Unlocking Ryujin Jakka

"Shinobi tools?" Sasuke formed hand seals with both hands and sneered. "Hmph, let's see just how powerful the Moonlight Clan's swordsmanship is!"

Sasuke's hands flashed through several seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball roared forth, hurtling straight toward Su Bai. Its scorching heat seemed capable of devouring everything in its path.

This was Sasuke's proudest ninjutsu, and also the fire-release technique the Uchiha Clan excelled at most.

After using this move, he was completely confident that he had already won.

At their age, no one could block such an enormous Great Fireball Technique.

"What a huge fireball!" The students watching from the side all widened their eyes.

Only after seeing such a massive fireball did Iruka realize that things had gotten out of hand.

If that fireball hit Su Bai, he would be seriously injured even if it did not kill him!

"Sasuke, this is only a spar! Watch yourself!" As a qualified instructor, Iruka wanted to save Su Bai, but it was already too late.

All he could do was hope Su Bai could protect himself.

Su Bai smiled.

Ryujin Jakka was the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto. What it feared least was fire!

"With that little heat, you think you can hurt me?"

Su Bai shouted and drew his Zanpakuto. He swung the blade at the massive fireball and slashed down fiercely.

With a deafening bang, the fireball was split in two.

The flames burning on Ryujin Jakka were even fiercer than the Great Fireball, completely suppressing it.

After splitting the fireball apart, the flames reluctantly died down from the blade and finally turned into a wisp of smoke.

"What?! How is that possible?"

Sasuke's face changed drastically. He had never expected Su Bai's sword to possess such power.

Iruka was also deeply shocked by Su Bai splitting the fireball with a single slash. He muttered, "Just what is the origin of that sword? Is it the Moonlight Clan's family heirloom?"

Iruka knew that the Moonlight Clan was highly skilled in swordsmanship, but wasn't it far too careless to let a child keep such a precious shinobi tool?

Sasuke had already been stunned, all sorts of guesses racing through his mind.

Is it because of that sword?

No! The problem isn't the shinobi tool. Su Bai wrapped his fire release around the blade!

Damn it, why can Su Bai's fire-release ninjutsu defeat mine? The Uchiha Clan is born with extraordinary talent for fire-style ninjutsu. Moonlight Su Bai is from the Moonlight Clan, so how can he use fire release to defeat me?!

Su Bai sneered. Taking advantage of Sasuke's daze, he swung his sword sideways and brought the flat of the blade down on him in a flurry of strikes.

The Shin'ō Academy's basic swordsmanship included several fundamental techniques.

Quick Slash: Rapid consecutive slashes.

Block: Use the Zanpakuto to defend against an enemy's attack.

Counterattack: Launch a swift counterattack after defending.

Precise Slash: Deliver precise strikes to an enemy's vital points.

There was nothing particularly special about them, but they were more than enough to deal with the stunned Sasuke.

Sasuke hurriedly raised his kunai to block, but Su Bai's slash sent it flying. Several consecutive strikes landed on him, and he was instantly beaten to his knees, unable to rise again.

"So this is all the Uchiha are capable of."

Su Bai sheathed his sword.

The scorching sensation faded with it.

"See? I knew Su Bai was stronger. He's number one in the class!" Ino's beautiful eyes sparkled.

"So this guy is a genius too. He always acted so low-key. Turns out he was hiding his strength!"

Iruka frowned thoughtfully.

As their teacher, he understood everyone's strength better than the students did.

Sasuke was a genius of the Uchiha Clan, and his strength had always been exceptional.

Su Bai's talent in swordsmanship was equally obvious, and he was considerate of everyone else's feelings.

During their usual spars, he would deliberately drag things out for a while before defeating his opponent.

Although the result of this match was unexpected, it also made sense.

"So this is Su Bai's true strength. Perhaps even I'm no match for him... What a terrifying child."

Naruto stared dumbfoundedly at Sasuke lying on the ground, his feelings complicated.

"That bastard Sasuke actually lost?!"

Sakura covered her mouth. "How could Sasuke... He's obviously so strong..."

She had always thought that although Su Bai acted aloof, he had never displayed overwhelming strength during their usual spars, so he probably was not especially outstanding.

Who would have thought that he could defeat Sasuke so easily?

Su Bai merely swept a cold glance over everyone before leaving with an easy stride.

The others looked at one another. Su Bai's formidable strength had left a deep impression on them.

After leaving everyone's sight, Su Bai decided to find his uncle, Hayate Gekko, for a spar.

Only by sparring with someone stronger than himself could he truly understand his own strength.

And Hayate was undoubtedly such a person.

Su Bai walked down a narrow path and entered a bamboo grove.

Tall, slender bamboo swayed gently in the breeze, while emerald leaves rustled softly.

Deep within the grove stood a simple yet elegant wooden house. Its gray roof blended into the surrounding bamboo forest.

The environment was tranquil and the air fresh, making it an ideal place for training and meditation.

Hayate was resting on a tatami mat. Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes.

At the sight of Hayate, Su Bai's body instinctively relaxed.

It seemed that the original Moonlight Su Bai had been very fond of his uncle, Hayate Gekko.

"Uncle, I'd like to spar with you."

Su Bai got straight to the point.

Hayate pushed himself up and coughed lightly several times, his face somewhat pale.

Seeing Su Bai, Hayate felt deeply gratified.

Though Su Bai was still young, he was naturally intelligent and possessed astonishing comprehension.

Now that Su Bai had taken the initiative to request a spar, Hayate regarded his nephew in a new light.

In Su Bai, he seemed to see his younger self.

"Since you have such determination, your uncle will naturally accompany you."

Hayate gripped the sword in his hand, his gaze sharp as a blade.

He knew that actual combat was the best way to temper a shinobi. Su Bai needed to learn his shortcomings through sparring so that he could rise to a higher level.

As an elder, Hayate had the responsibility to help Su Bai reach greater heights.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hayate agreed to the sparring request.

Su Bai noticed that detail.

It seemed Hayate truly cared for the original Moonlight Su Bai.

The two entered the courtyard and drew their swords.

Su Bai drew Ryujin Jakka, but restrained it from releasing its flames.

He assumed the basic stance of the Shin'ō Academy, his gaze sharp and his presence intimidating.

Upon seeing the sword in Su Bai's hand, Hayate could not help praising it. "A fine shinobi tool."

He then drew his own sword and pointed its tip at Su Bai.

Su Bai took a deep breath and rushed at Hayate, slashing with lightning speed.

Hayate smiled faintly and easily blocked Su Bai's attack.

Their blades collided with a crisp clang.

Su Bai did not stop there. Instead, he became even more excited.

He spun nimbly, his swordsmanship fierce and ruthless. A set of Shin'ō Academy basic sword techniques came alive in his hands with tremendous force.

Slashes, blocks, counterattacks, precise thrusts—every move was sharp and merciless, leaving no room to spare.

But Hayate was, after all, an experienced jonin, and the Moonlight Clan itself excelled at swordsmanship.

Su Bai's techniques could not threaten him yet.

At times, he evaded with ease; at others, he blocked steadily. A faint smile remained on his face throughout.

After their exchange, Su Bai had failed to defeat Hayate, but he had still made Hayate look at him differently.

"Not bad, Su Bai. Your fundamentals are solid, and your swordsmanship is fierce. Keep working hard. Your future is limitless!"

Su Bai sheathed his sword and breathed lightly, a trace of excitement on his face.

He cupped his hands toward Hayate. "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. I'll keep working hard."

Though he had failed to defeat Hayate, it was within his expectations.

Su Bai put away Ryujin Jakka, his thoughts gradually drifting away.

He recalled his earlier battle with Sasuke. After winning, the system had informed him that he had gained some experience points.

He had also gained some experience points from sparring with his uncle just now.

So it isn't only when others fight. I can gain experience by fighting personally too.

Su Bai pondered inwardly.

From his spar with Hayate, Su Bai gained a rough estimate of his current strength.

At my current level, I can't beat a jonin like Hayate. I'm not even a match for a stronger chunin. But I should be somewhat stronger than Iruka.

Su Bai analyzed the situation.

But that level of strength was still far from enough.

Su Bai knew that, according to the plot of Naruto, Naruto and Sasuke's strength would grow at an astonishing rate.

If he did not grow stronger quickly, he might end up getting beaten around by those two in the future.

That won't do! I can't let those two brats surpass me.

I need to find a way to improve my strength as quickly as possible.

Su Bai began recalling the plot of Naruto, considering where the next opportunity to earn experience might be.

According to the plot, the next place with a battle should be the bell test.

That was right. Kakashi's survival exercise was a perfect opportunity.

When the time came, Naruto and Sasuke would have a fierce fight with Kakashi. Naruto would even release a tiny bit of the Nine-Tails' chakra to help him use the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

All Su Bai needed to do was watch from the side, and he would be able to pick up plenty of experience points.