"It's our turn, Hanzo-senpai," Qingshui said with a smile, moving Hanzo's scythe aside.
"What, worried this old man won't hold back and will hurt your little girlfriend?" Hanzo asked, putting away his scythe and gesturing towards Pakura.
The old man, nearing sixty, was filled with emotion.
It had been over two years since the Second Great Ninja War ended.
The geniuses who had emerged during the war from the Five Great Ninja Villages were beginning to fulfill their potential.
Pakura's strength wasn't just top-tier among her peers; she was a first-rate master, just below Kage-level, in the entire Ninja World.
She was already capable of holding her own against him. In a few more years, the Ninja World would gain another top-tier powerhouse.
There was also Baki, who seemed quite promising.
And not to mention Qingshui, a young genius who could practically be confirmed to have already reached that level.
As for Sada, Hanzo didn't look down on him; at around twenty, his strength wasn't weak for a Jonin. If he were from Rain Village, Hanzo would definitely nurture him vigorously. But with such brilliant talents already present, Hanzo hadn't paid him much attention.
However, it was a good thing he had found three more promising talents, one of whom even possessed the legendary Sage of Six Paths' eyes!
If even one of them could grow successfully, they could carry Rain Village after he grew old. If all three grew up, Hanzo would dare to continue the great endeavors he had left unfinished in his youth with them.
He even thought, if the Rinnegan's potential could be fully unleashed and become a second Sage of Six Paths…
That would truly be unimaginable.
While sighing inwardly, Hanzo's mouth wasn't idle, and he shared his opinions with Baki and the others.
"Sada, was it? You still have some room for improvement at your age, but you've passed the fastest period of growth for a ninja's strength. You must make choices from now on. Forget Genjutsu; without a Kekkei Genkai, it's hard to progress further. As for Ninjutsu, you have some interesting ideas in Earth Release; you could…"
"Baki, your Swordplay is already very good, with a solid foundation. However, while caution in battle is good, don't lose your decisiveness and edge. Seven-tenths of your power is enough, leaving three-tenths in reserve."
"I'm seeing a Scorch Release ninja for the first time, and I have nothing to say about your Ninjutsu.
What you need to do next is actually to continue improving your fundamentals. It would be best to see if Sand Hidden has any Ninjutsu that can boost your explosive power for you to learn, and you can also learn some basic Perception Ninjutsu. This will improve your ability to seize opportunities in battle, and your strength will progress faster. Seize these next few years, and your potential will also be higher."
After Hanzo finished his assessment, he turned his gaze to Qingshui.
"Next, it's our turn, little Qingshui."
"Hanzo-senpai, I'm also very curious about the gap between my current self and a Ninja World pinnacle like you," Qingshui said to Hanzo, gripping his Ninja Blade in his right hand as a summoning scroll slid from his left sleeve.
Before acquiring the Perfect Demonization body, his strength was likely at the level of a regular Kage, about half a tier below peak Kage-level figures like the Third Kazekage and Hanzo. He couldn't win, but they couldn't defeat him either.
As for now…
He'd know after they fought.
*Clang!*
Chains clashed with the Ninja Blade, sending sparks flying.
Qingshui deftly deflected his Ninja Blade, easily breaking free from the chains. He struck upward with the hilt, knocking away the scythe attacking from above, and at the same time, performed a single-handed sign with his other hand, summoning three Puppets.
*Boom!*
The ground instantly cratered from the Fatso's impact, but Hanzo was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a puddle of water behind.
Water Release: Water Body Flicker Jutsu!
Regarding this jutsu alone, Hanzo had mastered it to an unprecedented degree. His movement speed had almost reached the limit a ninja could achieve in the conventional sense, and during the jutsu, he could briefly enter a Hydrification state similar to the Hozuki Clan, making him immune to most physical attacks.
In the next instant, Hanzo instantly moved into the air, forming a single-handed sign with his left hand. With his right hand, he swung the small, weight-like hammer at the end of his chain, repelling the little boy who was flanking him.
"Water Release: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death."
"Separation Breathing, Fourth Form: Separation Drizzle Fall!"
Tiny, sharp, high-pressure water needles and plasma rays collided in mid-air, creating a cloud of steam.
"Impressive…" Qingshui remarked with a click of his tongue.
He hadn't expected Hanzo to block his Separation Release with just Water Release.
However, that was to be expected.
Qingshui's self-developed Separation Release was naturally extraordinary, but Hanzo was no ordinary person either.
He was arguably the strongest Water Release ninja in the Ninja World since Tobirama Senju.
Not to mention, this was the Land of Rain, where water vapor was abundant, and it was currently drizzling, significantly enhancing Hanzo's Water Release.
Using the Ninjutsu as a barrier, Hanzo briefly distanced himself from Qingshui. He cut his finger with his scythe and quickly formed hand signs.
"Summoning Jutsu: Ibuse!"
A gigantic Salamander, as massive as a Tailed Beast, appeared with a puff of white smoke. It then collided heavily with the charging Fatso, stirring up a wave of air.
At the same time, Big Ivan had already covered Qingshui, its legs spewing plasma flames as it rapidly charged towards Hanzo.
Hanzo's expression, hidden behind his gas mask, was now one of extreme caution.
He no longer saw Qingshui as a junior, but as a master on his own level.
He hadn't gained much of an advantage in Ninjutsu.
He's very strong, his Chakra quality is high, and while he's a bit slower than me, he can keep up. His combat experience is decent, and he has powerful Perception Ninjutsu with extremely quick reactions.
The openings he feigned and the false moves he made during the fight hadn't tricked his opponent at all.
His Summoning Beast, the Salamander Ibuse, was also being held back by the opponent's two other Puppets, preventing him from gaining any advantage.
As for poison...
If it were anyone else, it might work, but his opponent was Chiyo, that old Puppet hag's, apprentice.
During the Second Great Ninja War, Chiyo had already figured out the secretion cooldown of the Salamander's poison and created a specific antidote.
As Chiyo's disciple, his opponent surely possessed the antidote, rendering the Salamander's poison useless against him.
Qingshui's face remained calm as he continued to fight Hanzo.
Now, he had a good grasp of his own strength.
Without using Spatial Blood Demon Art, he could fight Hanzo to a standstill.
If he used it, he should be able to gain the upper hand, and even have a chance to kill his opponent.
That's assuming his opponent was unprepared.
Spatial abilities like Flying Thunder God were most effective the first time they were used.
Just like when Tobirama Senju killed Izuna Uchiha.
The latter and the former were rival sworn enemies who had fought for years, their strength evenly matched. Yet, the first time Tobirama Senju used Flying Thunder God, he achieved a first-strike kill.
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