Everyone present was calculating in their minds how to defeat a ninja who was not susceptible to illusions and possessed astonishing strength and speed.
Fuma's fighting style made many people think of a familiar figure—the Third Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Did this mean that Uchiha Fuma already possessed strength comparable to a Kage?
The many Jonin exchanged glances. Such heavyweight news needed to be thoroughly discussed within their families. The power dynamics in Konoha might soon change.
Compared to the Third Raikage, Fuma's displayed attack power hadn't reached the level of the Hell Stab. However, Fuma's speed, his resistance to control techniques, and his attacks that could kill most ninjas made him a very troublesome existence.
The Jonin exchanged looks, gradually focusing their gazes on White Fang, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Setsuna.
The Third Hokage, wearing a smiling expression, spoke in a kind tone, "What's the matter? Having a strong young ninja in the village is a sign of Konoha's prosperity."
Jiraiya twitched his nose upon hearing this, silently thinking: I've already sparred with him countless times since we were kids. A strong young ninja? More like a freakish genius with monstrous talent.
However, the old man's words seemed to carry deeper meaning.
Orochimaru, with his snake-like eyes narrowed, was conversing in low tones with Tsunade. From Tsunade's less-than-pleased expression and her constantly trembling legs beneath her dark green haori, it was clear she was unsettled.
Over the years, Tsunade and Fuma had always been quarrelsome rivals. Unlike the relationship between Tsunade and Jiraiya in the original story, theirs was a classic tale of "enemies turned lovers."
Fuma was a restless soul who, upon returning from missions with the Anbu, often brought her various specialties from different ninja villages.
He would also frequently invite her out for drinks and meals. On starry nights in the village, they would take walks together.
But what angered her was that Fuma never expressed his feelings. Initially, there was potential for their relationship to progress, but due to Fuma's lack of initiative, it had become awkward.
Uchiha Setsuna, too, couldn't contain his inner turmoil. In fact, he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Believing he inherited Uchiha Madara's will, he unlocked the Mangekyō after witnessing his brother's death in the First Shinobi War.
However, lacking guidance on its use, he had recklessly used his eye power in his youth, much like Sasuke in the original story, and his vision had significantly deteriorated.
As the greatest martial artist and clan head within the Uchiha clan, Setsuna could have unified the various factions and challenged the Hokage's authority if not for the fear of exhausting his eye power.
Regarding Fuma, Setsuna had complex feelings. On one hand, he highly valued this young and capable clansman. On the other, he held traditional views on bloodline superiority.
When Fuma was young, Setsuna persistently tried to steer his training towards the traditional Uchiha path. He believed that focusing on physical techniques was ultimately limited. Fuma, who had inherited the Uchiha bloodline, should delve into his bloodline's power rather than honing his physical body, which put him on the same starting line as civilian ninjas. To him, this was a foolish, long-winded approach.
However, witnessing Fuma's excellent performance today, Setsuna's Uchiha-specific obsession flared up. He planned to reveal his Mangekyō Sharingan, even if it meant blindness.
Such a promising clansman, if he returned to the path of eye techniques, could lead the Uchiha clan to new heights! Setsuna's heart burned with a grand sense of mission; he must make Fuma appreciate the importance of eye techniques!
If Fuma knew his thoughts, he would undoubtedly remark that the Uchiha clan truly produced a lot of fanatics and obsessives.
"—Swoosh."
The silence was broken as a challenger appeared in the arena. Surprisingly, both Uchiha Setsuna and Tsunade moved simultaneously, standing on the stage.
The atmosphere became awkward, given the historical enmity between the Senju and Uchiha clans. Since the death of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, this enmity had intensified, leading to the Uchiha's gradual isolation in the village.
High-born pride meant they wouldn't explain themselves to others, exacerbating their difficult situation. Tsunade, arms crossed and head held high, stared at Fuma with a hint of provocation in her eyes, clearly harboring deep-seated grievances.
Setsuna, too, wouldn't relinquish his spot. Today was about fulfilling what he saw as his grand duty to the Uchiha.
Fuma looked amusedly at the two of them—a challenging young woman and a strangely motivated older man. What an odd pair.
Thinking it over, since he had already made a big splash today, he might as well go all the way.
Using a gentle yet taunting tone, he asked them, "I mean no disrespect, but if neither of you wants to back down, how about I try fighting both of you? The Senju and Uchiha have been the best partners since the village was founded. Why not fight side by side today?"
Tsunade stomped her foot angrily, "What do you mean by that, you bastard? Are you looking down on me?"
Setsuna, however, was solemn, staring at Fuma seriously, "I have no problem with that."
Tsunade was surprised, seeing the proud Uchiha clan head willing to team up with a Senju against a younger opponent. It was too strange. But Setsuna was focused solely on Fuma, his gaze resolute.
Fuma felt a twinge of surprise. What was the old man up to now?
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, exhaling deeply, then turned to Danzo, "What do you think?"
Danzo waved his hand dismissively, "You should quit smoking, Hiruzen. But I support this. Understanding our current true strength in the village is crucial.
Our main forces have not yet experienced large-scale battles. Determining who can bear the burden is not easy."
The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, finding his words unusually agreeable. Fuma cleared his throat and addressed the crowd, "I mean no disrespect to the two Jonin. I just want to test my recent progress."
This olive branch did little to placate Tsunade, whose face turned red with anger. Despite being in her early twenties, her temperament likely wouldn't change much, even at fifty.
The Third Hokage looked at Fuma, "Even if you fight one against two, if you lose, you will still be eliminated."
Fuma shrugged nonchalantly, deciding to add a bet to the duel. "In that case, Lord Third, if I win, I hope you'll grant me the opportunity to study forbidden techniques. If I lose, I volunteer to teach taijutsu in the village for a month, free of charge."
The Third Hokage was delighted, agreeing immediately. In this era, Jonin were valuable political and military resources, not easily commanded. Having just emerged from a bloody war, each had a unique personality and skills.
Teaching was typically reserved for close friends or clan members, not outsiders. In Naruto's time, Kakashi's reluctance to teach was evident—unless there were special ties or specific clan heirs to train, Jonin were generally unwilling to teach.
Encountering a Special Jonin as a teacher was already considered fortunate for civilian ninjas.
Now, with Fuma, whose taijutsu prowess was unmatched in Konoha, volunteering to teach, the Third Hokage saw great benefit for the village and agreed to the match.
"Very well, I'll add to the stakes. The winner will receive an additional opportunity to study a forbidden technique. If Uchiha Fuma wins, he will have two such opportunities. Moreover, if Fuma wins, I will grant him the priority to organize a unit."
With a smile, the Third Hokage announced the rules and stakes to the Jonin.
Some might see this as unfair, disrupting the usual selection process. But in the ninja world, rules mattered less than strength. Powerful individuals could bend the rules, facing minimal consequences.
Fuma smirked inwardly, realizing the Third Hokage was testing his abilities and preparing to burden him with responsibilities. The old man wanted to gauge his true strength and assign him tasks accordingly.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat, his tone becoming serious, "Prepare yourselves. Uchiha Setsuna, Tsunade, you have ten minutes to strategize."
Fuma rolled his eyes. A strategy meeting? They really wanted him to lose. Setsuna, showing no arrogance, joined Tsunade, discussing tactics in low voices.
Their surprisingly amicable atmosphere underscored the ancient truth: facing a powerful external enemy united internal factions.
The Jonin were excited, buzzing with conversation. The Uchiha clan head and Senju Hashirama's granddaughter teaming up? And against one person? No matter who won, this would become a legendary tale.
Fuma decided not to hold back anymore. Facing them both, he felt significant pressure. He couldn't afford to be as relaxed as before.
Tsunade was already an excellent medical ninja with mature monster strength techniques. As for Setsuna, his strange behavior today meant he couldn't be underestimated.
However, today was Fuma's planned battle to make a name for himself. To quickly gain the experience needed by his system and earn command roles, he needed to prove himself.
This would allow him to choose his battles, accumulate war merits, and exchange them for the Sealing Scroll to learn sealing and space-time ninjutsu, filling his gaps.
Fuma's heart burned with long-lost excitement. No one would stop him today. This was the first major step in his well-prepared rise!
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