NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 81: Chapter 81
"What a reckless little brat!"
The sharp sound of rushing water filled the battlefield. At an almost parallel angle, Fujiwara Tetsuya's Water Severing Wave pierced through the mist. The sheer force of the high-pressure torrent didn't stop there—it swept outward in a terrifying arc.
Trees were uprooted and fell like dominoes, the ground beneath them torn apart. Even the watching Konoha shinobi weren't spared, forced to leap aside to avoid being caught in its path.
The aftermath was a scene of destruction. Broken branches littered the ground, and the air was thick with the smell of damp earth and shredded foliage.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya…"
Several shinobi from prominent clans—Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga —gazed at the devastation in solemn silence. Their expressions were heavier now. Each of them, masters of their own elemental jutsu, knew the difficulty of countering something this raw and overwhelming.
While the technique was straightforward, its execution and power required a precision that was both admirable and daunting.
---
As the mist cleared, the silhouettes of Fujiwara Tetsuya and Sarutobi Hiruzen came into view. Hiruzen's robes were soaked, droplets clinging to his figure like proof of Tetsuya's accuracy.
"Tetsuya," Hiruzen began, brushing a hand over his drenched sleeve. "How did you pinpoint my location so precisely through the mist?"
Tetsuya hesitated for a moment, then offered a sheepish grin. "If I said it was pure instinct, would you believe me?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow but didn't answer immediately. Tetsuya instinctively took a cautious step back. Trust was one thing, but common sense told him to maintain his distance. After all, who could predict what the legendary Hokage might do next?
"Instinct, you say…" Hiruzen's lips curved into a faint smile, his tone approving. "That's an excellent answer."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully and continued, "A shinobi must rely not only on their reasoning but also on their instincts. In moments of life and death, hesitation can lead to fatal mistakes. Trust yourself, Tetsuya. Once you've made a decision, commit to it fully."
"Thank you for the advice, Lord Hokage," Tetsuya replied, giving a polite nod. Internally, he sighed in relief. At least Hiruzen hadn't started preaching the Will of Fire just yet—otherwise, he might've had no choice but to feign reverence.
"Tetsuya, stay alert now."
The words barely left Hiruzen's lips before Tetsuya's pupils contracted. In an instant, Hiruzen disappeared from his sight, vanishing from both his field of vision and sensory range.
"Water Prison Technique! Rebound!"
Out of nowhere, Hiruzen reappeared behind him, staff in hand. But it wasn't an ordinary weapon—it was none other than Enma, the Monkey King, transformed into the Adamantine Staff. The swing came fast and heavy, slicing through the air with an ear-splitting whoosh as it aimed straight for the back of Tetsuya's head.
Reacting on pure reflex, Tetsuya formed seals at lightning speed. His mastery of the Water Prison Technique allowed him to conjure a barrier—a two-meter radius dome of shimmering water—just in time to absorb the staff's devastating blow.
"Using the Adamantine Staff against a child? Isn't that overkill, Lord Hokage?" one of the observing Konoha jonin muttered, his face twitching.
"Maybe it's just Hiruzen's way of going easy on him," another jonin responded dryly. "Either way, that kid's in for a rough time."
They weren't wrong. Even with his best defenses, Tetsuya was at a clear disadvantage. The Adamantine Staff smashed through his Water Prison with relentless force. When the dome finally collapsed into a splashing puddle, Tetsuya was left scrambling.
Every jutsu he attempted—Water Fang Bullet, Water Dragon Whip—was effortlessly countered by Hiruzen. The staff's might was overwhelming, and Hiruzen wielded it with both precision and power.
When one strike didn't land, another followed immediately. It was an unrelenting assault, each blow coming faster than the last.
---
For twenty grueling minutes, Tetsuya endured. Every ounce of his chakra was pushed to its limit, and when it was finally depleted, he had no choice but to surrender. As the Adamantine Staff loomed inches from his face, he raised a hand in defeat.
"I… give up," he admitted, breathing heavily. His pride might have taken a hit, but he had nothing left to give.
Hiruzen withdrew the staff, allowing it to revert back to its original form. Enma transformed beside him, nodding approvingly.
---
"It's over at last," one of the jonin murmured. "That Fujiwara brat… he's come this far already?"
"Compared to how he performed during the Chunin Exams…" another whispered, trailing off. The rate of Tetsuya's progress was unnerving, to say the least.
Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi wielding the full force of the Adamantine Staff was no small feat. Even seasoned jonin would struggle to last as long as Tetsuya had.
---
"Hiashi. Hizashi."
The sharp voice of a Hyuga elder broke the murmur of the crowd. His gaze was locked on the battle-worn figure of Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"That boy defeated Momaru during the Chunin Exams. For the sake of the Hyuga Clan's honor, you must put him in his place."
Hiashi and Hizashi exchanged glances but remained silent. Beating up a nine-year-old, no matter how talented, wasn't going to restore their clan's dignity. And after witnessing Tetsuya's performance today, they weren't even sure they could defeat him.
The elder's words carried weight, but so did the mounting pressure in their hearts.
---
"Tetsuya," Hiruzen spoke, breaking the tension as he looked down at the exhausted boy. "I've seen enough."
"Your swordsmanship, your mastery over Lightning and Water Release techniques… You've surpassed the expectations of anyone your age. You have the potential to walk the path of greatness."
Tetsuya blinked, still catching his breath. He didn't expect such words from the Hokage himself.
Hiruzen's expression softened, his voice carrying a trace of pride. "Your progress is proof of the importance of nurturing talent, regardless of background. You've shown that greatness doesn't only belong to the children of the great clans.
"Someday, Tetsuya, I believe you'll be the one to shatter the cages of power—the ones that bind clans like Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga to their own legacies. For now, rest. You've earned it."
---
The crowd dispersed, but the weight of Hiruzen's words lingered in the air. Among those who watched, few doubted that Fujiwara Tetsuya would one day live up to that belief.
A boy born to a declining clan. A genius unbound by legacy.
The future of Konoha had never looked so bright.
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