Chakra Metal was a special material that could conduct Chakra, strengthening weapons and allowing their wielders to use ninjutsu.
Genma quickly received word from the Dark Ninja. Realizing how important the matter was, he settled the Uzumaki Second Elder and his future daughter-in-law before setting out with Hiugo.
"Seriously, how could the clan leader send a Chunin like me to support you? I just got back, too."
Hiugo said, at a loss.
Senju Genma replied irritably:
"You're too blessed to know it. A small squad means fewer people but higher quality, which makes it ideal for gaining combat experience. If Tobirama weren't busy developing ninjutsu, I'd have brought him along, too."
"Back when things were at their tensest, I went three days and nights without rest. The moment I woke up, I was back to fighting. What are you complaining about?"
He came back and immediately started developing ninjutsu. Tobirama, are you trying to work me to death?
Hiugo felt the pressure. Their strength was about equal at the moment, but if you didn't count their awakened powers, he'd inevitably be outdone by that workaholic.
He knew well enough that Tobirama would one day be known as the Forbidden Jutsu Master.
Senju Genma glanced at Hiugo's expression, nodded with satisfaction, and said:
"The Uzumaki Clan is only reliable when you're strong. We married into their clan because we value their Sealing Jutsu more than the people themselves. Don't lose sight of what matters."
"Yes."
"I might not be able to look after you later. Be careful."
"Mm."
Senju Genma fell silent and subtly adjusted his state. Killing intent began to spread through the area, then vanished in an instant. A sharp aura radiated from his whole body, making him seem like an entirely different person.
Hiugo clenched his teeth and fought down the twitch in his eyes. For a moment, he'd almost activated his Sharingan on instinct to resist the killing intent.
Was this the difference between a strong fighter and a genius? Just that aura alone could put his life at risk.
Senju Genma didn't go out of his way to protect his son. Only by tempering oneself in killing intent and blood could one forge a fine blade.
By the time both sides arrived at the Fujiwara Mountains, night had fallen.
"Uchiha Ken, have you no shame? You're a clan leader, and you ambushed me!"
In front of the cave, Senju Kazama spat out a large mouthful of blood. He was a top-tier Jonin of his clan, but he'd been ambushed by a clan-leader-level ninja. The fact that he was still alive was a testament to his constitution.
The Naruto World wasn't like the world of cultivation. A difference of one rank didn't mean one side completely overpowered the other. An Elite Jonin could trade a few blows with a top-tier Jonin, and a top-tier Jonin could do the same with a clan-leader-level ninja.
Uchiha Ken gave a cold laugh. Disdain showed in his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. "You've only got yourself to blame for being stupid enough to believe the intel we deliberately leaked."
He swung his sword, and Senju Kazama's head fell.
As Senju Kazama died, the Senju ninja still fighting felt their hearts tremble.
Their squad hadn't been particularly strong to begin with. It consisted of one Elite Jonin, two Jonin, three Special Jōnin, and four Chunin.
The other side had roughly the same lineup, and even had a child among its Chunin.
The real difference lay in their top fighters: one was a clan-leader-level ninja, the other a top-tier Jonin. And the clan leader had ambushed the top-tier Jonin, tipping the scales of the battle decisively.
Uchiha Ken's Three-Tomoe Sharingan swept over the Senju ninja. The next moment, he charged forward.
The Senju Elite Jonin fighting an opponent felt a chill at his neck. Then blood gushed everywhere, and his head rolled from his shoulders. He was dead.
Uchiha Ken planted a foot on the man's head and said coldly:
"Finish the battle quickly, before the Senju Clan can react."
"Yes."
The Uchiha Elite Jonin obeyed at once. They believed in strength and showed great respect for the strong.
Just as the Senju clan members were losing hope, a ball of water suddenly appeared, drawing everyone's attention. It hurtled toward the youngest member of the Uchiha squad, separating the two Chunin who had been fighting.
Hiugo emerged from the water ball, his head spinning. He couldn't believe his dad had used him as a weapon and thrown him out to draw everyone's attention.
Once his head cleared, Hiugo looked at the person in front of him and blurted, "Uchiha Sasuke?"
The boy in front of him held a long sword and said coldly:
"Uchiha Sasuke? You've got the wrong person. My name is Izuna, Uchiha Izuna."
"Only one boy came as reinforcements?"
The Senju Chunin behind him couldn't help speaking up. But in the next instant, he turned to look behind him. Two figures crossed in the sky, unleashing powerful Chakra.
Hiugo grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, stood up straight, and said, "Go help the others. I'll take him."
"What makes you think—"
"My dad came to reinforce you. Got a problem with that?"
The Senju Chunin's indignation vanished in an instant, replaced by a helpless smile. He hurried away.
Izuna glanced at the departing Senju Chunin and said, "At least he has some backbone. What's your name?"
Hiugo chuckled. "I'm Tobirama Senju. This battle will make you remember that name."
"Sorry. I have no interest in the names of the dead."
Izuna charged with his sword. Hiugo immediately threw the dirt in his hand, which he'd mixed with his Water Release Chakra.
"Ninja Art: Eye Blinding Technique!"
Izuna reacted quickly, slashing twice and cutting the dirt apart. But in the darkness, without having activated his Sharingan, he naturally failed to notice a few things.
The scattered dirt was mixed with Water Release Chakra. Under its creator's control, it turned to mud and flowed into Izuna's eyes.
"Damn you! Tobirama Senju, I'll kill you!"
Hiugo smiled faintly. "I told you. I'd make you remember that name."
With that, he launched a flurry of Taijutsu.
After a moment of panic, Uchiha Izuna gradually calmed down. He was still taking hits, but he'd managed to reach the point where he could trade blows.
No wonder he'd be able to fight Tobirama in the future. His composure alone was impressive.
But unfortunately, Tobirama had lost to my ninja art back then, and you won't be any different, Izuna.
Elsewhere,
Just as the Uchiha Elite Jonin was about to help deal with the water ball, a wave of killing intent froze him in place.
Uchiha Ken looked up at the sky. A long sword came slashing down toward him.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan's heightened perception let him spot the attack in time. He raised his sword to block the blade, and the force behind the blow told him who had attacked:
"Senju Genma!"
"You old bastard. I never thought it would be you," Senju Genma said indifferently. They were only three years apart in age, and had been rivals from their Chunin days all the way to clan-leader level.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Ten Thousand Flame Blast!"
Uchiha Ken knew his strength was inferior to his opponent's, so he used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge. He formed Hand Seals and spat out a fireball, lighting up the night like a small sun.
"Water Release: Ten Thousand Curtain Water Wall!"
Senju Genma formed Hand Seals calmly. Countless columns of water burst from the ground, one after another without end, forcefully blocking the fireball overhead.
White mist billowed where water clashed with fire. The two fought again, sparks scattering with each collision before vanishing into the mist.
The ninja on both sides backed away. One ripple from a fight between clan leaders could kill them. Only top-tier Jonin could intervene; anyone else would die.
Even the Uchiha Elite Jonin didn't dare get involved. He could clearly feel the gap between himself and the two fighters. If he used ninjutsu, it wouldn't distinguish friend from foe; if he tried Taijutsu, he'd be sent flying.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan turned slightly as he made up his mind and headed for the cave.
Since they'd clashed with the Senju Clan first, they hadn't yet dealt with the Fujiwara Clan inside the cave.
The Fujiwara Clan had two Jonin, but as soon as they faced the Uchiha Elite Jonin, one fell under a genjutsu's control, while the other had his throat cut in a single stroke.
"Take me to the Chakra Metal."
"Yes," the Fujiwara Jonin replied mechanically, running toward a nearby spot.
"Once this succeeds, the clan leader will reward me handsomely."
The Uchiha Elite Jonin smiled. So what if the Senju had interfered? So what if he'd run into a clan-leader-level fighter? In the end, he was the one who'd completed the mission.
With a contribution like this, getting a weapon made of Chakra Metal after he returned shouldn't be a problem.
Before you continue