At this moment, everyone displayed expressions of utter shock.
Two C-rank jutsu weren't necessarily extraordinary.
What truly astonished even the Jōnin present was the clone that had unleashed a jutsu!
Ordinary clones were nothing more than illusions—lacking physical form, unable to attack.
But the one used by Namikaze Minato was capable of performing jutsu!
Clearly, this was a higher-level technique, a B-rank jutsu—
The Shadow Clone Jutsu!
"He actually used the Shadow Clone Jutsu?!"
"How did he even learn it? Did he teach himself?!"
"When did he create the shadow clone? Why didn't anyone notice?!"
The Chūnin instructors couldn't help but exclaim in disbelief.
After all, shadow clones weren't something taught at the Academy!
Had Namikaze Minato truly mastered such an advanced jutsu on his own?!
What kind of monstrous talent was this?!
At that moment, Yoru was seemingly trapped in a desperate situation, caught between an attack from both the front and back.
On the spectator stands, Uzumaki Kushina clenched her small fists tightly.
Her nails were nearly digging into her skin, yet she didn't even notice.
"Yoru…"
A trace of unwillingness flickered in her bright eyes.
Namikaze Minato was simply too strong—was Yoru truly unable to win?
Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sitting atop the high platform, revealed an expression of admiration and amazement.
The other Jōnin were also full of praise for Minato's battle awareness, believing that the match was nearly decided.
In the arena—
Yoru stood motionless.
A C-rank Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Jutsu surged toward him from the front, while a C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough bore down from behind.
The training field wasn't large, leaving almost no room for him to evade.
Even the proctor had already prepared to step in and clean up the aftermath.
However, at that very moment—
Yoru shifted his body slightly, stepping back just half a step.
To the untrained eye, it seemed meaningless—more like a reflexive, panicked attempt to dodge without knowing how to respond.
Yet, his next move left everyone frozen in place.
Yoru, having adjusted his stance, did something shockingly simple.
He slightly lowered his body.
Then, crossing his arms at his chest, he clenched both fists.
"No way…!"
"Could it be—?!"
"Impossible!!"
The moment he took this stance, countless figures in the audience gasped, their minds racing with the same realization.
And then—absolute silence.
All their disbelief transformed into sheer astonishment.
BOOM!
The combined force of wind and fire surged forward, engulfing Yoru's seemingly frail figure.
But in the next instant, his arms moved.
His fists flipped outward in opposite directions, slamming fiercely into the air around him.
CRACK!!!
A blinding white shockwave rippled through the space around him.
The very air seemed to fracture like a spiderweb, breaking apart inch by inch.
A terrifying concussive force erupted outward, colliding head-on with both incoming jutsu.
The raging flames and howling winds had been mere inches away—
Yet before that overwhelming shockwave, they could not advance a single step!
Like an insurmountable chasm, the force of Yoru's fists shattered them effortlessly.
In an instant—
Both the Fire and Wind Release techniques were completely obliterated!
Silence.
Utter, absolute silence.
And yet, within every person's mind, it was as if thunder had struck—roaring and shaking them to their core.
It wasn't until the fractured space restored itself, leaving no trace behind, that the audience erupted.
"This… this is even possible?!"
"He can unleash that power with both fists at the same time, in different directions?!"
"A Kekkei Genkai like that… If it has no blind spots, then how do you even fight against it?!"
Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, nearly crushed the teacup in his hand.
The power of the Shatter Release Kekkei Genkai that Yoru had displayed left even him deeply shaken.
Flawless.
If this bloodline limit grew even stronger—just how terrifying could it become?!
Even Danzo, who had been watching silently, could no longer contain himself. His eyes gleamed as he spoke in a heavy tone.
"Sarutobi, that child should be entrusted to me… He's from an outside village. I can mold him into someone completely loyal."
"Absolutely not."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected him without hesitation.
Danzo's face twitched, his anger barely restrained.
"You refused to let me have Minato. Now you refuse Yoru as well. Sarutobi, what exactly are you planning?!"
"These two will never be handed over to you."
Hiruzen's voice was cold, his stance unwavering.
"You… Fine!"
Danzo abruptly stood up, casting a furious glance at Hiruzen before storming off without even waiting for the match's outcome.
Hiruzen merely watched him leave with an icy gaze.
As if he wouldn't see through Danzo's ambitions?
Root was supposed to be an extension of ANBU, yet it had essentially become Danzo's personal army.
If prodigies like Namikaze Minato or Yoru fell into Danzo's hands, his influence would only become more overwhelming.
As Hokage, Hiruzen would never allow that to happen!
Back in the arena—
Namikaze Minato stood frozen.
His Shadow Clone had already disappeared, having expended all of its chakra.
And because of how Shadow Clones split chakra evenly, his own reserves were now nearly depleted as well.
The moment Yoru adjusted his stance and struck out, Minato had felt an ominous premonition.
But by then, he was powerless to do anything.
He could only watch as Yoru's Shatter Release completely obliterated his carefully planned attack.
For a fleeting moment, he had hoped that dividing the shockwave into two directions would weaken its strength—
Yet the reality was far crueler.
Even split across both fists, Yoru's power remained absolute, effortlessly destroying his C-rank jutsu.
It was perfect. That Kekkei Genkai…
Minato felt a bitter smile creep onto his face.
Even against a full-fledged Chūnin, he wouldn't have struggled this much.
It wasn't that Yoru was inherently stronger than all Chūnin.
But at this level, his abilities were simply unstoppable.