Sparring had never been an easy task.
Fortunately for Rikusei, the Sharingan solved that problem perfectly.
Having summoned Enma, Sarutobi Hiruzen swung his long staff with tremendous force.
The dark staff swept toward Rikusei on a fierce gust of wind, smashing a tree beside the Training Ground cleanly in half with a bang.
He had missed.
Hiruzen helplessly glanced at the broken tree and spun the Adamantine Ruyi Staff as it returned to its original length.
Whoosh!
The sound of kunai slicing through the air suddenly came from beside his ear. He swung his staff, intercepting every one of them, then stared at Rikusei standing in the distance.
"Hiruzen, you're too strong."
Rikusei rolled his wrist and pointed toward Homura and Koharu, who were panting heavily beside him.
"Sorry, Hiruzen. We held you back." Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, his bangs soaked with sweat. "Rikusei has no openings at all. In an open place like the Training Ground, I can't think of any way to counter him."
Koharu, who was secretly gripping a kunai as she searched for an angle of attack, nodded in agreement. "The Sharingan really is a pain."
Rikusei took out two silver bells from his ninja pouch and proposed to the three of them, "Since we're testing teamwork, why don't we play a bell-grabbing game?"
Jingle.
The silver bells, struggling against the red strings binding them, bumped into each other and rang crisply in the wind.
"Only two?" Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at the bells before turning to his teammates. "He's clearly trying to drive a wedge between the three of us."
Homura wiped his lenses and replied to Hiruzen, "Two bells for three people to fight over. Just as expected of you, Rikusei. The Administration Department really suits a talent like you."
"What do you