Bab 44: CHAPTER 44
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The morning air was crisp, carrying a sense of anticipation as Team Hiruzen gathered once again at the Sarutobi residence's expansive training ground.
The light from the rising sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that danced across the dew-soaked grass.
The area was vast, bordered by the dense forest that surrounded much of the Sarutobi compound. Birds chirped in the distance, but the atmosphere among the young shinobi was one of quiet intensity.
Hiruzen stood in the center of the field, his hands folded behind his back, exuding calm authority.
His posture was impeccable, and his gaze sharp. This was not just a test of their individual abilities—it was a test of their teamwork, their ability to function as a unit.
Hiruzen had trained them well, but now he wanted to see how much they had truly absorbed.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Sakumo, and Dai stood at the ready. Each of them was well aware that the challenge ahead would push them to their limits.
This was no ordinary sparring session. They were not just facing their sensei but the "Professor," the man who had mastered nearly every known jutsu and had earned his place as Hokage.
"Remember," Hiruzen called out, his voice calm but filled with authority, "in a real battle, coordination and timing are everything. You will need to work together if you want to stand a chance."
Jiraiya, never one to shy away from a challenge, grinned. "Let's give him everything we've got!"
His enthusiasm was contagious, and though his confidence bordered on arrogance, everyone knew it stemmed from his deep respect for their sensei.
Tsunade nodded, cracking her knuckles, her golden hair gleaming in the morning light. "Don't hold back, Jiraiya. We need to stay sharp."
Her tone was serious, as it always was when she was focused. Despite her occasional frustrations with her teammates, she cared deeply for them and didn't want to see anyone get hurt by underestimating Hiruzen.
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with cold anticipation. He remained silent, as usual, but his mind was already working through strategies.
He knew Hiruzen better than anyone, and he wasn't going to be easily surprised. "Let's see how long we can hold out," he thought, already calculating each possible outcome.
Sakumo, always composed, adjusted the grip on the hilt of his sword. His gray eyes were steady, reflecting his inner calm and discipline.
While his teammates might be brimming with excitement or nerves, Sakumo always approached battle with a clear mind. "Precision over force," he reminded himself.
Dai, on the other hand, was almost trembling with excitement. He looked at his teammates, each of them formidable in their own right, and then at Hiruzen.
His determination burned brightly in his eyes. He had come so far under Hiruzen's guidance, and today was his chance to prove his worth.
Hiruzen's gaze swept over them all, a small, proud smile playing at his lips. "Show me everything you've learned. The real test begins now."
With a swift nod, the battle commenced.
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Jiraiya was the first to make a move. His hands flashed through a series of seals, summoning one of his massive "flame bomb" with a resounding *thud*.
"Let's go!" Jiraiya shouted as he leapt onto the Hiruzen, launching a volley of fireballs toward their sensei.
The air crackled with heat as the fireballs sped toward Hiruzen. At the same moment, Tsunade charged forward, her fists glowing with chakra as she prepared to unleash her devastating strength.
Orochimaru moved swiftly alongside her, his serpentine movements a stark contrast to her direct approach.
From his sleeves, kunai shot forward, aiming to bind Hiruzen and limit his movement.
Sakumo, silent and efficient, moved to flank Hiruzen's side, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword. His target was precise: Hiruzen's blind spot.
Dai, the fastest of them, rushed directly at Hiruzen, his fists and feet a blur as he unleashed a flurry of taijutsu attacks.
But Hiruzen was unfazed.
With a graceful motion, he formed a single swift one hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In an instant, several identical clones of Hiruzen appeared, each moving to intercept the attacks.
One clone blocked Jiraiya's fireballs with an earth-style wall, another engaged Tsunade in close combat, deftly dodging her chakra-enhanced punches.
Orochimaru's snakes wrapped around a clone, only for it to explode in a puff of smoke, forcing him to retreat.
Sakumo's blade clashed with another clone, sparks flying as steel met steel, while Dai found himself facing the real Hiruzen, whose movements were even faster than his own.
The battlefield became a chaotic symphony of movement, with Hiruzen's clones keeping his students at bay.
Each of them had improved, Hiruzen noted, but they were still fighting as individuals. They hadn't yet realized the importance of true coordination.
"You're too scattered," Hiruzen called out, his voice carrying across the field. "If you don't work together, you won't last long."
Tsunade, panting slightly from her intense exertion, growled in frustration. "He's right. We're playing into his hands."
Jiraiya, dodging a strike from one of Hiruzen's clones, nodded. "We need a plan. Tsunade, Orochimaru—what's the strategy?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he considered their options.
"We need to corner him. I'll distract him with a larger summon of fire stream. Tsunade, you focus on breaking through his defenses. Jiraiya, support with long-range jutsu. Sakumo and Dai—attack his clones. Keep him busy."
The group quickly regrouped, each of them falling into their assigned roles. Orochimaru summoned a massive, stream of fire, which lunged at Hiruzen.
The stream's sheer size and speed forced Hiruzen to leap into the air, just as Jiraiya launched another series of fireballs, forcing Hiruzen to dodge midair.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Tsunade closed the distance, her fists glowing with intense chakra as she aimed a punch directly at the ground beneath Hiruzen's feet.
The earth shattered beneath her, sending a shockwave rippling outward and destabilizing Hiruzen's position.
"Dai, now!" Tsunade shouted.
Dai moved like a blur, appearing behind one of Hiruzen's clones and landing a powerful kick that sent it flying.
He followed up with a rapid series of punches, his taijutsu relentless and precise.
Sakumo, meanwhile, used the chaos to slip through the gaps, his blade flashing as he took down another clone.
For the first time, Hiruzen felt the pressure mounting. His students were learning, adapting. Their attacks were more coordinated now, more focused. But they still had a long way to go.
With a wave of his hand, Hiruzen summoned a gust of wind that scattered Jiraiya's flames and sent the team back several paces.
He landed gracefully on the now-cracked ground, his eyes gleaming with pride.
"Good," he said, his voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. "You've started to understand. But can you keep up?"
Without waiting for a response, Hiruzen performed a rapid series of hand seals. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
A massive dragon-shaped flame erupted from Hiruzen's mouth, roaring as it sped toward the group. The heat was intense, and the sheer size of the attack forced the team to act quickly.
"Sakumo!" Tsunade shouted, already forming seals for a water jutsu.
Sakumo moved swiftly, his sword gleaming as he dashed forward.
His blade cut through the flame, dispersing part of the attack while Tsunade summoned a torrent of water to extinguish the rest.
But Hiruzen wasn't finished. In the midst of the chaos, he had already summoned his staff, the legendary Enma, in its extended form.
The staff extended like a whip, striking out at Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Sakumo simultaneously.
They barely managed to dodge in time, but the force of the blows left deep craters in the ground where they had stood.
"He's not giving us a moment to breathe," Jiraiya muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Keep pushing!" Tsunade called, her voice filled with determination. "We're not done yet!"
They pressed on, combining their skills in a flurry of jutsu, sword strikes, and taijutsu.
The ground trembled under the sheer force of their attacks, but Hiruzen remained a step ahead, countering their every move with precision and calm.
---
After what felt like hours, Hiruzen finally called a halt. "That's enough," he said, lowering his staff as he stood before his students, who were panting and covered in sweat.
The team, though exhausted, stood tall. They hadn't been able to defeat him, but they had fought well.
"You've all grown," Hiruzen said, his voice filled with pride. "Your teamwork has improved, and your individual skills have sharpened. But remember—there is always more to learn. Never stop growing."
The group nodded, each of them reflecting on the battle. They had come far, but this was only the beginning.
As they made their way back, the sun now high in the sky, casting a warm light over the training field, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
They had faced the Hokage, and though they hadn't won, they had held their own.
For now, that was enough.
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone