After Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Yakoto finished their confrontation seal, they both retreated a few steps and assumed their fighting stances.
Yakoto drew his long blade, and Minato Namikaze drew his kunai.
Although Yakoto's long blade was still sheathed, it gave Minato Namikaze an immense sense of pressure.
As good friends, Minato Namikaze believed he understood Uchiha Yakoto.
Uchiha Yakoto was a Ninja with all five elemental natures; he had a firm grasp on various Ninjutsu, and basic techniques were effortlessly at his command.
Things like the Body Flicker Technique, he used them with great speed and proficiency.
Moreover, as an Uchiha, Uchiha Yakoto possessed an uncharacteristically large amount of Chakra.
Minato Namikaze had seen Uchiha Yakoto unleash Ninjutsu at full power, and the display could be described as plentiful and satisfying.
Minato Namikaze was aware of his own Chakra reserves, and they simply couldn't compare to Uchiha Yakoto's.
A long-range battle would be difficult.
As for close combat, Uchiha Yakoto had practiced Uchiha-Style Taijutsu and swordsmanship since childhood, making close combat one of his strengths.
Furthermore, with the addition of Sealing Technique, engaging Uchiha Yakoto in close combat was even more problematic.
Aside from being slightly weaker in Genjutsu, Uchiha Yakoto could be said to be a truly all-around Ninja.
Uchiha Yakoto did not make the first move; he simply stood in place, ready, awaiting Minato Namikaze's attack.
After some thought, Minato Namikaze decided to engage from long range first, then try to close the distance, to see if he could seize an opportunity using his quick reflexes.
At this point, Minato Namikaze had already realized that his neural reaction speed was extraordinary.
Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, threw several shuriken, and then quickly performed hand signs.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A giant fireball, along with the shuriken, flew towards Uchiha Yakoto.
Facing Minato Namikaze's attack, Uchiha Yakoto chose to retaliate in the same manner, throwing shuriken and an additional Great Fireball.
Perhaps he had been influenced by Tsunade recently, as Uchiha Yakoto also grew to enjoy this pure feeling of overwhelming power.
Without using anything else, just using the same techniques as you, I will defeat you with my superior power.
Shuriken collided with shuriken, and Great Fireballs crashed into Great Fireballs.
All the shuriken thrown by Minato Namikaze were intercepted and sent back, flying towards Minato Namikaze.
Uchiha Yakoto's Great Fireball directly engulfed Minato Namikaze's Great Fireball, flying towards Minato Namikaze with even greater ferocity.
Watching Uchiha Yakoto's actions, a flicker of admiration passed through Minato Namikaze's eyes.
As expected of Yakoto, he's truly strong.
Hyuga Kana, who had just arrived at the training ground, happened to witness this scene.
"As expected of Yakoto-kun, he's amazing!"
The Great Fireball and shuriken locked onto Minato Namikaze's position and escape routes.
With no other option, Minato Namikaze slammed his hands onto the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" He summoned an earth wall to defend.
For some reason, it seemed most people preferred to use Earth Release to counter Fire Release.
This led Uchiha Yakoto to specifically research a set pattern against Earth Release.
When Minato Namikaze's hands moved downwards, Uchiha Yakoto had already guessed what he was about to do.
The moment the earth wall rose, a water sphere swiftly pursued the fireball.
"Watch out!" Yakoto even kindly warned Minato Namikaze.
Due to the earth wall obstructing his view, Minato Namikaze couldn't see what Uchiha Yakoto was doing at all.
He only had a bad premonition and was about to use the Body Flicker Technique to create distance.
The earth wall, which had just endured the fireball's assault, collided with the water bullet, and a large amount of steam instantly diffused.
With a 'whoosh,' the earth wall directly shattered.
The shockwave from the explosion knocked Minato Namikaze back.
Uchiha Yakoto quickly advanced, rapidly formed hand signs, "Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!"
Several bolts of lightning shot towards Minato Namikaze, and, conducted by the large amount of water vapor in the air, quickly enveloped Minato Namikaze.
Although Minato Namikaze's neural reactions were fast enough, he couldn't outpace lightning. His body couldn't make any movements, and he was instantly struck by the lightning. A sensation of numbness instantly took over Minato Namikaze's entire body.
Fortunately, Uchiha Yakoto controlled the power, so Minato Namikaze was not seriously injured.
However, the full-body numbness would require some time to recover from.
If Minato Namikaze were to describe this battle, he would have only one feeling.
That was utter domination, complete and total domination.
Minato Namikaze could say he had no chance at all.
From the power of the Ninjutsu and the speed of hand signs to the judgment of overall strategy and combat experience, Minato Namikaze was completely overwhelmed.
While practicing with Uchiha Yakoto earlier, he knew Uchiha Yakoto was strong, but only after a solid engagement could he truly feel the immense difference.
However, this wasn't Minato Namikaze's problem, but a common issue for civilian Ninja.
Family Ninja like Uchiha Yakoto had their Family providing Ninjutsu from a young age, along with suitable teachers for one-on-one instruction and practice.
Whereas Minato Namikaze had only practiced the Three Basic Jutsu and shuriken/kunai throwing for a few years at the Ninja Academy.
His only practical combat experience was playing house-like battles with other kids of similar strength.
Although Minato Namikaze was a true Genius, in such circumstances, being a Genius was useless.
Minato Namikaze slumped onto the ground with a somewhat dejected look.
Uchiha Yakoto walked over to Minato Namikaze, squatted down, and, seeing his crestfallen expression, gently patted his shoulder.
It seemed he had used too much force and further disheartened Minato Namikaze.
It was rare to see the little blond Minato Namikaze looking so downcast, and Uchiha Yakoto had no experience in comforting people.
Anything he said felt like the pity of a victor, so he simply remained silent and stayed with him.
"Hello, everyone!" Jiraiya, who had been secretly watching for a long time, made a grand entrance.
Having watched the entire battle, Jiraiya was deeply astonished by Uchiha Yakoto's talent.
He had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, yet he already had the skill level of a Chunin, and Tsunade had mentioned that his Magnet Release and Sealing Technique, which he was proficient in, hadn't even been used.
Moreover, Yakoto was from the Uchiha Clan. If Uchiha Yakoto were to awaken his Sharingan one day, Jiraiya dared not imagine the heights he could reach.
It was no wonder Minato Namikaze worked so desperately when training with him; with such a monster by his side, he had no choice but to push himself.
"Ahem, your teacher Tsunade asked me to take you all out on a mission."
Jiraiya scanned the area, saw everyone was present, and shouted loudly.
"Alright, since everyone's here, let's go!"
Upon Jiraiya's arrival, Minato Namikaze quickly composed himself.
