Tobitake Tonbo's face instantly darkened, clearly provoked by Ryoma's words.
In his understanding, given Ryoma's strength, even if he didn't admit defeat directly, he absolutely would not dare to openly provoke him in front of so many people.
Driven by wounded pride, he became a bit flustered.
The surrounding classmates were even more shocked by Ryoma's words.
"Is Ryoma crazy? He actually dares to directly provoke Tobitake Tonbo. You know this guy is notoriously prideful."
"Yeah, yeah, Ryoma is in for it now. He's probably going to get beaten up badly by Tobitake Tonbo later."
Seeing the smell of gunpowder between the two gradually rising, Teacher Itō shouted loudly, "Begin!"
The two stepped forward simultaneously, forming the Seal of Confrontation.
Immediately after, Tobitake Tonbo bent his legs, poised to charge forward. With a sudden lunge and punch, he aimed straight for Ryoma's face.
A bystander exclaimed in surprise, "So fast!"
Yet, Ryoma showed no panic at all, responding calmly. He bent his body forward and perfectly used his face to catch Tobitake Tonbo's powerful, heavy punch.
Ryoma was instantly sent flying backward.
"Damn, I spent all my time researching and outsmarting masks, I forgot I need to improve my physical fitness."
The surrounding classmates didn't expect everything to happen so quickly and fell into a deathly silence.
Itō had just thought there might be a plot twist, but it turned out he had indeed thought too much.
Standing in the center of the arena, Tobitake Tonbo sneered contemptuously. "So this is all the strength you have? Dead last."
Itō was just about to announce the winner when he saw Nara Ryoma, rubbing his face, slowly stand up.
"Darn, that really hurts. I need to strengthen my physical training when I get back, otherwise I could get knocked flying by a mere bamboo dragonfly."
Itō Makoto rushed toward Ryoma with a worried expression and asked, "Can you continue, Ryoma?"
Ryoma, however, looked completely unconcerned. "Continue? Of course we continue. This isn't over yet."
Hearing this, Tobitake Tonbo smiled confidently. "With this next strike, I'll knock you down so you can never get up again!"
After saying this, he poised himself again, intending to close in.
Tobitake Tonbo's entire body tensed, emanating a startling force.
A flock of crows flew past.
Another flock of crows flew past.
Finally, after straining in place for a long time, Tobitake Tonbo discovered in terror that he couldn't move. Not just his legs, he couldn't even turn his head.
At this moment, Ryoma, sporting a black eye, casually raised his hand and made a peace sign. Tobitake Tonbo also simultaneously raised his own hand and made a peace sign.
"Shadow Imitation Technique, debut successful!"
The surrounding classmates were instantly dumbfounded. This sudden reversal of offense and defense was a bit too much for their little hearts to handle.
One second ago, Tobitake Tonbo was arrogantly flashy and overwhelmingly cool. The next second, he directly became a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
No one even saw when Tobitake Tonbo got hit.
What's going on? The dead last beating up the bamboo dragonfly?!!
Even Teacher Itō wore a look of shock. "When did this child perform the Shadow Imitation Technique? I actually couldn't detect it at all."
Anko looked astonished. "Is this the Nara clan's shadow secret technique? Not bad, this Ryoma guy. To learn it at such a young age."
Beside her, Shizune excitedly clenched her little fists.
"I knew Ryoma wouldn't be defeated so easily! He is not the dead last!"
Obito, "???"
"Weren't we supposed to be dead lasts together? How come you just left?"
Regaining his composure, Teacher Itō looked at Ryoma, who was currently in the arena making Tobitake Tonbo dance awkwardly, and carefully analyzed the situation just now.
"So that child calculated every single step? At this age, to have such cunning, what terrifying combat intelligence!"
"From the beginning, he actively provoked Tonbo, causing him to lose most of his rationality due to pride, effectively neutralizing Tonbo's extraordinary perception."
"Then, he used his own flaw to lure Tonbo forward into close-quarters combat."
"Finally, by directly taking Tonbo's punch, he smoothly succeeded in making him step onto the shadow he had prepared long ago, activating the secret technique!"
"Is this the Nara clan's calculating ability in battle?! Sugoi!"
Ryoma's image in Teacher Itō's mind instantly straightened considerably.
"So, what will you do next, Ryoma?" Teacher Itō thought to himself.
After all, this is an individual match, not a team battle. Simply controlling the opponent with the Shadow Imitation Technique doesn't represent final victory.
To determine a winner, one must use everything available to defeat the opponent!
Given Ryoma's current age, mastering the Shadow Imitation Technique is already impressive. The advanced shadow secret techniques, unless he started practicing from the womb, are absolutely impossible to master.
The surrounding classmates couldn't help but focus on the outcome of this fight.
Anko also noticed the clue at this point, shaking her head. "This guy Ryoma is at such a disadvantage in individual combat. Simply controlling the opponent makes it hard to achieve final victory."
"After all, with Ryoma's current physical fitness, even if he tried to trade injuries with Tobitake Tonbo, he probably couldn't win this match."
Tobitake Tonbo, dancing the humiliating dance, shouted shamefully at Ryoma, "Are you done yet? Are you planning to keep dancing until I die of exhaustion here?!"
Across from him, Ryoma danced tirelessly, thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Truly worthy of the Nara clan's secret technique, so fun and useful."
Finally, Ryoma seemed to have had enough fun and stopped. Tobitake Tonbo across from him also stopped.
Ryoma turned around and slowly walked towards the edge of the arena. Tobitake Tonbo also turned his back, performing the same action.
Teacher Itō was greatly shaken. "Could it be he has already thought of a countermeasure?!"
Ryoma reached the edge of the arena and smoothly sat down cross-legged. Tobitake Tonbo behind him also sat down with his back to Ryoma.
After a few seconds of silence, Ryoma suddenly smiled at Anko and Shizune in front of him.
"See, I told you to believe in my strength~"
Anko looked at Ryoma with his black eye, rolled her eyes, and responded helplessly.
"Yes, yes, I admit your strategy was indeed successful, and the Shadow Imitation Technique is very cool. But, is there a possibility you haven't defeated Tobitake Tonbo yet?"
Hearing this, Ryoma smugly waved his hand.
"Oh, oh, I almost forgot. There's still someone there."
"Right, hey whoever, just anyone come out and give that kid behind me a stab."
A dumbfounded Anko looked utterly confused.
"Big brother, individual match. Who are you asking to give him a stab? Do you think Teacher Itō is just decoration?"
Itō was even more confused. "What kind of new strategy is this?"
Just as all the students were puzzled, the shadow connected to Tobitake Tonbo's feet suddenly showed an abnormal movement.
A ghostly figure clad in ninja attire, covered in bluish skin, with only a pair of scarlet eyes exposed, slowly rose from the shadow not far behind Tobitake Tonbo.
The surrounding students instantly burst into cries of alarm.
"What is that thing?"
"It seems to have crawled out of the shadow from Ryoma's secret technique!"
Tobitake Tonbo, with his back to the ghostly figure, had no idea what was happening behind him. He could only feel a chilling aura slowly gathering behind him, getting closer and closer.
The ghostly figure manifested and dashed forward. In one smooth motion, it pulled a katana out of the shadow and swung it down without hesitation.
At this moment, Ryoma, along with Tobitake Tonbo, turned around. Tobitake Tonbo saw only a pitch-black katana coming straight at his face. He was so scared he couldn't make any reaction, even forgetting to shout surrender.
Teacher Itō reacted and instantly rushed forward, but it was ultimately a bit too late.
One ten-thousandth of a second later, the katana stopped right in front of Tobitake Tonbo's face.
Tobitake Tonbo gasped for breath, gulping air.
Teacher Itō also arrived at the scene, grabbing the ghostly figure's hand holding the blade.
A sinister aura was transmitted from the palm. He could feel it wasn't him who stopped the ghostly figure, but that the ghostly figure stopped itself at the last moment. Otherwise, with the force from just now, he wouldn't have been able to successfully stop it.
A cold sweat slowly streamed down Teacher Itō's cheek.
Ryoma looked at Teacher Itō and asked with a smile, "Sensei, this should count as my victory now, right?"
After saying this, he released the Shadow Imitation Technique. The ghostly figure holding the katana also swiftly merged into the rapidly retracting shadow beneath Ryoma's feet.
Instantly, the crowd boiled over.
"What on earth was that? It looks so strong. Is that also a Nara clan secret technique?"
As a teacher, Itō naturally knew this ghostly figure had already surpassed the scope of the Nara clan's secret techniques. He just still didn't dare to be certain.
After a long while, he finally spoke those words with shock. "Could it be... a Kekkei Genkai?"