Guidance Match with His Cousin, Uchiha Madara

Ever since he had gone out to procure supplies and encountered an attack by a team of rogue ninja on the way back, killing more than ten people with nothing but Uchiha-Style Shurikenjutsu, Uchiha Jobu's reputation within the Uchiha Clan had soared. Many of the older generation's powerhouses believed that Uchiha Jobu was qualified to become one of the next generation's leaders.

So far, aside from Uchiha Jobu, who had only just earned this honor, Uchiha Madara was the only other person the older Uchiha clansmen considered qualified to become one of the next generation's leaders.

Training ground.

Uchiha Kuwajima, who was in charge of training the younger generation, looked at the spirited young faces before him. Pointing at the two figures standing at the front, he said, "Madara! You guide Jobu."

Uchiha Madara said excitedly, "Great! I'd been planning to do that anyway. Cousin Jobu, come at me! As your older cousin, I'll go easy on you, but I'll also show you that besides shurikenjutsu, the Uchiha have powerful taijutsu and ninjutsu."

Seeing the fear in the other young Uchiha's eyes, there was no need to ask. Many of them had clearly been guided by Uchiha Madara before, which was why they all looked terrified when they saw him stride forward.

Thankfully, he hadn't called on them.

That was probably the most sincere thought shared by every young Uchiha other than Uchiha Jobu.

Izuna Uchiha said, "Jobu, watch out for my brother's taijutsu. Among our generation, his taijutsu is the strongest. Don't let him get close, or the battle will end in an instant!"

As for why he did not mention ninjutsu, it seemed that, in Izuna Uchiha's eyes, Uchiha Jobu was not yet worthy of making Uchiha Madara use ninjutsu.

Uchiha Jobu nodded. "I understand."

He stepped out from the group and came to stand opposite Uchiha Madara. "Please instruct me, Cousin."

Uchiha Kuwajima slowly stepped back, clearing the battlefield, then shouted, "Begin!"

"Take this!"

His movement speed had reached the extreme. He had attached chakra to the soles of his feet, a technique that increased speed while running.

When developed to a higher level, this technique could be called the Body Flicker Technique.

"So fast!"

Faced with the fist that rushed at him in an instant, like a streak of light, he had no time to make out the laughing face before him. He could only barely raise both arms to block the explosive force.

Bang!

Sent flying several meters by a single punch, he slammed heavily into the ground. Only then did he understand how terrifying the strength contained in Uchiha Madara's fist was.

This was nothing like the fist an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy should possess. It felt like a crazed wild boar charging headfirst into him.

Now he understood why Izuna Uchiha had said not to give Uchiha Madara any chance to get close. Once he got into close combat, the battle would be over.

Uchiha-Style Shurikenjutsu!

Uchiha Jobu's hands moved so quickly they left afterimages. In an instant, he threw countless shuriken, sealing off every route Uchiha Madara could take. He had even predicted where Uchiha Madara would land behind him.

If they had not been standing so close at the start, Uchiha Jobu would not have been struck so easily. Fortunately, Uchiha Madara had held back part of his strength and had not been aiming to kill, which was why he had merely sent Uchiha Jobu flying.

"How could mere ninja tools stop me?"

The barrage of ninja tools looked intimidating, but in Uchiha Madara's eyes, they were nothing more than toys. Even without the Uchiha Clan's sacred weapon, he could knock them all down with just the kunai in his hand.

Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!

However.

Compared to using a kunai to knock them down one by one, ninjutsu was simpler and more direct.

A blazing fireball surged toward the rain of kunai and shuriken. The scorching wave of flames was like an iron wall, blocking every ninja tool outside the barrier.

Clang, clang, clang.

Listening to the ninja tools fall to the ground, Uchiha Jobu knew that none of his attacks had worked. His current methods were still far too limited.

But was throwing ninja tools truly his only method of attack?

Uchiha Jobu began forming hand seals. His movements were slow, like a snail crawling, but they were exceptionally precise. Even Uchiha Kuwajima, a powerhouse of the older generation, brightened at the sight.

"Is that Fire Release? No, two of those seals aren't needed for Fire Release ninjutsu. It looks more like..."

Every ninjutsu had its corresponding sequence and rhythm of hand seals. An experienced ninja could determine the general category of ninjutsu simply by watching an opponent form seals.

Uchiha Kuwajima's expression darkened, but then he seemed to think of something. His intimidating frown slowly relaxed, like flowers blooming in spring.

Earth Release! Earth-Style: Earth Spear!

It was the only ninjutsu Uchiha Jobu had learned. Although it was not the Fire Release that the Uchiha Clan excelled at, and its power was less visually overwhelming than Fire Release, any ninjutsu that could harm the enemy was the most useful in battle.

Body Flicker Technique!

The chakra beneath Uchiha Madara's feet exploded. His body vanished from where he had been standing at a speed like a thrown kunai, almost as though he had teleported.

Rumble!

The ground surged and rolled as though the earth itself had become enraged, making it feel like an earthquake.

Rows upon rows of sharp rocks erupted from the ground in irregular formations.

"That almost took me out. I didn't expect you to have a move like that, kid. But I remember the clan doesn't have any scrolls on Earth Release ninjutsu. Where did you learn this technique? How come I never saw you practice it?"

"Earth Release? I learned it from the rogue ninja last time. One of the rogue ninja I killed happened to have a scroll about Earth Release ninjutsu on him."

"That's right. I remember there were a few among those rogue ninja who were skilled in Earth Release ninjutsu. Although their strength was far inferior to ours, judging by how they used ninjutsu, they were at least proficient in it."

"It's only been a few days, and he's already learned a ninjutsu, without anyone to guide or teach him. This child's talent truly isn't inferior to Madara's. Perhaps among Madara's generation, they might be able to defeat those bastards from the Senju Clan."

Uchiha Kuwajima's eyes flickered continuously. He could see the hope of the Uchiha Clan's next generation in Uchiha Jobu. With both Uchiha Jobu and Uchiha Madara in the future, the Uchiha Clan would surely be able to defeat their old rivals, the Senju Clan.

Then he needed to report this to the clan head immediately. The clan should allocate more resources to Uchiha Jobu, and even his right to speak should be increased accordingly.

Age was not important at all in the Warring States Era, because one might die tomorrow. But as long as one displayed sufficient talent, one could receive the clan's cultivation and a greater share of resources.