Outside the training ground, the crowd moved along as the battle shifted.
"What an incredible Clone Technique! Flawless!"
Mitokado Homura couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Even he couldn't achieve such a level with the Clone Technique.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze darkened as he let out a soft sigh. "He has talent. He just didn't have access to more ninjutsu before…"
It hadn't been long since Zhenyan obtained the Shadow Clone Technique.
To master it to this extent in such a short time was truly rare.
Then, he looked toward Inoichi Yamanaka and Shikaku Nara with a smile. "What about you two? Share your thoughts."
"For now… he's much stronger than Ebisu," Shikaku evaluated. "No matter how perfect an ordinary clone is, it will still be seen through by a jonin. So he took no chances, using the Clone Technique to conceal the deployment of his Shadow Clones."
"At the same time, the Shadow Clones can also mask the movements of the regular clones…"
"Once he enters the forest, he can use the trees as cover to further hide and reposition, and create opportunities through coordinated movements."
A hint of appreciation appeared in Shikaku's eyes. "A very solid tactic."
"But when he attacks, he still leaves openings. That will be the key going forward," Inoichi added.
Zhenyan was different from Ebisu.
Ebisu's Special Jonin application was in the "education" field, where combat ability requirements were lower. Zhenyan's assessment, however, was focused on "combat."
Kakashi Hatake formed hand seals, creating two Shadow Clones. Together with his original body, he drew his blade and pursued three suspicious directions.
In the forest, Zhenyan sprinted forward. Listening to the urgent sounds behind him, he reached a conclusion—
Kakashi was faster than him!
Whether Kakashi was holding back was unclear, but it was safer to assume the higher estimate.
In that case…
He placed a beast-skin oil pouch on a tree branch and continued running.
Behind him, Kakashi caught up and was about to continue the chase—
A kunai flew toward him.
Attached behind it was an explosive tag.
His pupils shrank as he immediately ducked down to avoid it. But in that instant as he descended…
Kakashi noticed something strange on a branch above him.
That seemed to be…
Not good!
He formed hand seals and spat out a large volume of water, creating a swirling water wall around himself.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
The next moment—
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted above, accompanied by boiling oil that ignited everything around.
Steam surged as the heated water created a dense mist.
Within the mist, three figures suddenly descended from above, each gripping a blade, their expressions resolute.
Clone Technique?
Kakashi's gaze flickered, but he didn't dare gamble. His hands formed seals again—
The next instant, a massive fireball burst from his mouth, spreading upward.
At that exact moment, hurried footsteps sounded from the side.
Not good!
He immediately stopped the fireball, twisted his blade, and used Body Flicker to retreat. However—
As Kakashi moved in that direction, a tree suddenly transformed into a person with a blade, slashing down at high speed.
Though it only struck his arm—
Bang!
The Kakashi before him dissipated into nothingness.
It was a Shadow Clone.
At the same time, a stream of memories flooded in.
Zhenyan's Shadow Clone had also been destroyed!
…
On the other side, Kakashi frowned.
The one before him was undoubtedly a Shadow Clone.
As he absorbed the memories, surprise appeared on his face.
The direction of retreat actually had Zhenyan's real body lying in ambush!
But soon, he understood the reasoning and couldn't help but admire it.
"First, use an explosion to create chaos. Then use clones and Shadow Clones to surround from three sides, forcing me to retreat toward the ambush…"
"A solid tactic."
The next moment, Kakashi's speed surged as he slashed through "Zhenyan's" body.
"Kanzaki Zhenyan" turned into foam and vanished.
…
"Hah!"
After processing the memories, Zhenyan quickly thought through his next move.
The earlier clone wasn't a Shadow Clone, but a Water Clone meant to deceive Kakashi, so it hadn't consumed much chakra.
Even so…
After using a Shadow Clone earlier, his remaining physical and mental energy was limited.
Only one chance remained!
After a brief moment of thought, Zhenyan didn't flee far. Instead, he formed hand seals nearby—
Three Water Clones appeared and began setting traps under his control.
Water Clones only possessed 10% of the original's strength and weren't suited for direct combat, but as perfectly executed Water Clones, they were more than capable of setting traps and coordinating with the Dance of the Crescent Moon to confuse the enemy.
Whoosh!
Kakashi moved at incredible speed, arriving from the other side of the training ground in mere moments.
Zhenyan had only managed to set up two layers of traps.
Not enough time!
But it would suffice.
Zhenyan listened carefully. Just as the footsteps approached, his instincts flared, every hair on his body standing on end. He grabbed hold of a branch and instantly used Body Flicker to escape downward.
Bang!
Above him came the sound of a blade striking wood.
Below, a cracked pit suddenly appeared.
Earth Release!
Cold sweat broke out across Zhenyan's body. With a thought, the three Water Clones immediately cut the trap triggers.
Whoosh!
Sharp wooden spikes shot in from both sides, providing cover for Zhenyan.
At the same time—
Another Kakashi appeared where the footsteps had come from.
Whoosh!
Kakashi was incredibly fast.
The moment Zhenyan saw him draw his blade, he understood—he couldn't escape.
In that case…
He formed hand seals, instantly creating a Shadow Clone.
The next moment—
Above, three Water Clones charged toward Kakashi.
But—
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A barrage of shuriken rained down from above.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
The three clones instantly burst into water.
Kakashi's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
Water Clones?
Sensing something off, he held his blade in one hand while keeping the other behind his back.
The next instant, Zhenyan rushed in, throwing out a beast-skin pouch.
From behind, a kunai shot forward.
That thing again!
Kakashi recalled the earlier explosion. Immediately, he launched a kunai attached to a wire, hooking it onto a tree behind him.
With a pull, he halted his movement, preparing to retreat.
Then he saw Zhenyan and his Shadow Clone rushing in, also throwing a wired kunai toward a tree at his side.
In midair…
Zhenyan and his Shadow Clone clasped hands, completing hand seals. The clone's other hand pressed onto the burst water pouch.
Ninjutsu activated!
Under the influence of chakra, the water transformed into two clones, each linking hands with another.
Four figures connected, swinging outward using the tension of the wires.
Just as Kakashi landed, he saw "Zhenyan" ahead release his grip and form seals.
So fast!
Kakashi was inwardly startled, but from the starting seals, he could already tell the technique—
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
He immediately canceled his own seals and retreated with Body Flicker. But the next second, the other three figures attacked from three directions.
Konoha Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon!
Three blades traced arcs like crescent moons, slashing down simultaneously from three directions.
Kakashi formed hand seals—
A lightning wolf burst forth, darting around like the wind.
Lightning Release: Tracking Fang!
The Water Clones instantly shattered, and the final one was cut down the moment it reached Kakashi.
All clones!
The real body was the one that used Fire Release earlier.
However—
An explosive tag appeared where the Shadow Clone had vanished.
It was already one-third burned.
Kakashi channeled Lightning Release chakra, stimulating his body and pushing his speed even further.
From behind, a blade curved like a crescent, slashing down from midair while pulled by a wire.
Boom!
Flames erupted. Kakashi countered with a backhand slash, but Zhenyan's blade slid along his, avoiding the edge and cutting across his arm.
Midair, Zhenyan prepared to follow up with another spinning slash—
But the Kakashi before him vanished into nothingness.
He was a Shadow Clone too!
Not far away, atop a tree, Kakashi smiled faintly before his tone turned cold. "Congratulations. You've passed the assessment."
Zhenyan sheathed his blade, popped a soldier pill into his mouth, and leaned against a tree, breathing heavily.
Finally…
All that effort wasn't wasted!