First Clash

The Land of Fire has a completely different landscape from the other Four Great Nations; in fact, the landscapes of the Five Great Nations are all different.

The Land of Wind is mostly desert, while the Land of Earth Land of Wind better off, with large tracts of land barely suitable for cultivation. I haven't been to the Yichen of Land of Lightning or the Land of Water, but the conditions should be similar to those in the Land of Earth.

The Land of Fire alone possesses exceptionally fertile land, with forests covering even the most remote and inaccessible areas. Where people do live, vast tracts of land have been cultivated, yielding a harvest far exceeding that of the other four kingdoms.

Based on this, although the military strength of the Land of Fire is insufficient to fight against the other four countries alone, its economic strength far exceeds the combined strength of the other four countries.

For this reason, the Land of Fire allocates far more funding to Konoha each year than the other four countries.

It is precisely because of this economic advantage that Konoha has been able to surpass other countries in various fields.

Take Medical Ninjutsu, for example. The development of Medical Ninjutsu cannot be explained simply by saying that Tsunade talented. The research expenses incurred would make the Kage of the other four countries feel the pinch.

Besides Medical Ninjutsu, Konoha also has all sorts of Forbidden Technique, and none of these Forbidden Techniques are easy to research.

Yichen had personally experienced this. He had previously spent a large amount of the Barrier Team's funds when he was testing the Fire Domain fragments. And that was just the cost of Yichen's experiment alone.

Later, with the full support of the village, the entire Barrier Team conducted various research projects for about ten years. Although Yichen didn't know the exact figures, he knew that the expenses were astronomical.

It was precisely because Yichen secured the village's full support for the Barrier Team Yichen was able to obtain many resources that others could not. This also brought great convenience to Yichen's cultivation path.

The Iwagakure only had the Fire Domain Fragment for research, which was barely enough to sustain them. However, Konoha Danzo Leaf Village developed countless Forbidden Technique during the Second Hokage's era, and during the Third Hokage's reign, Orochimaru, among others, conducted numerous human experiments.

In particular, the research on Hashirama Cells has cost enough to support Konoha in another Ninja World War.

My thoughts drifted a little further, but back to the present, the Land of Fire's natural conditions far surpassed those of the other Four Great Nations, with lush, verdant trees everywhere.

In such terrain, it would be very easy for an Elite Jonin to infiltrate silently. Not to mention that Yichen also possesses Sensory Ninjutsu and Camouflage Jutsu, two auxiliary Ninjutsu.

With no obstacles along the way, Yichen crossed the Land of the Falls and entered the Land of Fire, quickly arriving near the Konoha Camp.

Once they reached the vicinity of the camp, it was no longer feasible to infiltrate silently as before.

Fortunately, Yichen never intended to sneak into the Konoha Camp; that would be suicide.

Yichen's approach was straightforward. Genin and lower Konoha from the north of the camp, using a Body Flicker Technique to get close to the three of them. Then, leveraging his Elite Jonin physical advantage, he landed a straight punch on the abdomen of the opposing Chunin Captain before he could react.

The Chunin only realized he was being attacked after being punched away by Yichen. His three Genin only belatedly shouted "Enemy attack!" after he fell to the ground.

After throwing a punch, Yichen stopped moving and quietly watched as the three Genin scrambled to their Chunin Captain's side.

The three first checked their captain's injuries before realizing what was happening and forming a battle formation to guard against Yichen.

Yichen remained motionless until the opposing Chunin recovered from his punch, then spoke, "I am Yichen, the vice commander of the Iwa ninja Eastern Army. Go and deliver a message to Minato Namikaze: I wish to challenge him."

Upon hearing that this Iwa ninja dared to challenge their idol, Lord Minato Namikaze, the three genin, who were also commoners, were furious and Genin ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

Unlike his three subordinates' anger, the Chunin had already realized the difference in strength between the two sides. After hearing Yichen introduce himself, he understood that he was only fit to play a minor role as a messenger.

So the sensible Chunin said, "Please wait a moment, senior. We'll go back and report to Lord Minato Namikaze right away."

After saying that, he glared fiercely at the three subordinates who were staring angrily at Yichen, then turned and ran towards the camp.

Seeing this, Yichen didn't laugh. If he hadn't had a talent for mental strength, he would probably be one of the many Genin like him now.

After the patrolling ninja team left, Yichen chose a relatively open area nearby. As a ranged attacker, he felt that complex terrain would be disadvantageous for him.

When the Chunin returned to the camp with Yichen's message, Minato Namikaze was Land of the Falls Waterfall with two middle-aged ninjas.

Upon hearing that the patrolling ninja had an urgent matter and that the person who came was injured, the high-ranking officers did not delay and immediately called the person in.

After the Chunin finished his report, Minato Namikaze and the other two were somewhat surprised. The Lands of Fire and Earth had not yet officially declared war, and theoretically, they were still at peace. However, everyone knew that First Shinobi War was inevitable.

In this context, it's somewhat intriguing that Yichen came alone.

An elite Elite Jonin, completely wrapped in a trench coat, said, "While we're unsure of Yichen's cultivation talent, his strategic skills shouldn't be underestimated."

"Shibi Aburame is right. Jiraiya- sensei also said before that Yichen's status in Iwagakure is probably higher than we imagined."

Minato Namikaze affirmed Shibi Aburame's assessment, clearly indicating that he had gathered information about Yichen after assuming command of the unit.

"Jiraiya- sensei once gathered intelligence that the events in the Land of Whirlpools were orchestrated by the Iwa ninja behind the scenes. And it seems that the Iwa ninja's higher-ups were influenced by this Yichen, which led to the plan targeting Konoha."

"What? When the Land of Whirlpools incident happened, this Yichen should have just entered the Ninja Academy." Another Elite Jonin was clearly startled by Minato Namikaze's words.

"Senior Choza Akimichi, Jiraiya Jiraiya-sensei couldn't confirm this; he only deduced it from some clues."

Minato Namikaze explained helplessly.

This news is quite shocking. The Legendary Sannin almost died in the Land of Whirlpools incident, which shocked the entire Ninja World at the time. It's unexpected that the instigator of such a major event was just a student from the Ninja Academy.

Although Minato Namikaze stated that this was merely Jiraiya's speculation, Jiraiya's conjecture, as one of the Legendary Sannin, was essentially considered fact by the Konoha ninja.

Choza Akimichi hesitated for a moment, then asked, "If Yichen challenges you now, will you still go?"

Minato Namikaze laughed and said, "Of course I'll go. The Lands of Fire and Earth haven't gone to war yet. I not only want to fight them, but I also want to defeat them and let the Land of Earth know the strength of the Konoha ninja so they won't dare to act rashly."

As Minato Namikaze spoke, a confident glint shone in his eyes.

About half an hour later, Yichen, who had been waiting quietly, opened his eyes. He sensed that about a dozen people were rapidly approaching.

Sure enough, a short while later, Minato Namikaze arrived in front of Yichen with more than a dozen elites, including Shibi Aburame. The group stopped about a hundred meters away from Yichen.

Minato Namikaze originally intended to come alone, but Shibi Aburame and Choza Akimichi were worried about Yichen, so they sent more than a dozen Jonin to accompany Minato Namikaze.

Yichen paid no attention to these people. After stopping his figure from Minato Namikaze, Yichen no longer noticed anyone else.

Unlike Yichen, who was staring at Minato Namikaze only glanced at Yichen before speaking, "Iwa ninja Elite Jonin Yichen, we don't seem to know each other, so why are you challenging me to a fight?"

Yichen wasn't going to waste words; talking wasn't his forte. "Let's fight first."

As he spoke, Yichen began Hand Seals.

Minato Namikaze's gaze sharpened, and while shouting "Back off!" to order his entourage to retreat, he had already used the Body Flicker Technique.

"Water Release: Rain Style: Light Rain Jutsu (Group Water Style: Water Line Jutsu)." Facing Minato Namikaze's first Ninjutsu, Yichen chose the less lethal Rain Style: Light Rain Jutsu.

This B-rank Ninjutsu, requiring only five hand seals, can be executed by Yichen in just one second. Moreover, Yichen can simultaneously unleash hundreds of water threads, which are divided into several waves under Yichen control, each wave covering a 120-degree radius in front of Yichen.

Every time Minato Namikaze used the Body Flicker Technique to teleport, Yichen would shoot a wave of water at him.

Minato Namikaze was able to perform Ninjutsu without hand seals. Although Yichen Rain Style: Light Rain Jutsu was not without hand seals, Yichen, in conjunction with his own Hand Seal Body Flicker, managed to keep the distance between the two within a certain range. Minato Namikaze's attempt to instantly close the distance between them did not succeed.

The Konoha ninja watching from the sidelines were all taken aback. One of them said, "Yichen's hand Hand Seals speed is incredibly fast. It must exceed five seals per second."

As Elite Jonin, Shibi Aburame saw it most clearly and stated succinctly, "About 5.5 hand seals per second."

Water-line Ninjutsu is Yichen's forte, Ninjutsu when he performs this type of Ninjutsu, Yichen Hand Seals speed reaches nearly 5.7 seals per second.

These Konoha ninja had basically never seen an opponent with such terrifying Hand Seals speed, and they were completely stunned by Yichen's move.

Another Jonin then said, "This Yichen is not only fast at Hand Seals, but he also uses the Body Flicker Technique very smoothly. It seems he can perform at least 5 Body Flicker Technique without hand seals."

"Yes, with that terrifying speed of Hand Seals, coupled with the Hand Seal Body Flicker, I'm afraid I won't be able to get close to him at all. I'll just end up getting riddled with holes by his Ninjutsu."

"After all, he's a ninja who dared to challenge Minato Namikaze, so it's not surprising that he has this strength."

At this moment, a Jonin glanced at the spot where Yichen's water line had struck and slowly said, "Fortunately, the attack range and intensity of this group Ninjutsu aren't too great."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the trees and ground that had been dented by the Water Pressure Line and breathed a sigh of relief.

While such power would certainly injure a ninja if it hit them, they could withstand it as long as they avoided vital points. If the ninja were wearing some good quality protective gear, they might even be able to charge forward despite the attack.

The battlefield situation changed at this point. This was the Land of Fire, surrounded by dense trees. Although Yichen had chosen a relatively open area as the battlefield as possible, there were still quite a few obstacles.

Yichen's water line wasn't very powerful, so these trees were enough to provide cover for Minato Namikaze.

After using the trees as cover to advance several times, Minato Namikaze finally closed the distance between them.

However, all of this was within Yichen's expectations. Yichen never thought that he could defeat Minato Namikaze with just a Rain Style: Light Rain Jutsu.

So when Minato Namikaze once again used the trees as cover to approach Yichen decisively changed his Hand Seals.

"Water Release: Rain Style: Heavy Rain Jutsu (Group Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu)."

Yichen's original intention was to catch Minato Namikaze off guard by using the powerful penetrating ability of the Water Pressure Line in the Rain Style: Heavy Rain Jutsu.

But Minato Namikaze is Minato Namikaze after all. Yichen's Rain Style: Heavy Rain Jutsu only had two more hand seals, which took less than 0.2 seconds, but Minato Namikaze still noticed something was wrong immediately.

Upon sensing the anomaly, Minato Namikaze not only refrained from approaching again, but also decisively used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge to the side.

Although Yichen's Water Pressure Line was fast, Minato Namikaze still managed to dodge the attack before it hit him.

However, due to Minato Namikaze's retreat, the distance between the two returned to about 100 meters, just like at the beginning.

This time, the two tacitly refrained from immediate action and instead engaged in a brief standoff.

The first round of combat has come to an end, seemingly evenly matched, but Yichen knows he is at a disadvantage.

Yichen used B-rank Ninjutsu, Minato Namikaze used a C-rank Body Flicker Technique, so their energy consumption was different.

Furthermore, Yichen's greatest advantage lies in his Hand Seals speed, which was already fully demonstrated during the tug-of-war between the two.

However, Minato Namikaze only used the simple Body Flicker Technique from beginning to end.