Chapter 433: The Ultimate Power of Shinobi
Thud, thud, thud!
While many charged out onto the water, even more were slammed straight down under the surface.
Throughout it all, only Boruto and Mitsuki remained standing tall on the crests of the waves, watching as their classmates were wiped out one after another.
Suddenly, another figure darted into view near them.
Judging by his movements, he was maneuvering his surfboard effortlessly without the slightest hindrance.
"Tonbo Hyuga."
Boruto recognized his cousin in an instant.
Tonbo Hyuga was undeniably gifted as well.
However, only the three of them managed to complete every single phase of the trial—or rather, avoid falling off altogether.
As for those who had wiped out and been pulled to safety, they were ordered by the instructors to continue experiencing the process.
This trial went on for a considerable time, right up until the students' lingering terror finally began to recede.
...
"Haha! Tonbo, this training method of yours is truly soul-crushing! If I had been put through something like this when I was a kid, I doubt I would've handled it any better than these kids."
Kakashi stood beside Tobitake Tonbo, looking down at the young students below.
Particularly at their grueling training.
It truly was a horrifying experience.
Just like the Heaven Descent earlier.
Back when Kakashi was still in office as Hokage, Tobitake Tonbo had already proposed the idea, though it hadn't been fully refined at the time.
It was only after Naruto took office that the framework was thoroughly polished.
Looking at it now, the training program was remarkably effective.
It allowed them to experience and conquer fear—and once they witnessed the sheer power put on display next, their drive to improve would undoubtedly skyrocket.
The previous graduating classes had gone through the exact same progression.
Neji Hyuga chuckled softly from the side, "Haha, I experienced it myself back in the day, and it genuinely instills a sense of dread."
To be frank, he felt a slight sense of nostalgia.
Back then, he too had been terrified—feeling as though he were right on the verge of death.
He had even felt that fate didn't matter half as much as simply surviving.
Looking back now, he really had been the greatest genius of the Hyuga clan; even his fleeting thoughts back then had been correct.
Only by surviving could he have reached the life he enjoyed today.
Only then could Tonbo Hyuga have been born into the world.
Seeing his son display not the slightest hint of fear, Neji was immensely satisfied.
It seemed his parenting methods hadn't been half bad after all.
Tobitake Tonbo snickered, "Heh heh, this is nothing! They've got plenty more coming their way in the future—it's gonna get their dopamine pumping in no time, eheh."
Watching this familiar, nostalgic scene play out once more brought immense satisfaction to Tobitake Tonbo.
Especially watching the new generation.
Falling into the water just like dumplings in boiling water.
Asuma Sarutobi grumbled, "You bastard, this trick of yours scared my daughter so bad she came home crying! I've finally caught you today—when we get back later, I'm definitely going to drink you under the table and have Ayame pick up your passed-out body."
His daughter was already in her third year. Though the trial hadn't been fully refined back then, the courage-building ritual had already been implemented.
When his daughter had returned home sobbing hysterically, it had broken his heart into pieces.
Only after questioning her did he learn that it was the Ninja Academy's new orientation ritual that had terrified her so badly.
"Hey, hey, can you even handle it, Asuma? As far as I recall, you've never won a drinking contest in your life," Tobitake Tonbo scoffed in disdain.
With your weak tolerance, you actually think you can out-drink me?
Even without using ninjutsu, his physical constitution alone made it impossible for him to get drunk.
Asuma huffed, "Hmph, fine then. Just tone it down a bit later—I need to show off my might."
"That's a no-go. I took on a paid mission for this, so I have to deliver top-tier results."
At the distant edge of the horizon, a dazzling, blinding light suddenly burst forth! Immediately following it, a majestic divine dragon of astronomical proportions materialized out of thin air!
Kabuto Yakushi stood remarkably firm right atop the dragon's head.
His feet were planted with pinpoint precision directly between the creature's two hard, sharp horns, looking completely at one with the fierce beast.
Right now, Kabuto wore a gentle smile, his sharp eyes fixed in Asuma's direction. The dragon threw its head back and unleashed an earth-shattering roar that echoed across the cloudless sky. Simultaneously, the immense aura radiating from the dragon swept outward like a surging tidal wave, causing the surrounding air to tremble violently.
Every single time a new generation enrolled at the Ninja Academy, Kabuto earned a massive mission fee. For no other reason than the fact that the dragon beneath his feet looked insanely cool.
Modifying the New-Gen Manda into this form was nothing short of perfection.
On top of possessing immense power, its visual impact was off the charts.
Over the years, he had made an absolute fortune off this summoning beast alone.
If work like this weren't so rare, relying on this gig alone would mean he wouldn't even need to work at the Technology Development Bureau anymore.
It was simply way too lucrative.
"Seriously... In that case, let me go first later! Man, I feel like I've fallen so far behind. You guys are way too good at showing off!" Asuma said, utterly speechless.
Realizing that his spotlight was about to be stolen by everyone else, he couldn't help but wonder if the prolonged peace in the Shinobi World had made him too slack.
"Gahah, Asuma, youth is all about stoking the fire!"
Might Guy made a long-awaited appearance, standing beside Tobitake Tonbo while flashing a classic thumbs-up toward Asuma.
Asuma grumbled, "You make it sound so easy, but you guys are the ones with the most insane visual impact!"
It was pretty frustrating.
Setting aside the fact that he couldn't beat his own peers, how was he unable to out-dazzle even juniors like Neji?
Not to mention the other younger generation standing down beside Naruto—the more Asuma looked, the more defeated he felt.
...
Before long, the solemn Sprite of the Water ceremony came to a gradual close under everyone's watchful eyes.
By now, every single freshman on the field was gasping for air and drenched in sweat—their perspiration mingling with the seawater of the boundless ocean to create a uniquely impressive sight.
It felt as though these freshmen had just endured a fierce battle, every face a mix of sheer exhaustion and lingering excitement.
"It's finally over! I'm exhausted... but man, that was thrilling!"
A few students spoke up, their faces displaying a blend of fear and exhilaration.
Truth be told, while they had been utterly terrified at the start, they were now actually beginning to enjoy this thrilling adrenaline rush.
Only a few individuals didn't share that feeling: Boruto, Mitsuki, and Tonbo Hyuga.
"Alright then! We'll wrap up the basic stuff right here. Next up, it's time to show you all the ultimate power of shinobi!"
Naruto wore a satisfied smile on his face.
This batch of students possessed far better capabilities than the previous two graduating classes.
"Ah?! There's more?! It's not going to be another drill like this, is it?!"
Thrill was thrill, but they certainly didn't want to experience it again today.
Hearing the Hokage's words, despair crept back into their hearts.
That's not what our upperclassmen told us! Didn't they say it was super fun?!
Shikadai let out a breath of relief, "It won't be. That physical labor earlier was already our absolute limit. It's impossible for them to keep testing us like that."
"Well, that's a huge relief! But what does Lord Hokage mean by 'ultimate power'?" Chocho Akimichi asked.
Mitsuki offered a subtle smile, "You're all going to be thoroughly amazed. It's a small demonstration... of the strongest force in the shinobi world."
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