On the surface, Sanada Kazama's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet looked as though it was aimed straight at Sasuke.
But in truth, Kazama had already altered its trajectory. The blazing dragons roared past Sasuke and surged toward two figures hidden in the distance—the Root operatives watching from the shadows.
The two shinobi didn't realize Kazama had deliberately targeted them. To their eyes, his jutsu had simply gone off course, a mistake that just happened to send it barreling toward their location.
After all, they were far from the battlefield. There was no way, they thought, that this so-called dead-last could possibly sense their presence.
Yet as the three flaming dragons came screaming down upon them, they were forced to defend themselves.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
In a rush, they threw up a high, rippling wall of water to block the incoming attack.
But water, though naturally strong against fire, was not enough here.
Kazama's flames weren't ordinary fire. This was no common katon—it was imbued with the otherworldly power of the Mystic Yellow Flame, fire many times stronger than anything they had ever faced.
In the space of a single breath, Kazama's fire dragons tore through their water wall.
"Damn it! This kid's flames… they're not normal!"
The two Root operatives exchanged grim looks. Their technique had been shattered instantly. There was no longer any doubt—Sanada Kazama's fire was something far beyond ordinary ninjutsu.
One of them gritted his teeth and launched another counter.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive dragon of churning water burst forth, crashing headlong into Kazama's blazing fire dragons. For a moment, the battlefield trembled as the two forces collided.
The clash scattered the remnants of Kazama's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, but not without cost. The great water dragon hissed and shrieked as it was burned away, evaporating into thick clouds of steam that drifted across the training grounds.
The Academy students below erupted in uproar.
Never in their lives had they seen such a dazzling exchange of ninjutsu.
Back-and-forth, technique against technique—this was something they thought only seasoned shinobi could pull off, not students still in training.
And Kazama… the "dead-last" they had mocked and scorned… he had unleashed Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, a B-rank jutsu reserved for elite shinobi.
Not only had he shattered Sasuke's Great Fireball Jutsu, he had broken through the defenses of two mysterious ninja with ease.
It was a feat so far beyond anything they could imagine that their earlier laughter now felt like the height of stupidity.
Compared to Kazama's display, they were nothing but trash.
On the platform, Kazama stood tall and composed, his expression calm, unshaken by all that had just transpired.
The girls watching below couldn't help themselves. Their hearts fluttered. Their eyes, once filled with admiration for Sasuke, now saw only Sanada Kazama—the boy who radiated unshakable strength.
Sasuke, once the star of their admiration, had already been forgotten.
"Stop where you are!"
The two Root operatives leapt forward, their eyes narrowing as they fixed on Kazama. "We are ANBU. For an Academy student to wield a B-rank ninjutsu like Fire Dragon Flame Bullet… you are highly suspicious. We suspect you are an enemy spy. You must come with us at once."
Kazama's eyes narrowed.
He knew they weren't ANBU. No, these were Danzō's men, Root shinobi in disguise, trying to fool the crowd. Their real plan was simple: capture him and drag him back to Danzō.
A cold light flashed in Kazama's eyes.
"Perfect," he thought. "If you want to take me away, I'll play along. Halfway there, I'll cut you down—and offer your lives to avenge the Sanada clan."
So, outwardly calm, Kazama did not resist as they escorted him away from the Academy grounds.
After a while, when they had reached a deserted place, Kazama suddenly spoke.
"All right. There's no one else here. You don't need to pretend to be ANBU anymore."
At his words, the two Root shinobi sneered and stopped in their tracks.
"Heh. So you saw through us. Impressive for a mere Academy student."
"Don't flatter yourselves. Seeing through Danzō's lapdogs is child's play."
One of the shinobi's eyes darkened. He stepped back, weaving hand signs rapidly.
"You arrogant brat. Don't think just because you can use a B-rank Fire Release that you can act untouchable before Root. Today, I'll teach you your place."
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive water dragon erupted forth once again, lunging toward Kazama with deadly force.
But instead of retreating, Kazama smiled coldly, stepping forward to meet it head-on.
"Perfect. I've been waiting for you to use water style."
He didn't dodge. He didn't flinch. Instead, he advanced, welcoming the clash.