The spar between Shinji and Yakumo didn't just draw the attention of the Five Kage in the Hokage Building's meeting. Other shinobi in the village were also drawn to the spectacle.
On a nearby high-rise.
Tsunade and Shizune stood side by side on the rooftop water tank, watching the intense battle unfolding in the training field.
Swoosh.
Jiraiya arrived, landing beside Tsunade.
Observing Yakumo in the field, Jiraiya's eyes lit up. "Tch, tch! That Monster Strength Fist, that Painful Sky Kick! Tsunade, little Yakumo's getting more and more like you! She's even picked up seven or eight parts of your aura!"
Tsunade's lips curled into a smug smile, her pride unmistakable.
In the training field, Yakumo's attacks flowed like water, her movements free of past hesitations, as if she were a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
Even with Tsunade's pride, she had to admit that at Yakumo's age, she hadn't matched her in strength or presence.
Tsunade chuckled warmly. "The little one's grown up!"
In the training field.
Shinji tilted his head, dodging a punch from Yakumo, then lightly stepped back, leaping to avoid her follow-up kick.
Boom!
A loud explosion echoed behind him.
Without turning, Shinji knew the tree behind him had been obliterated by Yakumo's kick!
Fortunately, the students watching from the sidelines had been moved farther back by arriving shinobi, or that strike could've injured who knows how many of them.
Turning around, amidst the flurry of falling leaves and wood chips, Shinji met Yakumo's piercing gaze!
"Heh."
With a light chuckle, Shinji advanced.
In terms of strength and speed, Yakumo hadn't improved drastically, but in this spar, she felt completely different.
This was partly because Yakumo had adapted to losing her Koryugan and was mastering the Monster Strength Fist.
It was also because she had come to truly know and accept herself!
Before, Shinji could predict her Monster Strength Fist by reading subtle physical cues or guess her intentions from her expressions.
Now, those methods were becoming ineffective.
Yakumo's wind-up for Monster Strength Fist was shorter, and without charging, she could unleash it instantly.
Though this reduced its power, it left almost no trace of preparation, making it impossible to anticipate.
Luckily, Shinji had developed the 'Twelve Palaces.'
Before creating the 'Twelve Palaces,' facing Yakumo now with only the stamina boost from 'Water Breathing,' he wouldn't have been able to counter her Monster Strength Fist.
In the air.
The Third Tsuchikage, hands behind his back, watched the spar below, his expression growing grave. "Kurama Yakumo…"
Yakumo's every move produced destructive force rivaling his own Rock Fist Technique. At eleven or twelve, such taijutsu prowess was astonishing.
He was also aware that the Kurama clan's heiress had awakened a dojutsu Bloodline Limit and mastered Wood Release.
His gaze then shifted to Shinji.
'Composed.'
That was the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's assessment of Shinji!
Yakumo's attacks were fierce, yet Shinji remained unfazed, handling them with ease.
Onoki knew exactly what that meant.
"Sigh, why does the Hidden Leaf have so many geniuses?!"
All his schemes and plans dissolved into a long sigh upon seeing the rising talents of the Hidden Leaf.
On a treetop.
The Fourth Raikage, Fourth Mizukage, and Fourth Kazekage stood in a row, intently watching the spar.
After a long pause, the Fourth Mizukage shook her head. "Another monstrous genius from the Uchiha clan. It's enough to make anyone jealous!"
The Fourth Raikage didn't argue, only letting out a soft hum.
Despite scrutinizing Shinji and Yakumo with a critical eye, he couldn't find any flaws.
This only deepened his displeasure—and sparked a genuine fear within him!
The five great shinobi villages were allied against the Akatsuki, and the stronger the coalition, the better. But once the Akatsuki was defeated, the alliance would lose its purpose, and the shinobi world would revert to the state after the Third Great Shinobi War.
When that time came, how could the Hidden Cloud resist a Hidden Leaf with so many prodigies?
The Raikage wasn't the only one with such concerns.
The Fourth Kazekage remained silent, but his grim expression betrayed his unease.
In the training field.
The spar continued, shifting from pure taijutsu to ninjutsu.
However, since it was a friendly match, both focused on the skill and timing of their ninjutsu, restraining their scale.
At that moment, Maple, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from the Hidden Waterfall Village, was drawn to the scene.
She landed beside Naruto, whom she knew well, and asked curiously, "Why are they fighting?"
"It's a spar!" Naruto replied, hands behind his head, proudly introducing Shinji and Yakumo to Maple.
"So awesome!" Maple exclaimed.
Naruto nodded vigorously. "Of course! Shinji's our ninja academy's First Chair! Yakumo's amazing too—even I'm no match for her."
Maple's competitive spirit flared. "Can I join their spar?"
Her carefree personality, unrestrained since arriving in the Hidden Leaf and surrounded by peers, was in full swing.
Sakura hesitated. "That's not a good idea, is it?"
Sasuke, however, smirked coldly. "You can try!"
Maple's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Sakura leaned close to Sasuke, whispering, "Sasuke, isn't it bad for Maple to interrupt Shinji and Yakumo's spar?"
Sasuke replied casually, "Letting her see the difference between our Hidden Leaf and a minor village like Hidden Waterfall isn't a bad thing."
Sasuke was annoyed with Maple.
Since arriving, she had challenged Naruto, using her flight to trounce him, then easily defeated several other students.
Sasuke, fiercely proud of his clan and village, didn't want to act himself but saw no harm in letting Maple join Shinji and Yakumo's spar to learn the Hidden Leaf's strength.
Maple, focused on the field, barely registered Sasuke's words. Spotting an opening, she flew forward, charging into the training field.