Therefore, Qingshui had no intention of revealing his spatial abilities yet.
If word got out and others were prepared, achieving a surprise attack would be much harder.
Kage-level experts are well-rounded, with no weaknesses in any area. Their speed and reaction times are high, and even a spatial ability like Flying Thunder God isn't invincible against a prepared opponent.
To counter Flying Thunder God, one either uses large-scale, powerful ninjutsu for carpet bombing or relies on their own speed and reactions.
They don't need to be able to catch up to Flying Thunder God in a small area like the Fourth Raikage; they just need their reaction speed to be sufficient to defend against or counter sudden attacks.
There's no doubt that Hanzo's masterful Water Body Flicker is more than enough, and he also possesses large-scale Water Release ninjutsu.
If the opponent is prepared, the battlefield situation would only shift from a stalemate to Qingshui having a slight advantage.
But to truly defeat Hanzo, Qingshui would have to rely on outlasting him, using his Chakra reserves and stamina until Hanzo could no longer fight.
Getting back to the point, Hanzo was currently an ally of the Sand Village, not an enemy. Qingshui didn't need to waste a valuable surprise attack opportunity on Hanzo.
"That's incredible! He looks only a little older than us, but he's fighting evenly with Master Hanzo!"
Yahiko watched the two rapidly flashing figures on the battlefield with amazement.
"I can't see their movements... they're too fast."
Konan closed her paper umbrella, squinting, trying to see more clearly.
"I can't quite see either, Nagato, can you?"
Yahiko looked at his companion beside him.
Nagato brushed aside the thick, long hair from his forehead, revealing a purple Rinnegan eye.
"I can see clearly. Master Hanzo is already using his full power, it's just that..."
Nagato stared with his Rinnegan, hesitating.
It was just that Qingshui's Chakra reserves hadn't noticeably decreased since the fight began.
This was the first time Nagato had ever seen someone with more Chakra than himself.
On the other hand, Hanzo hadn't been fighting for long yet and could maintain his full power for a while, but if it continued like this, Hanzo would be the first to tire out.
"It's just what?"
Yahiko asked curiously.
"It's just that I don't know if Master Hanzo has any moves left that he hasn't used."
Nagato shook his head.
This was merely a sparring match to broaden the horizons of the three young people, not a fight to the death.
An old veteran like Hanzo, nearly sixty years old, couldn't possibly be without other trump cards.
If it were a true fight to the death, Nagato felt the outcome would be uncertain.
However, such trump cards wouldn't be easily revealed in normal circumstances.
Once revealed, it would mean a life-or-death situation.
While the three youngsters were sharing their opinions, others observing from a distance on the battlefield were also discussing and marveling.
Most of the Rain Hidden ninja's discussions were similar to Yahiko's group, marveling at Qingshui's strength at such a young age while guessing the outcome.
Of course, none of them thought Qingshui would win.
Hanzo was considered the pinnacle of the current Ninja World, undefeated since his debut. Even the Five Kage couldn't defeat Hanzo.
In the hearts of these Rain Hidden ninja, Hanzo was the great ninja who led the Land of Rain in a brave resistance against the great nations and achieved victory. His status was comparable to that of the various First Kage in the hearts of their respective village ninja.
Given his undefeated legend and the halo of his reputation, it was not surprising that they would make such a judgment.
"Tch, the difference between people is truly greater than the difference between people and dogs."
Baki sat cross-legged on the ground, watching the chaotic battlefield in front of him.
More than two years ago, when the three of them were first assigned to a squad, the gap between them was still very small.
Now, that gap was growing wider and wider.
Qingshui was already a powerful individual capable of challenging Hanzo and the Third Kazekage, and Pakura, now having awakened Scorch Release, possessed considerable strength, making her an absolute elite among Jonin. Her eventual attainment of Kage-level strength was a foregone conclusion.
As for him, Baki, he was still taking the Jonin exam!
However, Baki had been demoralized by these two so many times over the years that he had grown used to it.
Besides, he, Baki, wasn't without room for improvement.
He couldn't compare to the freaks, but compared to others, he, Baki, was a genius among geniuses!
If this mission succeeded, Baki would become a Jonin at fourteen and a half years old. Which ninja village wouldn't cultivate him as a core member of the next generation?
Pakura, however, looked quite calm.
She had sparred with Qingshui a few days prior and understood his strength well; he wouldn't suffer much loss even against someone like Hanzo.
As for Sada's eyes, they were filled with pleasant surprise.
Brothers, I've latched onto a big shot!
How could Rasa, with his abilities, possibly fight Qingshui head-on?
Two of them fighting one Qingshui might be a fairer match!
The stronger Qingshui became, the greater his chances of becoming Kazekage, and the smaller Rasa's chances would be.
Now, Sada, who had already decided to align with Qingshui's faction, wished Qingshui would become as strong as possible.
*Boom!*
Dirt flew, and the ground cracked.
Fatty's fists, like heavy hammers, continuously pounded the ground.
Salamander Ibuse, traveling underground, couldn't help but let out a cry of pain and emerged, only to be met by Little Boy's long-prepared barrage of artillery fire.
Hanzo's Salamander was indeed very strong, but a good portion of its power lay in its poison.
However, poison was useless against a Puppet. Even if it spat poison, it would only serve as a smoke screen to obscure vision, and Qingshui's wide-ranging Transparent World would still see through it.
But even without considering its poison, this Summoning Beast's strength was among the very best of all Summoning Beasts. Its massive size, powerful strength, high agility, and Earth Release for traversing underground meant its power was essentially comparable to Gamabunta of Mount Myōboku and Manda of Ryūchi Cave.
Little Boy and Fatty went all out, using their abilities' counter-relations to suppress this massive creature. But the latter was tough and thick-skinned, shrugging off minor injuries, and most attacks that landed on it were deflected by the mucus on its slippery skin, making it very difficult to deal with.
In the center of the arena, a massive Water Release dragon rose from a huge whirlpool below, colliding with the glowing blue hornless dragon in mid-air, unleashing a massive amount of steam and a bone-shaking wave of Chakra.
As the white mist cleared, Qingshui and Hanzo stood facing each other before everyone.
"Alright, Ibuse, let's stop here. When we get back, I'll give you a few tons of river fish to satisfy your craving."
Hanzo gestured for Salamander Ibuse to stop and made a promise to his Summoning Beast.
Although Ibuse had only suffered minor injuries, and its physique meant it would mostly recover after a good night's sleep, it had been fighting for half the day, so it was still necessary to appease it with food to prevent it from holding a grudge.
Qingshui also reached out and recalled his Puppet.
"Senior Hanzo is indeed a senior; he's truly impressive."
I'm still very far from being invincible in the Ninja World!
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