With the support of his clan members, Hyuga Tenzo slowly left the arena, his arms hanging limply, showing none of the grace he had earlier.
A tense atmosphere settled over the training ground.
Fuma cracked his neck, the blood armour condensing around his body. He waved a hand toward the Third Hokage and said slowly, "Hokage-sama, I've just entered battle mode and don't need to rest. I request to defend the arena."
The assembled Jonin fell silent. With the strength and speed Fuma had just displayed, each of them silently wondered how they would cope if they faced him.
Those Jonin specializing in taijutsu saw through the nuances of the previous bout and lost their will to fight. Many were already contemplating how to exchange for Fuma's training methods.
But there were no special methods. It was mostly about real combat, a lot of it, along with Fuma's personal effort, and an almost insignificant cheat. What else could there be?
As the saying goes, 1% cheat plus 99% sweat.
The Third Hokage glanced around at the Jonin and said solemnly, "Request to defend the arena approved."
"Anyone who wants to challenge and learn from Uchiha Fuma, please step forward."
For a moment, the scene was silent. The previous battle had been too straightforward and brutal. The result was direct and violent.
Other than recognizing Fuma's strength and speed, no useful information had been gleaned.
It took about the time of a burning incense stick before someone stepped onto the arena. The challenger was Yuhi Shinku, father of Yuhi Kurenai and a veteran of Konoha.
He was known for his extensive mastery of genjutsu, focusing on the potent mental power of the Yuhi clan. Even within the Uchiha clan, his expertise in genjutsu was highly respected.
The observing Jonin nodded slightly. Using genjutsu to counter taijutsu was a good strategy.
But Fuma's colleagues in the ANBU and his Uchiha clan members looked at Shinku with a mix of pity and amusement.
They knew all too well how doomed genjutsu specialists were against Fuma.
They had seen countless overconfident genjutsu users meet their ends in increasingly miserable ways before him.
"—Please teach me."
"—Please teach me."
Fuma stood lazily, not in a hurry to win this match. Genjutsu users were pitiful when faced with Fuma.
A typical genjutsu user would first disrupt the opponent's chakra flow to cause mental confusion. Then they would construct an illusion to trap the opponent, rendering them defenseless.
More skilled ones could even manipulate the five senses or induce physical chaos, like the Kurama clan's technique, causing self-harm.
But against Fuma's passive title—[Inseparable Union]—these tactics were useless unless the mental power matched Fuma's monstrous physical strength.
[Inseparable Union] bound Fuma's physical and mental strengths, forcefully enhancing his genjutsu resistance.
Yuhi Shinku frowned, not understanding why Fuma hadn't attacked.
For a taijutsu user, the best way to fight a genjutsu user was to disrupt their hand signs, preventing them from affecting the five senses, thus breaking their rhythm and seeking an opportunity for a decisive blow.
Shinku, a seasoned Jonin, didn't dwell on this too much. Every Jonin had their pride and specialty in this complex world of ninja arts. There were always aspects they couldn't consider.
His best approach was to perform his techniques to their fullest without unnecessary thoughts.
Shinku didn't hesitate, his fingers flying through hand signs, casting his genjutsu openly in front of Fuma.
Given the opportunity, there was no reason to let it slip.
Chakra flowed like shadows, embedding into the ground.
The genjutsu was set, soundlessly lying in wait.
To ensure the best effect, Shinku didn't attack Fuma directly. Instead, he laid his genjutsu chakra around himself, creating a trap, waiting for Fuma to approach.
But they hadn't yet seen Fuma's extraordinary defensive capabilities.
Even if Shinku managed to briefly daze Fuma, his offensive measures were unlikely to succeed.
A genjutsu specialist typically didn't need high attack power because, under genjutsu manipulation, the enemy was completely unguarded.
For regular ninjas, a single kunai could end their life.
But for Fuma, defeating him required enough offensive power to penetrate his defense.
This is where the importance of tolerance comes into play. Ninjas, by nature, are a low-tolerance profession. Yet, with the capacity for error, there comes boundless potential.
Fuma lazily approached Shinku step by step, his mind untroubled and even amused. He recalled sparring days with his genjutsu-prone clan members.
Fuma stepped into Shinku's genjutsu trap precisely, smiling and saying, "Shinku-san, this is where you've set your genjutsu, right? Let me experience the power of the Yuhi clan's genjutsu."
Yuhi Shinku was genuinely shocked at this moment. Why would a taijutsu user dare to face his genjutsu head-on?
Yet he remained focused. The earlier display made everyone realize Fuma was a ruthless combat machine. His violent and straightforward style left a deep impression, and such a ninja wouldn't be a foolish braggart.
"Secret Technique—Tree Binding Death! Final Act!"
Shinku activated his technique without hesitation, his chakra flooding into the jutsu.
Surging genjutsu assaulted Fuma, attempting to disrupt his chakra and mental defenses.
But to Shinku's dismay, Fuma remained calm, even winking at Minato in the stands to reassure him.
Sweat beaded on Shinku's forehead as he realized his mental power was as effective as an ant trying to shake a tree against Fuma.
Impossible! Shinku couldn't fathom why Fuma's mental power was so strong.
For the Uchiha clan, using genjutsu against them was often futile. Although Fuma rarely used his Sharingan.
Fuma quietly experienced the genjutsu, feeling a surge of boredom from the confrontation with Shinku.
Genjutsu, after all, is highly dependent on bloodline and talent. An ordinary ninja, even at Jonin level, would struggle without a bloodline limit.
A wave of tedium washed over Fuma. It was time to end this quickly and secure the command qualification.
Suddenly, Fuma vanished, reappearing behind Shinku.
Shinku, focusing on his defensive genjutsu, only saw a blur. Fuma had disappeared.
A genjutsu specialist in close combat was no match for Fuma. Before Shinku could react, Fuma lightly struck his neck, knocking him out.
Fuma lifted Shinku and placed him gently on the spectators' platform. Smiling at the Third Hokage, he crossed his arms and said calmly, "Hokage-sama, there are 16 competitors in total. Winning three rounds means making the top three and obtaining the command qualification. I request to continue fighting until I'm eliminated or secure a spot."
This move was actually disadvantageous for Fuma. Ninja battles are about revealing as little information as possible. Fuma voluntarily fought two consecutive rounds in front of everyone, which offered him no advantage.
The Third Hokage smiled, whispered a few words to Danzo, and then said, "Konoha's new generation has indeed grown strong. I am very pleased. Proceed."
Minato ran over, offering a bottle of water, his eyes shining with admiration. Fuma gently patted Minato's head, drank the water, and returned to the center of the arena, waiting for the next challenger.
For the moment, Konoha's two leading figures in genjutsu and taijutsu had both been defeated.
_____________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ShadySmuggler