Crystal Release

"This Guren was quite skilled. Facing numerous strong individuals from Konoha such as Kakashi, Yamato, and Guy, she managed to hold her ground for a long time before finally being defeated."

Above a huge lake in the Land of Water, stood a person with shoulder-length hair. Although their appearance could only be considered slightly above average, they exuded a mysterious aura and possessed captivating eyes that seemed like cosmic stars. This person, along with a woman who appeared gentle, soft-spoken, and attractive, stood on the void. They were none other than Ryoha and Shizune.

Since Ryoha's arrival, instead of immediately using the Hiraishin no Jutsu to reach the Land of Water, he used it to travel to the Land of Fire. He took Shizune with him and strolled towards the Land of Water in a leisurely manner, enjoying their time together. It was a pleasant journey.

When Ryoha and Shizune arrived at the Land of Water, where the Three-tails appeared, they discovered that the Crystal Release user, Guren, had already engaged in a battle against several elite Jonin from Konoha. Ryoha and Shizune remained hidden throughout the encounter, observing the fight as outsiders.

It was particularly impressive to witness Guren single-handedly taking on numerous strong opponents and elite Jonin. In the beginning, the people from Konoha were unfamiliar with Guren's strength and abilities, allowing her to toy with them. However, as they gradually understood her power, they gained the upper hand. Despite that, after several skirmishes, Guren was eventually overwhelmed. There was even a moment when she could have been captured if someone hadn't sacrificed themselves. Nevertheless, Guren managed to hold her own against the strong individuals from Konoha and the small fry for such a long time. From the beginning, she had the advantage, pressing on relentlessly until now, even though her abilities were eventually deciphered.

She even held her ground against Kakashi alone and faced attacks from other strong opponents. It must be said that her combat awareness and experience were rich and formidable. Her mastery of the Crystal Release was exceptional. Even when her technique was countered by Shino's insects, she remained undeterred. Watching her, Ryoha couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

"So, this is the ability Tsunade-sama mentioned, the power to crystallize anyone or anything? I never thought such an ability truly existed," remarked Shizune, her expression reflecting the astonishment of a rural woman visiting a big city, adding a touch of charm to her.

"It's a pity that she could't crystallize chakra. Otherwise, this ability would be truly terrifying," Ryoha replied. He had already activated his Sharingan to observe it. Although Guren couldn't crystallize chakra, after battling with the Three-tails and Kakashi, her chakra was depleted by nearly seventy percent. Yet, she still managed to hold her own against Rock Lee and Tenten, not falling behind.

Guren's combat abilities were indeed remarkable. Honestly, Ryoha doubted if Orochimaru's brain was working. He had so many talented individuals around him, yet he focused on training someone like Sasuke, who had lofty ambitions but lacked talent. Admittedly, at first glance, it seemed like the Sharingan had greater potential, but the potential of a Bloodline Liimit couldn't determine a ninja's lifelong achievements and strength.

Orochimaru don't have a Bloodline Limit, and neither did the Third Hokage or Jiraiya, yet they achieved legendary status and became renowned ninjas, didn't they? And was Guren's Bloodline Limit truly inferior to the Sharingan? Well, based on the available data, it seems that the Crystal Release is somewhat inferior to the Sharingan, but Guren is still young. Was Sharingan really the only Bloodline Limit that could evolve?

Not everyone from the Uchiha clan could activate the Mangekyo Sharingan; only a few could. Was it impossible for Guren's Crystal Release to evolve? If one were to invest time and effort into training her and allowing her Crystal Release to evolve, becoming stronger to the point of crystallizing even chakra, it would be much more valuable than nurturing someone like Sasuke.

Ryoha was proud of his discerning eye in this regard. Most of the people around him were chosen by him, and they all became formidable. Even Hinata, who currently had the weakest strength, had been rapidly improving her new Gentle Fist at an astonishing rate, becoming stronger day by day.

It wouldn't be long before she surpassed Shizune, not to mention Kurenai, Haku, and others. Compared to these individuals, Sasuke was simply trash, merely an insignificouldt existence. If Ryoha had to choose, he would choose Guren over a hundred Sasukes.

Currently, Guren didn't receive any guidance or training from Orochimaru, but she still managed taught herself and develop her skills. Her current strength was not something that just anyone could contend with the majority of the high-end forces in Konoha and its future. Wasn't this the best performance? That was why the more Ryoha understood the people around Orochimaru or the longer he spent time with him, the more he despised him.

That freak man valued background too much, always looking for someone who appears to have extraordinary potential, possesses a Bloodline Limit that could undoubtedly evolve to a strong level in the future, and had high talent in every aspect before he would nurture them.

Little did he know that he himself was merely a talented genius with average origins, no Bloodline Limit, and not as great of achievements. It could be said that a person's accomplishments were definitely not limited to their talent, Bloodline Limit, comprehension, and so on. The most important factors were efforts, opportunities, and circumstances.

It could be said that Orochimaru missed countless individuals who were worth nurturing into high-level shinobi throughout his life, instead choosing someone like Sasuke, who was worthless once the Sharingan was taken away, and even with the Sharingan, his abilities were mediocre at best. It could be considered a meticulous selection, but he ended up choosing a useless coulddidate.

"This Guren is more deserving of cultivation compared to Sasuke. Shizune, you have also seen it. From the initial battles to the present, there isn't a single flaw that could be pointed out in any of Guren's fights or details. Considering her current strength without receiving Orochimaru's guidance and training, Orochimaru is truly wasteful and foolish."