The exceptionally talented Minato Namikaze had already mastered the Space-Time Ninjutsu Flying Thunder God Technique before even graduating from the Ninja Academy, but he simply had no opponent who could force him to use it.
" Minato, you value me so much, if I don't take you seriously, I'll really be letting you down!"
Araki spoke calmly, his mind racing as he considered countermeasures. The first image that came to mind was the battle between Minato Namikaze and the future Fourth Raikage A, during the Third Shinobi World War. At that time, even the Raikage couldn't catch up with Minato Namikaze's speed.
After all, even the fastest speed is still just speed.
The Flying Thunder God Technique is already teleportation; it's a power within the space-time domain, on a completely different level.
Comparing speed to teleportation...
Calling it a case of "dimensional reduction attack" isn't an exaggeration!
Araki's expression immediately turned serious. He knew that he absolutely could not rely on speed to fight head-on, otherwise, he would only end up failing.
There's nothing wrong with failing.
Even when Minato Namikaze directly took out those Flying Thunder God Kunai, according to his usual style, he could have simply admitted defeat.
However, Araki didn't want to do that now. He could sense that Minato Namikaze was seriously challenging him, and this might be one of his few opportunities to have a duel with a user of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Since the other party has revealed their hand and is taking this seriously!
Then let's have a grand and spectacular battle!
Now that Konoha Hospital is backing him up, Araki's views on many things have subtly changed.
In an instant.
Araki retreated continuously.
It's extremely fast.
In the blink of an eye, he had created a great distance between himself and Minato Namikaze, and he retreated directly behind the last Flying Thunder God Kunai.
Therefore, the twelve Flying Thunder God Kunai on the ground, as well as the two Flying Thunder God Kunai in Minato Namikaze's hands, would have no chance of touching him at such a distance.
As long as there's no Flying Thunder God Formula behind him, all battles will unfold before him, allowing him to silently plan his next move.
You should know...
The Flying Thunder God Technique is not entirely unsolvable.
While setting up enough Flying Thunder God Formula can produce amazing effects, it's like a territorial mage who must fight within their territory.
Once you leave this area, everything that was previously set up will become ineffective, and the rules can be redefined.
"Let's begin."
Araki's eyes flashed with excitement. Since arriving in the ninja world, he had never fought so recklessly. He decided that as long as there was no Flying Thunder God Kunai behind him, his battle with Minato Namikaze would only take place in front of him.
and...
Araki did not focus his attention on Minato Namikaze.
As long as there is any Flying Thunder God Kunai on the ground, he cannot harm Minato Namikaze. The key to winning this battle is to destroy these Flying Thunder God Kunai, putting the entire duel in a state where there is no spatial jump coordinate.
otherwise...
Within the array formed by the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
It's like Minato Namikaze's domain.
The opponent is practically invincible!
In an instant.
Araki had already developed a deeper plan, but these plans were based on his knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique, and he did not make any on-the-spot judgments.
This is truly the power of intelligence.
Jiraiya once said that some information is worth risking one's life for. Araki already knew the effects of the Flying Thunder God Technique before Minato Namikaze Flying Thunder God Technique!
Chapter 52: A "Simple" Combat Style!
The students watching the duel were filled with more and more questions, having no idea what the two were doing.
Unexpectedly, Minato Namikaze did not launch an attack first. Instead, he took out a large pile of Kunai and threw them on the ground. They had no idea what was going on. Their minds were completely blank. They could only watch the situation unfold and try to guess Minato Namikaze's actions based on the subsequent battle.
Based on their trust in the strongest Ninja Academy at the moment, the students present were willing to believe that Minato Namikaze's actions were not arbitrary, but rather a prelude to something to come.
They just didn't know what that matter was.
But...
It's one thing for Minato Namikaze to do something so strange.
Araki, upon seeing these strangely shaped Kunai, Araki's eyes filled with seriousness. Like a mouse seeing a cat, he retreated a great distance to avoid these oddly shaped Kunai.
This situation looks as if they have already had one round of combat.
But none of them could understand it.
At this very moment.
Minato Namikaze's expression also turned serious, because after Araki withdrew from the Flying Thunder God Kunai formation he had set up, he suddenly found himself in a dilemma.
If he were to launch an attack, he would have to leave the area covered by these Flying Thunder God Kunai. This would mean he couldn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique Flying Thunder God Technique attack, but he could use it to dodge.
But...
Things are not that simple.
The Flying Thunder God Technique consumes a great deal of Chakra.
He hasn't mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique for long, and he can indeed use it, but he can't use it without restraint. Right now, his ability only allows him to use it three times.
Therefore, those three times must be used in very precious situations.
It would be a bit of a shame to dodge it!
The current situation made him feel that if he rushed out to fight Araki directly, he would be giving up his advantage.
However, it would seem too deliberate to simply wait for Araki's attack within these already prepared Flying Thunder God Kunai formations.
By then, Araki wasn't a fool wouldn't come back in, or rather, Araki had already sensed that something was wrong and deliberately left.
"Awesome!"
Minato Namikaze inwardly admired Araki. Analyzing Araki's actions and the changing situation of the battle, he sensed that Araki had noticed his deliberate throwing of the Flying Thunder God Kunai and dodged them immediately.
Such a keen sense of smell is truly rare!
"As expected of someone Kushina chose!"
Minato Namikaze gained a completely new impression of Araki in just the "first round" of their confrontation and gave him a very high evaluation.
However, just as he was struggling with his question and unsure of what to do next, Araki suddenly made a move.
Under the watchful eyes of his classmates, Araki reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out a Kunai.
The Kunai that Araki used was a very ordinary Kunai, the same as everyone else's. However, instead of throwing it, he held the Kunai in his right hand and charged forward.
"?"
The people present looked at each other strangely again, because they realized that Araki's actions were completely different from what they had expected.
The direction it was heading forward was a little off.
They weren't heading towards Minato Namikaze at all!
This feeling is very strange.
Even Ibuki-sensei, who was acting as the referee, couldn't figure out what the two students were doing. He could only vaguely sense that they were engaging in a battle of wits, but he hadn't completely taken control of the situation.
This gave him a feeling he couldn't quite describe.
I, as a teacher, couldn't even understand what those two students were doing.
If this were to get out, he would probably be laughed at by his peers, but no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't understand what those two people were doing.
Especially when he saw Araki rush out diagonally, his target being only the strangely shaped Kunai closest to him, he felt a mix of emotions.
"Bite!"
A metallic clanging sound rang out, slightly shrill, deep yet with a hint of sharpness.
Under the watchful eyes of each and every one of them.
Araki, holding Kunai in his right hand, struck the handle of the special Kunai closest to him, splitting the talisman on it in two with a loud clang.
"Endure Love" is gone.
The "Sword" is still there.
What is this picture?
The students were filled with questions. They didn't understand why Araki was using such speed and strength just to Kunai with a special shape on the ground.
Is there something wrong with his/her brain?
Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?
Does he really take anything Minato Namikaze casually threw on the ground seriously?
What exactly are these two fighting about?
Each person had their own questions, but because the duel was still ongoing, and because they felt they dared not provoke either of these two individuals, they only kept them to themselves and did not voice them.
However...
Minato Namikaze's expression completely changed.
He discovered that he Flying Thunder God Kunai he had just used, meaning the Flying Thunder Flying Thunder God Technique Flying Thunder God Formula had been broken, and he could no longer use it to reach that location.
"Did he see through it?"
Minato Namikaze stood still, choosing to wait. However, he did have a very strong feeling that, at least for now, Araki had taken the Flying Thunder God Kunai he had thrown out seriously.
Whoosh!
Just then, Araki's figure flashed out again.
From the perspective of the overall sprint, it had nothing to do with Minato Namikaze; it was entirely aimed at the other, uniquely shaped Kunai closest to it on the diagonal.
"Bite!"
Another ear-piercing metallic clang rang out.