Kizaru didn't hold the shuriken at his side and slightly behind him like the students before him. Instead, he raised it and held it in front of his mouth.
The students watching looked puzzled by Kizaru's move. Only a very small number seemed to guess what he was up to.
"This guy's going too far!!!" Nara Shikaku was one of that small number. When Kizaru had asked his question earlier, he'd already suspected the guy was about to do something outrageous again.
Besides Nara Shikaku, Yamakawa Kiyoshi also sensed something was off. Based on Kizaru's earlier question, he guessed that this usually laid-back student was about to cause a huge stir.
However, Yamakawa Kiyoshi didn't speak up to stop him. He simply tensed every muscle in his body and went on alert.
"That move..." Hidden beyond the school grounds, Hiruzen Sarutobi had clearly seen what Kizaru was doing. He couldn't help turning to look at his old friend beside him.
"That kid's really acting up!" Danzo grumbled, but there wasn't a hint of anger on his face. If anything, he looked a little excited.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swallowed the question he'd been about to ask and turned his gaze back to the field. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
Wind Release Chakra infused with a change in nature burst from Kizaru's mouth, enveloping the wooden shuriken.
Under the influence of the Wind Release Chakra, the shuriken began to spin, picking up speed with every passing moment.
As it spun faster, Kizaru moved his right hand, which controlled the shuriken, out to his side.
A transparent, visible ring of wind blades formed around the rapidly spinning shuriken. Half a meter in diameter, they were paper-thin and razor-sharp.
Everyone present stood frozen in shock, staring at Kizaru's display.
"Th-this is Lord Danzo's jutsu!" Yamakawa Kiyoshi recognized the technique Kizaru had used: Wind Style: Shuriken.
He instinctively swallowed, then snapped out of it and shouted, "Everyone, move back five meters!"
The teacher's yell brought the students back to their senses, and they hurriedly retreated.
"That guy's actually this strong?" Uchiha Inabi had just returned to the crowd. As the student beside him pulled him backward, he kept his eyes fixed on Kizaru and muttered to himself.
Kizaru held the shuriken aloft in his right hand, controlling it, while keeping his left hand in his pocket. He looked completely relaxed. He even glanced back at the other students to make sure they'd all moved away before continuing.
He gave a light flick of his right hand. The Wind Style: Shuriken shot forward, spinning rapidly toward the target ahead.
Bang!
The moment the wooden target touched the Wind Style: Shuriken, it was sliced into countless pieces.
After destroying the target, the Wind Style: Shuriken kept going, landing in the open space several meters behind it.
A much louder sound rang out. Dust, gravel, and clods of earth shot into the air, forming a cloud of gray-brown smoke in front of Kizaru.
Standing in front of the students, Yamakawa Kiyoshi watched the scene and felt a cold sweat break out across his back.
His gaze shifted to Kizaru's back. Yamakawa Kiyoshi drew in a sharp breath, gaining a much clearer sense of just how absurdly powerful the boy was.
Could this guy already be stronger than me?
Yamakawa Kiyoshi wasn't sure. A hint of frustration and bitterness welled up inside him.
For ordinary people, the existence of a genius was truly demoralizing!
Does this kid even need to keep studying at the academy?
Yamakawa Kiyoshi silently wondered.
And he wasn't the only one thinking that. Most of the ninja stationed outside the school, watching the test, had the same thought.
A monster like this was just too demoralizing for the other students.
A Jonin from the Hyuga Branch Family was also hiding outside the school. By now, he had activated his Byakugan.
Using his Byakugan's penetrating vision, he immediately saw the extent of the damage caused by Kizaru's jutsu, as well as the terrifying Chakra inside him, comparable to that of a Tailed Beast.
"Monster. That guy's a complete monster!" the Jonin of the Hyuga Branch Family instinctively exclaimed.
His muttering was barely audible, but Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, standing on a distant branch, both heard him.
Danzo frowned slightly, displeased by the Hyuga Clan ninja's words.
"Monster" was a term with an insulting connotation. People from the Shimura Clan could say that. What right did some guy from the Hyuga Branch Family have to describe him that way?
"He just misspoke." Knowing his old friend well, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo and offered an excuse for the Hyuga Clan ninja.
Danzo's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Ah, let my Shimura Clan handle the repairs to the field! Once the test is over, I'll make sure to teach that kid a proper lesson. He really went too far."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and shook his head, then lifted his pipe and took a puff, slowly exhaling the smoke.
"Danzo, let this child graduate early. There's nothing left for him to learn at the academy."
Danzo's expression shifted, and he looked troubled. "The old folks in the clan have spoiled this child too much. He's far too willful. He doesn't want to graduate early, and I can't exactly force the issue."
Knowing his old friend's character, Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised to hear that. Since when have you ever been so easygoing?
Danzo seemed to guess what his friend was thinking and continued, "I've already made a deal with him. He'll graduate early within three years at most."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said no more.
Back on the field, Kizaru's dazzling display had destroyed all the targets used for the tool-throwing test. A large crater had also appeared in the ground behind them.
Once the dust had settled, Yamakawa Kiyoshi walked over to Kizaru with a complicated expression. He glanced at the crater, then at Kizaru, who was smiling calmly, and his mouth twitched a few times.
"Ahem!" After clearing his throat a few times to draw the class's attention, Yamakawa Kiyoshi spoke.
"Because the field is badly damaged..." As he spoke, Yamakawa Kiyoshi glanced at Kizaru again.
Noticing the teacher's gaze, Kizaru gave him an apologetic smile, looking genuinely sorry.
"Because the field is badly damaged, the tool-throwing test is temporarily suspended. We'll move on to the next test: the combat test!"
"Yes~"
The students, who still hadn't fully recovered from Kizaru's display, responded halfheartedly to their teacher.
"Everyone, head to the sparring ground up ahead and get ready. The test will begin shortly."
After sending the students off, Yamakawa Kiyoshi called Kizaru over and deliberately brought up the rear of the group.
"Kizaru, when you spar later, please don't use any overly dangerous jutsu!"
"Don't worry, teacher! I know what I'm doing," Kizaru replied calmly.
You know what you're doing? You don't know a damn thing!
Yamakawa Kiyoshi cursed inwardly.
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