Naruto surged forward, dodging a crushing strike and smashing the massive rock beneath the enemy's feet. "You bastard!"
Though he didn't hit the target, the attack inadvertently forced the enemy to unleash the water dragon technique.
"Naruto!" Xiao Li called out, racing behind him. Suddenly, the ground rose beneath his feet, and a wall of rock cut him off. "What the—?"
"Your opponent is me!" Yitai appeared atop the rock, eyeing Xiao Li with a sly grin. "How hard can your fists really hit?"
As battle tension crackled, Neji turned to Shion. "Lady Shion."
"What is it?" she asked.
Neji gently pressed a hand to her forehead, and Shion's eyes fluttered closed as sleep overtook her.
"Please, rest." Neji cradled her carefully. Then he looked at Sakura. "Leaving the valley while Naruto and Lee cover us is extremely dangerous. I need you to follow orders."
"Understood!"
"Huh… not bad. I used to think Neji had zero leadership skills, couldn't even command a few subordinates—but he adapts well in the field."
"Ordinary jonin behavior, huh?"
"Ordinary? At his age? He's already a jonin. Admit he's strong!"
"Hehe… thanks to the Byakugan, otherwise you wouldn't know!"
"So… just another bloodline ninja. That one above is from the Hidden Mist."
Shizuku moved with lethal grace. A droplet of water slid along her toe as she stepped heavily. Instantly, a razor-sharp blade of water shot forward along the ground. "Water Style—Water Cut!"
Naruto flashed aside, then surged toward the forest, with Shizuku gliding after him like skating on water, moving effortlessly over uneven terrain.
"Hehe, kid… using rocks and trees as a shield? How naive! I love it!" Shizuku stomped again, sending twin water blades slicing through a huge boulder.
Naruto leapt, springing off a branch to gain higher ground—but Shizuku's attacks weren't so easily dodged.
"Think you're safe on top? I like your confidence!" she taunted, cutting the branch beneath him in half with a rising water blade.
"Damn! Shadow clones!" Naruto spun midair, creating dozens of clones to overwhelm her.
But Shizuku was ready. A floating orb of water hovered above her head, launching countless whip-like tendrils in every direction. "Water Style—Water Dragon Whip!"
Most of Naruto's clones disintegrated instantly.
"Useless!" someone observed. "They vanish as soon as they appear, just like before!"
"That's not how shadow clones are meant to be used!"
"Using clones as cannon fodder… Naruto's tactic is to exhaust himself, not the enemy."
Naruto smirked disdainfully. "I won't get tired!"
Kakashi's voice came through, calm but firm: "Naruto, even if you feel fine, wasting chakra like this is reckless. Efficient chakra management is a fundamental skill for any ninja. After this, we'll train you properly."
"Really? Awesome!" Naruto leapt in excitement, blissfully unaware that training meant hard work.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, half in amusement, while Sakura—recently motivated to grow stronger—felt a spark of hope too.
Meanwhile, Xiao Li forced the enemy into the air with sheer physical skill, executing the Konoha Great Whirlwind to kick Yitai off balance. But the attack was blocked by Yitai's Earth Style Hardening Technique.
Xiao Li plummeted, striking Yitai's forehead with a devastating axe-style blow. "Take this!!"
Bang! The rock beneath Yitai split, yet he emerged with only a few scratches.
"Hahaha! Is this a kids' fight? Show me some real power!" Yitai taunted, grabbing Xiao Li with a rocky arm.
"Petrified!" Xiao Li retreated, only to be struck in the face and sent flying.
"Incredible strength… but I will never give up!" Xiao Li unwrapped his arm bandages and charged. "Biao Lianhua!"
Dodging a straight punch, he sprang in front of Yitai, used one hand to vault, kicked him into the air, then executed Shadow Dance Leaf, wrapping him tightly in bandages and plummeting upside down at high speed.
Yet Yitai rose again, unharmed.
"Boring! You really don't know ninjutsu," Yitai sneered, growing larger as rocks on his body wrapped around him. Once the dust cleared, he mocked Xiao Li. "You think your weak taijutsu can defeat me?"
"Sick! He's just injecting chakra externally for those jutsu and dares mock Xiao Li?"
"Before, he kept calling 'brother, brother' when the chakra ran out… like an immature child."
"So childish… focusing on flashy ninjutsu. Taijutsu is crucial to a ninja's strength!"
"Ever seen a Genin take down four opponents and seriously injure three elite jonins with taijutsu alone? I have."
Gai beamed at Lee with tears in his eyes. "That's right! Even if you only have taijutsu, you can become a great ninja. Youth never fails those who believe in it!"
"Yes! Teacher Kai!" Lee raised his fist, exhilarated and emotional.
Meanwhile, Team 7 exchanged subtle, bewildered glances—was this really something to cry about?
Neji and Tenten, used to such scenes, remained stoic, unchanged in expression or movement.