A Comeback?

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

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in disbelief.

The Mystical Palm Technique was an extremely advanced Ninjutsu that demanded precise Chakra control. Most Ninja could never learn it without a gift for it.

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

"The kid kept pestering me, so I taught him. How was I supposed to know he'd pick it up right away?"

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

Damn it. He wanted a disciple who could make him proud like that too.

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

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

Where was that disciple of mine, anyway?

◇

In the arena, Nara Clan member Kushin could no longer sit still after seeing Hyuga Yamashiro beaten so badly he couldn't get up. He shouted loudly 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 Kushin. The others followed, putting distance between themselves and Eiji while reaching into their Ninja Tool Pouches.

They pulled out Kunai and Shuriken and hurled them at Eiji. The weapons came at him in a relentless barrage!

Eiji neither dodged nor flinched. The Kunai and Shuriken stopped just inches from him. After hanging there for a moment, they clattered to the ground. Soon, a heap of ninja tools lay before him.

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

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

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

◇

So that was how it worked?

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

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

They had learned more, but Shikaku felt 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 looked toward Kushin in the arena and put himself in his place.

What would I do?

◇

Kushin's face fell as he surveyed the arena. By his reckoning, they had been throwing Shuriken for about a minute. 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 it hadn't shown how long Eiji's defense could last. Either way, they had to try.

The Nara Clan was known for its intelligence, but even Kushin had no answer to their predicament.

He didn't believe an invincible Ninjutsu existed. They simply had too little useful information.

"There's nothing else for it... Everyone, try Ninjutsu!"

The others agreed with Kushin and quickly began forming Hand Seals.

Eiji remained composed. 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!"

A flood of elemental Ninjutsu swept toward Eiji. He didn't move. He didn't even blink.

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

When the smoke and dust cleared, Eiji's calm face came into view again. Not a speck of dirt had touched him!

"Damn it... The gap between us is ridiculous!"

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

"Multi-Size Technique: Human Bullet Tank!"

Akimichi Clan contestant Akimichi Chogen swelled rapidly into a massive ball of flesh, then rolled toward Eiji with seemingly unstoppable force!

Faced with the earthshaking charge, Eiji raised an arm and aimed his palm at the Human Bullet Tank hurtling toward him.

◇

"That's insane!"

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

"Hmph. He's too cocky. Just watch him get flattened!"

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

After a dozen seconds or so, Chogen could no longer keep it up. He stopped spinning and rapidly shrank back to normal. He collapsed on the ground, his eyes swimming. He was completely unconscious.

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

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

"Shadow Imitation Technique... Success!"

At some point, 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, Kushin let out a long breath.

Those earlier attacks finally made him let his guard down. Otherwise, I'd never have pulled this off.

Just as he'd suspected, Ryuuzaki Eiji's Protective Technique was practically invincible. Kushin even thought someone with that Ninjutsu could roam the Shinobi World unchecked.

But it had a limited range, and his shadow had reached beyond it. That was the opening his Shadow Imitation Technique needed.

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

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 turned it around even from that position!?"

"Incredible! Even if I lose my shirt betting on this, it'll have been worth it!"