Instant Kill

Uchiha Nan sized up the monk Genkū before him. His bare upper body gleamed with a bronze luster under the sun, but what drew the most attention were his developed biceps. He was also a head taller than Uchiha Nan.

What a strong man!

"I am Genkū, a monk of the Temple of Fire. Greetings, Hokage!"

Genkū bowed to Uchiha Nan in a Buddhist gesture of respect, his eyes occasionally drifting over Uchiha Nan.

This is the Hokage? Am I mistaken?

His deeply sunken lower eye sockets, prominent dark circles, and light, unsteady footsteps all screamed excessive indulgence.

Genkū had seen too many young men like this back at the Temple of Fire. It might be an exaggeration to say all the young scions of the Land of Fire's powerful families were deficient in kidney energy, but if you lined them up and picked every other person, you'd be hard-pressed to find one who wasn't!

"Hokage, are you not feeling well today?"

Looking at Uchiha Nan's appearance, Genkū's expression revealed his disdain.

It seems the First Great Ninja War has depleted Konoha's strength considerably. They've even chosen someone like this to be Hokage.

Heaven truly blesses my Temple of Fire!

The monks of the Temple of Fire weren't without desires. They also wished for advancement and more funding to expand the Temple of Fire!

It's not just Konoha that is patriotic; the Temple of Fire can also negotiate with the Daimyo. The Temple of Fire can be patriotic too!

"No, I just got a bit tired yesterday!"

"Weren't you going to spar with me?"

"Then let's begin!"

Uchiha Nan waved his hand, ignoring Genkū's concern.

These monks from the Temple of Fire are so impolite. Can't they at least try to hide their disdain? It's too much.

"In that case, I shall not hold back."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air was instantly filled with a palpable tension.

The Daimyo stood to the side, a smug smile on his face, fully enjoying the spectacle and wishing Uchiha Nan and Genkū would beat each other senseless.

We can't have all these ninjas getting along too well. There needs to be some conflict.

"Since that's the case, you two may spar. Remember to hold back and do not harm your camaraderie."

The Daimyo offered a disingenuous admonishment before withdrawing from the training ground. As an ordinary person, he understood the principle of not standing under a crumbling wall all too well.

Before long, only Genkū and Uchiha Nan were left facing each other on the training ground.

"Hah!"

Genkū let out a loud shout, striking a peculiar pose. One hand formed a mudra, while the other was held palm down. Powerful chakra surged within him, and a phantom Bodhisattva even appeared behind him.

What a strange ninjutsu. It doesn't even require hand seals. Is this the special power of the so-called Sage Clan Talent?

Under normal circumstances, Uchiha Nan would have probed the monk before him, trying to understand an unfamiliar ninjutsu system. But today was different.

Uchiha Nan's gaze shifted to the Daimyo watching from outside the training ground. This guy is testing Konoha's strength. If Konoha's power has declined too severely, not only will he not come asking for funding next time, but he might even foster a new ninja village altogether.

I must win with overwhelming force!

Genkū saw Uchiha Nan looking at the Daimyo, completely disregarding him!

He dares to be distracted?

Genkū gathered power at the soles of his feet and dashed forward with incredible speed. The Bodhisattva behind him instantly transformed into a Wrathful Vajra, its fists smashing towards Uchiha Nan.

"Curse your misfortune for not possessing the Sharingan!"

Uchiha Nan muttered under his breath. As Genkū charged, his eyes met Uchiha Nan's Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Tsukuyomi!"

A trickle of blood tears flowed from the corner of Uchiha Nan's eye as his consciousness was pulled into the Tsukuyomi space.

Tsukuyomi Space

A blood-red moon hung high in the sky, and the ground was covered in blood.

Genkū was currently experiencing the treatment of Jesus, bound to a cross, his mind still reeling.

"Hello there, welcome to my Tsukuyomi world!"

"Is this a genjutsu?"

"When did you activate it?!"

Genkū desperately tried to break free from the chains, but after struggling for a long time, it was completely useless.

"To fight an Uchiha, you dare to make eye contact with me up close. Are you ignorant or brave?"

"Idiot!"

Uchiha Nan sneered, his grating laughter turning Genkū's face bright red.

"Screech!"

Uchiha Nan waved his hand, and a blade materialized in the space, piercing Genkū's arm. Genkū's screams immediately echoed throughout the entire space, followed by another stab, and then another.

"Time here is entirely under my control. One second outside could be a month, two months, or even one or two years."

"I'll keep stabbing you with this blade until you can't take it anymore."

"This is my first time using this technique. I don't know how long a person's mental will can hold out. I hope you can last a bit longer, don't make me look down on the monks of the Temple of Fire too much!"

Uchiha Nan explained with a smile, but his hands didn't slow down at all.

Despite the incredibly gentle tone, to Genkū, it sounded like the whisper of a demon. Was there such a terrifying Ninjutsu in the world?

Was this the Avici Hell described in the scriptures?

Was this the strength of Konoha's Hokage?

Genkū was filled with terror. Such a method was unheard of. With just a glance, he could drag someone into hell. Was this something a human could do?

Ahhh!!!

The feeling of regret didn't last long before endless pain completely overwhelmed Genkū's consciousness.

After a day passed, Genkū's spirit had completely collapsed, his consciousness sinking into endless chaos.

"Not bad. You actually held on for a whole day."

Uchiha Nan nodded, acknowledging Genkū's willpower, and then released the Tsukuyomi space.

Real World

Just as Genkū's fist was about to land, he suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground, completely unresponsive.

Uchiha Nan appeared calm and composed, exuding the aura of a master, having not moved an inch throughout the entire process.

"What's going on?"

"Did the Hokage just do something?"

The Daimyo, who had been observing from the side, was filled with disbelief.

The Daimyo had witnessed Genkū's power firsthand. Ordinary Jonin were no match for him, and the Bodhisattva phantom behind him displayed an unstoppable fighting force.

He had expected a fierce battle, but it ended like this?

The Daimyo's expression turned serious. It wasn't that Genkū was too weak, but that the current Hokage was too strong, so strong that he could defeat Genkū with overwhelming force.

"Is Konoha still this powerful?"

He had thought that a prolonged war would weaken Konoha's strength, creating a gap in their talent pool. The Daimyo felt immense regret; his expectations seemed to have fallen through.

Any nascent ambitions Konoha might have had were immediately silenced.

In an instant, the Daimyo's face broke into a wide smile, and he walked up to Uchiha Nan, clapping his hands.

"Truly worthy of being Konoha's Hokage!"