Elementalization

Uchiha Kagami continued, "Since your Fire Release is so powerful, it might be related to your constitution. That means you need to develop your body accordingly. Take my Sharingan, for example; when we develop the Sharingan, we also..."

As Uchiha Kagami spoke, Li Yi began to form some concepts regarding the development of the Sharingan.

"Therefore, since you have an affinity for fire, you should integrate with fire and try to experience it. The development of every bloodline limit is dangerous, so you must be mentally prepared!" Uchiha Kagami said earnestly.

Li Yi nodded. After Uchiha Kagami's explanation, he finally had some direction. Otherwise, he would have been completely clueless about developing the Mera Mera no Mi. Look at the One Piece World—you just eat it, and the final forms and such are matters for later, but the basic applications are self-taught.

But when it came to his own situation, damn it, Li Yi didn't even want to complain. How should he put it? It was like being constipated; he was using a powerful Devil Fruit as a small portable charger, only adding a tiny bit of power to his ninjutsu. It was somewhat disheartening.

Just like that, following behind Uchiha Kagami, Li Yi patrolled while contemplating his fire-attribute chakra and the unique aspects of his body.

Gradually, time passed faster and faster, and border friction intensified. Over two years, Li Yi had become capable of completing patrols independently, and even leading some Chunin who had arrived from Konoha. While he couldn't be called a veteran of the battlefield, he had become quite proficient.

During these two years, apart from refining chakra every day, Li Yi focused on developing his Mera Mera no Mi. Because he had a specific target and a better grasp of his unique traits, he had already mastered a portion of the Mera Mera no Mi's power.

Over these two years, Li Yi had also come to understand that, perhaps due to the differences in the laws of the world, the development of the Mera Mera no Mi's abilities was actually linked to his chakra. Now, Li Yi could achieve partial elementalization of his body, and the Fire Release he used, infused with the power of the Mera Mera no Mi, became much more powerful. Even though Li Yi had not yet mastered chakra nature transformation, the power of the Fire Release he unleashed was no weaker than those that utilized it.

Thinking back to when he first transmigrated, Li Yi finally had some capital for self-preservation. At the very least, partial elementalization allowed him to be immune to many attacks.

As for Ryujin Jakka, there was still no movement. Perhaps it was because he had killed too few people. Although he had been on the border for two years, the number of real battles was few; usually, both sides just threw some shuriken at each other and then vanished.

It was only recently that things had started to escalate, becoming quite volatile.

"Xiao Yi, come with me. We have a new mission!" At this moment, Uchiha Kagami appeared before Li Yi and said directly.

Li Yi didn't say a word and followed Uchiha Kagami.

While running, Li Yi asked, "Teacher, are we heading to the border of the Land of Rain?"

Uchiha Kagami nodded and said, "Ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village have repeatedly crossed the border here to attack our village's ninjas. Among them are the most famous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They come without a shadow and go without a trace. The Third Hokage has ordered me to go and intercept these swordsmen."

Li Yi realized. So it was the Ninja Swordsmen. At this time, they weren't yet called the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, as there weren't seven of them, but they were undoubtedly the elite combat power of the Hidden Mist Village.

The fact that Konoha sent Uchiha Kagami to intercept them showed how much importance they placed on the Hidden Mist Village.

"Xiao Yi, the Ninja Swordsmen are all elite Jonin, and their blades are quite powerful. If you encounter them head-on, remember to stay far away, understand?" Uchiha Kagami said at this moment.

After all, Li Yi was nominally still a Chunin. Of course, with his current strength, calling him a Special Jonin wouldn't be wrong, but he hadn't mastered chakra nature transformation yet. Once he did, he would be a full-fledged Jonin.

However, becoming a Jonin required Konoha's assessment and the joint recommendation of two Jonin, which was quite troublesome.

"I understand!" Li Yi replied immediately.

The reason Uchiha Kagami brought Li Yi along this time was that he didn't know when they would run into the Ninja Swordsmen, but they would certainly encounter other Hidden Mist ninjas. Uchiha Kagami wanted Li Yi to gain some experience.

However, in the Land of Rain, there was a certain suppression of Li Yi's strength, while the Hidden Mist ninjas received a boost. After all, it rained year-round in the Land of Rain, and Fire Release was at a disadvantage here.

But that was the life of a ninja; the environment wouldn't always suit you. One had to overcome these obstacles to become strong.

Li Yi didn't mind; ordinary rain couldn't extinguish his Fire Release.

Just like that, they arrived at the border of the Land of Rain. Uchiha Kagami didn't hesitate at all and stepped into the territory of the Land of Rain. In wars between great nations, small countries were always this helpless; the battlefield would only ever be placed within these small nations.

Just as Uchiha Kagami and Li Yi were moving forward, a large amount of white mist suddenly filled the surroundings. Uchiha Kagami immediately said, "Be careful!"

Li Yi nodded. He naturally knew this was the signature ninjutsu of the Hidden Mist Village: the Hidden Mist Technique.

"Swish, swish, swish!" Sounds of objects cutting through the air arrived. Li Yi immediately leaped up, spinning Ryujin Jakka in his hand to deflect all the incoming kunai. Uchiha Kagami stood still; it was clear he wanted to observe Li Yi's performance.

Li Yi didn't know Wind Release. Although a massive amount of Fire Release could break this Hidden Mist Technique, it would undoubtedly be a waste of chakra, so Li Yi naturally wouldn't do that.

However, the Hidden Mist ninjas hiding in the dark would certainly continue to attack. When that happened, as long as Li Yi caught an opening, he could send them to their graves.

"Swish, swish, swish!" Another round of whistling sounds came. Li Yi slashed out with Ryujin Jakka and discovered that this time it wasn't just kunai; there were Explosive Tags attached. Li Yi cursed under his breath and quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to move away.

At this moment, Li Yi heard a rustle. He immediately raised his hand and threw two shuriken. There was another sound from that direction, clearly someone dodging the shuriken. Having caught the opening, Li Yi quickly formed hand seals, took a deep breath, and exhaled a massive dragon made of flames.

It was the ninjutsu, Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique.

Wherever the flame dragon passed, the mist was completely evaporated. Facing Li Yi's Great Fire Dragon Technique, the opponent was clearly not unprepared. Two water walls rose to block him, and as the water and fire collided, a large amount of mist was generated once again.

However, because this mist wasn't created by the Hidden Mist Technique, the Hidden Mist ninja couldn't see Li Yi either. But both sides had a rough idea of the other's position.