On the field…
Qingqiu Guang was in full beast mode.
One by one, the second-year students crumpled under his attacks. Most couldn't even survive two moves before hitting the dirt.
It was silent.
People didn't know whether to say the second-years were too weak… or if Qingqiu Guang was just too strong.
At the very least—
Everyone watching—be it the hidden observers like Senju Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, the Hyuga brothers, the teachers, or even the ANBU—was rendered speechless.
There were over a hundred second-year students.
And not a single one could hold their ground against a first-year?
After this humiliation, would they even have the guts to return to school?
"Now's my chance!"
The class rep of Second-Year Class 1 took advantage of Qingqiu Guang's exposed back, launching a Body Flicker Technique attack.
As his punch flew toward its target, he smirked in victory.
"So what if you're strong? You still left yourself wide open!"
But that smile lasted about half a second—because…
He hit air.
Just a residual image.
Before he could react—
WHACK!
Qingqiu Guang appeared behind him in an instant, landing a clean hand chop to the neck. Down he went.
"I even gave you a baited opening," Qingqiu Guang muttered, annoyed. "Didn't expect you to fall for it that easily."
It felt like luring in freshmen during club week.
"Clear-eyed, naive, and stupid easy to fool…"
"That flicker technique... something's off."
Nawaki narrowed his eyes.
"The speed is similar to a standard Body Flicker, but… it left behind a fully-formed shadow clone?"
Uchiha Mikoto added her observation.
"It's deceptive. Most would waste their attack on the fake."
"Wait… Did he develop that himself?" Nawaki's eye twitched. "If that's true, then his talent… is next-level."
A new variant of the Body Flicker Technique.
A self-developed jutsu—just months after enrolling?
"If that doesn't count as genius, what the hell does?" Nawaki silently groaned.
Worse yet…
This kid started with his own class.
Then his entire year.
And now, the year above.
At this rate, he'd reach Nawaki's level before graduation.
"Crap… I might end up losing to a kid four years younger than me…"
"Genius, huh?"
Mikoto's eyes locked onto Qingqiu Guang.
For the first time… she found herself intrigued.
It wasn't just her.
The Hyuga brothers, other upper-year students, teachers—even ANBU—had all caught the trick behind the modified Body Flicker.
He didn't just copy a jutsu—he refined it.
And the implications were staggering.
"If he can do this now, what about the future?"
Could he create a B-Rank jutsu?
A-Rank?
Maybe even S-Rank?
No one knew for sure.
But one thing was clear:
This boy has the potential of a future Kage.
Meanwhile…
Back on the battlefield—
One after another, the second-year students collapsed. None could hold out.
And after a few more minutes…
BAM!
One final punch.
The last second-year grabbed his stomach and hit the ground hard.
All of them—
Defeated.
This lopsided challenge had a clear result.
"So that's all second-years amount to, huh?" Qingqiu Guang muttered, disappointment in his tone.
But despite his words…
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
His shirt clung to his back, soaked through.
He was exhausted.
After all, it wasn't just a few opponents—it was over a hundred, and all defeated through sheer hand-to-hand combat.
Even with his immense chakra reserves, it had taken a toll on his body.
Still—
The results were worth it.
Ever since the fight started, his system had been ringing nonstop:
[Ding! Defeated opponent. Dropped material: Chakra (White)]
[Ding! Defeated opponent. Dropped material: Clone Technique (White)]
[Ding! Defeated opponent. Dropped material: Body Flicker (White)]
Again and again…
The messages poured in until the very end.
Most of the drops were basic white-grade materials, but a few were higher-tier.
"Shame…" Qingqiu Guang frowned.
"Neither the Akimichi nor Nara clan kids showed up."
He'd been hoping to farm something special.
He knew the identities of some classmates—like Akimichi Chōza and Nara Shikaku, the future dads of Chōji and Shikamaru.
If Minato Namikaze had dropped a special item before…
"Then surely they could've too."
But they'd chosen not to accept the challenge.
"Where's your pride?" he scoffed.
"Your clan's honor is on the line—and you just ghost the whole fight?"
It was disappointing.
Even Qingqiu Guang felt their absence was shameful.