden Mist Technique.

Thick fog instantly permeated the entire training ground.

Seeing this, the unrelated onlookers immediately leaped out of the training ground, exiting the range of the thick fog.

Staring at the fog where nothing could be seen at all.

Listening to the continuous series of weapon clashes ringing out from within, the expressions of the others couldn't help but turn dumbfounded!

"...Is this what he calls knowing a little bit of the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique?"

With a twitch of his mouth, Might Guy felt he was starting to doubt his own life.

"Indeed! Completing the Hidden Mist Technique instantly—Lin Cheng's so-called 'knowing a little bit' is truly far too modest!"

Nodding solemnly, Kurenai couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

To be honest, as a genjutsu jonin, Kurenai feared encountering this type of enemy the most!

If one cannot see the opponent at all, how can one make them fall into a genjutsu?

If one were to encounter such an enemy, the only option would be to use genjutsu to stop them before they could cast the Hidden Mist Technique.

And judging by the speed Lin Cheng had just displayed, that would likely be very difficult!

However, the shock of Kurenai and the others clearly would not stop there!

It was only because of what Kimimaro said next, which repeatedly refreshed the worldviews of Kurenai and the others!

"To my brother, the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique can indeed only be considered a slight understanding!

After all, when facing enemies, my brother prefers to use powerful ninjutsu to directly crush them!

Because my brother says that crushing an enemy produces a peculiar sense of satisfaction!"

Thinking for a moment, Kimimaro said with an expression of certain admiration: "Yes! That is exactly what he said!"

"..." Kakashi.

"..." Might Guy.

"..." Kurenai.

"..." Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"..." Other onlookers.

Looking up at the sky, everyone remained silently speechless for a long time before, once the thick fog dissipated, they looked toward the training ground once more.

Watching the sweat-drenched Asuma, and then looking at Lin Cheng, who hadn't broken a single drop of sweat and wore a smiling expression.

For some reason, everyone felt a chill run down their backs.

As for Asuma?

Cough, cough!

He was currently looking at Lin Cheng with a resentful expression.

And being stared at by a man like Asuma with such a resentful gaze, Lin Cheng couldn't help but feel incredibly awkward.

"Haha! Sorry! Asuma! I didn't mean it!"

"You certainly didn't mean it! Because it is highly likely that you did it on purpose!"

Staring fixedly at Lin Cheng, Asuma said gloomily.

"..." Lin Cheng.

"..." Everyone else.

After a long while, Lin Cheng, who really couldn't stand being stared at by Asuma with that resentful gaze any longer.

Had no choice but to promise to treat him to dinner, only then was he let off the hook by Asuma!

There was no helping it!

At this moment, Jonin Asuma had truly been heartbroken by Lin Cheng.

It was just too much!

How could such a person exist?

It was only a sparring match!

Did he really have to suppress and pummel him from start to finish without giving him a single chance to retaliate?

Once the sparring concluded, the group immediately left the training grounds, chatting and laughing as they went.

The onlookers hiding in the shadows also wiped away their cold sweat before heading back to report what they had seen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, who had been observing from the shadows using the Telescope Technique, finally retracted his ninjutsu.

A thoughtful expression appeared in his eyes.

That meaningful look, which no one else noticed—was it intentionally shown to me?

What a mysterious fellow indeed!

Taking a deep drag from his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself.