LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 5: Chapter 5
"Fujiwara Tetsuya! I acknowledge you!"
"But Teacher Sanjodou's wishes are something I must achieve, no matter what!"
As the kunai drew closer to Fujiwara Tetsuya, many of the younger students closed their eyes in fear, unable to bear witnessing what they imagined would be a tragic scene.
"It's over, Tetsuya-kun!"
"Teacher Yoshida, I'm stronger than you think!"
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Fujiwara Tetsuya, who had been pinned by Yoshida Kazuo's kunai, suddenly transformed into a piece of wood that fell to the ground.
"A substitution technique? When did he—?"
"Such fast hand signs!"
"It seems this duel won't be as boring as I thought."
The sudden change caught everyone's attention, even the senior students began to regard the battle more seriously.
The level of mastery Tetsuya displayed was something even most of them would struggle to achieve.
"But where did Fujiwara Tetsuya go?"
"Is he hiding?"
"Hey, you from the Hyuga clan, use your Byakugan and see where Fujiwara Tetsuya is hiding!"
Staring at the broken piece of wood at his feet, Yoshida Kazuo's gaze slowly shifted toward the dense forest nearby.
Following the ninja code, seeking advantageous terrain and setting traps for an ambush are also ways to defeat stronger opponents.
"Teacher Yoshida, what are you doing?"
"Have you forgotten the promise you made to me?"
Unnoticed by the crowd, Sanjodou Suzuko had approached Yoshida Kazuo's side, her ample figure looming over him. She placed a hand on his shoulder with no resistance from Yoshida.
"Teacher Sanjodou, don't worry! I'm just chasing after Tetsuya-kun; I won't let him pass this trial!"
Feeling the warmth from Sanjodou Suzuko's hand on his shoulder, Yoshida Kazuo felt like his springtime had finally arrived.
Could it be? Does Teacher Sanjodou have feelings for me?
The thought sent a rush of warmth through Yoshida Kazuo's entire body.
"Wait a minute! How could there be two Teacher Sanjodou's?"
While Yoshida Kazuo was entirely focused on the Sanjodou Suzuko in front of him, the other ninja school instructors and students noticed something unusual—two identical Sanjodou Suzukos had appeared in front of them.
From voice, appearance, clothing, and even body proportions, they were exactly the same.
"Fujiwara... Tetsuya!"
"Change back right now!!"
Seeing Fujiwara Tetsuya mimicking her appearance, striking poses in front of Yoshida Kazuo, Sanjodou Suzuko was nearly fuming with rage.
This was her prized student, daring to transform into her?
Though the transformation technique was indeed impressive, it was certainly unforgivable!
"Byakugan, activate!"
Amid the shifting tension, a younger member of the Hyuga clan could no longer contain his excitement, and swiftly activated his Byakugan.
In an instant, the chakra pathways of the two Sanjodou Suzukos were clearly visible to him.
"So, which one is the real Teacher Sanjodou? Which one is Fujiwara Tetsuya?"
In a flash, many students crowded around a senior member of the Hyūga clan.
"The one behind Teacher Yoshida—that's Fujiwara Tetsuya."
Hyuga Kawahira's answer plunged the crowd into silence.
For a ninja, being outflanked by an enemy was a dire situation that needed no further explanation.
Though the tactic might be seen as underhanded, there was no doubt that Fujiwara Tetsuya had thoroughly read Yoshida Kazuo's intentions.
As the chaos around him grew, Yoshida Kazuo realized what had happened. But before he could turn around, a delicate hand had already gripped his throat.
"Teacher Yoshida, it seems I've won!"
"Was it that kunai?"
"Yes, it was the one Teacher Yoshida threw away earlier."
Watching Yoshida Kazuo's every move, Tetsuya's grip on his throat tightened.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, impressive substitution, impressive transformation!"
"But what's even more commendable is how well you understood your teacher's thoughts! You completely caught me off guard."
"As a teacher at this academy, seeing such an outstanding student like you makes me very proud!"
"However, the world of ninjas isn't that simple! As your teacher, I still need to give you a lesson."
Just as Yoshida Kazuo finished speaking, another Yoshida Kazuo appeared behind Fujiwara Tetsuya, slashing at his back with a kunai.
---
"Is it over?"
Yoshida Kazuo was a battle-hardened ninja.
In that fleeting moment, the surrounding students could feel a chilling aura—the accumulated killing intent from Yoshida Kazuo's years as a ninja.
Thunk!
But the anticipated outcome didn't materialize.
As the kunai slashed through the figure of "Sanjodou Suzuko," it vanished in a puff of smoke, disappearing from sight.
"A clone technique?"
This time, even the senior students, along with Sanjodou Suzuko and the other ninja instructors, couldn't help but reveal a hint of seriousness in their expressions.
Such proficiency in the three basic techniques far exceeded that of most Genin in Konoha.
"Teacher Yoshida, it seems your lesson will have to wait!"
As everyone scanned the area for Tetsuya, his voice echoed from a nearby shaded tree.
A slim figure was now hanging upside down from a large tree trunk.
Tree climbing, water walking—these weren't as difficult as Tetsuya had imagined.
"Tetsuya, have you already trained to this level?"
Gazing at Tetsuya's figure, Sanjodou Suzuko felt a mix of pride and concern.
To reach this level of skill, how much hardship must Tetsuya have endured?
In the distance, Uesugi Yusuke and Tanaka Rina stared at the inverted Tetsuya, their mouths agape, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Teacher Yoshida, three minutes have already passed. You don't have much time left!"
Seeing Yoshida Kazuo charging at him, Tetsuya didn't hesitate. He turned and quickly darted deeper into the dense forest.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
When Yoshida Kazuo was only ten meters away, he spat out a searing flame, engulfing Tetsuya completely.
The Flame Bullet—a C-rank jutsu—was one of Yoshida Kazuo's most practiced techniques.
"That idiot Yoshida! Why would he use such an aggressive jutsu?"
The explosion in the distance immediately drew everyone's attention.
Leaving a few instructors behind to maintain order, Sanjodou Suzuko and two other Chūnin swiftly made their way toward the explosion site.
"Tetsuya! This ends here!"
At the critical moment, Tetsuya managed to avoid the center of the blast, but he was still caught by the intense heat.
Glancing at the singed and tattered remains of his clothing, Tetsuya's face fell.
Great... The best-fitting, most presentable outfit I had, gone.
"It's almost over."
"Teacher Yoshida, before you declare victory, take a good look around."
Tetsuya laughed softly, pulling a kunai from behind him and with a swift motion, cut through a small tree several meters away.
As the tree collapsed, Yoshida Kazuo suddenly heard the sharp, tightening sound of steel wires around him.
Under the sunlight, dozens of fine wires glinted, tightly sealing off the space around Yoshida Kazuo.
"A trap?"
Staring at the web of wires surrounding him, Yoshida Kazuo felt a chill run down his spine.
If he had taken just one more step forward, even if he didn't die, he would've suffered serious injuries.
"Teacher Yoshida, do you still want to continue?"
Two fresh kunai appeared in Tetsuya's hand.
Don't get the wrong idea—these are the last ones he has left.
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