Tank Heads to the Training Grounds

Inside the Rocket Launcher factory, a tank was tearing across the wide floor at high speed.

Uzumaki Ashina and a group of others, having received word that a new piece of equipment had just been developed at the factory, all rushed over to take a look.

"This thing looks like a giant, mobile slab of iron. I wonder how much power it really packs?" Jiraiya remarked.

Uzumaki Ashina stepped forward to signal the tank to stop. Seeing that the factory floor had already been crushed into rubble by the treads, he said with a pained expression, "Stop testing it here. If you keep going, the factory is going to collapse. Go to the training grounds; you can test if its power is sufficient there."

Inside the Weasel Tank, Uzumaki Shori was teaching Tsunade how to drive. Hearing his father's words, he finally snapped back to reality. He opened the hatch and climbed out, looking at the mess on the ground with some embarrassment. "No problem, we're heading to the training grounds now."

Jiraiya ran up to Orochimaru and muttered, "I didn't see that coming. Uzumaki Shori has invented a new type of ninja tool right after returning. Orochimaru, you're so smart—why don't you invent some new tools too? Let's have a competition."

Are new ninja tools really that easy to create? These are just for ordinary people to use; eternal life is the only goal worth my research.

Orochimaru followed quickly as they headed toward the training grounds.

Tsunade was currently driving the tank, and Uzumaki Shori gave instructions to his subordinates. "Forest Genin, please select three strong clansmen and head to the training grounds."

Uzumaki Ashina wondered in confusion, Does a tank project really need ordinary people involved? He asked aloud, "Son, why does your Weasel Tank need civilians? Can't the group of us behind you handle it?"

"The ninja tool known as the Weasel Tank was designed, according to my research, specifically for civilians who cannot use chakra. If we have enough tanks, we can neutralize the numerical advantage of other nations," Uzumaki Shori replied while giving Tsunade directions.

What?

The others who had arrived at the factory later had assumed it was a new weapon for ninjas. They never expected this—everyone on the scene, including Uzumaki Ashina, was stunned. Can ordinary people really step onto the battlefield?

"We all know that in our battles against the Mist Ninja, we are at a numerical disadvantage, but can ordinary people really compete with ninjas? Ninjas hold the advantage in every aspect," Uzumaki Ashina said hurriedly.

"I am fully aware of everything you just said," Uzumaki Shori replied, patting the Weasel Tank he was driving. "It is precisely because of the gap between ordinary people and ninjas that I built this thing."

Uzumaki Ashina had lived for more than half a lifetime, and the idea of ordinary people fighting against ninjas sounded like a fantasy. Don't expose him; save some face for my son. Once the test at the training grounds is over, he should abandon this notion himself.

The surrounding squad leaders discussed among themselves. "Can it really give ordinary people the ability to compete with ninjas?"

"I doubt it. We ninjas go through so much grueling training; how could ordinary people possibly compare to us?"

Uzumaki Jiro quickly stepped forward to stop the discussion. "We're heading to the training grounds now. Everything will be clear soon enough, so stop talking."

"Fine."

"I, for one, hope it succeeds."

They arrived at their destination: the training grounds.

After driving for a while, Tsunade was drenched in sweat. "Uzumaki Shori, you drive it yourself. The space inside is too small and too stuffy."

Hearing Tsunade's complaint, Uzumaki Shori could only smile wryly. "Then hurry and get out. I'll install air conditioning in the mass-produced models."

The Weasel Tank slowly drove to the center of the training grounds, and Uzumaki Jiro walked up, filled with curiosity. "Lord Second, since we've already reached the training grounds, let me spar with the Weasel Tank."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Shori glanced at Uzumaki Jiro and smiled. "No problem, we can start right now."

After saying this, Uzumaki Shori climbed into the driver's cabin and said to Tsunade, "You handle the tank cannon and the kunai machine gun. Make sure you defeat him properly."

Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Uzumaki Jiro walked onto the sparring platform.

Uzumaki Ashina, acting as the referee, walked between the two sides and raised his hand. "Ready."

His hand fell with the momentum.

"Begin."

Uzumaki Shori maneuvered the Weasel Tank, charging directly at Uzumaki Jiro.

Seeing the tank rushing toward him, Uzumaki Jiro tensed his muscles, appearing as though he intended to use his own physical strength to stop it.

But as the tank drew closer, his inner sense of unease grew stronger.

He had originally intended to rely on his own strength to block the tank.

However, the tank struck with the force of a giant hammer, and Uzumaki Jiro found himself completely unable to withstand it.

At the moment of impact, his arm was completely unable to withstand the force of the collision.

He could only dodge to the right and leap away, yet he was still struck.

He was sent tumbling across the ground, looking as disheveled as one could possibly be.

The surrounding crowd let out a gasp of shock.

Seeing Uzumaki Jiro attempt to catch the impact of his tank with his own body, Uzumaki Shori felt as if his soul had left his body.

With the 3.6-ton weight of the tank combined with its speed, the man was practically throwing his life away.

He hurriedly decelerated and slammed on the tank's brakes.

However, due to the momentum of the charge, he still sent the other man flying.

He quickly opened the tank hatch, scrambled out, and turned back to pull Tsunade up.

Uzumaki Ashina was still stunned by the situation.

"How could this happen? When the opponent charges, one should simply dodge. Why would he stand there and let himself be hit?"

A few minutes later, Tsunade finished her examination and formed hand seals.

"Medical Ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique."

She treated the arm that had been fractured by the tank, finally finishing the healing process after much effort.

Uzumaki Jiro lay on the ground, staring up at the sky, unable to process the reality of it all. It was just too stupid; how could he have thought to compete in raw strength against such a massive block of iron?

After thinking for a while, Uzumaki Jiro suddenly sat up and spoke to the people around him.

"Give me another chance. This time, it was just that I was too relaxed and let my guard down."

The people around him exchanged glances and said with smiles on their faces.

"Ah, yes, absolutely."

"Indeed, you were just too careless."

"What a pity, your arm is fractured. Let's try again when you have another chance."

Uzumaki Jiro wept silently in his heart, Don't think I don't know you're all gloating. "Damn it."

Uzumaki Ashina, acting as the referee, came over to kick him while he was down and announce the result.

"It seems the outcome is clear; the Weasel Tank is the winner."

"However, given that this result lacks universality, we need to hold a rematch."

"Uzumaki Jiro, you have no objections to this, do you?"

With confusion in his eyes, he wondered why his opinion was even needed, then said with a bitter smile.

"That is correct; after all, we must test the capabilities of the equipment."

Uzumaki Shori nodded, turned around, and walked toward the tank to prepare for the next duel.