Return to the Land of Rain

Faced with Yichen's Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu, Chun dared not be careless. He had already begun Hand Seals before Yichen even made his move, casting an Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall, and then successfully dodged the Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu by hiding behind the Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall.

Yichen's gaze sharpened. Although Chun had learned the Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall under his guidance, he hadn't expected that she could use it in actual combat within a month. Although he couldn't see clearly how many hand seals Chun formed due to the obstruction of the trees, judging from the speed, it was probably around ten. To be able to simplify Hand Seals in just one month, Chun's talent was truly remarkable.

Yichen had no good way to deal with Chun hiding behind the Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall, because Chun knew that his Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu could penetrate the Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall, so Yichen would not have a chance to launch a sneak attack.

There are still too few water-based attack segments.

Yichen temporarily ignored Chun. With Chun's ranged attack methods, it wouldn't be easy for her to hurt him, so Yichen didn't take her seriously. Instead, he shifted his attention to other parts of the area.

Yichen consistently ranked first in theoretical classes at the Ninja Academy, and he was also highly involved in setting Yichen during his time in Team Five and Team 18.

Therefore, Yichen also had some experience in how to set up ambushes.

After scanning the area many times, Yichen selected several suitable locations and began to use the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu.

Unlike before when Yichen confirmed that Chun could successfully dodge, this time Yichen couldn't be sure if Fu and Qingtian could dodge the Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu. After all, it was just a drill, and it wouldn't be good if his two subordinates got hurt. So Yichen used the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu. After more than a dozen Water Style: Water Line Jutsu, Fu and Qingtian could no longer keep their figures hidden.

The three stood in the woods, with Fu in front and Chun and Qingtian on either side behind Fu, forming a battle formation to confront Yichen. Yichen looked around, marveling at how well Qingtian's traps were concealed; he hadn't found a single trace of them.

No longer dwelling on the matter, Yichen leaped Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall and entered the forest.

Yichen's attack methods are mostly short to medium range, such as: Earth Style: Earth Rising Spear, Mind Disturbance Jutsu, Body Bind Technique, Breaking the Cold Current, and swordsmanship.

The only ranged attacks available are water-based Ninjutsu and Water Style: Water Wave. In the current situation, neither of these Ninjutsu is likely to be effective, so Yichen has no choice but to risk entering the ambush zone set up by his subordinates.

The Earth Style Clone is far less agile and less intelligent in combat than the main body; a few slightly complex traps can easily take down an Earth Style Clone. The main body, on the other hand, is completely different in this regard. After entering the ambush area, Yichen proceeded by destroying various suspicious locations as he went.

Out of fear of Qingtian, Yichen used up three Exploding Tag along the way, and also used Water Style: Water Wave at close range several times. Only then did he arrive in front of the three without any major incidents.

This practice match is quite different from a real battle. At least both sides have very good intelligence and know exactly what the other's abilities are.

For example, Yichen knew Qingtian's abilities, so he was extra cautious along the way. His three subordinates also knew which Ninjutsu Yichen knew, so they knew that hiding in the pre-arranged ambush area was a good strategy. The terrain they chose was also unfavorable to Yichen.

When Yichen was about 50 meters away from the three men, he could no longer advance. Although he hadn't yet explored the area in front of him, he knew with a little Yichen that it was definitely full of traps. And his three subordinates were now prepared to interfere with his Ninjutsu. It was impossible to break through the traps as easily as before.

However, Yichen did not directly use Ninjutsu such as Water Style: Water Wave to cause damage. Instead, he chose to hide behind a large tree. Where his three subordinates could not see him, he formed Hand Seals and created an Earth Style Clone. Then, his main body and the clone charged towards the enemy together.

The three of them remained calm and divided their tasks clearly. Chun used Ninjutsu to deal with one of them, while the other two worked together to deal with the remaining one. Fu used Shuriken and other hidden weapons, while Qingtian set up a trap.

Yichen's Earth Style Clone was targeted by pure Ninjutsu and was destroyed after only a few blows; his main body, also affected by the trap, was unable to rush to the three of them and was instead forced back to its original position.

In this back-and-forth, Yichen consumed another wave of Chakra. Although it was more than Chun's, the amount wasn't significant for Yichen at his current level. Meanwhile, the opponent used up some of their traps, but Yichen didn't know how many traps the opponent still had. So, on the surface, neither side gained an advantage.

However, Yichen is the attacker and has a time limit. Therefore, this stalemate is disadvantageous to Yichen.

So Yichen hesitated for a moment, then launched a third wave of attack using the same method, this time with his three clones acting together.

Of the three subordinates, Fu is the strongest in close combat, but relatively weak in ranged attacks. Qingtian can rely on traps for defense, and Chun can use Ninjutsu, but Fu's disruptive effects are not very good.

The attack proceeded in three directions. This time, it was Chun who was targeting Yichen's main body. When facing Chun's first Ninjutsu attack, Yichen deliberately acted like a clone, not very agile. Only after one of his clones was destroyed by Qingtian's trap did Yichen begin to accelerate, using the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu to interfere with Chun in the opposite direction.

At this point, Yichen was only 30 meters away from the three of them. If he moved any closer, he would have the opportunity to use Genjutsu and other techniques.

At this point, although Yichen still had a clone, it was clear which one was the original.

Faced with the simultaneous attack of two Yichen, one real and one fake, Fu and the other two quickly adjusted their strategy. Qingtian used his trap to deal with Yichen's main body, while the other two dealt with the Earth Style Clone.

The next moment, the Earth Style Clone, after advancing a short distance, was unfortunately hit by Chun's attack and turned into a pile of rocks. However, Chun was greatly surprised and immediately warned the other two, "Watch out for the Exploding Tag!"

It turned out that the third Yichen had two Exploding Tag stuck to his body. The two Exploding Tag had been lit, and the next moment two huge explosions rang out, and a cloud of dust spread out.

Yichen successfully seized the opportunity to close in on the three. He then Hand Seals and unleashed the Mind Disturbance Jutsu. The target of this Ninjutsu was Qingtian.

Yichen didn't expect to instantly kill Qingtian, but rather to put this opponent, who could instantly cast traps, into a helpless situation as soon as possible, and then launch a surprise attack.

Upon seeing Qingtian fall victim to the attack, Fu Hechun was greatly alarmed. Just as Yichen had predicted, the two of them flanked Qingtian, protecting her from both sides.

However, the follow-up attack they expected from Yichen didn't come. Yichen formed hand Hand Seals and used the Body Flicker Technique. With Qingtian present, Yichen hadn't dared to use the Body Flicker Technique before. The Body Flicker Technique isn't Space Ninjutsu. Although it's fast, it's not spatial teleportation. During the movement, the user can't control their own body. If there are hidden weapons flying around in the air at this time, it's easy to get hit by them.

Therefore, Yichen chose to use the Body Flicker Technique the moment when Qingtian Tian was in a daze. Moreover, Yichen can now use the Body Flicker Technique with just one hand seal, and he can perform three Body Flicker Techniques each time.

Yichen flashed to Fu's side, but Fu, as if expecting this, lightly slashed at Yichen with his blade. However, Yichen's figure vanished again in a flash, reappearing beside Chun a second time.

But this was also within Fu's expectations. Chun, as Ninjutsu Ninja, was easily targeted. After Fu's slash missed, he didn't pause and immediately moved to Chun's side. If Yichen launched an attack at this moment, Fu could use Chun's defeat to make Yichen fail.

Yichen was naturally unwilling to make such an exchange. He flashed again and appeared beside Fu once more. Fu's position was awkward at this moment. In order to support Chun, a teammate who was not good at close combat, Fu's right hand holding the knife was close to Chun, while Yichen appeared on the other side of Fu.

At this moment, Chun was unable to provide support. Firstly, there wasn't enough time to use Ninjutsu, and secondly, the presence of a talisman rendered hidden weapons ineffective. Qingtian had just regained consciousness, and it would take him some time to find a suitable opportunity to strike.

Yichen essentially engaged in a one-on-one duel with Fu. Of course, this duel had a time limit; Yichen had to make effective progress within a very short time, otherwise Fu's two companions could provide support.

However, Yichen also has an advantage, namely their positioning. Yichen is in a position where it is easy to attack, while Fu is facing Yichen from the side and his body is not yet stable.

Yichen formed four hand seals and cast Body Bind Technique, causing Fu's body, which was forcibly turning around, to pause, lose its balance, and fall downwards.

If Yichen wanted to maintain the Genjutsu, he would be unable to use other Taijutsu or Ninjutsu. Therefore, after Yichen used the Genjutsu to make the talisman fall for it, he immediately ended the Genjutsu and then used the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu.

Upon seeing this, Fu was shocked. He had assumed Yichen would immediately use the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu. He knew this was Yichen's fastest attack Ninjutsu, so he had prepared to dodge when he forcibly turned around. But he didn't expect Yichen to trick him with Genjutsu, causing him to lose his balance.

Then Yichen abandoned maintaining the Genjutsu and used the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu. At such close range, with the enemy off balance, the Water Style: Water Line Jutsu hit the target without any doubt.

Yichen's attack sent Fu's longsword flying.

Fu is now eliminated.

In truth, Yichen's target from the beginning was Fu. Fu possessed a speed superior to his own and was the only one capable of holding his own against him. If Yichen could eliminate Fu, he would be guaranteed to win.

As expected, the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt; having lost one of their companions, Qingtian and Jun were quickly defeated.

This First Shinobi War wasn't particularly exciting, and the actual fighting time was very short, but this is the norm in ninja combat. Ninjas don't immediately unleash their full power; instead, they constantly probe each other, concealing their own strength and searching for weaknesses. Then, they seize the opportunity to strike and defeat their enemy.

The next day was the Team 7's final training session. The four of them did a battle debriefing before disbanding to prepare for the next mission.

This is the Team 7's second official mission, and also the first mission that Yichen chose himself.

Yichen decided to visit the Land of Rain. He hadn't seen Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan for a while and wondered how the Akatsuki Organization had developed. It was time to go and keep an eye on things.