Overpowering His Peers

No matter who it was, without putting in effort, there would be no reward. That was a law of nature.

But with the same amount of effort, a genius's gains were often far greater than those of ordinary people.

Ever since Uchiha Tokimitsu began training under Elder Setsuna, he had trained through the scorching heat of summer and bitter cold of winter, fully deserving the word diligent. With his powerful Spiritual Power and exceptional Chakra manipulation, he could now hold his own against Elder Setsuna's Guard Ninjas. Though most of Elder Setsuna's personal guards were Chunin, they were all elites among Chunin, skilled in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu alike. Compared to the village's Civilian Ninjas, they could easily have been rated as Special Jonin.

At six years old, Uchiha Tokimitsu possessed strength comparable to a Chunin. Even within the Uchiha Clan, where geniuses abounded, this was extremely rare.

Early that morning, when Uchiha Tokimitsu came downstairs after getting ready, he was surprised to find that Mother had not only prepared breakfast but had also unusually changed into a Konoha Military Police Force ninja uniform—a Konoha Chunin vest bearing the Uchiha Clan crest. Her long hair, which normally fell over her shoulders, was tied into a high ponytail. Compared to her usual gentle appearance as a housewife, she looked especially capable and dashing.

"Mom, are you participating in the clan competition today too?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was extremely surprised. Though he had pieced together from scattered remarks that Mother had once been a rather talented Uchiha ninja, ever since his memories of his previous life had awakened in this life, he had never seen Emiko dressed like this.

"Not at all~ Mom had already retired from the combat unit. I just wanted to watch little Tokimitsu's match this time~"

Emiko answered with a smile. "Does little Tokimitsu not want Mom to watch? That would make Mom very sad, you know."

"No, it's just that this is the first time I've seen Mom dressed as a ninja!"

"Then hurry up and eat breakfast~"

"Mm!"

"Your father probably won't be back until tomorrow, so he won't get to see little Tokimitsu's valiant performance~ That's why Mom has to watch the competition properly and tell him all about it. So little Tokimitsu, do your best too~"

"Of course. Mom, just watch me take first place!" Uchiha Tokimitsu answered as he ate breakfast. "But if I win the competition, what rewards will the clan give me? Or can I enter the Konoha Military Police Force directly?"

"Mm... Elder Setsuna didn't tell you?"

"No."

"Then you'll know once you win..."

Emiko kept him in suspense.

"Fine..."

After breakfast, Uchiha Tokimitsu and Mother headed together to the site of the clan competition: Naka River Uchiha Shrine.

The Training Ground had not been chosen primarily because the Uchiha Clan's training grounds were relatively small and also lay within the village's sensory barrier. There would inevitably be plenty of commotion during the matches, and the clan did not want the Hokage Faction to become overly nervous and make trouble over it. After all, those taking part were all young members of the Uchiha Clan.

Naka River Uchiha Shrine had a large square of roughly a thousand square meters. Its floor, paved with bluestone bricks, was exceptionally hard. Four rune arrays had been drawn around it, with two unfamiliar Uchiha ninjas standing within each array. They were probably setting up barriers to isolate the competition grounds. More than three hundred Uchiha clan members had already gathered in the square. Nearly half were Uchiha clan members under the age of ten participating in the competition. Judging by their height and build, most were around eight or nine years old. Quite a few already wore ninja forehead protectors and were probably Genin who had graduated from clan training or the Ninja Academy. Although there were also many Uchiha children being held In his arms by their parents, Uchiha Tokimitsu was the only one so young who was fully equipped and obviously here to compete.

After looking around, he found few people he knew. After all, people as fond of keeping to themselves and as solitary as Uchiha Tokimitsu were rare.

"Little Tokimitsu, are you Full of confidence~"

As she spoke, Emiko ruffled Uchiha Tokimitsu's hair.

It felt quite nice—smoother even than her own hair.

"There shouldn't be any problem. At most, they're Genin."

Concise as ever, Uchiha Tokimitsu was Full of confidence.

For a moment later, a group of Uchiha ninjas entered through the shrine gates. At the center of the group, surrounded by the others like stars around the moon, were the Uchiha Clan Head and Elder Setsuna.

"What a pity the Clan Head's son is a little too old. Otherwise, little Tokimitsu could beat him in the competition and make him rein himself in."

"Mother, Father still works under the Clan Head. Aren't you worried Father will be given trouble?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu rolled his eyes helplessly.

"Hmph! If he dares, I'll submit a motion at the Clan Meeting to impeach him!"

The conversation between Uchiha Tokimitsu and his mother was not deliberately hidden from others. Ninjas all had sharp ears and keen eyes, and the powerful Uchiha Clan Head heard every word.

"Elder Setsuna, is that child Nakagen-kun's son? I hear he's also your prized disciple."

The Uchiha Clan Head spoke to Elder Setsuna beside him, who was smiling pleasantly, with a trace of helplessness.

"Little Tokimitsu is a treasure of the Uchiha Clan."

Elder Setsuna replied flatly.

Before the competition began, the Uchiha Clan Head gave a long, rambling speech, just like most leaders in the world. Only when everyone was dizzy from listening, and even Elder Setsuna could not help dozing off against his cane, did he reluctantly announce the start of the competition.

The moment his words fell, four barriers rose within the square.

"This is the Water Wall Barrier. The matches will be held inside," Emiko explained to Uchiha Tokimitsu.

Uchiha Tokimitsu Nodded as though he understood. Over the past two years, he had only studied the Uchiha Clan's inherited ninjutsu and taijutsu under Elder Setsuna. As for Sealing Jutsu, he had not merely failed to study it deeply—he only knew the bare basics.

The competition used a one-on-one elimination format. Losers were eliminated, winners advanced, then drew lots again and kept fighting until one victor emerged from each barrier group.

The method was simple, brutal, and direct—perfectly suited to Uchiha tastes.

In the matches that followed, Uchiha Tokimitsu strolled through his opponents as though taking a leisurely walk. Without even getting a chance to use his Sharingan, he easily eliminated everyone in his group and advanced into the final four. At that point, the matches in the other three barrier groups were only about two-thirds complete.

After Wait for a while longer, the three barrier groups finally concluded, and the list of Konoha Year 30's Four Young Uchiha Elites was revealed.

Aside from Uchiha Tokimitsu, the other three were Uchiha Nobutora, Uchiha Yashiro, and Uchiha Yuki. All were Genin who had received clan training. On the contrary, the Uchiha Genin who had graduated from the Ninja Academy had all been eliminated.

However, the final four used a group battle format. The four would fight in a melee, free to join forces three against one or rely on their own strength to fight three alone. The four barriers would also be combined into one large barrier.

After listening to the Uchiha Clan Head explain the rules, Uchiha Tokimitsu slowly walked into the barrier, unable to suppress the excitement in his eyes.

After two years of training, Uchiha Tokimitsu desperately wanted to know where his strength stood among the younger generation.

The other three had also seen Uchiha Tokimitsu's performance in his group. While shocked, they were also deeply wary of him.

At the command, the finals began!

The four contestants instantly flickered to the four corners of the barrier, each guarding against and sizing up the others.

Uchiha Tokimitsu was the first to lose patience. He quickly Took out three Shuriken from his Ninja tools pouch and fired one at each of the other three.

He was going to fight three alone!

The other three Uchiha did not hesitate either. After casually knocking aside Uchiha Tokimitsu's Shuriken, they exchanged glances and Nodded, temporarily forming a united front.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu launched a Great Fireball straight at Uchiha Yashiro across from him.

Uchiha Yashiro Did Not Show Weakness. Without dodging, he rapidly formed hand seals and sent an identical Great Fireball directly to meet it.

Uchiha Yashiro's Great Fireball seemed slightly more powerful. After breaking through Uchiha Tokimitsu's fireball, the remaining Chakra flames continued toward Uchiha Tokimitsu.

Seeing this, Uchiha Nobutora and Uchiha Yuki used the Body Flicker Technique to Came forward, sealing off Uchiha Tokimitsu's two sides.

"Fire Style: Flower Scattering Dance!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu continued forming hand seals at high speed, coating nine Shuriken in flames. The scorching Shuriken scattered like impatiens blossoms filling the sky, shattering the fireball before continuing their assault on the three.

Uchiha Nobutora and Uchiha Yuki were greatly alarmed and hurriedly leaped away to evade. Uchiha Yashiro, farther away, did not panic. Instead, he raised an Earth Style Wall to block the attack.

However, Uchiha Nobutora and Uchiha Yuki on the flanks were now helplessly suspended in midair.

"First one!"

When Uchiha Nobutora landed awkwardly, a cold voice that made his hair stand on end sounded behind his ear.

Before he could react, Uchiha Tokimitsu swung his blade and cut off the hair at Uchiha Nobutora's neck, signaling a kill.

"I..."

Uchiha Nobutora was thrown into confusion, having no idea what to do.

Uchiha Nobutora, unconscious and eliminated!

Before Uchiha Nobutora could react, Uchiha Tokimitsu used the Body Flicker Technique again from behind him and Pounce towards Uchiha Yuki. Uchiha Yuki, who had just come to her senses, Took out a Kunai and prepared to defend herself.

"Uchiha Style: Flame Strike!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu abruptly halted his charge and swung his Wakizashi. A blade of Fire Style Chakra sent Uchiha Yuki flying into the barrier.

Uchiha Yuki, unconscious and eliminated!

In the blink of an eye, two had fallen, leaving Uchiha Yashiro, who had just emerged from behind his Earth Style Wall, dumbfounded.

Was this really a little kid?

Uchiha Yashiro could no longer hold back his inner collapse.

While Uchiha Yashiro was still reeling in shock, Uchiha Tokimitsu trapped him with the "Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique," then used the Body Flicker Technique to rush in and kick him into the air. Uchiha Yashiro slammed into the barrier wall and fainted.

The Uchiha clan members watching below were all dumbfounded. The competition had ended far too quickly!

Was this really a competition among the clan's Juniors?

That combat strength was practically at Chunin level! And not the village's Civilian Ninjas, either!

Could anyone believe this was actually a six-year-old child?

This time, the Uchiha clan members were numb...

Elder Setsuna stroked his beard, thoroughly satisfied. Emiko, meanwhile, jumped high with joy.

Uchiha Tokimitsu had effortlessly overpowered every peer in the clan. Filled with lofty spirit, he was now High-spirited.