A Battle on the Verge of Eruption, Ninja Ranks: Jonin, Chunin, and Genin

Chapter Four: A Battle on the Verge of Eruption, Ninja Ranks: Jonin, Chunin, and Genin

The creek was so clear that fish could be seen struggling upstream from downstream, as though they were fighting against fate itself, desperately trying to swim toward higher ground. They were like the ninjas struggling in the Ninja World, willing to raise their blades against anyone for a single mouthful of food.

Now, this river had become a dividing line, separating the Uchiha and Senju Clan sides.

In the brief, instantaneous exchange between the two clan leader-level powerhouses, only Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama clearly saw how the collision had ended. The other three could not make sense of it at all.

They were mortal enemies with hatred accumulated over countless generations. There was no need for much talk when they met. Having confirmed that the next generation heirs of both clans were present here, the two clan leader-level powerhouses both assumed the other clan intended to strike at their younger generation.

Therefore...

The battle that could erupt at any moment officially began!

"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"

His Three-Tomoe Sharingan opened, and his powerful aura swept through the surroundings like a storm. Even the carefree little fish in the river sensed its overwhelming force and immediately buried their heads deep in the mud beneath the water.

"Water Release! Water Formation Pillar!"

"Don't embarrass yourself with that kind of ninjutsu!"

Charging straight into the incoming flames, he first extinguished them with Water Release ninjutsu. Then, drawing the Katana from his back that he had not used until now, he became like a true samurai, relying solely on the blade in his hand as he swung forward with all his strength.

When two clan leader-level powerhouses fought, the others naturally could not simply stand by and watch. No matter how unwilling they were, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama still charged toward each other. Without Kunai in hand, they slammed their fists and elbows fiercely into one another.

The clash of taijutsu was no less intense than the collision of cold ninja tools.

In fact, pure taijutsu—those strikes that landed fist against flesh—made the difference in strength even clearer.

"Don't look around! Your opponent is the two of us! Jobu, use ninja tools to interfere with him. I can handle him alone!"

As Izuna Uchiha spoke, his body moved like an agile cheetah, instantly rushing toward Tobirama Senju. Staying tightly on him, he attacked in rapid succession with his short blade and Kunai.

Faced with such swift, precise, and fierce attacks, even though Tobirama Senju had raised his Kunai in front of himself from the start and prepared for close combat, he nearly failed to withstand the assault and could only retreat again and again.

Yet he had no way to create distance, while also needing to guard against Kunai and Shuriken that appeared from strange angles at any moment.

Their figures darted and shifted at high speed. The clashes between blade and Kunai were like flashes of lightning in the night—only someone fully focused could clearly see the course of the battle.

"Now!"

He leaped past Izuna Uchiha, both hands gripping Kunai as he charged directly at Tobirama Senju, who staggered and nearly fell.

"Die!"

The blood flowing through Uchiha Jobu's veins seemed to boil, giving him the strength to charge forward without hesitation.

Facing the ferocious attack, Tobirama Senju was about to be cut down. Yet at the critical moment, he actually used Steel Wire to alter his posture, narrowly evading Uchiha Jobu's ruthless killing blow.

"This grasp of timing, and the ability to perfectly conceal a hidden trump card... So he already possessed Genin-level strength at this point?"

Uchiha Jobu casually remarked.

Genin?

What kind of title was that?

In the chaotic Warring States era, there was no detailed division of strength such as Jonin, Chunin, and Genin. Everyone's understanding of a ninja's power came from their reputation, completed missions, and the clan they were born into.

For example, members of the Uchiha Clan received many missions in the Ninja World. Even merchants from other countries would cross national borders to seek out the Uchiha Clan for commissions.

But weak, obscure clans like the Tsuchigumo or Kijiro clans could at most receive commissions from nearby villages. Simply surviving was already a huge problem, let alone spending resources to train the clan's ninjas.

Tobirama Senju frowned. "Genin? What does that mean?"

Izuna Uchiha moved closer and stood shoulder to shoulder with Uchiha Jobu. "Jobu, what is this Genin you mentioned? A new ninja force?"

Although he felt there was no need to explain, he patiently did so anyway, laying out the distinctions between Jonin, Chunin, and Genin.

Izuna Uchiha said, "Then does that mean my brother and that Senju Hashirama guy already possess Chunin-level strength?"

"A Genin only needs to master the most basic techniques and a few simple ninjutsu to qualify as a Genin."

"But Chunin-level ninjas need more than mastery of B-rank or higher ninjutsu. They must even be capable of casting B-rank ninjutsu multiple times. On top of that, they need experience—enough ninja experience to independently complete a mission. Only then are they qualified Chunin."

"As for Jonin, they must master A-rank or higher ninjutsu and be capable of using A-rank or stronger techniques multiple times in battle. Finally, they must be able to stand on their own and, when necessary, serve as a banner that intimidates outsiders."

"Of course, there is another kind of Jonin called a Special Jonin. They are ninjas with unique talents and development in certain areas, with strength between Chunin and Jonin. They engage in specialized fields such as education, research and development, intelligence, and so on."

After hearing the division and explanation of ninja ranks, the group clearly felt that it made sense.

But even after learning about ninja ranks, the battle showed no sign of stopping. Facing the combined assault of two opponents, Tobirama Senju could not fend off four fists with his strength alone. His defeat was inevitable.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, the leading figures of the younger generation, displayed extraordinary talent at this moment. Whether in taijutsu or ninjutsu exchanges, they were evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand.

A pair of ferocious Sharingan eyes, like those of a demon, stared fixedly at the figure preparing hand seals. In silence, Uchiha Madara tossed aside his Kunai and said, "There won't be a result if we keep fighting. Give up."

"That seems to be the case. Then let's wait until our fathers' battle ends and see."

Senju Hashirama did not wish to continue fighting either. He lowered his raised hand and exchanged a glance with Uchiha Madara. In perfect unspoken understanding, both snorted at each other before turning away. They stopped looking at one another and instead watched the battle between the two clan leader-level powerhouses.