A Comeback?

"Tsunade, you even taught him the Mystical Palm Technique?"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in disbelief.

The Mystical Palm Technique was an exceptionally advanced Ninjutsu that demanded precise Chakra control. An ordinary Ninja without the talent for it could never learn it.

Yet Ryuuzaki Eiji wasn't just skilled at offensive Ninjutsu. He was this good at Medical Ninjutsu too?

"The kid kept pestering me, so I taught him. Who knew he'd pick it up right away?"

Tsunade waved a hand, looking far too pleased with herself. Jiraiya's expression turned awkward.

Damn it. I want a disciple that talented to make me proud too.

He had traveled the Shinobi World for years and met more geniuses than he could count on both hands. But beside Ryuuzaki Eiji, they seemed as small as ants.

The Great Toad Sage had said Jiraiya would one day have a disciple who would bring change to the Shinobi World. But whether that change meant peace or destruction remained unknown.

Where could that disciple of mine be?

In the arena, Nara Kushin could no longer sit still after seeing Hyuga Yamashiro beaten so badly he couldn't get up. He shouted loud enough for every contestant to hear, "We can't keep this up! Everyone, spread out and test the limits of that technique!"

The Ninja from the Akimichi Clan and Yamanaka Clan responded first, leaping back alongside Nara Kushin. The others followed, putting distance between themselves and Eiji as they reached for their Ninja Tool Pouches.

They pulled out Kunai and Shuriken and hurled them at Eiji. The barrage came at him like a violent storm!

Eiji neither dodged nor flinched. The Kunai and Shuriken stopped just inches from him, hovered briefly, then clattered to the ground. Before long, a heap of Ninja tools lay in front of him.

Eiji clicked his tongue at the sight. What a waste. Before moving into the Senju Ancestral Home, he'd owned one Kunai and three Shuriken. Throwing weapons weren't cheap.

He'd had to retrieve them, wipe them down, and maintain them carefully. These people tossed them around like they cost nothing.

When every weapon they threw proved useless, the arena fell silent.

So that's how it works?

In the stands, Shikaku Nara stroked his chin in thought.

They now knew Eiji's technique could repel not only Shuriken but Ninjutsu as well.

The added information brought Shikaku no relief.

The more he learned, the more terrifying Eiji seemed.

Conventional attacks were clearly pointless. That left Genjutsu and Ninjutsu with unusual effects to try.

Shikaku Nara looked toward Kushin in the arena and put himself in his place.

What would I do?

Nara Kushin stared at the scene, his face drawn. By his reckoning, they had thrown Shuriken for about a minute straight. Physical attacks really did seem useless. They would have to try Chakra-based attacks.

Uchiha Yo's Fire Release Ninjutsu had already provided one example, but they still didn't know how long the protection lasted. Either way, they had to try.

The Nara Clan was known for its intelligence, but Kushin had few options left.

He didn't believe any Ninjutsu was invincible. They simply had too little useful information.

"There's no other way... Everyone, try Ninjutsu!"

The others saw the sense in Kushin's suggestion and swiftly began forming Hand Seals.

Eiji remained calm. He stood with his arms folded, as though giving them time to finish.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spear!"

Elemental Ninjutsu surged toward Eiji from every direction. He did nothing. He didn't even blink.

The next instant, flames, water, and earthen spikes either stopped before Eiji or were hurled away!

When the smoke and dust cleared, Eiji's calm face appeared once more. Not even a speck of dirt had touched him!

"Damn it... How can the gap be this big?"

Cold sweat ran down one contestant's forehead. He couldn't understand why a monster like this had appeared in the Graduation Exam. Would he have to face opponents like this after he graduated? Was this normal?!

"Multi-Size Technique: Human Bullet Tank!"

Akimichi Chogen swelled rapidly into a huge ball of flesh, then rolled toward Eiji with crushing force!

As the ground-shaking mass bore down on him, Eiji raised one arm and aimed his palm at the spinning Human Bullet Tank.

"That's reckless!"

"Does his defense have no limit? Can it stop an attack like that too?!"

"Hmph. He's gotten too cocky. Just wait until he's flattened!"

Voices predicting Eiji's defeat rang out from the stands. But just as the Human Bullet Tank was about to roll over him, the enormous ball struck what seemed to be an invisible wall. It spun furiously in place, unable to advance another inch!

After more than ten seconds, Akimichi Chogen could no longer maintain his focus. He stopped spinning and rapidly shrank to his normal size. He collapsed to the ground, his eyes swirling as he lost consciousness.

Eiji brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes. The arena fell silent again.

Everyone was too stunned by his absurd display to speak. Then—

"Shadow Imitation Technique... Success!"

At some point, Nara Kushin had appeared behind Eiji. He crouched low, his hands forming the distinctive seal of the Shadow Imitation Technique.

Seeing his shadow connect with Eiji's, Nara Kushin let out a long breath.

The earlier attacks had finally lulled Eiji into dropping his guard. Otherwise, Kushin would never have succeeded.

Just as he'd suspected, Ryuuzaki Eiji's Protective Technique was all but invincible. Kushin even thought anyone who possessed it could roam the Shinobi World unchecked.

But it had a limited range. His shadow had reached beyond that range, allowing his Shadow Imitation Technique to counter it.

What a dangerous guy. After this, I won't get another chance to land my Shadow-Binding Imitation Technique.

Just this once. Good thing he isn't a real enemy.

The arena erupted as everyone marveled at Kushin's move.

"That's the Nara Clan for you! He pulled off a comeback even from that position?!"

"Incredible! Even if I lose everything I bet, this was worth seeing!"