Watching the dust rise ahead, Kizaru bent his knees and leaped into the air. He kicked out with another Flash Kick, sending a golden slash flying.
The slash cleaved the cloud of dust in two and continued onward, flying into the woods where the Shuriken had just come from.
Another explosion rang out. Smoke billowed again, blanketing the woods and grass to Kizaru's right.
"Uncle, are you still not coming out?" Kizaru called as he landed.
Whoosh!
Two Wind Style: Shuriken were the answer!
Bursting out of the smoke, the Wind Style: Shuriken shot toward Kizaru from two directions.
Keeping his hands in his pockets, Kizaru raised his glowing right foot and kicked again.
A golden slash flew out, intercepting both Wind Style: Shuriken.
After kicking out the slash, Kizaru looked at the smoke ahead. Finding it an eyesore, he formed Hand Seals and used Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere.
A transparent ball of wind as tall as a person burst from Kizaru's mouth and rushed toward the smoke, scattering it before continuing onward.
Like a giant grinder, the transparent ball of wind charged into the woods, sucking up the surrounding trees by their roots and pulverizing them all.
Faced with such a wide-ranging attack, Danzo was forced to reveal himself from his hiding place in the woods.
His vision had recovered somewhat. Danzo dodged the wind ball with a quick leap and landed on the muddy ground, now a scene of utter devastation.
Panting heavily, with an injured arm and damaged eyes, his clothes in tatters, Danzo looked utterly disheveled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Sannin, watching from the sidelines, were all stunned by Kizaru's performance.
"That kid didn't go all out last time, either!"
A bitter smile appeared on his face. Jiraiya had always believed he'd lost because he'd underestimated Kizaru and held back his signature ninjutsu to hide his identity. Now he was shocked to realize that Kizaru hadn't gone all out last time, either.
His junior really was frighteningly talented!
Jiraiya was overcome with emotion.
Like Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Tsunade, standing beside him, were also stunned by Kizaru's performance.
His brutal kicks, impressive Wind Release Ninjutsu, and powerful Kekkei Genkai—the likes of which had never been seen in the Shinobi World!
Could Kizaru, who had demonstrated all these abilities, really be only six years old?
The same question crossed everyone's minds once more.
Wasn't this a little too ridiculous? He was a monster!
Unlike his three students, Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen much more of the world and noticed even more.
He'd perfectly combined the Kekkei Genkai known as Light Style with Taijutsu. This child had top-tier talent in both Taijutsu and ninjutsu. He truly lived up to the praise of having the First Hokage's Potential!
Recalling the golden light slashes Kizaru had just kicked out, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help marveling at the child's talent once more.
As long as the boy grew up safely and inherited the Will of Fire, the village would be secure for at least fifty years!
At the thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi was filled with hope for both Kizaru and the village's future.
Along with his joy, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a heavy pressure. A once-in-a-century prodigy like this couldn't be allowed to grow up misguided under his watch.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in thought, Danzo, looking utterly disheveled, called an end to the fight.
"That's enough."
Looking at Kizaru, who stood with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face, Danzo had to admit to himself that the boy's performance tonight had shocked him.
What a pleasant surprise!
With a stern expression, Danzo walked back onto the Training Ground and stopped in front of Kizaru.
Seeing Kizaru's rather irreverent, anything-but-proper smile, Danzo's tightly pursed lips lifted slightly, and a rare smile appeared on his face.
"Shimura Kizaru!" Danzo placed particular emphasis on Shimura, directing his words mainly at someone watching from the sidelines. "Your performance tonight was excellent. I hereby pass your assessment."
"Thanks, Uncle," Kizaru replied.
Danzo reached out and lightly patted Kizaru's shoulder.
"Your performance tonight really did surprise me."
It was the first time Kizaru had seen Danzo praise him so honestly, and he was a little surprised.
Looking down at Danzo, he saw the blood and injuries on his arm, as well as his reddened, watering eyes. Kizaru turned toward the sidelines.
"Senior Tsunade, sorry for the trouble, but could you treat my uncle's injuries?"
Tsunade didn't want to agree, since she disliked Danzo. But faced with her junior disciple's first request, she hesitated before replying, "Bring him over."
"Thanks, Senior!" Kizaru said with a smile.
He looked at Danzo, who seemed a little reluctant, and didn't bother asking permission. He reached out, took Danzo by his uninjured arm, and led him toward the sidelines.
"Let go!" Danzo shouted, feeling thoroughly humiliated as Kizaru dragged him along.
Kizaru rarely bothered indulging these prideful, stubborn old men. Relying on his outstanding physical strength, he dragged Danzo to the sidelines and only then let go.
"Please take care of him, Senior!" Kizaru said with a smile, facing Tsunade.
"I know!" Tsunade replied grumpily, stepping over to Danzo.
Looking at the blood-soaked bandage around Danzo's right arm, Tsunade didn't bother being gentle. She simply reached out and ripped away all the tattered wrapping.
With the bandage gone, the full extent of the injury to his arm was exposed.
"Tsk, tsk!" Tsunade remarked at the rather serious-looking wound.
Hiruzen Sarutobi came closer as well. Looking at his friend's injured arm, he curled his lips into a smile.
"That's a dangerous ninjutsu!" Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked, then twisted the knife. "It must have hurt, Danzo!"
"Shut up!" Danzo said irritably, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'm only concerned about you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi explained.
"Quiet! Both of you, shut up!" Tsunade barked as she began treatment, unwilling to listen to the two old foxes bickering.
Tsunade's words silenced the whole field. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo both shut their mouths.
Turning her gaze away from Danzo's injuries, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kizaru.
"I heard you want to challenge a Jonin from the Uchiha Clan at your graduation assessment?"
"They're too noisy. It was getting on my nerves, so I had to shut them up."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and didn't press him further. He continued, "As Hokage, I approve your request. I'll arrange for a shinobi from the Uchiha Clan to be your opponent in your graduation assessment."
Kizaru was already his student. Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen his talent and strength with his own eyes. The Uchiha bunch had dared to question his student? What were they playing at? A bunch of shortsighted fools!
"Then thank you, Sensei," Kizaru replied with satisfaction.
"I'll make the announcement to the whole village on the day of your graduation assessment that I've taken you as my student." As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Kizaru on the shoulder.
Kizaru nodded to show he understood.