Malphegor
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HGBW: Ch. 69
🕑 Added 2025-03-07 16:38:03 +0000 UTCAfter Hiruzen dispatched the ANBU to preemptively seal off the area, they not only cleared a 100-meter radius but also had the barrier squad ninjas enclose the entire training ground with a barrier, cutting off external perception.
At this moment, inside the barrier-sealed training ground, apart from Tanaka, the witnesses present were all high-ranking officials of Konoha.
"A jonin is the backbone of Konoha. With exceptional intelligence, benevolence, and courage, they stand at the pinnacle of Konoha's ninja force."
"They must master fierce taijutsu, powerful genjutsu, and advanced ninjutsu. So terrifying that it shakes one's very breath and makes blood tremble."
"Aside from their combat capabilities in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, they must also excel in intelligence gathering and analysis."
"That is why I have decided to let 'Fox' test your overall ability, Tanaka."
As Hiruzen spoke, his gaze shifted to the man beside him.
"He is the captain of the ANBU and has experienced countless life-and-death battles."
"Among all Konoha's jonin, he stands at the top."
"Whether it is ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, intelligence gathering, strategic analysis, leadership skills, or mission experience, he is impeccable."
"And you, you know nothing about him."
"That means you must analyze his abilities in battle within the shortest time possible and formulate tactics to counter him."
When talking about Shinnosuke, even though he knew that his son was not as renowned as the Sannin or Minato, his voice still carried a hint of pride.
Even among the present clan leaders, few dared to claim they could confidently defeat Shinnosuke.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask what the passing criteria for the jonin exam are?"
Despite learning that his opponent was the ANBU captain, Tanaka remained composed and unshaken.
"If you can last 10 minutes against 'Fox,' you will be a special jonin of Konoha. And if you can fight him to a draw, you will be recognized as a full-fledged jonin of Konoha. Do you have any other questions?"
Hiruzen believed he had already overestimated Tanaka's abilities as much as possible.
In his view, if the boy could even manage a tie against his son, it would already be an outstanding achievement.
After all, Shinnosuke had gathered some intelligence on his opponent beforehand, while Tanaka knew absolutely nothing about him.
However, Hiruzen failed to notice that when he stated the passing criteria, the corners of Tanaka's mouth twitched involuntarily. His shoulders moved slightly up and down as if he was struggling to suppress something.
"No questions."
He became slightly more vigilant.
For Hiruzen to be so confident in Fox's assessment, the ANBU captain was at least on the same level as Kakashi, a top-tier elite jonin.
Perhaps even on the brink of Kage-level.
"Both parties, perform the Seal of Confrontation." Hiruzen, acting as the referee, stood between the two.
Upon hearing the command, both Tanaka and Shinnosuke simultaneously raised their hands and formed the seal.
"Begin!"
Without wasting any words, Hiruzen immediately signaled the start of the jonin examination.
—Whoosh!
The moment the command was given, Shinnosuke swiftly leaped backward, forming the hand seals for the Body Flicker with his left hand. Like a sudden gust of wind, he retreated in an instant to create distance.
At the same time, his right hand rapidly formed another set of seals—this time for the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
With just one move, the difference in skill became apparent.
Simply witnessing his flawless one-handed seals was enough to make the observing clan leaders widen their eyes in admiration.
Before Madara summoned his colossal Susanoo, which ninja dared to forgo hand seals?
In battle, the ability to perform one-handed seals was an undeniable advantage.
Take the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, for example: A ninja using two-handed seals would need to complete all 44 hand signs before releasing a single Water Dragon Bullet. A ninja using one-handed seals, however, could complete 44 seals in the same time frame—but release two Water Dragon Bullets instead.
That was the difference.
Using Body Flicker to create distance and a shadow Clone to probe the enemy's reaction... That is indeed the best approach.
Even the Byakugan can't distinguish a shadow clone from the original.
Even Hiruzen himself, known for his meticulous judgment, found nothing to criticize. If he were in Shinnosuke's place, he would have adopted the same strategy.
Is he still not going to make a move?
While Shinnosuke's one-handed seals were dazzling, the crowd had not forgotten that Tanaka's space-time ninjutsu was even more extraordinary.
Unlike Shinnosuke, who was racing against time, Tanaka's response could only be described as unhurried.
He calmly activated his Byakugan.
With himself as the center, his vision scanned Training Ground No. 3.
The sky.
The ground.
Even beneath the surface—nothing escaped his sight.
This, of course, included Shinnosuke and his shadow clone, who had split into two upon retreating.
Due to the unique properties of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, even the Byakugan and Kaguya's Rinnegan-Sharingan hybrid could not distinguish the clone from the original.
Furthermore, because Shinnosuke had evenly distributed his chakra between himself and his clone, Tanaka had no way of determining which was the real body.
But did he need to?
No.
He only needed to confirm their positions and numbers.
Pa—
With his Byakugan's clairvoyance, Tanaka precisely located both the original and the clone.
Then, at a steady and deliberate pace, he reached behind his back.
His right hand extended toward the Kusanagi Sword. His left hand reached for his ninja sword.
Dual-wielding?
Hiruzen, the Sannin, and the rest watched closely.
As the crowd speculated on what form of attack Tanaka would launch, he gripped the hilts of both swords.
The instant his fingers closed around the hilts, something bizarre happened.
He never drew his swords.
He never swung them.
Yet—both swords vanished.
The Kusanagi Sword and his ninja sword, still sheathed, disappeared from his hands.
At this moment, he remained motionless, maintaining his two-handed grip, but the weapons themselves were gone.
As if… Both swords had performed the Flying Thunder God, teleporting away.
That was right.
This was exactly what had happened.
For a user of the Op-Op Fruit, it was only natural to develop a personalized Flying Thunder God Slash.
It was even a "PLUS" version.
