Ryou's Strength

After a few minutes, Daichi returned and sat down next to Ryou.

"Sensei, what happened?" Tenga asked, leaning forward with interest.

"Hokage-sama is busy receiving reports from Minato and the others who just returned from Iwagakure frontline. I handed over the captured Jonin to the Intelligence Division, and we were compensated with the amount for a B-level mission."

"Did you meet Minato-sama, Sensei?" Tenga asked.

"No, but I heard some bad news. Minato's team suffered a loss… one of their members, Obito Uchiha, died during the mission. He sacrificed himself to save his friend and even gave one of his Sharingan to Kakashi."

"What?" Tenga gasped in disbelief.

"Obito-senpai is dead?" Shisui, who had been listening quietly, was visibly shocked.

"You knew Uchiha Obito?" Ryou asked, turning to Shisui.

"Yes," Shisui replied softly. "Obito-senpai was kind to everyone… always helping out the elderly in the clan." His eyes reflected sorrow as he remembered Obito's easygoing nature.

After a brief pause, Daichi cleared his throat and shifted the conversation. "Alright, listen up. The reason I asked you to wait here is that I have an important announcement to make. The Chunin Exams are scheduled to take place in 15 days, and I plan to recommend all three of you."

Tenga's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really, Sensei?!"

Daichi nodded. "Yes. Even though it's only been a few days since you became Genin, you've all shown remarkable progress and strength. I think it's time you take the next step. However, it's just a recommendation—participation is not compulsory. You're free to choose."

Tenga grinned. "Are you kidding, Sensei? We're doing it! What do you say, Shisui, Ryou?"

Shisui nodded thoughtfully. "I have no problems."

Ryou, more casual, shrugged. "I find being a Genin boring. It's time to spice things up." In truth, he wasn't particularly interested, but he knew it was part of the process.

Daichi smiled. "Good. But be prepared, the Chunin Exams are more than just a battle of strength. They'll test your abilities, knowledge, experience, and tactical skills. It won't be easy, and you'll be facing opponents older and more experienced than you."

He continued, "The exam forms will be distributed in a few days. Fill them out and submit them at the mission desk. They'll inform you when the exams will be held."

"Alright, that's it for today. Go home and take a rest." Daichi said, standing up. "We'll gather tomorrow morning at our usual training ground."

--

The next morning, at the training ground, Daichi stood ready, kunai raised, effortlessly deflecting a barrage of shuriken coming at him from the front. The sharp clang of metal echoed in the air just as the ground trembled slightly underfoot.

Suddenly, from a distance, a massive fireball shot toward him. Daichi's eyes narrowed in recognition. 'Fireball Jutsu... no, it's Phoenix Fire Jutsu!' He immediately went on high alert, utilizing his speed to dodge.

The fireball split into a volley of smaller, fast-moving flames that swirled through the air. The mesmerizing display of burning projectiles tore through the trees, moving unpredictably.

Each flaming projectile was precisely guided by Shisui's excellent chakra control, making it incredibly difficult to dodge.

'Phoenix Fire Jutsu with advanced chakra manipulation… As expected of a Uchiha genius,' Daichi thought, acknowledging Shisui's impressive strength.

As Daichi evaded the flames, he didn't expect the shuriken hidden within the flames. Several flaming shurikens struck his chest, but his form immediately scattered into smoke, a shadow clone.

His real body reappeared some distance away, but Tenga, who had been hiding nearby, seized the opportunity. He attacked Daichi from behind, by unleashing a powerful Water Release jutsu of his own.

With a sharp exhale, Tenga shot a wave of high-speed water from his mouth, aiming directly at Daichi with pinpoint accuracy and overwhelming force.

But something unexpected happened, when Tenga's water surge made contact, Daichi's body flickered and vanished into a mirage.

"What? Genjutsu?" Tenga muttered, startled. Before he could react, he felt the cold feel of a kunai against his back.

"You lose, Tenga," Daichi's voice came from behind him.

"Not yet, Sensei." Another voice echoed from behind Daichi, Tenga's real body. The Tenga standing in front dissolved into a water clone.

Daichi smiled slightly. "I could say the same thing." In an instant, another Daichi appeared behind Tenga, a kunai once again pressed to his back.

"No way... Sensei, how did you know it was a water clone?" Tenga asked, his tone frustrated.

Daichi chuckled. "You still need practice."

Just then, Daichi's expression changed, sensing something. He muttered, impressed. "Nice teamwork." And with swift moves, he slashed the air several times. Fragments of thin wire threads shone in the sunlight as they fell gently to the ground.

Shisui emerged from behind one of the trees, shaking his head. "You're really strong, Sensei. We laid those traps so carefully, yet you found out with a slight movement."

"It comes with experience!" Daichi smiled, lowering his kunai. "Well done, both of you. You've grown stronger since the first time we met. But remember, high-level ninjutsu may be powerful, but they consume a lot of chakra. In battle, they're useless if you can't land a hit on your enemy." 

Shisui and Tenga exchanged looks, both panting slightly, fatigued from draining their chakra. Daichi gave them a nod of approval, signaling the end of their spar. "Rest up. You've exhausted your chakra reserves."

With a satisfied nod, Daichi turned his attention to Ryou, his gaze serious. "Why didn't you participate in their attacks?"

Ryou crossed his arms, his expression calm. "I wanted to give them space to showcase their abilities. If I had joined, it would've ended too quickly."

"Oh?" Daichi raised an eyebrow. 

Tenga chuckled. "When did Ryou get so cocky? I want to see his ass kicked by Sensei."

Shisui was also curious, but based on his observations, he knew Ryou wasn't the type to boast. Since he said that, it means Ryou really has the strength to fight their sensei.

Ryou merely smiled and took a step forward, to show them a part of his ability. Without delay, he raised his hands and made quick hand seals. 

Seeing the visible chakra swirling around Ryou, Daichi's eyes widened in astonishment. The amount of chakra being funneled into the jutsu, made him alert. He quickly shouted, "Shisui! Tenga! Get back, now!" 

'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!'

With a deep inhale, Ryou breathed out a powerful gust of wind from his mouth. What started as a standard C-rank Wind Release jutsu quickly escalated as he channeled more chakra into the technique.

The air around him began to distort violently, swirling with increasing intensity as the wind roared, uprooting debris and destroying the trees with tremendous force.

The sheer pressure of the wind caused the ground beneath them to tremble slightly, and the gust expanded outward, becoming an unstoppable miniature hurricane that tore through the training ground, heading straight for Daichi.

--

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