Ino felt she had a significant advantage and secretly pondered her strategy, while Shikamaru, a clever man, was also deep in thought.
Shikamaru didn't have information about the Second Mizukage. In fact, not only he, a Ninja from Konoha Village, but many ordinary Ninja from Hidden Mist Village didn't know much about the Second Mizukage. They only knew the name: First Generation, Second Generation, Third Generation, Fourth Generation, all the way to the current Fifth Generation—that was it! They had no idea what abilities the Second Mizukage possessed.
With so little information, Shikamaru could only let his imagination run wild. The Second Hokage of Konoha Village specialized in Water Release, so surely the Second Mizukage of Hidden Mist Village wouldn't specialize in Fire Release, would he?
Sasuke sneered. He feared no challenge, and upon hearing that his opponent this time was Haku, he was even more eager to have another decisive battle with him.
The three of them were all strategizing against their opponents, thinking about the enemies they might encounter in the maze. The other three, however, seemed to lack confidence.
To be fair, Naruto's future power was undeniable.
But before he learned the Rasengan, Naruto's combat power was often negligible.
Naruto before learning the Rasengan was one person; Naruto after learning the Rasengan was a completely different species.
The Rasengan only had one form in Minato Namikaze's hands, and three forms in Jiraiya's hands: normal, Big Ball, and Super Big Ball. What about in Naruto's hands?
With normal, Big Ball, Super Big Ball, various '亂丸' (random ball), '多連丸' (multiple consecutive balls), and attributes like Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water, Fire, Magnet Release, Scorch Release, etc., plus prefixes from modes like Nine-Tailed Mode, Sage Mode, Kurama Mode, Six Paths Mode—for example, a Ninjutsu like "Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasen Multiple Consecutive Balls"—any permutation and combination could develop at least a hundred different types of Rasengan!
If you include the Rasen Shuriken, the number would be even greater.
Naruto was unparalleled in Rasengan development, easily outclassing so-called Ninjutsu professors.
At this stage, Naruto only knew Multiple Shadow Clone, and perhaps the Harem Jutsu that made Ōtsutsuki Kaguya silent and Sasuke weep. Besides that, he knew nothing else.
Naruto looked bewildered. He wanted to ask Kakashi, but as an illiterate, he didn't even remember his own Village's Second Hokage, let alone the Second Mizukage of Hidden Mist Village. He didn't know where to begin asking.
Sakura also lacked confidence in herself, and Choji was still using the last bit of time to fill his stomach.
The Konoha group tidied up and followed Ao to a valley southwest of Hidden Mist Village.
Entering the tunnel, they descended, and the fog grew thicker.
They entered a wider rock cave. The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, still hadn't appeared. The Elder, Gonbei, and Ao of Hidden Mist Village were quietly waiting for the Konoha group. Behind them was the seemingly shy young Ninja, Chōjūrō, carrying the Ninja Blade Hiramekarei.
Chōjūrō wore glasses. When their gazes swept over him, he quickly lowered his head.
Beside him were their old acquaintances, the beautiful youths Haku and Ranmaru.
Ino was a little surprised. She carefully scrutinized Haku, who was dressed in samurai attire and had a more heroic look on his face. Good heavens, did the young man get a new skin after escaping death?
The other party felt her gaze and nodded slightly. Ino also raised her right hand as a greeting.
Ranmaru, on the other hand, completely ignored Team 10. After all, Raiga Kurosuki had one of his arms cut off by them. One could say that his Ninja career ended the day he encountered Team 10.
Ao looked at the Konoha Genin, brimming with fighting spirit—Ino, Sasuke, Shikamaru, each with their own unique characteristics. Then he looked at his own Genin: Chōjūrō, Haku, and Ranmaru. Fairly speaking, these three were indeed a *tad* bit more feminine.
This wasn't a sports festival; there was no concept of friendship first, competition second.
The Hidden Mist Village trio was very well prepared. In this regard, Konoha lacked a lot of intelligence and was at a great disadvantage.
Gonbei, beside the Elder, stepped forward to play the good cop: "You can rest for another half hour. The maze is long, and you'll need ample stamina."
Naruto raised his arm high and said with great enthusiasm, "We don't need to rest— *Mmf!*"
Sakura covered his mouth, chuckled awkwardly at everyone, and then forcibly dragged him to a corner for a beating.
Shikamaru pulled his two teammates in front of him and whispered, "Our opponents are those three. Ino, do you have a way to counter Ranmaru's sensory blocking ability?"
Ino directly shook her head: "No."
That was a Bloodline Limit. At most, she had some sensory abilities. How could they compare? Not to mention her, even the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan would be completely suppressed.
How could she come up with a solution in such a short time?
"Then, like this: the opponent's blocking range can't be too large. When we enter the maze, we'll use our sensory abilities to regroup inside. During the battle, Choji will hold off the bespectacled boy with the Ninja Blade. Ino and I will first deal with Haku and Ranmaru, and then we'll all gang up on the bespectacled boy."
Choji blinked: "What if we get separated?"
Shikamaru said casually: "I'll find a place to sleep and cheer you on."
Asuma quietly reminded them: "Remember, you are Ninja of Konoha. You have a competitive relationship with Team 7, but you are absolutely not enemies."
He finally gestured for the three to watch Haku's movements: "That boy is not only an Ice Release Ninja, but he also seems to be a swordsman. You need to be careful... especially Ino, your Ninjutsu has already been seen by him, so he will definitely have specific tactics to counter you this time."
"Understood, Asuma-sensei."
The three nodded in unison. On the other side, Kakashi was also giving his final instructions to Team 7, and Naruto and the others listened very attentively.
Half an hour later.
The ancient Elder, looking as if he could pass away at any moment, nodded slightly.
Gonbei, as the Elder's confidant, took out the dazzling gem. After several Jutsu were cast upon it and his own Chakra infused, the cave entrance in front of them was quickly covered in thick fog. The already blurry entrance completely vanished, leaving only a vast expanse of unknown, white space.
The few people listened intently. Although it was an underground rock cave, behind the thick fog, there seemed to be faint sounds mixed in.
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked inside: "Is someone in there? I think I hear someone talking inside."
Sasuke sneered: "Idiot, that's a Genjutsu."
Seeing that it was all Genjutsu here, he felt even more confident of victory.
Ino was also observing the thick fog. This was a technique left by the Second Mizukage's summoned beast, the Giant Clam, or perhaps a clone of the summoned beast. Or was the main body at the bottom of the cave?
If she brought the Second Mizukage's summoned beast back to Konoha, could the Third Hokage handle the pressure?
While she was lost in thought, the impulsive Naruto had already strode into the thick fog, followed by Sasuke, and finally, the extremely nervous Sakura.
Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji exchanged glances, then they too walked into the thick fog, followed last by the three hosts from Hidden Mist Village.
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