Yichen Battles Nagato

Yichen and Nagato arrived at an open space outside the River Ninja Village.

Nagato's Six Paths of Pain were in the Land of Rain, so Yichen was only fighting against Nagato's true form.

Without the Six Paths of Pain Nagato probably wouldn't even reach the Super Kage-level. Of course, if Nagato developed even more advanced abilities with the Rinnegan, that would be a different story.

Looking at the eyeshadow around Yichen's eyes, Nagato said, "Is this the Sage Mode you used in the last battle against Hanzo?"

Yichen nodded and said, "Yes, Sage Mode enhances my Ninjutsu, making it my strongest state. I can't be careless when fighting Nagato."

"I'm going to attack." With that, Yichen charged straight at Nagato.

Since it was just a friendly spar, Yichen wasn't worried about any danger to his life, so he wanted to test his strength in every way.

Nagato is a very well-rounded opponent, with balanced skills in both Taijutsu Ninjutsu, making him a perfect test subject.

Therefore, Yichen's first choice is Taijutsu.

Yichen drew his longsword as he charged toward Nagato.

Even in close combat, Yichen uses swordsmanship. Even with the enhancement of Yichen Sage Mode, his Taijutsu are hardly impressive.

Nagato understood Yichen's meaning, and faced with Yichen's first round of sword attacks, he chose to only dodge and not attack.

Yichen didn't use Sword Qi; he simply used swordsmanship. However, to a ninja of Nagato's Nagato, the flaws in Yichen's swordsmanship were too obvious.

In truth, Yichen himself didn't think much of his own swordsmanship. He possessed more advanced swordsmanship techniques, but Yichen simply hadn't had the time to practice them.

With the Rinnegan's keen insight, Yichen could predict Yichen's attack trajectory even before Nagato could unleash a single sword strike, making dodging relatively easy.

After one round of attacks, Yichen hadn't even managed to touch Nagato's Kakuzu, so he began to use other methods.

He paused briefly, then began to perform Ninjutsu by forming One-handed Hand Seals.

"Sage Art - Water Release - Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu".

Seeing this, Nagato stopped dodging and a Black Rod with a sharp tip appeared out of thin air in his right hand.

Using Black Rod as a sword, Nagato began to defend against Yichen's attacks, which combined swordsmanship Ninjutsu.

"Clang, clang, clang." Although Nagato used Black Rod as a weapon, he still did not attack.

He simply used his Black Rod to deflect Yichen's longsword time and time again, sometimes dodging Yichen's Ninjutsu, and sometimes directly blocking with his Black Rod.

In close combat, Yichen's Ninjutsu, which he performs with One-handed Hand Seals, is mostly C-rank. However, in Sage Mode, the power of these C-rank Ninjutsu is no less than that of A-rank.

However, Nagato still seemed to handle these A-rank attacks with ease at close range.

In addition, due to the unique nature of his Black Rod, even if it is interrupted by Yichen, it can be regenerated and return to its original state in the blink of an eye.

Therefore, Yichen also appeared very powerless in this round of battles.

With a whoosh, Yichen swung his sword again, but Nagato easily blocked it with his Black Rod.

However, this time Yichen did not use sword techniques to change his moves; instead, a blue Chakra ball appeared in the palm of his left hand.

"Sage Art - Lightning Release - Rasengan!" Yichen shouted, then pressed his left hand directly towards Nagato's waist.

Nagato remained calm and unhurried, extending his left hand directly beneath his right hand, which was holding the Black Rod, and caught Yichen's Rasengan perfectly.

The Sage Art: Rasengan, which also possessed the Nature Transformation of Lightning Release, was easily absorbed by Nagato.

This marks the first time Nagato has used an ability other than the Black Rod, indicating that he is no longer as relaxed as before.

Yichen did not attack immediately because Nagato was somewhat puzzled at this moment.

"What's wrong?" Yichen asked.

Nagato said, "Senjutsu are indeed amazing. I can absorb ordinary Ninjutsu very quickly, but I absorb Senjutsu Techniques much more slowly."

Yichen nodded and said, "Again."

"Sage Art - Lightning Release - Chidori Flow." Yichen imbued his longsword with A-rank Lightning Release Senjutsu.

Nagato initially chose to block the attack with his Black Rod, but after Yichen's longsword was blocked, a bolt of Lightning Release immediately shot out from the sword and quickly attacked Nagato.

Nagato was somewhat surprised by Yichen's attack method and tried to reach out to block it, but blue light flashed frequently on Yichen's longsword, and this time more than a dozen bolts of Lightning Release shot out at once.

Nagato only managed to catch the first Lightning Release; the others were about to strike him.

"Shinra Tensei!" Nagato uttered softly.

Yichen's dozen or so Lightning Release, along with Yichen himself, were directly repelled and sent flying.

"Whoosh~" Yichen also knew gravity-based Ninjutsu, and before he flew too far, he withstood the repulsive force of Shinra Tensei.

"Nagato, you've finally used this move. If you hadn't, I would have started to question my existence," Yichen said.

Nagato nodded and said, "Your Lightning Release technique is good. Although the attack is scattered, its power is sufficient in Sage Mode."

"In one-on-one close combat, this move is quite good."

Yichen nodded and said, "Melee combat is over. My melee skills are far inferior to yours. Next up is ranged offense and defense."

After saying that, Yichen began to unleash Ninjutsu attacks of various attributes.

Originally, Nagato possessed the ability to absorb Ninjutsu, Yichen did not intend to use the Five-Attribute Ninjutsu, as such Ninjutsu would be meaningless against Nagato.

However, after the battle just now, Yichen felt that it wouldn't hurt to have Nagato help him check the shortcomings of his Ninjutsu.

Moreover, Yichen discovered that Nagato was absorbing the Senjutsu more slowly than he had imagined, which presented an opportunity.

"Sage Art - Fire Release - Great Fireball Jutsu, Sage Art - Wind Release - Great Breakthrough." Yichen started the match with Combination Ninjutsu.

Yichen's goal was not to defeat Nagato with this Nagato -Area of Effect Ninjutsu, but to obscure Nagato's vision.

Taking this opportunity, Yichen used his Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Next, Yichen used Shadow Clone in conjunction with his main body to launch wave after wave of Ninjutsu attacks on Nagato.

Nagato did not retaliate at first; in most cases, he would choose to absorb Ninjutsu.

However, Yichen's Ninjutsu speed was too fast, and his Senjutsu were difficult to absorb.

So soon, Nagato also began to clash with Yichen using Ninjutsu.

After only two Ninjutsu, Nagato gave up because the difference in their Ninjutsu speed was too great, even though Nagato was quite proficient in all Five-Attribute Ninjutsu.

However, Yichen used C-rank Sage Jutsu but displayed A-level power.

Ninjutsu Nagato a large amount of Chakra, so he would usually use a lot more Chakra to increase the power of his Ninjutsu.

But that's how it has to be; to be able to deal with Yichen's C-rank Sage Jutsu attacks, Nagato would have to choose at least B-rank Ninjutsu.

His B-rank Ninjutsu requires more hand seals than Yichen's, and his Hand Seals speed is slower than Yichen's.

He often uses one Ninjutsu Yichen can use four or five, putting him at a huge disadvantage.

In the elemental Ninjutsu offense and defense, Nagato was immediately at a disadvantage, and only managed to hold on against Yichen's attacks by relying on the overwhelming force of Shinra Tensei.

"Phew~" Yichen breathed a sigh of relief, quite satisfied with his performance.

At this moment, Konan and Yahiko also noticed the commotion and came over to watch.

Watching Yichen and Nagato's battle, Konan sighed and said, "The gap between me and those two is widening."

Nagato is already incredibly powerful, but why is Yichen's Ninjutsu so powerful and fast? Surprisingly, Nagato is at a disadvantage in this Ninjutsu battle.

Yahiko said, "Both of them possess all Five-Attribute, so in that respect they are evenly matched."

"However, Yichen used Senjutsu Senjutsu, which allows Yichen C-rank Ninjutsu to approach the power of an A-rank. Nagato would need a higher-level Ninjutsu to counter it."

"Yichen is already quick at Hand Seals, so Nagato is naturally at a disadvantage. If Nagato weren't able to absorb Ninjutsu, he would have been forced to use Shinra Tensei by Yichen long ago."

Konan nodded and said, "Neither of them has gone all out yet. Who do you think will win?"

Yahiko said, "Nagato will definitely win. Yichen himself said before that Nagato is the strongest person in the Ninja World right now."

"I just don't know how far Yichen can push Nagato."

At this moment, Yichen said, "Nagato, I'm going to get serious."

Nagato nodded solemnly.

"Immortal Technique - Porcelain Release - Kunai Rain." Dust Release is not suitable for sparring; Yichen's strongest technique is Porcelain Release.

"Earth Release - Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall, Earth Release - Earth Style: Earth Flow Fortress."

Faced with the overwhelming Kunai of rocks and Yichen, Nagato knew that hiding was useless, so he first used a fast Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall to buy some time.

Then, while retreating, he formed hand Hand Seals and unleashed the A-level Earth Style: Earth Flow Fortress.

This move worked; Yichen's Kunai Rain all hit the cliff-like wall of Earth Style: Earth Flow Fortress.

However, the greatest power of Porcelain Release is not limited to this; Porcelain Release can also turn corners. Since a frontal attack was ineffective, Yichen controlled the Kunai Rain to begin turning.

Kunai Rain split into three groups: two flanking from the left and right, and one attacking from above.

With his Mind's Eye senses, Yichen didn't even need to search for Nagato's exact location.

"Summoning Jutsu." Nagato immediately cast the Summoning Jutsu, summoning a giant Three-Headed Hellhound.

Puff puff puff puff.

Numerous rocks Kunai the Three-Headed Hellhound, but instead of dying, the Three-Headed Hellhound began to split and multiply.

They always protected Nagato firmly.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nagato summoned several more giant Summoning Beast.

His true form then entered the mouth of the Giant Centipede that was the last to be summoned.

While the Three-Headed Hellhound was still struggling to resist Yichen's Kunai Rain, these giant Summoning Beast rushed out of the Kunai Rain's coverage area one by one, bypassing the Earth Style: Earth Flow Fortress to attack Yichen.

Yichen smiled slightly, while one half of his Kunai Rain continued to suppress the Three-Headed Hellhound, and the other half chased after the Giant Centipede that was holding Nagato in its mouth.

Meanwhile, Yichen, who was multitasking, used Ninjutsu to attack the giant Summoning Beast.

"Sage Art - Fire Release - Great Dragon Fire Technique, Sage Art - Wind Release - Wind Release: Pressure Damage."

It's another Combination Ninjutsu, but this time it's a combination of advanced Senjutsu.

A wide-range attack Ninjutsu with power exceeding that of a regular S-rank ninjutsu.

The raging hurricane, carrying flames across the sky, struck the first giant rhinoceros charging towards Yichen, instantly engulfing it.

Before Peng could even get close to Yichen, the giant rhinoceros turned into smoke. Clearly, it had been severely injured and had to return to where it started.

"Sage Art - Water Release - Great Raging Waves, Sage Art - Lightning Release - Lightning Vine"

The massive wave quickly engulfed the second giant bull that charged in, and blinding lightning flashed in the water.

Peng, this huge bull didn't last much longer than the previous rhinoceros.

"Immortal Technique - Water Release - Water Cutting Technique." Yichen continued Hand Seals.

A line of water several hundred meters long gently swept across an empty space.

It finally stopped at a certain location.

The next moment, a Giant Chameleon appeared, right next to the waterline of the Yichen Water Cutting Technique.

Bang! The chameleon vanished instantly.

Yichen did not harm the chameleon, but Nagato knew that Yichen had shown mercy, so he immediately released the chameleon.

Yichen also removed the thin water line.

Immediately afterwards, in the sky, a giant Yata Mirror stretched out its sharp, large beak, like a giant chisel, and lunged at Yichen.

"Sage Art - Water Release - Water Prison Pillar, Sage Art - Wind Release - Vacuum Wave." This time it wasn't Combination Ninjutsu, but rather two Senjutsu working together, one after the other.

The Water Prison Pillar directly enveloped the Yata Mirror, which was attacking in a straight line, and the massive water flow slowed it down more and more.

Once the Yata Mirror breaks through the Water Prison Pillar, its greatest advantage—speed—is gone.

As dozens of cannonball-like attacks swept past it one after another, it was powerless to dodge.

The next moment, Nagato released the Yata Mirror.

There will be another update later.