Junichi had just witnessed a battle unfold. Glancing to the side,he asked, "Was that reasonable?"
Nodding with some effort, Kurenai replied, "That was very reasonable."
"So I was the strange one?" Junichi exhaled, trying to compose himself. Forcing a small smile, he asked, "How do you think we should conduct the test?"
Asuma replied indifferently, "Honestly, I've long since gotten used to it. But, Yamanaka-sensei, if you don't want this fight to end in just three seconds, you'll have to allow Shimizu to refrain from using the Flying Thunder God technique."
"Even as an intelligence ninja, I couldn't analyze anything useful in just three seconds," tJunichi sighed inwardly before turning to Shimizu. "Shimizu, I'm afraid this will be troublesome for you."
Shimizu simply smiled. "It's fine. Relying solely on a single technique would only leave flaws in my combat style."
"Even after mastering such a fearsome technique like Flying Thunder God, you're not the least bit overconfident?" Junichi nodded subtly, finding himself appreciating Shimizu's temperament more than his talent.
Talent was valuable, but only those who survived were remembered. A genius who died young was just another forgotten name.
The Battle Begins
On the battlefield, Asuma launched the first attack.
Fire Release: Ash Pile Concealment!
Thick clouds of ash and dust rapidly spread across the forest, obscuring vision.
Shimizu immediately sensed the rising temperature. Not daring to be careless, he activated his sensory abilities and leaped onto a tree, trying to escape the range of the ash and dust.
As if detecting his movement, Asuma wasted no time.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
The fire-infused ash ignited violently, erupting into a wave of flames that surged toward Shimizu.
"Five-element techniques are a real hassle if you don't counter them properly," Shimizu mused as he effortlessly dodged the sea of fire. Even mid-battle, he had the presence of mind to analyze the situation.
"This isn't good… Shimizu's sensory abilities are too sharp," Asuma sighed, realizing that hiding was pointless. He decided to unleash the full power of his flames.
However, by doing so, he also revealed his own position.
"There!" Shimizu's eyes narrowed as he swiftly completed a hand seal.
Genjutsu: Demonic Sound Wave!
The roaring sea of fire suddenly came to a halt. But in the next instant, a massive, fiery serpent lunged at Shimizu.
"It's Kurenai's genjutsu!" Shimizu immediately recognized it. While Kurenai's genjutsu skills weren't as advanced as his own, disrupting Asuma's chakra flow was well within her ability.
At the same time, Kurenai, who had been hiding, prepared another jutsu.
Genjutsu: Darkness Technique!
Kurenai knew that her genjutsu wasn't on the same level as Shimizu's, so she never intended to challenge him directly. Instead, she aimed to assist Asuma in delivering the decisive strike.
Observing the battle from a high vantage point, Junichi felt his heart tremble. The level of jutsu being exchanged was far beyond what he expected from mere Chūnin.
"Are these kids really just Genin? If these aren't family-exclusive techniques, then they're way beyond my level…"
Even as darkness consumed his vision, Shimizu remained unfazed. He could still feel the heat radiating toward him, allowing him to pinpoint the exact trajectory of Asuma's attacks.
Easily sidestepping the incoming fire serpent, he bit his thumb and slammed his palm onto the ground.
Summoning Jutsu!
In the next instant, a massive white Slug, nearly ten meters long, appeared within the forest.
"Shimizu-sama!" the summoned creature greeted respectfully.
The white slug of the Shikkotsu Forest were technically an extension of the Great Slug Sage, much like shadow clones. However, they possessed independent consciousness and could be considered individual beings.
Otherwise, Shimizu wouldn't have dared to accept their respectful title.
"My vision is obscured by the Darkness Technique. I need you to be my eyes for now," Shimizu commanded as he leaped onto the salamander's back.
"Yes, Shimizu-sama!" the slug responded cheerfully.
Since genjutsu only altered perception rather than reality itself, Asuma's attacks remained visible to the slug. Thanks to their seamless cooperation, Asuma's relentless assault failed completely.
Even as he defended, Shimizu was silently maneuvering his summon in a certain direction.
"This Darkness Technique is an A-rank genjutsu, but someone like Shimizu should be able to break free from it…" Asuma muttered, puzzled. However, after noticing the salamander's movements, realization struck him.
"Kurenai! Cancel the genjutsu now! Shimizu isn't breaking free—he's using it to track you through your chakra connection!"
Panic surged through Kurenai. Without her support, Asuma stood no chance of resisting Shimizu's genjutsu.
Hidden within the forest, Kurenai hurriedly dispelled the Darkness Technique.
But it was already too late.
As soon as his vision returned, Shimizu leaped forward, appearing before Kurenai just as she was about to retreat.
Metal Binding Technique!
Kurenai barely had time to react before her body was immobilized.
Seeing this, Asuma immediately raised his hands in surrender.
Shimizu chuckled, releasing Kurenai from her bindings before calling out, "Yamanaka-sensei, the test is over."
Junichi dropped down from the tree, his expression twitching as he surveyed the battlefield. When his gaze fell on Shimizu, he felt a deep sense of unease.
"If I had been in this fight today, I would've been crushed instantly…" he thought to himself.
Manipulating an A-rank genjutsu, intentionally not breaking free, and using it to track an opponent instead… Was this something a human could even achieve?
For the first time, he truly grasped the sheer force of will some individuals possessed.
He even wondered if, in a few years, Shimizu's techniques would completely overshadow Kurenai's.
Asuma stretched and grinned. "Yamanaka-sensei, so… how was our performance?"
Suppressing his shock, Junichi asked, "How did you all become this skilled?"
Asuma grimaced. "If you've been defeated the same way a thousand times, you'll develop the right instincts."
If it had been before, Junichi might have mocked him. But now, he found himself feeling both sympathy and admiration for Asuma.
Being Shimizu's opponent was a nightmare.
"…Honestly, your performance was excellent. Aside from some immaturity in jutsu execution, you're already stronger than the average Chūnin."
"That's all?" Asuma sighed in disappointment. "What about Shimizu?"
Junichi hesitated before answering carefully, "…I'm not entirely sure. But in terms of genjutsu, he's already at the level of a special Jonin."