"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
With a soft shout, a high-pressure jet of water shot from the tree canopy nearby.
Although it differed by only one word from Senju Tobirama's advanced Water Release, it was merely a common C-rank Water Release Ninjutsu.
Tsunade followed closely behind the water stream, leaping down from the height without hesitation, swinging her small fists directly at him.
Though the "Mystical Palm Technique" was a secret technique of the Senju Clan, it required extremely profound Chakra control abilities, just like medical Ninjutsu, and Tsunade had not yet mastered it at this time.
But relying on the Senju Clan's naturally strong physical constitution, combined with the advantage of striking from above, this punch still carried considerable power.
Senju Mori below suddenly sped up, deflecting the short sword from Sakumo Hatake's hand with a single strike, then lightly leaped back, allowing the water stream to splash where he had just stood.
Just as he parried Tsunade's attack, three shuriken cut through the air—it was Orochimaru.
His target was quite clear: not Senju Mori himself, but the two bells tied to Senju Mori's waist. At the same time, Sakumo Hatake quickly picked up his short sword and attacked Senju Mori once again.
"Good coordination."
Senju Mori evaluated in his mind, but his movements were not slow at all. With a few crisp clangs, he easily deflected the shuriken with his Kunai.
The subsequent battle proceeded entirely within basic parameters—Sakumo Hatake acted as the main attacker, constantly trying to entangle Senju Mori using his excellent speed for his age.
Tsunade, after using Water Release once, clearly had insufficient Chakra, and switched to using Kunai and Taijutsu in combination attacks.
Orochimaru always moved along the edge of the battlefield, frequently launching sneak attacks with shuriken throwing Jutsu, and constantly changing positions using terrain and the Substitution Jutsu.
Senju Mori consistently suppressed his strength to the Chunin level. He did not use any Ninjutsu or Body Flicker Jutsu, only responding with basic Taijutsu and shuriken throwing Jutsu.
In Senju Mori's view, although Orochimaru was the top student of this year's Ninja Academy class, that was achieved through a comprehensive score of theoretical exams and practical combat results.
Orochimaru's combat intelligence was indeed surprising, always able to interfere at the most opportune moment.
However, the Ninja Academy only taught the most basic Three-Body Jutsu and shuriken throwing Jutsu. These limited means, even if he used them creatively, posed no real threat.
If only considering individual strength, Sakumo Hatake was actually superior.
After all, no matter how talented Orochimaru was, he came from a civilian Ninja background, while Sakumo Hatake's father, Hatake Shuuichi, was a genuine elite Jonin.
Fifteen minutes later, all three children were already panting. Their seven-year-old bodies simply couldn't sustain high-intensity combat for long.
Senju Mori felt he had observed the three enough.
When Sakumo's full-power slash was dodged, and his body uncontrollably lunged forward due to inertia, Senju Mori lightly tripped him, and the short, white-haired boy immediately lost his balance.
Almost simultaneously, he sidestepped Tsunade's lunge, flicked her wrist with his finger, and her Kunai clattered to the ground.
Orochimaru silently walked out from behind the tree. Three shuriken were stuck at his feet. He knew there was no point in continuing to hide.
Senju Mori looked at the somewhat disheartened trio, took the bells from his waist, and jingled them. After the soft sound attracted their attention, he smiled and commented:
"Sakumo, your swordsmanship foundation is very good, but your attacking style is too singular and easily seen through. A mature Ninja will use Ninjutsu in conjunction with swordsmanship..."
Having said that, he looked at Tsunade beside him:
"Your Chakra reserves and physical constitution far exceed your peers. This is your advantage as a member of the Senju Clan."
"But your Chakra control ability is too poor, resulting in a great waste during the Jutsu's execution, which is why one Water Release Jutsu consumed most of your Chakra."
"As for Orochimaru..."
Senju Mori paused, then said with considerable praise:
"You are very clear about your strengths and weaknesses. Your grasp of timing and tactical choices are the best among the three of you. You truly are this year's top student."
"But you still have much to learn. Relying solely on the Three-Body Jutsu will not make you a powerful Ninja."
The three children's faces fell, but Senju Mori couldn't help but laugh.
"You didn't manage to get the bells today, but that doesn't mean you failed. I saw your potential, your teamwork, and... each of your strengths and weaknesses."
Senju Mori clapped his hands, dispelling the slightly heavy atmosphere, and walked towards a nearby tree trunk under the slightly surprised gazes of the three:
"Now, I'm going to teach you the techniques for controlling Chakra."
Saying this, Senju Mori walked step by step up the tree trunk as if walking on flat ground, explaining:
"Like me, refine Chakra and gather it at the soles of your feet, allowing your body to adhere to the tree trunk. The soles of the feet are the most difficult part to gather Chakra, which means..."
...In the subsequent free time, Senju Mori, in addition to his own cultivation and handling of political affairs, also dedicated some time each day to teaching the three little ones.
Senju Mori was almost an all-rounder Ninja.
The Senju Clan's inherited swordsmanship, Mystical Palm Technique, Taijutsu, and the Chakra nature and shape transformations of Water, Earth Release, and Wind Release... Therefore, after spending less than a week leading the trio through basic exercises like tree climbing and water walking, he gradually began to impart more knowledge to them.
"There are two most important points for executing Ninjutsu: first is speed, and second is concealment."
On the training ground, Senju Mori was explaining the essentials of Ninjutsu.
"Speed needs no further explanation from me. Whether it's increasing hand seal speed or simplifying the hand seals for a particular Jutsu, it's all about being able to use Ninjutsu faster than your opponent."
"And concealment is equally not to be overlooked."
At this point, Senju Mori suddenly laughed, looking pointedly at Tsunade:
"Only an idiot would shout out the name of their technique. If you want a Ninjutsu to be effective, the best way is to launch a surprise attack, making it difficult for the enemy to prepare."
"Do you understand?"
"Understand—"
Before the three had finished speaking, the solid ground beneath their feet suddenly cracked open, and a terrifying sense of weightlessness abruptly struck them.
They had no time to react and fell straight down.
A moment later, a large rock hand scooped the three back up, and the cracked ground closed again.
Looking at the three frightened children, Senju Mori smiled and continued to explain:
"Earth Release: Earth Split Jutsu. This is just a common B-rank Earth Release Ninjutsu, but if used properly, it can cause very effective damage."
"The essence of Ninjutsu is to achieve a goal more efficiently with less Chakra..."