"Beautifully done, Minato!"
From the spectators' stand, Jiraiya leapt to his feet, face alight with excitement.
To substitute himself with a Clone Technique, leap into the air, and then unleash Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique—that was no simple feat.
This ninjutsu wasn't some low-level trick. According to the records, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique was classified as an A-rank jutsu — a wide-area, high-lethality technique.
In a real battle, one shuriken could multiply into thousands, its destructive power staggering.
That a student who hadn't even graduated yet had mastered an A-rank technique—it was almost unimaginable.
"To use the Substitution Technique in that situation… what terrifying reflexes," Tsunade muttered, unable to hide her admiration.
Even she had to admit—Namikaze Minato's ninja talent was one of a kind.
"Hahaha! That's the future of our Konoha!"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, smiled broadly, clearly delighted.
After all, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique was his own signature ninjutsu.
Watching Minato, he couldn't help but recall his youth—when he followed the Second Hokage across the battlefield, burning with the same passion.
"Looks like this match is all but decided," Jiraiya said smugly.
As much as she hated to agree with that braggart, Tsunade couldn't help but worry about Leo now.
Judging by Minato's display, his power had already reached the level of a chūnin, and he wasn't just strong—he was calculating and composed, the mark of a true prodigy.
He was nothing like that arrogant Uchiha Shiro who'd relied purely on his bloodline.
The students surrounding the arena were beyond words.
This duel had become something straight out of a textbook—a perfect demonstration of taijutsu, Body Flicker, and Substitution Techniques flowing seamlessly together.
And now, an A-rank ninjutsu—the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique—had taken the spectacle to its peak.
Everyone watched in stunned silence, completely awestruck.
No matter the outcome, this battle would be remembered as a classic.
Meanwhile, on the field, the tide of battle shifted constantly—every move unpredictable.
Minato unleashed the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, filling the sky with countless shuriken that rained down, sealing off all of Leo's escape routes.
From below, Kushina clenched her fists, her eyes full of worry.
"Come on, Leo…" she whispered.
Across from her, Minato landed lightly, his expression solemn.
"Leo-kun, you're a formidable opponent. But this time, I have to win."
With the sky swarming with deadly shuriken, Leo stood his ground, unflinching.
He raised one arm, drawing it back into a striking pose.
He could have used Soru to vanish instantly and dodge the barrage—but he didn't.
That wasn't his way.
He believed in one principle—absolute strength shatters all techniques.
No matter how fancy or complex the attack, it was all meaningless before overwhelming power.
"Armament Haki: Hardening!"
Half his arm turned jet black as his muscles bulged, steam coiling off his skin.
That white mist was the product of driving his Haki to its limit—his body slightly hunched, his arm drawn back like a taut bowstring, every fiber of muscle trembling with energy.
A faint crimson hue spread beneath his skin.
"Level 3 — Armament Haki: Iron Fist!"
With a thunderous shout, Leo drove his full strength into one punch aimed at the heavens.
BOOM!
The air itself exploded—like thunder cracking from the ninth heaven!
The sound rolled like a beast's roar, shaking the earth.
BANG!
The air around his fist rippled violently. The invisible force burst forth like a runaway stallion, like a tiger pouncing from the mountains, forming a white shockwave that tore toward the sky.
For a brief instant, the space above the arena seemed to freeze.
The countless falling shuriken suddenly stopped midair—suspended in silence.
Then—
Crack… crack… crack!
Tiny fractures spread across every blade's surface before they shattered one by one, breaking apart in midair.
And in the next heartbeat—
BOOOOM!
The sea of shuriken clones was swept away by that invisible shockwave, scattering like metal rain across the arena!
The audience was dead silent—so quiet you could hear every breath.
An A-rank ninjutsu—obliterated by a single punch?!
Could a mere academy student even do something like that?!
"Impossible…" Minato muttered, eyes blank with disbelief.
"Nothing's impossible."
A cold voice echoed right beside his ear.
"Soru."
In the blink of an eye, Leo appeared beside him.
A kunai pressed against Minato's throat.
After chaining Body Flicker, Substitution, and an A-rank ninjutsu, even Minato's vast reserves of chakra were nearly drained.
He could still use a flicker to retreat—but what would be the point?
Smiling bitterly, he lowered his head. "I lose."
The crowd erupted in chaos. The arena was boiling with cheers.
A new top genius of the Ninja Academy had been born—Leo!
Leo's face remained calm, but his mind buzzed with excitement.
Ding! Experience +20!
+50!
+100!
+200!
+400!
After a moment of tallying, he realized—this single battle with Namikaze Minato had earned him over 1,400 experience points!
As the future Hokage's chosen hero, even a duel with Minato had yielded more experience than killing Uchiha Shiro.
And that wasn't all—when Minato conceded, a Silver Treasure Chest materialized before him.
Suppressing his excitement, Leo stored it in his system inventory.
Then, sheathing his kunai, he turned to the proctor. "Sensei, can you announce the result now?"
The chūnin proctor blinked for a second, then quickly declared:
"Winner of the Ninja Academy Tournament—Leo!"
The stands erupted again—cheers shaking the air like thunder.
Minato left the field quietly, clearly dejected.
For a genius like him, this sudden defeat must've been hard to accept.
Leo didn't bother chasing after him. He stepped down from the ring, where Kushina and a group of kids rushed over to celebrate.
"Leo! You were amazing!" Kushina beamed, eyes shining.
"Yeah! You're incredible, Big Boss!" sniffled one runny-nosed kid, face full of worship.
"Big Boss? What kind of nickname is that?" Leo couldn't help but chuckle.
But when he saw Kushina's flushed cheeks and the group of children cheering for him,
even the loner's cold face softened into a faint smile.
The nearby girls gasped at the sight—his smile melted hearts instantly, and several pairs of eyes turned into pink hearts on the spot.
On the floating platform above, however, the atmosphere was quite different.
"This child is remarkable," came a cold, commanding voice from the entrance. "No need to waste time in the Academy any longer. Bringing him into Root would be the best choice."
A man with spiky hair stepped into view—his tone leaving no room for argument.
The faces of the future Sannin shifted immediately.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood abruptly, his expression hardening.
"Danzo—what do you mean by this?"
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