"Just you?" To be honest, even with her noticeable change in demeanor, Sasuke still looked down on the current Ino. His expression was filled with arrogance, a high and mighty posture.
Ino seemed to be speaking to him, but in reality, she was addressing the Jonin observing around them: "I have now mastered one B-rank clan Secret Technique and one C-rank clan Secret Technique. I have developed Water Release Chakra nature transformation and form transformation, and I have mastered one C-rank Water Release and one D-rank Water Release."
"Ino also took the time to learn Water Release? How long has she been studying it?" Shikaku, hidden in the shadows, asked Inoichi.
A Ninja's first Chakra nature is the easiest to develop, the second is somewhat difficult, and after that, due to Chakra nature's counter-elemental properties, it becomes increasingly harder.
The reason the members of the Ino–Shika–Chō three clans didn't develop their respective Chakra natures was because it was time-consuming and energy-draining. During wartime, there was no time to deal with Chakra natures, and after the war, they were busy with wives, children, and work, so there was even less time. With that free time, it was better to continue researching clan Secret Techniques.
In Shikaku's opinion, Ino's decision to research Water Release was a bit like putting the cart before the horse.
Inoichi had also discussed this issue with his daughter, but after realizing Ino's considerable talent in Ninjutsu, he did not continue to interfere.
Being a Ninja is a profession of killing. Whether using Five Nature Transformation Techniques or inherited Secret Techniques, any technique that can take down an enemy is a good Ninjutsu.
Once the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique is used without teammates, it basically has no use. Learning some Five Nature Transformation Techniques with strong control abilities is not a bad thing.
He sighed deeply, and under Shikaku's strange gaze, he began to humble-brag again: "This child is too stubborn. She doesn't listen to anything I say. It's nature transformation, and form transformation, and she still wants to learn Water Release Ninjutsu. Is that something you can learn easily? It wasted a full half a month of time, half a month! You say, if she had that time, how much better would it be to cultivate clan Secret Techniques? This child is not obedient at all, her aptitude is so low, yet her mind is so scattered, always coming up with new ideas. She's really worrying me to death."
The Jonin were expressionless: "..."
The Jonin in the shadows quieted down. Inside the classroom, Sasuke sneered: "Idiot, Ninjutsu needs to be tested in actual combat, it's not about how many Ninjutsu you know makes you stronger. Even if you know a thousand Ninjutsu, I only need half a minute to defeat you."
Kakashi, hiding in the shadows and pretending to be a passerby, felt inexplicably awkward. The eyes of a few Jonin seemed to glance at him, intentionally or unintentionally.
Iruka rushed over. Seeing that they were about to duel, and vaguely noticing that the Village's higher-ups were paying attention, he couldn't stop them. He could only lead everyone to the training ground.
"Do not attack vital points such as eyes or heart. If one party surrenders, the other must stop immediately. Do you all understand?"
"Understood."
"Annoying."
The two stood five meters apart, each in their position.
According to the school's rules, Ino raised her right index and middle fingers, with her thumb pressing down on her ring and pinky fingers, forming a "Confrontation Seal." This signified that she would treat her opponent as an adversary.
Sasuke, not yet as aggressive, also honestly formed the "Confrontation Seal."
"Begin."
As soon as Iruka's words fell, Sasuke threw three Shuriken flying in a triangular formation.
His Shuriken covered Ino's left, center, and right directions.
Sasuke and Naruto are both individuals with great combat intelligence. Although one relies on intellect and the other on intuition, the process is not important, only the result. They are both very skilled in combat.
As soon as Sasuke made his move, he targeted Ino's weakness in taijutsu and began a strong assault.
"Hmph." Ino's perception couldn't compare to the Byakugan or Sharingan, but relying on her excellent sensory abilities, she still clearly saw the attack trajectories of the three Shuriken.
This type of duel, with both standing still and five meters apart, was actually unfair to her, but she didn't say anything, just countered the moves.
Ino gripped her Kunai in reverse. She didn't even look at the Shuriken aimed at her left and right, only deflecting the one flying towards her face.
"You lose!" Sasuke crossed his arms, hooked a finger, and the Shuriken he had thrown to the sides were pulled by steel wires, circling halfway around and attacking Ino from the rear-side.
Ino quickly twisted her waist and body to dodge. She evaded one Shuriken, but the other one pierced straight into her back.
"Ah! Ino!" Seeing this scene, Sakura cried out in surprise.
Before her words finished, a soft "thump" was heard, and a wooden stake landed where Ino had been standing. The side of the stake had Sasuke's Shuriken embedded in it.
Sasuke coolly sneered: "Let's see how much Chakra you have left."
Ino's voice came from a nearby tree: "Is that all? If this is the kind of consumption, I can fight you all day long."
The next second, the two, each gripping a Kunai, clashed in mid-air. Ino's strength was inferior to Sasuke's. Her center of gravity shifted backward, and she continuously retreated, trying to create distance.
Sasuke pressed his attacks relentlessly, fighting fiercely.
"This brat!" Even with confidence in his daughter's strength, Inoichi Yamanaka was still somewhat angry. The Yamanaka Clan was not skilled in taijutsu; their clan's role was that of a support artillery. Sasuke, relying on his male strength advantage, attacked ferociously, putting Ino in a very dangerous situation.
"Don't worry, I see Ino is very calm. This child should have a countermeasure," Shikaku reassured his old friend.
In reality, he was also pondering whether his son, if he were to leave the Ino–Shika–Chō combination, would have the means to face a strong enemy alone. He believed his son's wisdom could turn defeat into victory, but before that, the entire situation would likely be very messy.
Inoichi knew he was worried and forcing himself to calm down, continuing to observe the battle.
Sasuke attacked fiercely for over ten moves. Facing his sharp killing moves, Ino was forced to use the Substitution Jutsu twice more.
"Do you only know how to dodge? Where are your Ninjutsu?" Sasuke was actually enjoying the fight quite a bit. A large part of his inner frustration had been released. If Ino were to surrender now, he would stop.
Ino's expression was serious, and she constantly observed her surroundings.
They had fought from inside the school to the riverbank outside the school, being chased the whole way. Surrender now? In her dreams!
"Sasuke, today I'm going to give you a lesson. The name of the lesson is 'The Importance of Terrain for a Ninja.'"
Water Release is the easiest Ninjutsu to learn and develop, but its drawback is obvious: if there is no water in the combat area, using Water Release requires a large amount of Chakra to create water.
Ino does not possess the Chakra or the high-level Water Release Chakra form transformation abilities of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. She needs water in the natural environment to use Water Release, and this small river, which is very close to the school and often appears in Naruto and Sasuke's memories, was her chosen target before the battle began.
The river water was stirred by Chakra. Her expression was solemn, and she quickly formed hand seals in the order of "Ox," "Snake," "Ram": "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"