During the months Gong Yi spent recovering, he hadn't just been training in the A-rank Ninjutsu Earth-Splitting Palm.
He had never stopped training in the Spirit Refining Technique, either.
Once his spiritual power broke through, the Spirit Refining Technique reached its second level.
Besides granting Gong Yi immense spiritual power, the second level of the technique had another wondrous use.
For instance, it let him tell what was real and what wasn't!
A mere Water Clone made of Chakra was quickly seen through.
Gong Yi ignored the clone completely and charged straight at the real one.
When a ninja used a Water Clone, it took half of their Chakra, greatly weakening them.
The desert was already an unsuitable place for a Water Release user to fight. After losing half his strength, he could barely withstand Gong Yi's pursuit. Within just a few dozen seconds, he was struggling to keep up.
With a pitiful scream, Gong Yi slowly walked back to the battlefield.
Five Jonin had been sent to surround him!
And now, all of them were dead!
He swept a cold gaze over the battlefield, taking in the entire situation.
"This isn't good!"
Gong Yi's expression turned grave. Just as he was about to help Konoha's lower-ranked ninja, a blur appeared beside him, and Minato Namikaze, covered in blood, appeared at his side.
"Minato, are you all right?"
Minato shook his head, looking exhausted.
"I'm fine. The blood on me is all the enemy's. Gong Yi, listen to me. Go help Lord Orochimaru first. We won't be completely safe until his side is settled!"
Gong Yi furrowed his brows. His teammates were already in grave danger.
Even Kakashi, whom he rarely spoke with, was badly injured and barely managing to fight.
"Don't worry. I'm here, and I'll protect Kakashi, Hyuga