The Test Ends

Whoosh!

As soon as the Uchiha ninja finished speaking, the Mingzun that Uchiha Gen had just acquired instantly slid from its sheath. Gen's figure blurred as he swiftly charged at the Uchiha ninja.

The moment Mingzun left its sheath, a clear, brilliant flash of blade light gleamed.

Clang!!

Sparks flew as a chakra-coated Kunai abruptly blocked Uchiha Gen's slash.

"Young Master Gen had excellent timing and speed. He also put a lot of strength into that slash! Even an ordinary Taijutsu ninja would struggle to match his strength."

As he blocked Gen's attack, the Uchiha ninja quickly spoke.

As the ninja tasked with evaluating Uchiha Gen, he needed to report Gen's performance in battle to the people watching from the sidelines.

"You can save your assessment of my strength for after the battle, senior."

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

At the same time, Gen's breathing rhythm changed.

Mingzun thrust forward, its blade aimed straight at the Uchiha ninja's throat.

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

Facing Gen's thrust, the Uchiha ninja remained calm. He slipped aside and easily dodged the attack, but Mingzun followed close behind, changing its course from a thrust to a horizontal slash.

Clang!!

The Uchiha ninja simply raised his hand and blocked with the Kunai in front of his neck.

Mingzun and the Kunai clashed violently, sending a string of sparks flying.

"Young Master Gen is very strong. He can even use his own strength to forcibly alter the trajectory of a thrust. His strength gives him excellent control over his weapon."

Even as he blocked Uchiha Gen's attacks, the Uchiha ninja continued his commentary.

After one powerful slash was easily blocked, Uchiha Gen pushed off the ground and quickly widened the distance between them.

At the same time, he swiftly returned Mingzun to its sheath.

As he retreated, arcs of electricity began to flicker across Uchiha Gen's body.

"In the original Demon Slayer setting, Thunder Breathing was just ordinary swordsmanship. None of its slashes could produce or control lightning. But... this is the Shinobi World!"

With every breath, the arcs of electricity across Uchiha Gen's body grew more pronounced. He immediately crouched into position, gripping his sword.

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

Watching the electricity crackle across Uchiha Gen's body, the Uchiha ninja continued speaking. But halfway through his sentence, years of combat experience alerted him to the danger.

Red light bloomed in his eyes, and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated in an instant.

Crackle!

Crackling!

Through his Sharingan, he saw arcs of electricity erupt from the Mingzun in Uchiha Gen's hand. Gen's fingers tightened around the hilt.

"Thunder Breathing—First Form: Thunderclap Flash!"

A streak of lightning flashed through the night. At the same time, a distinct streak of blood appeared on the Uchiha ninja's cheek.

"This is... a shinobi sword technique!? Adapted from Sword Leap Flame?! No, that's not right. This technique isn't complete..."

The thrust had been as fast as flashing lightning. That slash... It was incredibly similar to the strike of that famous ninja!

On the sidelines, Uchiha Setsuna abruptly rose to his feet, staring at Uchiha Gen. That single strike had sent all the Uchiha elders, including Setsuna, into a frenzy.

A shinobi sword technique that might have been created from scratch...

The Uchiha elders weren't particularly interested in the technique itself. It didn't matter. What mattered was Uchiha Gen's current strength—and his age!

The Uchiha!!! They had a chance!!!

"That was a very fast strike. Young Master Gen has fine control over chakra. Lightning Release chakra is volatile, but he was still able to wield it precisely. That last move was fast. I let my guard down."

The Uchiha ninja touched his cheek and looked at the blood on his fingers, his face reddening slightly.

He could have dodged Uchiha Gen's slash as soon as he activated his Sharingan. But he wanted to see how powerful Gen's attack would be, so he hadn't evaded right away.

By the time he tried to dodge, it was too late. He had nearly avoided the strike completely, only getting grazed, but a hit was still a hit.

Blood didn't lie.

"The battle isn't over yet."

Uchiha Gen abruptly turned around after his slash. The lightning faded, and he suddenly freed one hand from his two-handed grip on the sword.

He raised his left hand toward the Uchiha ninja, and a spark of flame lit up the night.

"Hmm?"

This is bad!!

The Uchiha ninja's expression changed when he saw the flame at Uchiha Gen's fingertip. He had assumed that Gen would be exhausted after that slash.

After all, with Uchiha Gen's age, he couldn't possibly have much chakra.

Besides, you've already wounded me. Shouldn't this test be over!??

Without hesitation, the Uchiha ninja quickly formed Hand Seals.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"

Boom!!

A surge of water rose up, and a thin flame shot from Uchiha Gen's fingertip in an instant.

Flame Slash!

Sizzle!!

As steam billowed around him, Uchiha Gen lowered his raised hand. He thought for half a second, then abandoned the idea of using Golden Light.

He pushed off the ground and, sword in hand, charged toward the center of the steam.

"Stop!"

Just as arcs of electricity began to burst across Uchiha Gen's body again, Uchiha Setsuna appeared in front of him and shouted in a stern voice.

"The test is over, Gen. That was too reckless!"

When Uchiha Gen stopped, Uchiha Setsuna blurred over to his side and placed a hand on his arm, feeling for his pulse.

"???"

"Are you all right?"

Feeling the sensation beneath his fingertips, Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flashed with shock.

He had suddenly called a halt because he was worried Uchiha Gen was pushing himself to the limit by burning through his chakra. After all, no matter how talented Gen was, he couldn't possibly have a huge amount of chakra.

But now, it seemed the truth was somewhat different from what he'd expected.

The amount of chakra this little kid had... seemed abnormally high.

"What is it, Elder Setsuna?"

Uchiha Gen sheathed Mingzun and hung it at his waist. Looking puzzled, he glanced at Uchiha Setsuna, who still had a hold of his wrist.