In the Konoha Ninja Academy's arena, the chunin believed he'd trapped Tengen with ninjutsu, unaware that Tengen had swapped himself with a clone at some point.
Tengen appeared above, his powerful ninjutsu already prepared.
A massive fireball's searing heat warped the air, its intensity palpable even to the students outside the arena.
This Fire Release far surpassed Mokawa's earlier attempt.
The same technique, yet the difference was stark.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The several-meter-wide fireball crashed into the chunin's position, flames charring the arena black.
As the fire dissipated, no figure remained. The ground had cracked under the intense heat.
Tengen didn't assume he'd won. He turned, spotting the chunin standing elsewhere.
The chunin's hands were forming signs.
But to his shock, Tengen began signing too, his speed noticeably faster.
Both unleashed their ninjutsu simultaneously.
"Earth Release: Rock Gun Jutsu!"
"Earth Release: Rock Gun Jutsu!"
Sharp stone pillars erupted from the ground, targeting both fighters.
Bam! Bam!
Each was struck by the other's technique, but both dissolved into wooden logs.
Body Replacement Jutsu.
As their ninjutsu and taijutsu clash continued, the academy students watched, speechless. Tengen's prowess was staggering.
His ninjutsu flowed seamlessly.
The crowd cheered, hoping for Tengen's victory.
Some felt a shared resentment; the chunin had defeated many of their peers, but Tengen's strength offered a chance for triumph.
"Impressive kid." Orochimaru surprised. "His grasp of the battle, timing of ninjutsu, and rapid hand signs let him turn the tables, using the same technique to force a stalemate. That's a chunin skill."
"Yep, that's my lil bro." Jiraiya grinned, thrilled by Orochimaru's praise, especially from a rival he'd always wanted to best.
"Lil bro?" Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya oddly.
"Ignore him, Orochimaru. He's just got a screw loose." Tsunade said.
"Tengen." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, watching. Tengen reminded him of himself, not reliant on kekkei genkai, but on mastery of ninjutsu's application.
Tengen's ninjutsu surpassed many chunin.
...
Elsewhere.
"Here, here!" Obito waved. "Hurry, Kakashi, Rin!"
"Good, it's not over." Obito arrived as Tengen's duel with the chunin intensified.
"Unreal, he's almost as good as me." Obito marveled. He was only a chunin himself.
Kakashi gave his teammate a deadpan look. Tengen's performance outshone Obito's.
"Really amazing graduating with such strength." Rin said admiringly.
"Who'll win, Kakashi?" Obito asked.
"Win?" Kakashi studied the arena. "Tengen has the edge."
In the arena, Tengen and the chunin stood on the ravaged ground, eyeing each other warily.
Suddenly, both vanished.
They reappeared, kunai clashing.
As they broke apart, Tengen's mouth opened, unleashing a barrage of small fireballs toward the chunin.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!"
The swarm of fireballs left the chunin no room to dodge.
"When did he form signs?" The chunin retreated and his hands racing through seals.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A massive stone wall rose, blocking the fireballs. The impacts shook it but didn't break through.
The chunin exhaled in relief.
Then a voice and the cold touch of steel at his neck froze him.
"You lose." Tengen standing behind him, a kunai lightly pressed to his throat. Against an enemy, the chunin would be dead.
"I lose." The chunin said bitterly, shaking his head.
Tengen withdrew his kunai. "Thanks for the match."
"I'm Aoki, Konoha chunin." The chunin said.
"Tengen, still an academy student." Tengen said with a smile, stepping off the arena.
"That was incredible, Tengen!" Students swarmed him, awed by his display.
"You're awesome, Tengen!" Anko said, joining him.
"Keep it up, Anko." Tengen encouraged.
"I'll make it too!" Anko grinned.
"That was…" Jiraiya's eyes flickered.
"Single-handed signs." Orochimaru said slowly. "Not the fastest, but effective for catching opponents off guard. Clever kid."
"Single-handed signs? Tengen's got that up his sleeve too?" Jiraiya said.
"Overall, Tengen could take down an average chunin." Tsunade assessed.
"Hm." Orochimaru nodded in agreement.
***
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