"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"
The water dragon's massive maw gaped wide as countless high-pressure water bullets poured out like cannonballs, sealing off all paths of retreat for Hyuga Aokawa.
He was startled.
The timing of this volley was too perfect; he couldn't dodge it.
Just as the water bullets were about to strike Hyuga Aokawa...
"Bagua Palm: Return to Heaven!"
His entire body spun rapidly, simultaneously releasing Chakra.
Violent blue Chakra instantly formed a fast-spinning fortress around him.
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
The dense barrage of water bullets was completely deflected, sending water splashing everywhere.
Hyuga Aokawa had just stopped his spinning.
A pillar of water, spinning and rising rapidly like a tornado, erupted from the surface and shot into the sky.
It converged in the air into a waterfall that blotted out the sun.
"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"
The waterfall crashed down with the force of ten thousand tons, ruthlessly attempting to swallow Hyuga Aokawa.
"Kaito, stop!"
Sarutobi Biwako could no longer hold back upon seeing such a massive Water Release.
Seeing that the honest simplicity on Sarutobi Kaito's face had long vanished, replaced only by an obsession to knock Hyuga Aokawa into the water.
She knew Kaito had lost control again.
She was just about to step forward and stop Kaito.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held her back again: "Don't panic, he's escaped."
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, the waterfall violently smashed the entire surface of the water apart.
Countless crystal-clear giant waves burst forth once more.
Caught in the middle, under this world-destroying impact...
Hyuga Aokawa's body was instantly torn to pieces, turning into a spray of water that merged into the waterfall.
"A Water Clone?"
Sarutobi Biwako was utterly astonished.
The Hyuga Clan was actually learning Ninjutsu.
"And it was a Water Clone made with only a single hand sign."
Hiruzen Sarutobi added, his gaze like a torch.
Known as the Ninjutsu Doctor, his insight was naturally much sharper than Sarutobi Biwako's.
Sure enough.
In the next moment, at another spot on the river, Hyuga Aokawa's figure suddenly appeared.
He retreated rapidly across the water, his eyes equally filled with shock.
"This is a complete 'won't stop until he's smashed into the water' posture."
Before he could even complain...
The massive waves produced by the crashing waterfall were already surging toward him like a mountain collapsing into the sea.
He had no choice but to leap into the air again to dodge the surge.
Beneath the surface, undercurrents surged again.
A water dragon actually predicted his landing point and burst out of the water.
It shot toward Hyuga Aokawa in mid-air.
With nowhere to gain leverage in the air, the distance between him and the water dragon grew closer and closer.
"So, how will you deal with it this time?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed down hard on Sarutobi Biwako with one hand, while his other hand had already begun to quietly form hand signs.
If Hyuga Aokawa couldn't handle it, he would step in to save him.
In mid-air, Hyuga Aokawa was also forming hand signs.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
A thick wall of water suddenly rose from the river surface.
Before the water dragon could arrive, it rose precisely beneath Hyuga Aokawa's feet, providing him with a point of leverage in the air.
He kicked off the top of the water wall with both feet, using the force to change direction and catapult away.
Boom!
The water dragon slammed hard into the water wall. The immense impact, carrying the flow of water, smashed both the wall and the dragon back into the river.
They exploded into a mist that filled the air!
"Water Wall!" Sarutobi Biwako cried out in shock.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was even more shaken.
It wasn't just a simple Water Wall.
He had simplified the hand signs, using only three.
What was even more shocking...
The rotation of the water in a Water Wall is originally horizontal.
While providing defense, it can deflect the enemy's attack to both sides through the rotation.
But to gain force in the opposite direction, Hyuga Aokawa had forcibly changed the rotation to vertical.
Just to use the cascading effect of the water flow to retreat by borrowing force.
Because of this, the water dragon wasn't deflected to the sides but was instead pulled down into the river by the flow.
This meant that his learning of Ninjutsu wasn't just mechanical.
He had applied his own thinking and completely understood the essence of Ninjutsu.
Only then could he perform Ninjutsu according to his needs as he pleased.
Seeing Sarutobi Kaito, eyes bloodshot, about to form more hand signs, Hiruzen Sarutobi used a Body Flicker Technique and hurriedly held him down.
"Enough, Kaito. That's it for today."
"But, but the task Auntie gave me..." Sarutobi Kaito said anxiously.
Sarutobi Biwako rushed forward and covered his mouth.
Seeing the water surface return to calm, Hyuga Aokawa walked over across the water.
"My Lords, I suppose I've passed this first assessment?"
"Passed, you passed!" Sarutobi Biwako said, her face full of embarrassment.
Although she didn't want Hyuga Aokawa to pass...
Sarutobi Kaito had already gone this far and still couldn't get Hyuga Aokawa into the water.
She couldn't bring herself to say Hyuga Aokawa had failed.
"Are the assessments for other Seniors... also as difficult as mine?" Hyuga Aokawa asked curiously.
Sarutobi Biwako's smile stiffened, and she coughed twice tactically.
She laughed awkwardly: "Cough... yes, this was Hokage-sama's intention."
Me again?
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Sarutobi Biwako in disbelief.
Seeing the latter's warning expression, he could only follow along.
"Well, a Medical Ninja not only has to save lives and heal the wounded, but also needs to know how to protect themselves."
"Since you've been at the Hospital, you know that the growth of a Medical Ninja is a very long process."
"If they don't have a certain ability to protect themselves, they can easily be targeted as a weak point for a Breakthrough by the enemy."
"That's why I am exceptionally strict regarding the combat capabilities of the Medical Team!"
Hyuga Aokawa nodded: "Then the second assessment?"
"I think the second assessment will be tomorrow."
Seeing that Sarutobi Biwako had no objections, Hiruzen Sarutobi made the decision:
"Both of you have nearly exhausted your Chakra today. Get some good rest and continue tomorrow."
"Yes. Then, my Lords, I'll take my leave first."
"Go ahead."
Once Hyuga Aokawa had walked far away, Sarutobi Biwako put on a stern face and looked at Sarutobi Kaito reproachfully:
"Kaito, how could you be so heavy-handed? You even used Ninjutsu."
Sarutobi Kaito was so aggrieved he was almost in tears: "Auntie, you said to think of every way to make him fall into the water."
"Even so, you shouldn't have been so rough. What if you hurt him? You're not allowed to do that tomorrow."
"I, I..." Sarutobi Kaito's face turned red with frustration, unable to say a word for a long time.
"Alright, Kaito, go and rest. You're tired too."
Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Sarutobi Kaito's shoulder to help him out.
After speaking, he looked back at Sarutobi Biwako: "Then I'll come over again tomorrow."
"Fine."
The three of them dispersed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hummed a little tune as he strolled leisurely.
As he passed the Hokage Building, he suddenly had a whim and went straight inside.
Just as he reached the office door, the Anbu on duty asked in surprise:
"Hokage-sama? Aren't you off duty today?"
"Haha, I'm in a good mood and can't stay idle. I don't want to rest anymore."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking very cheerful, ordered:
"Go and fetch Hyuga Aokawa's files."