The smoke and dust slowly began to settle across the training ground, the chaotic aftermath of the clash gradually revealing the battlefield once more.
Yamato stood where he was, unmoving, his gaze locked firmly onto Kagutsuchi Shin. The bells at his waist swayed slightly, letting out faint chimes from the lingering impact. The shock on his face had yet to fully fade.
"Rasengan…" Yamato's voice came out slightly hoarse, carrying a trace of disbelief. "Shin… where did you learn that technique?"
Not far away, Ken and Yumi finally snapped out of their stunned state. Their mouths were still slightly open as they stared at the destruction left behind by Shin's ninjutsu.
"Rasengan…?" Ken muttered under his breath, repeating the name Yamato had just spoken. "What kind of jutsu is this...this kind of power… that's insane…"
He rubbed his eyes hard, as if trying to confirm that what he had just witnessed wasn't some illusion.
"Rasengan…" Yumi was no less shaken.
Her fingers tightened unconsciously into fists as she kept both the name of the technique and the overwhelming force it carried to memory.
Shin let out a quiet sigh before answering. "Yamato-sensei, I understand your doubts, but… I did learn this technique on my own."
"On your own?" Yamato's brows drew together, his tone clearly filled with skepticism. "Do you even understand what kind of Jutsu and how difficult it is to learn Rasengan is? Without guidance, attempting to master it alone—"
Shin cut him off calmly.
"My parents often talked about the Fourth Hokage's achievements—his Flying Thunder God Technique, and the Rasengan. I heard those stories so many times that I wanted to try it myself."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Chakra transformation ultimately comes down to control. I relied on Shadow Clones. I started with water balloons, then moved on to rubber balls. I failed countless times… but gradually, I began to understand it."
The explanation was simple, but the meaning behind it was anything but.
Yamato's expression shifted slightly.
Training with water balloons and rubber balls…
That was one of the foundational methods for mastering shape transformation. But it usually required careful instruction and a significant amount of time.
And yet, from Shin's tone, it was clear he had done it alone.
Not only that… he had succeeded in stabilizing and compressing chakra to such a refined extent.
Using shadow clones to accelerate training… combined with his naturally massive chakra reserves…
Yamato's eyes narrowed slightly.
That might actually be possible…
He recalled the moment of impact earlier—the power, the level of chakra control, the destructive force of the Rasengan against his wooden defense.
It seems only a completely mastered Rasengan can deal such damage.
Looking into Shin's calm eyes, Yamato realized something for the first time. This boy isn't simple.
—
Inside the Hokage's office,
The Third Hokage slowly lowered himself back into his chair, his gaze still fixed on the crystal ball.
He took a deep drag from his pipe, letting the smoke drift upward and blur his vision.
"So… he really did learn it on his own…" His voice was low, almost a murmur, yet the storm in his heart had not settled.
Training the Rasengan using balloons and rubber balls…
Knowing the method was one thing. Learning it alone was another entirely.
Especially for a technique like the Rasengan, which demanded extreme chakra control, the difficulty increased exponentially without guidance.
"Using shadow clones to divide the burden of training… and relying on his immense chakra reserves to sustain the strain…"
Hiruzen murmured thoughtfully.
"Incredible talent… and even more incredible perseverance."
His gaze deepened as he watched the black-haired boy within the crystal ball.
Shin's potential had exceeded expectations again and again. Such a genius…
---
Back on the training ground, Yamato's gaze remained fixed on Shin, his earlier assessment completely overturned.
Self-taught Rasengan.
Massive chakra reserves.
This was no longer within the scope of an ordinary genin… or even an average chunin.
This required a complete reassessment. A sharp glint flickered in Yamato's eyes.
No more probing. No more holding back. It was time to test the limits of his power—and uncover the full extent of his true strength.
With that thought, Yamato made his decision instantly.
"I understand." His voice turned deeper, more serious. "In that case… We'll continue the assessment."
Before the sentence had even fully left his mouth, Yamato moved.
His figure blurred as he shot forward at high speed, heading directly toward Ken and Yumi on the flank.
"So fast—!" Shin's pupils contracted as he immediately issued a warning. "He's coming! Watch out—his target is you!"
Almost at the same moment Yamato moved, Shin reacted.
Hand seals formed instantly.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!"
The ground erupted. Sharp stone spikes burst upward along Yamato's path, forming a deadly obstruction.
Facing the attack, Yamato clapped his hands together without slowing down.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique!"
Two wooden clones split off from his body, darting left and right as they charged toward Shin with the intent to strike.
At the same time, Yamato's main body surged forward, accelerating even further.
Without hesitation, he met the stone spears head-on, extending one hand.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"
A compact wooden barrier formed instantly, blocking the initial wave of stone spikes and creating a narrow opening.
Yamato slipped through without breaking stride.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared between Ken and Yumi.
"What?!" Both of them were caught off guard.
"Too late." Yamato grabbed Yumi's wrist, pulling her off balance in one fluid motion. At the same time, his other hand struck precisely at the side of her neck.
"…!" Yumi's vision went dark as her body went limp, collapsing instantly.
"Yumi—!" Ken reacted in shock, immediately lunging forward with a kunai.
But Yamato had already anticipated it.
He shifted slightly, dodging the attack effortlessly, and in the small opening between Ken's movements, he struck.
His left hand cut into Ken's arm, disrupting his balance, while his right palm drove into his shoulder.
"Bang!" Ken was sent flying backward, crashing hard into a tree before sliding down.
"…Damn it…" He struggled to stay conscious, but the overwhelming gap in strength crushed any resistance.
"The difference… between us… and Shin… it's too big…" His voice faltered as darkness overtook him.
Within moments, both teammates were down.
The battlefield fell quiet again.
"Now… It's just us." Yamato turned, his full attention now locked onto Shin. "Let me see your true strength."
Shin glanced briefly at his fallen teammates, his brows tightening slightly. Then he stepped back, widening the distance between himself and Yamato's wooden clones.
"If that's what you want, Yamato-sensei…" He lifted his gaze, meeting Yamato's directly. "…then as you wish."
His hands moved. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
Bang! Bang!
Two clones appeared beside him instantly.
A faint smile curved at Shin's lips, his eyes gleaming with battle intent. As expected… a jonin's strength is on an entirely different level.
So this is what their true strength looks like…
Good.
That makes this interesting.
With that thought, Shin and his two clones moved simultaneously, spreading out into a triangular formation.