The atmosphere was tense, with all eyes focused.
Namikaze Minato was already feeling nervous, even regretting it slightly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, having already decided to step in himself if Sarutobi Asuma couldn't handle the situation well.
Hatake Sakumo was also a bit worried at this moment.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned, looking even more concerned. They had tried to speak up several times, wanting to reprimand Sarutobi Asuma and make him apologize.
However, seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato hadn't spoken yet, they held back.
Sarutobi Asuma, however, remained composed and calm, smiling as he said, "Clan heads, there's no need to be nervous."
"The Nara clan's shadow technique and the Akimichi clan's expansion jutsu are fundamentally applications of Yin Style Chakra Nature Transformation and Yang Style Chakra Nature Transformation."
"Jutsu are the materialization of chakra and its nature and form transformations."
"Therefore, for those with extremely strong chakra control and a profound understanding of chakra nature transformations, developing jutsu like the shadow technique and expansion jutsu, which are purely based on the two chakra nature transformations of Yin and Yang, is not difficult."
Sarutobi Asuma was full of confidence. "So far, I have already developed two Kekkei Genkai, Scorch Release and Wood Release, as well as the Kekkei Tōta, Electromagnetic Release."
"For me, there is no need to covet the secret jutsu of the various ninja clans."
After saying all this, it essentially boiled down to one sentence:
Your secret jutsu are not worth my stealing!
However, for Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and the others, these words were not convincing enough.
Even someone as intelligent as Nara Shikaku had actually started to believe Sarutobi Asuma.
But he was responsible not only for himself but also for his clan.
However, before Nara Shikaku and the others could speak again, Sarutobi Asuma continued, "Furthermore, the technique for manipulating shadows is not exclusive to the Nara clan; Jiraiya-sama also possesses it."
"It's called the Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique, which allows one to hide within an enemy's shadow and control their actions."
The Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique was indeed a similar jutsu to the Nara clan's shadow technique.
As he spoke, Sarutobi Asuma's chakra erupted, then condensed into two chakra hands.
These hands could even perform hand seals rapidly and flexibly.
The sight dazzled everyone.
As if that wasn't enough, Sarutobi Asuma retracted the chakra hands, did not perform any hand seals, and gathered water vapor around him, which then condensed into small dragons that circled everyone.
This level of chakra control, let alone for Uchiha Fugaku and the others, stunned even Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato, who were already aware of Sarutobi Asuma's remarkable abilities.
Sarutobi Asuma was quite pleased with their expressions. He retracted his jutsu and looked at Akimichi Choza, saying, "Choza-senpai, the Akimichi clan's expansion jutsu has a unique application of Yang Release chakra, which I deeply admire."
"Therefore, I have imitated it to develop this current jutsu, called 'Size Manipulation'!"
Size Manipulation?
Everyone was taken aback. Akimichi Choza instinctively asked, "Can it actually shrink?"
Sarutobi Asuma didn't say anything; his body began to rapidly shrink.
Yes, he was directly shrinking.
Unlike the Transformation Technique, which made one look like their younger self.
Everyone could see it clearly, so they couldn't help but be astonished.
Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen were no exception. Then, both of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The problem was solved!
Gulp.
Akimichi Choza looked at the shrunken Sarutobi Asuma, couldn't help but swallow, and asked with a slightly dry voice, "Jonin Asuma, does the body's strength and defense weaken when it shrinks?"
Sarutobi Asuma leaped up and landed on Akimichi Choza's shoulder.
Akimichi Choza immediately felt his shoulder weigh down, and he instantly understood that Sarutobi Asuma's weight had not changed.
Sarutobi Asuma smiled and said, "Although my body has shrunk, my mass has not decreased, and my strength has not weakened."
"Truly an astonishing jutsu!"
Yamanaka Inoichi, looking at Sarutobi Asuma, who was about the size of his palm, couldn't help but exclaim.
At this moment, no one thought Sarutobi Asuma had stolen the secret jutsu from the Nara or Akimichi clans.
In fact, even if he had, they would have played dumb.
Instead, they wondered how they could obtain these jutsu from Sarutobi Asuma.
Would Size Manipulation, the ability to shrink the body, be useful to the Akimichi clan?
Absolutely useful!
Sarutobi Asuma leaped down from Akimichi Choza's shoulder, and his body immediately returned to normal.
"Alright everyone, this assessment is now over," Sarutobi Asuma said with a smile.
Only then did everyone snap back to attention, their gazes returning to the crystal screen.
It was indeed over.
The first to reach the tower was Kakashi.
However, inside the tower, everyone's attention was no longer on those who had completed the assessment.
Uchiha Fugaku was the first to ask, "Jonin Asuma, when will the second Jonin Special Training Class begin?"
Hyuga Hiashi immediately followed, not to be outdone, "Our Hyuga clan will certainly continue to offer our full support!"
He had also sensed the improvement in his younger brother Hizashi Hyuga's pupil power.
Others also expressed their stances.
If their status hadn't been restricted, they would have all eagerly asked Sarutobi Asuma for guidance.
After all, Sarutobi Asuma was willing to teach!
However, in response to their inquiries, Sarutobi Asuma simply smiled and said, "It would be best for the Fourth Hokage to announce this!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes turned to Namikaze Minato.
Namikaze Minato immediately stated, "The second phase of the Jonin Special Training regular class will commence in two months and will last for half a year. Jonin Sarutobi Asuma will continue to be hired as the special training instructor."
"The number of spots remains unchanged at 10."
"However, the second phase will be led by the village."
"Five of these spots will be selected by the village, with the expenses covered by the village."
"The remaining five spots will be open to free competition among the various ninja clans."
This plan caused the ninja clans present to feel a sense of unease.
Previously, the Anbu had taken 2 spots, and the remaining 8 were divided among the major ninja clans.
Now, there were only 5 spots left for the clans.
And how many ninja clans were there in Konoha?
Not to mention the smaller clans, but the well-known ones like Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, and the Ino-Shika-Cho formations — that already exceeded the available slots.
But before Uchiha Fugaku and the others could speak, Namikaze Minato continued, "Additionally, the village will establish a Chunin Special Training Class. The special training period will be 3 months, with expenses covered by the village, and participants will be selected from outstanding newly promoted Chunin!"
"Although the special training instructor will not be Jonin Sarutobi Asuma, Jonin who have participated in the Jonin Special Training Class will be hired as instructors!"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were both taken aback upon hearing this.
Clearly, this plan was only known to Sarutobi Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Namikaze Minato.
Sarutobi Asuma then added, "The number of spots will not increase further!"
"This kind of training is for talented and outstanding ninja."
"The more people there are, the worse the results will be."
"With one class every six months, if someone is sufficiently outstanding, they won't be overlooked."
At this point, everyone could no longer press the issue of the number of spots.
Nara Shikaku immediately asked, "Fourth Hokage, what will be the criteria for the five spots open to clan competition?"
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