This was mainly because Pakura had already mastered a nature transformation for Fire Release.
And nature transformations for Ninjutsu are a requirement for promotion to Jonin.
At least under normal circumstances, one of the hard requirements for promotion to Jonin is mastering two or more Ninjutsu nature transformations. This ensures that during combat, one won't be countered by an enemy's Ninjutsu elemental affinity.
As a crucial combat force in a ninja village, a Jonin cannot have obvious weaknesses.
In other words, Pakura's Fire Release skill had actually already reached Jonin standards, and her combat ability was up to par, essentially meeting the conditions for promotion to Special Jonin.
Baki's strength wasn't bad, but there wasn't any area where he could improve to Jonin level in a relatively short time.
As for Qingshui...
His ability to simultaneously control three Puppets actually meant he barely met the Jonin standard in terms of Puppetry.
For example, Kankuro during the Fourth Great Ninja War in the original timeline was a Jonin at that time.
Of course, the prerequisite was that the three Puppets' combat power met the standard.
"Big Ivan's combat power is a whole tier stronger than Fatty's, and my own combat power has probably almost doubled. Even if I run into a Jonin, I might still be able to hold my own."
Qingshui patted Big Ivan's shell with a smile.
"Oh? You're quite confident, aren't you?"
Just then, Fukami Senran walked out of the house and saw Big Ivan sitting outside.
"Want to spar? Let me see how much you've learned from Elder Chiyo recently."
Fukami Senran crossed his arms, sounding interested.
He truly wanted to gauge Qingshui's current strength.
"Alright! Where to?"
Qingshui, of course, couldn't have been happier.
Fukami Senran's strength was among the top Jonin below Kage-level, so he could provide an excellent test for Big Ivan's combat power.
"How about west of the camp?"
That area was a relatively flat and vast plain, large enough for the two to spar, and the visibility was good enough that even without sensory Ninjutsu, any enemies approaching the camp could be detected immediately.
Without further ado, they set off.
In a short while, the four arrived at the agreed-upon combat location.
"Well, this should do."
Fukami Senran stepped on the muddy ground, then looked at Qingshui.
"You'd better be careful, Captain Chiran."
Qingshui took out the Sealing Scroll from his back, unrolled it in front of him, and summoned Little Boy and Fatty.
However, at that very moment, Fukami Senran performed an Iai draw, instantly closing the distance to Qingshui.
*"Clang!~"*
A folding greatsword extended from Big Ivan's arm, striking Fukami Senran in a flash with Pneumatic Ejection, blocking the attack.
In the blink of an eye, Little Boy moved to Fukami Senran's side, aiming the spinning saw blade in his hand directly at his back. Fatty also activated Pneumatic Fist and charged forward.
"The Puppet lineup is quite well-balanced."
Fukami Senran used Body Flicker Technique to dodge, formed a hand seal with his left hand, and exhaled onto the Ninja Blade in his hand.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"
Sharp wind-natured Chakra gathered on the Ninja Blade, forming a long blade of light. With a simple swing, several sword-like gusts of Wind Release attacked.
Fatty raised his arms, his broad body shielding Qingshui. A faint blue Chakra aura diffused from his arms.
Mechanism Sealing Technique steadily received the sword-like gusts, and Qingshui also donned Big Ivan. He raised his left arm and used Air Compression Bullet to fire a dense volley of Senbon at Fukami Senran—Qingshui had considered using other projectiles, but standard Senbon could be obtained in large quantities from any place that sold ninja tools, offering the best cost-effectiveness and easiest replenishment.
Fukami Senran lightly tapped the tip of his foot on a slender blade of grass, calmly forming several hand seals within a second.
"Wind Release: Sickle Weasel!"
Wild winds surged, and endless wind blades, mixed within the storm, disrupted the Senbon flying in the air.
"That's truly amazing... Even if I had a Three-Star Fan, I doubt I could perform Wind Release on that scale."
In the distance, Baki squinted, feeling the strong winds blowing towards him.
The Three-Star Fan is a special ninja tool unique to the Sand Village, capable of enhancing Wind Release Ninjutsu. It's quite rare, and the strongest one currently is in Karura's hands.
"Qingshui's strength has really left us behind. With these Puppets working together, there's basically no Chunin who can contend with him. Maybe it's true, just as he said, that he can hold his own against a Jonin. At least for now, Captain Chiran doesn't seem like he'll be able to defeat Qingshui quickly."
Pakura toyed with a Kunai, watching the fierce battle unfolding before her, a hint of eagerness in her eyes.
"Hey, Pakura, you're not thinking of joining in too, are you?"
Baki looked at the scene of Rockets and Ninjutsu clashing in the distance, swallowing hard.
If it were an ordinary Jonin, he might dare to spar, but Fukami Senran was no ordinary Jonin after all.
"No, this is their fight, but I do want to find an opportunity to spar with Qingshui."
Baki sighed softly.
I'm not worthy.
*"Lightning Release: Thunder Mouse Tremor!"*
Rapidly spinning, vibrating shuriken flew out, linked by chains of lightning. They precisely sliced through the small Rockets Qingshui had launched, exploding into fireworks in the air.
"There's just no way to get close…"
Inside Big Ivan, Qingshui watched the front, a little headache starting to form.
Whether it was speed, close-quarters combat, or long-range Ninjutsu, Fukami Senran was incredibly strong.
His only weakness was not having particularly strong defensive Ninjutsu, but even that was enough.
Regular attacks could barely touch Fukami Senran; his Body Flicker Technique was so fast that Qingshui's eyes could hardly keep up.
If he continuously used many small projectiles to create a Rocket barrage, he might achieve results, but Qingshui didn't.
Cost wasn't the main issue; it was primarily that he couldn't carry that much ammunition, unless he could resupply it in the future using methods similar to the Mutual Exploding Tag.
But Qingshui wouldn't.
Fukami Senran was almost invincibly strong. Unless one possessed unconventional Secret Techniques and Kekkei Genkai, or had a huge numerical advantage, defeating such an opponent in a one-on-one fight would likely require a Kage-level powerhouse.
However, Fukami Senran's strength also had its benefits.
Qingshui could unreservedly test Big Ivan's new functions. With full firepower, he could indeed cause Fukami Senran some minor trouble.
Fukami Senran also had a bit of a headache.
Because Qingshui's strength had reached this level, he wasn't as easy to handle anymore.
If he went all out, he could certainly defeat Qingshui, but then Qingshui's Puppet would definitely be damaged, and perhaps Qingshui himself would get injured.
It was just a spar; there was no need to take it that far.
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