Tanks Head to the Training Ground

A tank raced across the broad grounds of the Rocket Launcher Factory.

Uzumaki Ashina and a group of others had heard that the factory had developed some new equipment, and they all hurried over to take a look.

"That thing looks like a giant metal block that can move. I wonder how powerful it is," Jiraiya said.

Uzumaki Ashina went over and stopped the moving tank. The tank had already crushed the factory floor into rubble, and he said with a pained expression, "Don't test it here. If you keep going, the factory's going to collapse. Take it to the training ground, where you can also test whether it's powerful enough."

Inside the Weasel Tank, Uzumaki Shori was teaching Tsunade how to drive. Hearing his father's words, he finally snapped back to attention, opened the hatch, and climbed out. Seeing the wrecked floor, he looked a little embarrassed.

"No problem. We'll head to the training ground now."

Jiraiya ran over to Orochimaru and whispered, "I never would've guessed. Uzumaki Shori's only just returned, and he's already invented another new ninja tool. Orochimaru, you're so clever—why don't you invent one too, and see who comes out on top?"

Were new ninja tools really that easy to invent? This was just equipment for ordinary people. Immortality was what I wanted to research.

Orochimaru hurried after them toward the training ground.

Tsunade was driving the tank, while Uzumaki Shori gave his subordinate an order.

"Forest Genin, sorry for the trouble, but please choose three strong members of the clan and take them to the training ground."

Uzumaki Ashina wondered if the tank project really needed ordinary people involved. He asked, "Son, why does your Weasel Tank need civilians? Surely all these people behind us are enough?"

"The ninja tool called the Weasel Tank was designed from the start for civilians who can't use chakra. With enough tanks, we can overcome other countries' advantage in numbers." Uzumaki Shori gave Tsunade directions as he answered.

What?

Everyone who had arrived at the Rocket Launcher Factory later had assumed it was a new weapon for ninjas. They never expected this. Everyone present, including Uzumaki Ashina, froze. Could ordinary people really go onto the battlefield?

"We all know we're outnumbered in our fight against the Mist Ninja, but can ordinary people really compete with ninjas? Ninjas have the advantage in every respect," Uzumaki Ashina said hastily.

"I know all that," Uzumaki Shori replied. He patted the Weasel Tank as it rolled along and continued, "It's precisely because ordinary people can't match ninjas that I made this."

Uzumaki Ashina had lived most of his life, and the idea that ordinary people could fight ninjas sounded like a complete fantasy.

Don't expose him. Give your son some dignity.

After they tested it at the training ground, he'd probably give up on the idea anyway.

The various Captains of the Guard around them began discussing among themselves.

"Can this really let ordinary people fight on equal terms with ninjas?"

"I doubt it. We ninjas have gone through so much grueling training. How could ordinary people possibly compare?"

Uzumaki Jiro hurried forward and put a stop to the discussion.

"We're going to the training ground now. We'll see for ourselves soon enough, so stop arguing."

"Fine."

"I hope it works."

They reached their destination: the training ground.

After driving for a while, Tsunade was drenched in sweat.

"Uzumaki Shori, you drive. There's hardly any room inside, and it's stifling."

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

The Weasel Tank rolled slowly to the center of the training ground. Curiosity burning inside him, Uzumaki Jiro stepped forward.

"Second Uzukage, since we've already come to the training ground, let me test myself against the Weasel Tank."

Uzumaki Shori glanced at Uzumaki Jiro and smiled. "No problem. We can start right now."

After saying that, Uzumaki Shori climbed into the tank's cockpit and said to Tsunade, "You operate the Tank Cannon and the Kunai Machine Gun. Make sure you beat him."

As everyone looked on enviously, Uzumaki Jiro walked onto the platform.

Uzumaki Ashina acted as the referee. He stepped between them and raised his hand.

"Ready..."

His hand fell.

"Begin!"

Uzumaki Shori drove the Weasel Tank straight at Uzumaki Jiro.

Seeing the tank charge toward him, Uzumaki Jiro tensed every muscle, looking ready to stop it with his own strength.

But as the tank drew closer, his unease grew.

At first, he'd thought he could hold it back with his strength.

But the tank hit him like a giant hammer, and Uzumaki Jiro couldn't stop it.

The moment it struck, his arms couldn't withstand the force of the impact.

He could only dodge to the right, leaping aside, but the tank still hit him.

It sent him crashing to the ground, where he rolled over and over in a thoroughly wretched heap.

The crowd watching let out a collective gasp.

Seeing Uzumaki Jiro try to stop the tank with his body had nearly scared Uzumaki Shori out of his wits.

A three-point-six-ton tank moving at speed—was the man trying to get himself killed?

He hurriedly slowed down and hit the tank's brakes.

But its momentum still carried it forward, and it sent Uzumaki Jiro flying.

Uzumaki Shori quickly opened the hatch and climbed out, then turned back to help Tsunade out.

Seeing what had happened, Uzumaki Ashina was still stunned.

"How could this happen? When it charged at him, he could've dodged. Why did he just stand there and let it hit him?"

A few minutes later, Tsunade finished examining him and formed Hand Seals.

"Medical Ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique!"

She treated the arm Uzumaki Jiro had broken when the tank hit him. After a great deal of effort, she finally finished.

Uzumaki Jiro lay on the ground staring at the sky, unable to believe what had happened. That had been incredibly stupid. How had he ever thought he could match a giant block of metal in a test of strength?

After thinking it over, Uzumaki Jiro abruptly sat up and said to the people around him, "Give me another chance. I was just too careless that time."

The people around him exchanged glances, smiling as they replied.

"Ah, yes, yes."

"Right, you were just too careless."

"What a shame you broke your arm. Try again next time."

Uzumaki Jiro silently wept inside. Don't think I can't tell you're enjoying this, you bastards. "Damn it."

Uzumaki Ashina, acting as the referee, took the opportunity to twist the knife and announce the result.

"Looks like the winner's been decided. The Weasel Tank wins."

"But this result isn't representative. We need to have another match."

"Uzumaki Jiro, you don't have any objections, do you?"

His eyes filled with confusion. Why did he need to give his opinion on this? He smiled wryly and said, "That's right. We do need to test the equipment's capabilities."

Uzumaki Shori nodded, turned, and headed back to the tank for the next duel.