*BANG* *BANG*
As those words fell, enormous trees suddenly rose from the ground.
In an instant, the entire training ground transformed into a vast sea of emerald green.
The gigantic trees absorbed the previous ninjutsu attacks, dissipating them without a trace as if they were mud entering the sea with immense power.
The forest that blocked out the sunlight enveloped everyone's view from thin air, and a terrifying shadow seemed to pierce their souls, making all the Ninja Academy students show expressions of fear.
Whether it was Kurenai, Anko, Guy, the antagonistic Kakashi, Genma, or ninja from various clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga, all of them appeared stunned at this moment.
Even the Chunin instructors prepared for rescue, the ANBU secretly observing the assessment, and even the Third Hokage, who was using a crystal ball to spy, looked at the figure in disbelief.
At that moment, the young figure standing on the massive tree seemed to overlap with the memory of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly stood up in shock, his weary eyes widening as he stared at the slim figure intently.
"This is truly... Wood Release!"
Kakashi, who had been confident and indifferent, uttered those words in a dry voice.
The kunai in Ebisu's hand slipped to the ground without him noticing, and the sharp clatter rang loudly in the silence.
The scene, which initially seemed to have pressed the pause button, resumed with this sharp sound, and uncontrollable exclamations and panic almost shook the entire Ninja Academy.
"Is that Wood Release?"
"Wood Release of Senju Hashirama?!"
"But his eyes are clearly Sharingan!"
"What is happening?"
"Our Uchiha clan doesn't even know anything about this!"
The former genius Genin of the Uchiha Clan no longer looked arrogant; he seemed utterly lost.
"Why does he have two tomoe Sharingan? And at such a young age!"
"Anyone who can control the Sharingan like that must have Uchiha bloodline, but I've never heard of him in the Uchiha Clan!"
"Could I... be a fake Uchiha?"
At the same time, Kurenai pinched Anko's cheek hard, unable to believe it.
"Anko, am I under genjutsu?"
"Damn, that hurts so much—how could it be an illusion!"
"Turns out... Shun, who is usually gentle, is actually that powerful."
Ignoring Anko's angry retort, Kurenai stared blankly at the figure standing atop the towering tree that reached the sky.
"Do you still want such a prize?"
The mist-covered bamboo branches that stood against the sky, blocking the sunlight, looked godly in the eyes of everyone.
"Do you even want to challenge me?"
It wasn't mockery; it was clearly not an arrogant taunt but a statement delivered in a tone that described a fact.
It seemed as if they had never been in his sight from the beginning, let alone qualified to be his opponent.
Humiliation!
Anger!
Helplessness!
Whether it was the future Jinchuuriki of the Juubi, Uchiha Obito, future Hatake Kakashi who could go toe-to-toe with Otsutsuki Kaguya, or the elite Jonin-to-be, all lowered their heads at this moment, dropping their kunai.
"Takema Shun wins, and the end-of-month assessment concludes here!"
The Chunin instructor quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and shouted to end the match. As the loud voice spread, the assessment event came to a complete close.
There was only one winner!
❀❀❀
Orochimaru's Research Laboratory.
Orochimaru, who usually held a cold expression, frowned deeply as he stared at the student in front of him, looking thoroughly perplexed.
Perhaps due to the extreme fluctuation of his emotions, the typically three-dimensional face showed signs of collapse. If not for his composed nature, Orochimaru would have wanted to punch the troublemaker before him.
After a moment of regaining composure, he spoke in a weak tone:
"Shun-kun, do you know what I admire about you?"
"Perfect potential?"
"NO!"
"Hard training?"
"NO!"
"Persistence?"
"Not at all!"
Orochimaru stared at him and said:
"What I value most is: you are an intelligent person."
"You are good at learning, have the logic of an adult, know how to conceal flaws, can save yourself, and possess the madness to risk everything when an opportunity arises."
"Maybe, even without meeting me, Shun-kun would still lead a good life. Even in wartime, you might be the last to survive."
At this point, Orochimaru could no longer suppress his doubts.
"Then why did you suddenly reveal everything?"
"Yes, the identity I created for you was perfect."
"Back then, the Senju Clan spread their name and blended into different parts of Konoha. Your ancestors were said to be from the Senju Clan. Your mother, from the Uchiha Clan, failed to awaken the Sharingan and died during the war. It was perfectly natural to match your behavior. Physically, no one would question the bloodline of someone capable of controlling the Sharingan."
"But even so, that would never justify you showing such terrifying potential. According to my plan, you only needed to display the standard power of Wood Release."
"Did you know that neither Senju Hashirama nor Uchiha Madara reached this level of combat power at your age?"
"Neither Konoha nor the entire shinobi world can tolerate your existence. No one wants another God of Shinobi capable of sweeping across all shinobi villages."
"Shun-kun, aren't you afraid of death?"