Tsunade was idly tossing dice, Loe had fallen asleep on the ground, and everyone seemed to have returned to their normal lives before Akaba started drawing manga.
"The Transformation Technique's uses go beyond infiltration and disguise. It can also be extremely effective in battle."
"For example, during combat, transforming into a shuriken combined with teammates' coordinated charges as a form of tactical deception—the Inuzuka clan's transformation of their Ninja Hounds is actually one application of the Transformation Technique as well."
"There's also the Body Replacement Technique, which includes Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu."
Sarutobi Nennosuke explained.
"Unbelievable! Today Teacher Sarutobi is actually teaching some real stuff. The knowledge from a battlefield-experienced Chunin isn't something to take lightly."
Jiraiya listened attentively.
He could never get into theoretical lectures, but hands-on techniques clicked instantly for him.
"Something's off… something's wrong!"
Orochimaru furrowed his brow slightly.
It wasn't that he looked down on Sarutobi Nennosuke—it was just that the level of understanding shown in the Body Replacement Technique was way beyond what someone at his rank should be capable of.
In short, many of the techniques mentioned by Sarutobi Nennosuke were simply impossible for an average Chunin to perform.
"This is Genjutsu! When did I fall into this illusion?!"
His expression changed, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings until it settled on Akaba, who still appeared very serious.
"Is it Akaba-kun?"
Orochimaru furrowed his brow slightly, secretly astonished.
There was no doubt about it—this was definitely Genjutsu.
So all these teachings from 'Sarutobi Nennosuke' were actually coming straight from Akaba himself!
"How is that even possible?!"
"No, maybe a master from the Sakuma Clan taught him—but even so…"
Orochimaru's thoughts brought genuine shock to his heart.
For Akaba to maintain such a clear explanation while producing this Genjutsu meant he had truly understood and mastered these concepts of Transformation and Clone Jutsu.
In terms of Ninjutsu comprehension, there was now a huge gap between himself and Akaba—a heavy blow to Orochimaru's naturally proud ego.
But soon, he focused intently back on the lesson.
After a while, Nara Loe woke up. When he saw Tsunade listening so intently, he looked completely baffled.
Then he realized—they must've been caught in Genjutsu.
"Akaba, did you use Genjutsu?"
"Hehe, just a little Genjutsu trick to let me take a quiet break."
Akaba yawned openly.
It wasn't like he had used the illusion without purpose—everything "Sarutobi Nennosuke" explained inside came straight from his own brand-new insights into the Transformation and Clone Jutsu, all freshly unlocked through his system.
A quality product, no doubt about it.
However, Loe waking up so early was indeed unexpected.
Akaba clearly knew Loe hadn't fallen under the spell because he'd genuinely fallen asleep within the illusion, losing consciousness completely.
Onstage, Sarutobi Nennosuke continued lecturing, but shifted to more basic material to accommodate students with lower talent and weaker comprehension.
Just as Akaba was about to catch a quick nap, Orochimaru suddenly woke up.
"Akaba-kun, thank you."
Opening his eyes as if waking from a dream, the first words out of his mouth were words of gratitude.
Akaba blinked in surprise, then grinned. "You're welcome. We're classmates, after all."
Orochimaru gave a faint smile.
To Akaba, this was merely a trivial act.
Transformation Jutsu and Clone Jutsu together only cost ten points—less than the current cost for upgrading attributes once—but to someone like Orochimaru, a genius of humble origins, this knowledge was invaluable.
Knowledge equals wealth; for ninja, it's even a matter of life or death.
These people had probably all realized it was an illusion. Akaba wavered for quite a while.
If he released the illusion, perhaps Tsunade would immediately punch him straight in the head. But if he didn't release it, the consequences might be worse.
He thought for a moment, secretly formed the hand seal, performed the Clone Jutsu, then crept forward toward the other side of the classroom.
The next second, the illusion broke.
"Akaba, you bastard! You actually used an illusion on me!"
Sure enough, a roar echoed through the lecture hall.
Then—
"Stop!"
Sarutobi Nennosuke's forehead was soaked with cold sweat as he shouted immediately to stop the chaos, though by then it was already too late.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion rang out as the desk at the back shattered instantly, those around it caught up in the damage scrambling away using substitution techniques.
Within just one second, the entire classroom lay in ruins.
On the other side of the classroom, Akaba, still in his transformed state, nearly failed to keep control over his ninjutsu disguise.
"Oh my God, that was terrifying!"
Jiraiya's face turned pale, visibly startled.
This was his first time witnessing the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique. A single glance shattered every fantasy he had built up in his head.
"Where's Akaba? He wasn't killed, right?"
Loe muttered quietly.
"Nope. It was just a clone."
Hatake Sakumo stated calmly.
"Akaba, come out! I promise I won't hit you!"
Realizing she'd only hit a clone, Tsunade spun around, frantically searching for Akaba's real body.
"Tsunade, stop acting recklessly."
Sarutobi Nennosuke appeared beside her almost instantly, preventing her further destructive actions.
"I hate this!"
Hearing this, Tsunade stopped but held onto her childish temper. She harbored no deep hatred—she simply hated being deceived by an illusion, which made her feel ridiculed.
Wiping the cold sweat off his brow, Sarutobi Nennosuke surveyed the surroundings, trying to locate Akaba. To his surprise, he couldn't find the boy at all.
Transformation Jutsu?
Are kids these days really this strong?
Somewhat doubting his reality, Sarutobi reflected inwardly. After all, he was a chunin, so why couldn't he even detect such a little brat's transformation jutsu?
After carefully scanning around, he finally noticed something unusual—a broomstick extra on the floor.
One of them must definitely be Akaba!
He breathed easier now, relieved he found the clue. Otherwise, failing to notice the student's trick would mean total disgrace.
"Dispel!"
"No need, no need—I'll come out myself."
Before the hand seal could react, Akaba had already deactivated his transformation jutsu and risen up from the floor.
Instantly, Sarutobi Nennosuke froze.
He had assumed the upright broomstick was Akaba, not the one lying flat on the ground. Not a big issue though, nobody else noticed anyway.
I suspected something, thought Sarutobi privately.
"Teacher, does that mean I don't have to take the Transformation Jutsu exam this afternoon?"
Akaba grinned.
There were just too few objects in the room, plus he'd mainly transformed only to evade Tsunade's initial rage—not putting much effort into preparation. Otherwise, he could've blended in so perfectly that no one—not even Sarutobi—would have noticed anything off.
"You still have to take the exam!"
Sarutobi Nennosuke's expression turned serious, but it was clear that he was indeed very satisfied with Akaba's proficiency in Transformation Jutsu and Clone Jutsu.
"Kanaha, how much more are you hiding?"
"To acquire so many skills in such a short time... what else have you been hiding?"
Orochimaru felt a sudden alertness within.
Even the disciples of the relatively minor Sakuma clan have so many hidden cards, how about the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans?
Others also fell silent, including the Uchiha clan.
Though Akaba's manga was popular, that didn't necessarily earn him respect for his strength.
Truthfully, before Akaba revealed his unlocked [Five Senses Manipulation] and near-perfect Transformation Jutsu, everyone had believed he might never become a ninja due to his weak physique.
Now, no one dares underestimate Akaba anymore. On the contrary, such mastery of Transformation Jutsu combined with the Kekkei Genkai of the Sakuma clan will have a very terrifying effect on the battlefield.
If Akaba mastered even more Ninjutsu and Genjutsu in the future, there'd be no doubt—he'd become a war machine on the battlefield.
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