Fugaku Uchiha

The underground arena entered its intermission.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, all jonin—began discussing the match.

Jiraiya stroked his chin with his right thumb and index finger, his face full of curiosity. "Where did this Rogge kid come from? He's even fiercer than Minato Namikaze from the same class."

With a sly look on his face, Orochimaru stared intently at Jiraiya. "Heh heh heh, Jiraiya, I've taken a liking to this child. Don't try to steal him from me."

Jiraiya snorted and looked at Orochimaru. "You think I don't know you? You've taken an interest in Rogge's Lava Release bloodline limit and want to study his body."

Orochimaru slightly raised his chin, disdain flashing through his eyes. "What do you know? The human body is a treasure trove, with countless secrets waiting to be uncovered. Some bloodline limits inherited through bloodlines can be reproduced in batches... Forget it. There's no point talking to someone as simple-minded as you."

With that, Orochimaru turned his head and looked elsewhere.

Tsunade watched Rogge below the platform with interest in her alluring eyes. "Interesting. I thought Minato Namikaze was the only genius to emerge from the Ninja Academy in recent years. I didn't expect there to be Rogge too!"

At that moment, Rogge seemed to sense something. He raised his head and winked at Tsunade from dozens of meters away.

Tsunade was slightly startled, her lips parting. He noticed that I was watching him?

When Tsunade looked back again, she saw Rogge sitting cross-legged against a massive boulder with his eyes closed, resting.

"Was it an illusion?"

Tsunade frowned. "No, my senses can't be wrong. He definitely met my gaze. Heh, this kid's perception is pretty good."

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that he intended to take on a disciple, so he asked tentatively, "Orochimaru, do you want to become Rogge's instructor?"

Genin who graduated from the Ninja Academy would form teams of three and be led by an experienced jonin on missions.

The jonin would serve as their squad leader and teacher, providing professional instruction and specialized training to the three newly graduated genin until they were successfully promoted to chunin.

Orochimaru did not commit himself, his calm tone carrying a hint of mystery. "We'll see. I have no such plans for now."

"Tch, what's so great about Rogge? He's only showing off because of his bloodline limit. Minato Namikaze's talent as a ninja is what truly makes someone strong!" Seeing everyone steer the topic toward Rogge, Jiraiya, who had always thought highly of Minato Namikaze, immediately became very displeased, his face full of defiance.

Orochimaru revealed a slightly sinister smile and said calmly, "A natural Lava Release bloodline limit, powerful taijutsu honed through training, and sharp battle instincts. The current Rogge can take on two Minato Namikazes."

"What do you mean by that?" Jiraiya glared furiously.

"I don't mean anything. I'm merely stating the facts." Orochimaru remained utterly composed.

"Enough, stop arguing. Every time you meet, you argue. Aren't you tired of it?" Tsunade strode over, standing between them with her hands on her hips.

Only then did Orochimaru and Jiraiya stop arguing. They each turned away, refusing to look at the other as they sulked in silence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head in thought.

Naturally, he had witnessed Rogge's performance.

This was a talented child who worked hard to improve himself. Compared to Minato Namikaze, he was no weaker—only stronger.

A promising talent like this had to be protected properly. He could not allow Rogge to be ruined by the hands of certain "schemers."

Meanwhile, Rogge had not been idle either.

While resting, he was also using Observation Haki to secretly observe the powerful presences within the arena.

In the ninja world, the presence of the strong was usually reflected in two areas: immense chakra and formidable taijutsu. His Observation Haki happened to sense the aura of life, the emotions of living beings, and even "danger" or "malice" from a thousand meters away. At certain times, it could even "hear" the voices of all things, briefly foresee the future, and more.

In short, Observation Haki could be developed in many ways and was an extremely practical ability.

Soon, the duels resumed, and it was time to draw lots.

Rogge's first opponent was Fugaku Uchiha!

Fugaku Uchiha was an elite genin who had awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, a talented youth of the Uchiha Clan.

For the second half, the arena was still the Four Violet Flames Formation jointly erected by four special jonin.

From the platform above, Orochimaru deliberately said in a loud voice, "Heh heh, now this will be interesting. The Uchiha Clan's genius is probably going to lose this time."

Hearing that, the Uchiha Clan head—Uchiha Zhenghong—was displeased. He narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Orochimaru, the fight hasn't even begun. How can you be so certain Fugaku will lose?"

"How about this? Let's make a bet. If Fugaku loses, you agree to let him become my disciple." Orochimaru wore a sly expression, calculation gleaming in his eyes.

Orochimaru was the personal disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was an elite jonin of Konoha and immensely powerful.

If Fugaku Uchiha could become his disciple, it would surely bring countless benefits in the future!

Although Uchiha Zhenghong believed Fugaku would not lose, Orochimaru's proposal tempted him. Without a second thought, he agreed. "Fine, I'll take that bet. But... what if Fugaku wins?"

Orochimaru smiled. "If Fugaku wins, I'll owe you a favor. How about that?"

"Fine." After thinking it over, Uchiha Zhenghong felt that he had nothing to lose either way, so he immediately nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at his disciple Orochimaru, unable for the moment to figure out what Orochimaru was plotting.

Below the platform, inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.

Rogge looked calm as he earnestly urged his opponent to surrender. "Fugaku Uchiha, you're no match for me right now. Admit defeat."

"Damn it! How dare you look down on me? You're just a brat who only just graduated, yet you're this arrogant!" Fugaku Uchiha was furious. His hands quickly formed the Seal of Confrontation, his eyes filled with anger.

Rogge smiled slightly and formed the Seal of Confrontation as well.

Standing atop the platform, Hiruzen Sarutobi loudly announced, "The duel begins!"

"Looks like I'll have to make you suffer a little." Rogge's feet instantly transformed into magma.

"Flight Skill—Jet!"

By blasting magma downward, Rogge used the force of the eruption to briefly rise into the air.

Then, while airborne, Rogge turned his arms into magma and threw punches at incredible speed.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Fists formed from lava rained down from the air like a storm, hurtling straight toward Fugaku Uchiha.

Fugaku Uchiha instantly activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, greatly enhancing his ability to track moving objects. He repeatedly used the Body Flicker Technique to evade the magma fists while rapidly forming hand seals, shouting, "Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Immediately, Fugaku Uchiha spat out a series of small fireballs that shot toward Rogge.

Seeing this, Rogge instantly transformed both his hands and feet into jet forms. Using the recoil generated by magma eruptions, he dodged while falling freely.

"Heh, dodging is useless. My Phoenix Flower Jutsu can track its target!" Fugaku Uchiha sneered. With the assistance of his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he could control the fireballs' flight paths and attack angles more precisely, allowing them to pursue their enemy.

No matter how Rogge dodged, the small fireballs remained tightly on his tail.

"Such a petty trick, and you dare show off before an expert... Lava Release—Red Lotus Hound!"

After landing, Rogge planted his feet firmly on the ground. Facing the small fireballs pursuing him from behind, he shaped the magma in his arms into savage dog heads and violently unleashed them.

One to the left and one to the right, two magma hounds resembling rabid dogs burst forth. One pounced toward the fireballs behind him, while the other charged straight at Fugaku Uchiha.

The magma hound opened its fang-filled maw and swallowed the small fireballs, instantly neutralizing Fugaku Uchiha's Phoenix Flower Jutsu.

"What?" Fugaku Uchiha's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

The other magma hound lunged at him!

No matter how Fugaku Uchiha dodged, he could not shake off the magma hound snapping tightly at his heels.

"Damn it!"

"Fire Release—Great Fireball Jutsu!" In his desperation, Fugaku Uchiha used the Fire Release ninjutsu he was best at.

He spewed a massive fireball from his mouth, instantly engulfing the magma hound behind him.

Rogge sneered. "How could a mere fireball stop a magma hound like a volcanic eruption?"

Sure enough, the moment Rogge finished speaking, the magma hound burst through the massive fireball and pounced at Fugaku Uchiha.