Test Ends

Swish!

The moment the Uchiha ninja finished speaking, the Mingzun that Uchiha Gen had just acquired was instantly unsheathed, and Uchiha Gen's figure flashed as he rushed toward the Uchiha ninja.

As Mingzun left its scabbard, a flash of clear, bright blade light shimmered.

Clang!!

Amidst a spray of sparks, a kunai wrapped in chakra violently intercepted Uchiha Gen's strike.

"Young Master Gen has grasped both speed and timing quite well. Furthermore, the force behind your strike is immense! Even an average taijutsu specialist would struggle to match the power Young Master Gen possesses."

While parrying Uchiha Gen's attack, the Uchiha ninja spoke rapidly.

As the ninja tasked with evaluating Uchiha Gen, he needed to report on the progress of the battle to those watching from the sidelines.

"You should save your assessment of my strength until after the battle is over, Senior."

A red glint flashed in Uchiha Gen's eyes, and his One-Tomoe Sharingan activated in an instant.

At the same time, the rhythm of Uchiha Gen's breathing shifted accordingly.

Mingzun thrust forward, the blade aiming directly for the Uchiha ninja's throat.

Knowing his own strength, Uchiha Gen had no intention of holding back against someone who was likely an elite jonin.

Facing Uchiha Gen's thrust, the Uchiha ninja remained unhurried, sidestepping with ease to avoid the strike. However, the thrusting Mingzun immediately changed its trajectory, transitioning into a horizontal slash.

Clang!!

Seeing this, the Uchiha ninja simply raised his hand, blocking the strike with the kunai held before his neck.

A series of sparks erupted from the violent collision between Mingzun and the kunai.

"Young Master Gen's strength is significant; you can even force a change in the trajectory of a thrusting move by relying on your own power. Your mastery over weapons is quite impressive."

While blocking Uchiha Gen's attacks, the Uchiha ninja's commentary did not cease.

After delivering a powerful slash that was once again easily blocked by the Uchiha ninja, Uchiha Gen stomped his foot and quickly put some distance between himself and his opponent.

Simultaneously, Mingzun was swiftly sheathed.

As he retreated, wisps of electric arcs began to erupt from Uchiha Gen's body.

"Thunder Breathing—in the original Demon Slayer worldview, it was merely a standard swordsmanship where no strike could actually generate or control lightning. But... this is the Ninja World!"

With each breath, the electric arcs dancing on Uchiha Gen's body became more pronounced, and he instantly dropped into a half-crouched stance, gripping his sword.

"Using Lightning Release chakra to stimulate his cells... Young Master Gen's control over chakra is... no, this is..."

Watching the electric arcs erupting from Uchiha Gen, the Uchiha ninja continued to speak, but before he could finish his sentence, years of combat experience caused him to instantly sense danger.

A crimson glow bloomed within his eye sockets, and his Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated in an instant.

Zzz!

Crackle!!

Within the vision of the Sharingan, the Uchiha ninja saw electric arcs rapidly erupting from the Mingzun in Uchiha Gen's hand, while the palm gripping the hilt tightened with sudden force.

"Thunder Breathing—First Form—Thunderclap and Flash!"

A bolt of lightning streaked through the night, and at the same time, a clear bloodstain appeared on the Uchiha ninja's cheek.

"This is... Ninja Swordplay!? Adapted from Sword Leap Flame?! No, that's not right, this set of sword techniques is not yet mature..."

The speed of that thrust, like a flickering bolt of lightning... such a strike was extremely similar to that of a certain renowned ninja!!

On the sidelines, Setsuna Uchiha stood up abruptly, staring at Uchiha Gen in the arena. The appearance of this strike caused all the Uchiha elders, including Setsuna Uchiha, to become instantly agitated.

A ninja sword technique that was very likely self-created...

Compared to the sword technique itself, the Uchiha elders valued something else entirely. The sword technique was irrelevant; what mattered was Uchiha Gen's current strength and his age!!

The Uchiha clan!!! There is a chance now!!!

"A very fast strike. Young Master Gen's control over chakra is very refined. Although Lightning Release chakra is violent, Young Master Gen is still able to utilize it with precision. That move just now was very fast; I underestimated you."

Reaching up to touch his cheek and looking at the blood on his fingers, the Uchiha ninja's face flushed slightly.

He could have dodged Uchiha Gen's strike earlier once he activated his Sharingan, but he had wanted to see the power of the move, which was why he hadn't evaded immediately.

The result was that by the time he wanted to dodge, it was slightly too late. Although he had almost completely avoided it and only suffered a graze, a failure to dodge was still a failure.

Blood does not lie.

"The battle isn't over yet."

Uchiha Gen, who had just finished his slash, turned abruptly. The lightning faded, and Uchiha Gen, who had been holding the sword with both hands, suddenly freed one.

He raised his left hand toward the Uchiha ninja, and a flicker of flame ignited in the night.

"Hm?"

Not good!!

Seeing the flame at Uchiha Gen's fingertips, the Uchiha ninja's expression changed. He had assumed that after that strike, Uchiha Gen would surely be exhausted.

After all, given Uchiha Gen's age, no matter how much chakra he possessed, it couldn't possibly be that vast.

Besides, since you've already managed to inflict damage on me, shouldn't this test be over already!??!

Without hesitation, the Uchiha ninja quickly formed hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

Boom!!

A surge of water erupted, and a thin streak of flame instantly slashed out from Uchiha Gen's fingertips.

Flame Slash!

Hiss!!

As steam filled the air, Uchiha Gen lowered his hand and pondered for half a second before abandoning the idea of using Golden Light.

With a stomp of his foot, Uchiha Gen charged into the center of the steam, blade raised.

"Stop!"

Just as electric arcs began to crackle across Uchiha Gen's body once more, the figure of Setsuna Uchiha instantly appeared before him and shouted a command to halt.

"Test over, Gen, you're being too reckless!"

Seeing Uchiha Gen stop, Setsuna Uchiha flashed to his side and reached out to press a hand against the meridians of Uchiha Gen's arm.

"???"

"Nothing wrong?"

Feeling the sensation transmitted to his fingertips, a flash of shock crossed Setsuna Uchiha's eyes.

The reason he had suddenly called an end to the fight was his concern that Uchiha Gen was overexerting his chakra to keep up the battle; after all, even if Uchiha Gen was a genius, it was impossible for him to possess a massive reserve of chakra.

But looking at it now, the reality seemed to differ somewhat from what he had imagined.

The amount of chakra this brat possessed... seemed abnormally high.

"What is it, Elder Setsuna?"

Sheathing Mingzun and hanging it at his waist, Uchiha Gen looked at Setsuna Uchiha, who was gripping his wrist, with a puzzled expression.