Arrival at Konoha Village

Objectively speaking, the Ice Release of the Yuki Clan is quite formidable. Unlike the straightforward and sharp Wood Release, the hallmark of Ice Release lies in its possession of many bizarre abilities; this is the true power of Ice Release. Relying on this strength, Ice Release could almost stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Wood Release of Konoha.

Unfortunately, ever since Qi left the Yuki Clan, he has not had a single ninjutsu master, so it goes without saying that his progress in elemental techniques has been slow. Reading scrolls on one's own is different from having someone there to teach.

When he was with the Yuki Clan, the training he underwent was for the precise control of chakra. If one does not pay attention to this when fusing elemental techniques, it is impossible to use them for long. Compared to Wood Release, the advantage of Ice Release lies in its endless variety of secret techniques, which place extremely high demands on chakra control.

Qi still relies primarily on Water Release today. It is not that he cannot use Ice Release, but rather that his level is too low. For the time being, Water Release is more practical for him than Ice Release. Unless absolutely necessary, he rarely uses Ice Release; after all, it consumes more chakra, and he has yet to master the true secret techniques of Ice Release.

The Yuki Clan also uses Water Release as their primary method of attack before they truly possess the ability to use Ice Release. This is why they study Water Release; it naturally provides an excellent auxiliary effect for Ice Release. For instance, it can create an environment with abundant water to increase the efficiency of Ice Release.

As for Wind Release, very few in the clan use it. They often apply wind-natured chakra to their taijutsu. Qi undoubtedly inherited this style, though his current level of cultivation in this area is likely even lower.

"To think it's an enemy who excels at Earth Release... Why am I so unlucky!"

Looking at the large fissure in the ground, veins bulged on Qi's forehead. He felt that there had been a few too many unpleasant things happening lately.

"I have no choice... I have to use Ice Release!"

Water Release is a guaranteed failure against Earth Release. It all depends on how long he can sustain the consumption of Ice Release with his current chakra levels.

Unlike Haku, Qi's style when using Ice Release is completely different. This can be seen from how he uses the Thousand Flying Water Needles—which originally fell under the category of Water Release—as a form of ice crystal attack.

The Ice Release of the Yuki Clan varies from person to person, with styles differing for everyone. Whether it is the Thousand Flying Water Needles or the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, these are not actually the names of secret techniques, but rather titles denoting one's level of mastery.

A hundred Yuki clansmen would have a hundred different ways of using it.

"Kid, you've hit the jackpot. It's actually a Jonin..."

Ogata threw the Konoha ninja he was holding onto the ground and walked over.

However, as he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on that Jonin.

"According to the rules of the ninja world, if I don't have a fight with you here, I probably won't be taken seriously later. I don't want to be treated like trash and locked up for half a year."

"Given your actions, I can believe these words."

The Jonin nodded upon hearing this.

"But you're also right. If you can't show your value, Konoha doesn't have time to waste during such a tense moment. We would definitely lock you up first; that is inevitable."

"That's perfect, then. I've come to bring this kid to join Konoha. His clan has already been exterminated, and as for mine, it's probably not far off. If that's the case, Konoha should be able to rest easy."

Ogata clenched his fists.

"If I defeat you, how about you help us make arrangements? Such a thing is too simple for a Jonin like you; you only need to say a word."

"Then you'll have to let me see what you're capable of. If you have the value, even if you didn't ask, I would do it anyway."

After saying this, the Jonin suddenly performed a series of hand seals with both hands and opened his mouth.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

In anime, this move seems to be just a large ball, but facing it now, Qi didn't think so. Everywhere he looked, it was a sea of crimson, and the heat wave was stifling!

Even if it were a sphere, it was far too large...

"Ice Release: Ice Crystal Wall!"

Without a second thought, Qi pressed his palms together. The water vapor in the air, left behind by his previous Water Release, immediately stirred. With a loud sound, an ice wall solidified in front of him and Ogata, growing thicker by the second.

It wasn't that Qi didn't want to use Water Release, but the gap in their levels was too great; Water Release would certainly not be able to block it. Therefore, he had to rely on his bloodline limit—Ice Release.

Although his Ice Release was not yet at a level where he could use the special abilities starting from the "Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals" stage, it was perfectly fine for defense. In any case, this was no longer the time to conserve chakra.

Using Ice Release for defense is quite simple; one only needs to maintain and increase the temperature and density of the ice crystals.

"Whoosh..."

The Fire Release unleashed by the Konoha Jonin did not wait for Qi's thoughts. The moment the ice wall formed was the moment the fire struck. The red flame flow collided with the ice wall, but it immediately split in two, flowing along the sides of the wall. Qi's ice wall blocked it perfectly.

This was also the first time Qi had faced a Fire Release technique. He felt two waves of heat surging from both sides of the ice wall, whistling like a whirlwind as they swept past. The Great Fireball Technique was a move capable of instantly carbonizing a person; the temperature was shockingly high. At the very least, Qi felt that the fire streams rushing past on both sides were searingly hot.

Facing this situation, Qi naturally dared not relax for even a second. His chakra flowed continuously, not daring to pause for a moment. After all, the opponent was a Jonin; even a casual strike was not something he, still a Genin, could handle easily. Under his full effort, a trace of cold air even seeped from his body, constantly pouring into the ice wall in front of him.

Supported by the cold air, the scorching Great Fireball Technique could not break through Qi's ice wall. Although the surface of the ice wall was inevitably melted away and turned into steam after the flame flow passed, the entire wall remained as sturdy as before!

After all, the gap between them was too vast. If it were an Ice Release of a similar level, even the Fire Release of the Uchiha Clan would struggle to melt a single hair of it. Yet, against this Jonin's casual strike, Qi had to use his full strength just to defend.

"An incredible ability... A bloodline limit is truly a surprising power. If this child is really here to join Konoha, we have gained a fine seedling."

After releasing the Fire Release, the Jonin stood in place, merely observing. Clearly, he just wanted to test the extent of Qi's capabilities.

Now, it seemed he was quite satisfied with the result.

A ninjutsu released by a Jonin had been blocked by a Genin using a ninjutsu of his own. Regardless of how much the Jonin had held back, it did not change the massive gap in their levels.

This bloodline limit that used ice as a weapon was, as he expected, quite formidable!

"What a boring test!"

The ice wall suddenly split in two, revealing Ogata's figure.

"Now, do you have an idea in your mind? I know you Konoha don't reject bloodline limits; on the contrary, you collect them everywhere! Give us a straight answer."

The actions of the Konoha Jonin were entirely within Ogata's expectations. Since the opponent didn't go for the kill right away, judging by Konoha's style, the matter was already half-successful.

Among the Five Great Nations, the ones most thirsty for bloodline limits are the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire. However, Ogata was completely unfamiliar with the Land of Lightning and dared not take the risk.

"A powerful bloodline limit is something our Konoha dreams of. If the Land of Water doesn't want you, we do! As long as you are sincere about joining Konoha, I guarantee that you will have a life a hundred times better in Konoha than in a place like the Mist."

The Jonin looked at the two of them, the hostility in his eyes having faded significantly, though his vigilance remained undiminished.

"You are master and apprentice; continuing to test each other is just a waste of time. Since you are willing to join Konoha, you must cooperate with our investigation. You are a Jonin yourself, so you know the rules of the ninja world."

"That is only natural."

Ogata gave a muffled grunt and extended his hands.

"Do it."

"Apologies."

The Jonin nodded and beckoned to the surroundings.

"Everyone, come out. Take them with you, and remember to be polite. In a few days, they might just be your comrades."

Before the words had even faded, figures appeared all around them—all of them Konoha ninja.

Yue Qi counted casually and realized that, including the two Ogata had knocked unconscious on the ground and Asuma, with whom he had just traded blows, there were at least a dozen of them!

"Hold out your hands. According to the rules, I have to tie you up as well... By the way, what is your name?"

At this moment, Asuma also walked over, groaning, staring at Yue Qi with a mix of oddity and curiosity.

"Yue Qi."

Yue Qi extended his hands honestly. Since Ogata hadn't objected, he certainly had no grounds to protest.

"You're very strong."

Asuma didn't seem to hold much resentment over his defeat—or perhaps he simply didn't care about such things. He was now far more interested in Yue Qi's abilities.

"Was that a Kekkei Genkai? The same kind as the Uchiha clan?"

The two engaged in a seemingly harmonious conversation, though their physical actions were anything but; Asuma was binding Yue Qi's hands with practiced efficiency...

This black-bellied fair-faced guy, his words were polite, but his hands were anything but... Was there really a need to tie them this tight?

"Not the same, I'm afraid. I'm nowhere near as strong as the Uchiha clan."

Yue Qi hurriedly denied it, shaking his head like a rattle. How could it possibly be the same?

Given the Uchiha clan's foul temper and their status in Konoha, if they found out he had admitted to such a thing, it wouldn't be strange if they just killed him on the spot.

Kekkei Genkai families hated nothing more than someone being "the same" as them, and to prove that the person was different, they usually just finished that person off.

Once dead, they were naturally different...

Yue Qi was in no position to offend the Uchiha clan right now. He could be strong later, of course, but definitely not now...

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance over at Asuma.

Could this guy be trying to set him up in a different way?

As it happened, Asuma also turned his head back at that exact moment.

Suddenly, they were staring wide-eyed at each other...

Both were stunned, looking at one another in surprise, perhaps caught off guard by the situation, and for a moment, they both froze.

This resulted in a rather nauseating scene—two grown men staring at each other with "tender affection"...

"Asuma?"

A female voice drifted over. A female ninja walking behind them wore an expression of "I can't take this."

"If you two don't mind, let me walk in front. I'm about to throw up..."

"You're the one who used the genjutsu?"

Yue Qi didn't care about the girl's teasing of Asuma; he cared about her voice. It was clearly the same female voice that had responded to him at the very beginning.

"It's me. So what?"

She seemed quite sharp-tongued, looking back at him with a hint of provocation.

"Nothing at all."

Yue Qi admitted it honestly, then fell silent.

But in his heart, he had already decided that he would definitely train his resistance to genjutsu well in the future. He had lost too much face today...

However, while Yue Qi felt he had lost face, others didn't think so. At the very least, Yue Qi blocking the leader's Fire Style had only left them feeling shocked.

Through Ogata's words, everyone now knew that their leader was a Jonin, but compared to the excitement of the others, Asuma looked quite displeased.

The group were all ninja, so their speed was naturally fast. Soon, Yue Qi and Ogata followed the patrol to a nearby town, and the Jonin only spoke a few words to the ninja who came to greet them before walking back.

"Asuma, come here."

The Jonin beckoned to Asuma, who walked over looking awkward.

He certainly knew the reason for Asuma's unhappy expression, but he had no leisure to explain it properly to the other party; that was a personal matter, and it wasn't his place to interfere.

"Starting today, I am no longer your leader, because I must return to Konoha, while you must prepare to head to the front lines."

As he spoke, the Jonin turned around and pointed to the opposite side, where a young ninja was walking toward them.

"He is your new leader. Just follow him. The battlefield is not like the rear. Good luck!"

After finishing these words, he cast one last meaningful glance at Asuma before departing, while the young ninja walked up to Qi and Ogata, drawing a kunai to slice through the ropes binding their hands.

"The two of you, follow me. From here on out, I will be escorting you to Konoha Village. I trust you, and I hope you prove yourselves worthy of that trust. My name is Shiro Aoki; you may call me Shiro if you prefer."

"Heh heh..."

Ogata rubbed his wrists.

"The people of Konoha are indeed more straightforward. It seems choosing the Land of Fire over the Land of Lightning was the right call."

"That goes without saying."

Shiro smiled faintly, his tone soft yet brimming with arrogance.

"How could the likes of those Cloud Ninja ever compare to our Konoha Village?"

Even Ogata was left speechless by this; this guy was truly arrogant beyond measure...

What followed was a relentless dash. Having regained their freedom, the two were led by the jonin Shiro Aoki on a journey that lasted a full month, finally arriving at the outskirts of a vast forest where a dirt road emerged, stretching all the way to their feet.

"We are now on the perimeter of the Konoha security zone. Please make sure to follow me closely and do not make any suspicious moves, or it may very well affect your situation once we enter the village."

Shiro pointed to the road ahead and cautioned the master and apprentice behind him.

"If the Anbu decide you have ulterior motives, then even I would be unable to change their minds."

"And what if we haven't done anything, but they still think we have ulterior motives?"

Qi asked, probing for an answer.

"Heh... the Anbu aren't that bored, unless that person truly does have something to hide."

Shiro looked at Qi with a cryptic smile, staring until the boy felt a wave of unease.

"Let's go, kid. Welcome to Konoha Village."