Chapter 19: Inner Demon Removed—Transformation
THUD THUD THUD...
As sounds resembling strikes against heavy objects rang out continuously, a scene of tremendous visual impact entered all students' and instructors' vision, shocking them into complete speechlessness.
Minato Namikaze—launched airborne by Yoru's punch—became a volleyball batted consecutively by three Yorus before his body could touch ground.
If these three Yorus comprised his real body plus Shadow Clones, such a display wouldn't warrant such amazement.
However, one Yoru sent Minato flying while another Yoru moved at even greater speed, reaching Minato's trajectory to strike him airborne again.
Moreover, Yoru's method of arrival wasn't Body Flickering at speeds invisible to the naked eye, but rather moving slightly faster than Minato's flight path while passing directly through Minato's body.
During this volleyball treatment, Minato attempted counterattacks.
However, every counterattack result mirrored Yoru's body-passing—all strikes passed harmlessly through Yoru's form.
Each Yoru resembled an intangible phantom clone, yet could transform solid at any moment.
Such a technique—not just these inexperienced students, but even Chunin Yuya and the medical ninja had never witnessed anything similar.
They remained absolutely certain both Yoru clones were merely basic phantom clones.
Why didn't phantom clones disperse when struck? How could they become tangible?
They couldn't comprehend or understand.
However, watching Yoru deny Minato any chance to land while Minato wore a pained expression, and seeing one Yoru leap into the air adopting a downward axe-kick posture, Yuya instantly awakened. He Body Flickered to catch Minato, shouting at Yoru: "Victory decided! Match concluded!"
Hearing this, the airborne Yoru plus one ground-level Yoru immediately dispersed into white smoke clouds.
"Sorry, got carried away during the fight. You alright?" Yoru's real body approached, unusually apologizing for his actions.
"...I'm fine."
Minato, supported upright by Yuya, suppressed pain wracking his entire body like a disassembled machine, shaking his head toward Yoru while speaking sincerely: "I lost. Yoru, that technique was incredibly impressive."
"Your Wind Release was also strong. If I hadn't mastered Earth Release, you might've one-shot me." Yoru's face revealed a smile—something classmates found difficult to imagine—as he raised his hand extending two fingers toward Minato with a laugh: "Thank you for the match."
"Thank you for the match."
Minato also extended fingers, forming the Seal of Reconciliation with Yoru.
Perhaps it wasn't an illusion...
Minato felt that compared to before the battle began, Yoru had undergone some slight transformation.
Was it the smile's effect?
Minato would never know that from this moment forward, he no longer represented Yoru's hypothetical enemy, nor remained the inner demon that had suffocated Yoru these years.
Both possessed cheat-like abilities. Having defeated someone, Yoru would never grant them opportunity to catch up or surpass him.
Yoru's transformation stemmed from removing his inner demon.
From now on, Yoru wouldn't overthink, wouldn't need daily performance.
He could shed all masks, beginning to live freely for himself.
His talent, his strength, his cheat ability... would bring him everything desired!
Naturally Minato knew none of this.
After forming the Seal of Reconciliation with Yoru, he couldn't help asking curiously: "Yoru, may I boldly ask—were those two clones Shadow Clones? How did you switch them between tangible and intangible?"
Hearing this, all eyes focused on Yoru.
Yoru merely curved his lips upward, declaring proudly: "Those weren't Shadow Clones. That was a technique I developed myself... Phantom Body Flicker."
"Phantom Body Flicker?"
Everyone memorized this technique name.
Yuya and the medical ninja contemplated momentarily before their expressions changed dramatically: "Body Flicker? It was merely Body Flicker?!"
Minato likewise realized this, gazing at Yoru with disbelieving eyes: "But why didn't your phantom clones disperse after being struck?"
Yoru smiled without answering, then turned and departed.
Seeing this, Kushina—having also finished her exam—quickly followed, leaving behind a group of teachers and students still processing bewilderment and shock.
Along the route, Kushina asked with equal curiosity: "Yoru, was that really just ordinary Clone Technique and Body Flicker?"
"If you want to know, work hard to grow stronger." Yoru smiled slightly, encouraging her: "Once your strength reaches a certain level, you'll naturally understand this technique's secret."
Kushina paused, staring blankly at Yoru.
Her curiosity had been overshadowed by Yoru's smile.
When this guy smiled... he looked this good?
Kushina had witnessed Yoru smile at her before, but mostly mocking smiles, or cool smirks and cold sneers.
This kind of pure, genuine smile from the heart was extremely rare.
Moreover, perhaps not an illusion—Kushina felt Yoru had undergone some transformation.
This change made him seem to radiate light from his entire body, becoming even more handsome!
Snapping back to awareness, Kushina's face grew somewhat hot. Her gaze averted as she turned her head away, feigning disdain: "Hmph... If you won't say it, fine. That technique can only bully pretty boys anyway."
"Ha... Bold words. Want to try it yourself?"
"I'll try it then!"
"Sometimes I genuinely admire you. If only your body's defense matched your mouth's toughness."
"Enjoy being smug while you can. Once I master that technique, you'll be the one crying!"
"What technique?"
"Hehe... Not telling you!"
Feeling like she'd reclaimed a victory, Kushina made a face at Yoru, then skipped ahead cheerfully, denying Yoru any chance to mock back.
Yoru's lips curved upward as he followed behind with hands in pockets.
"Youth is truly wonderful..."
Today specifically using the Telescope Technique to observe this final exam, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help smiling and sighing.
Watching Yoru in the crystal ball, Hiruzen's eyes filled with satisfaction.
He likewise couldn't discern Phantom Body Flicker's principles, didn't know how Yoru made phantom clones immune to dispersion upon impact.
Hiruzen wouldn't investigate deeply.
Because Hiruzen—renowned as "The Professor"—immediately recognized this technique derived from Yoru's unique Body Flicker talent.
Body Flicker couldn't reach Yoru's ghostly silent level. Even knowing this technique's principles, others fundamentally couldn't learn it.
Moreover, this bizarre position-swapping only provided advantages in equal-level taijutsu combat.
Phantom clones remained phantom clones ultimately.
Without tangibility, they couldn't perform techniques like Shadow Clones could.
Simply mastering wide-area ninjutsu could easily counter this technique. Nothing to fear.
However, Yoru's displayed talent still attracted Hiruzen's attention.
"Developing a personalized Body Flicker—not elemental-type—at this age demonstrates not only powerful chakra control and reaction ability, but also exceptional spatial understanding. Perhaps... he possesses aptitude for Tobirama-sensei's technique." Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he suddenly turned toward a certain direction, murmuring in a voice only he could hear: "Not intervening for so long—does this mean you also acknowledge them, Mito-sama?"