Just as Chen Qi was feeling smug, Luo Yu's crimson eyes saw through every movement he made to perform his technique.
A series of notifications appeared before Luo Yu's eyes.
[Through detailed observation, the Sharingan has recorded the execution of Shadow Clone!] [Congratulations, host! You have learned Lv. 0 Shadow Clone!]
By observing every minute detail, he could copy ninjutsu!
Sure enough, possessing the Sharingan greatly reduced the effort needed to learn.
In the original series, Shadow Clone had seemed so commonplace that it gave people the impression anyone could do it.
In reality, it was Jonin-level B-Rank Ninjutsu!
In this world, an ordinary person would at least have to approach the threshold of Jonin and reach Peak Chunin before they could learn it.
That alone showed how difficult it was to master.
Yet he had instantly grasped a technique this difficult using the Sharingan. Besides its powers of perception, his own talent must have played a part.
However, after he learned it, Shadow Clone's starting level was 0.
His proficiency wasn't even at the beginner level, so it was still too early to use it in actual combat.
With that in mind, Luo Yu continued observing Chen Qi's movements with his Sharingan.
Chen Qi and his two shadow clones each took senbon from the small ninja tool pouch strapped to their legs and held them between their fingers.
"Since you refuse to concede, don't blame me if you get hurt."
With that, the three Chen Qis tossed their senbon into the air and formed hand seals simultaneously.
"Ninja Art! Senbon Rain!"
As their voices fell, the ninjutsu split each airborne senbon into several needles.
They covered the entire arena as densely as a downpour.
Facing this ferocious assault, Luo Yu's smile only widened, because before his eyes...
[The Sharingan has recorded Ninja Art: Senbon Rain!] [Congratulations, host! You have learned Lv. 0 Ninja Art: Senbon Rain!]
Chen Qi looked confident as countless senbon flew toward Luo Yu.
Ninja Art: Senbon Rain was a powerful two-star ninjutsu included in Genma Shiranui's legacy. Casting it together with shadow clones multiplied its attack range.
Even with the Sharingan's power, Luo Yu surely couldn't escape such an all-encompassing net.
What a shame, though. He had finally encountered an opponent with some ability, only to defeat him effortlessly without feeling the slightest pressure.
This wouldn't help him improve at all!
"Is it over?" Anticipating Luo Yu's defeat, the referee at the side went on alert.
He intended to cast Earth Release: Earth Shore Return, an exceptionally powerful one-and-a-half-star defensive ninjutsu, to block every senbon.
Suddenly!
With a relaxed smile, Luo Yu said lightly, "Stay out of it. These attacks can't threaten me at all."
Hearing that, the referee instinctively stopped.
The next instant, the storm of senbon passed through Luo Yu's body without leaving a single scratch.
After several seconds under Senbon Rain, Luo Yu still stood in the arena completely unharmed.
At this unbelievable sight, the spectators' faces filled with bewilderment.
"Did all those senbon miss? What kind of expert manages to outline someone's body with every shot?"
"No way. I clearly saw the senbon pass right through him."
"It's genjutsu! It has to be the Sharingan's genjutsu!"
"Then shouldn't only that Chen Family kid be affected? Why would us spectators get caught in it too?"
Not just the spectators-even the referee standing at the edge of the arena was utterly baffled.
Watching the senbon pierce Luo Yu's body, he had regretted not taking action.
He had never expected this!
Had the kid just used some kind of ninjutsu?
Why hadn't he made any hand seals?
Unlike everyone else, who could only see Luo Yu's back...
Chen Qi, who faced Luo Yu head-on, wasn't confused in the slightest. His heart had turned ice-cold.
Because the three tomoe in Luo Yu's right eye had already transformed into a more intricate pattern.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
As that name came to mind, the muscles in Chen Qi's legs twitched uncontrollably. His composure had long vanished, replaced by an ugly expression.
All sorts of sinister legends about Sharingan wielders flooded his mind.
He had only wanted to feel some pressure from a strong opponent, then turn that pressure into motivation.
Why had his opponent gone straight to the Mangekyō?
Was that something anyone at his level could face?
Seeing Chen Qi freeze up, Luo Yu assumed he was deliberately leaving an opening.
Having often pretended to disconnect in competitive games before turning the tables on his opponents, Luo Yu knew that trick well.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
To be cautious, Luo Yu first spent 5 chakra points to cast a smaller Great Fireball and test the waters.
A scorching fireball immediately surged from Luo Yu's mouth toward Chen Qi, who stood rooted to the spot.
"Not good! This Great Fireball is ridiculously powerful!"
Feeling the surrounding temperature spike, the referee's expression darkened.
Who would have thought Tengyang No. 3 Middle School harbored such hidden talent? Even a random ninja student could cast one-star ninjutsu.
What's more, the technique's intensity put even him, a second-stage Genin, to shame.
How was this a battle between ninja students?
Even trainee ninjas could do no better!
Fortunately, he had noticed something wrong with Chen Qi's mental state and moved to his side ahead of time.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
Facing Fire Release, the experienced referee defended with Water Release, which countered it.
He spat out a pool's worth of water, sending it crashing into the approaching Great Fireball.
In an instant, water and fire collided violently, the two elements tangling together.
The fierce flames died out, while the surging water evaporated into steam that spread throughout the arena.
Everyone was stunned to see the two techniques cancel each other out.
Wild Water Wave was, after all, a basic Water Release ninjutsu on par with the Great Fireball Technique.
Both were one-star techniques, but it had the elemental advantage. Its caster was also a second-stage Genin who specialized in Water Release, with proficiency at the minor mastery level.
With all those advantages, it should have instantly overwhelmed a ninja student's Great Fireball.
Instead, the intense heat had evaporated it completely!
That defied all common sense!
Even Luo Yu himself was a little surprised.
Holy crap! I'm actually this strong?
Proficiency makes that much of a difference to ninjutsu?
"I declare Luo Yu the winner!"
Suppressing his surprise, the highly professional referee announced the result.
After a brief silence, thunderous applause erupted.
"Where did this mysterious fireball guy come from? I've never heard of a genius like him in Tengyang before."
"Is Tengyang No. 3 Middle School really that awesome? Its graduates can go toe-to-toe with Genin!"
"I'm sending my son to Tengyang No. 3 Middle School someday."
"His Great Fireball proficiency has to be at minor mastery at least! I'd believe you if you said he'd reached full mastery!"
"I never imagined Chen Qi would get crushed. Looks like commoner ninjas like us really can turn the tables on second-generation ninjas!"
"That's so inspiring! I've decided to stop slacking off and start training hard tomorrow!"
"Why tomorrow, though?"
"You just can't keep your mouth shut!"
Just then, a ray of light emerged from Chen Qi's body and flew toward Luo Yu.
[Attribute points +5!]
Hearing the system notification, Luo Yu finally remembered that he had come to the training hall purely for attribute points.
But a battle only earned him five attribute points, and even that depended on the drop rate.
Compared with those measly scraps, stealing ninjutsu with the Sharingan was far more rewarding.
With that thought, Luo Yu decided to head home and study his new ninjutsu first.
He would put farming attribute points on hold. Ninjutsu proficiency was what really mattered!
Before leaving, he put all his newly acquired attribute points into chakra.
His status panel updated once again.
Stamina: 27 (+30%) Chakra: 26 (+50%)
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