Battle on the Brink, Ninja Rankings: Jonin, Chunin, and Genin

Battle on the Brink, Ninja Rankings: Jonin, Chunin, and Genin

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

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

Of everyone present, only Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama clearly saw the brief, instantaneous clash between the two Clan Leader Tier experts. The other three had no idea how the collision had ended.

They were mortal enemies whose hatred had accumulated over countless generations. There would be no pointless words once they met. Having confirmed that the next generation heirs of both clans had appeared here together, the two Clan Leader Tier experts both believed the other clan intended to strike at their younger members.

Therefore...

The battle on the brink officially began!

"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"

His Three-Tomoe Sharingan opened, and his powerful aura swept in all directions like a storm. Even the carefree little fish in the river sensed its terrifying strength and plunged their heads deep into the mud beneath the water.

"Water Release! Water Formation Pillar!"

"Don't embarrass yourself with a ninjutsu like that!"

He charged straight into the incoming flames, first extinguishing them with Water Release ninjutsu. Then, drawing the katana on his back that he had not used until now, he became like a true warrior, relying only on the katana in his hand as he swung forward with all his strength.

When two Clan Leader Tier experts fought, the others naturally could not simply stand and watch. No matter how unwilling they were, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama still charged at each other. With no kunai in hand, they slammed fists and elbows fiercely toward one another.

The clash of taijutsu was not inferior in the slightest to the collision of cold ninja tools.

In fact, pure taijutsu—those blows 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 shot toward Tobirama Senju like an agile cheetah. He stayed close, launching a relentless barrage as his short blade and kunai crossed back and forth.

Faced with such swift, precise, and fierce attacks, even though Tobirama Senju had raised his kunai before him 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 open up the distance, while also needing to guard against kunai and shuriken that appeared from strange angles at any moment.

Their figures darted and shifted rapidly as they fought. The collisions between blade and kunai were like lightning flashing through the night—only by concentrating completely could one see the course of their exchange.

"Now!"

He leaped past Izuna Uchiha, gripping a kunai in each hand as he rushed straight at Tobirama Senju, who staggered and nearly fell.

"Die!"

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

Faced with the fierce attack, Tobirama Senju was about to be cut down. Yet at that critical moment, he actually used Steel Wire to alter his posture, narrowly avoiding Uchiha Jobu's savage 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 had been no detailed classifications such as Jonin, Chunin, and Genin. Everyone's understanding of a ninja's strength came from his reputation, completed missions, and the clan he had been 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 Tsuchigumo and Kijiro, even if they had missions, could at most receive commissions from nearby villages. Making a living was already a huge problem for them, let alone spending resources to train the ninjas of their clan.

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

Izuna Uchiha moved over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Uchiha Jobu. "Jobu, what do you mean by Genin? Is it a new ninja force?"

Though he felt there was no need to explain, he still patiently gave them an explanation, outlining the distinctions between Jonin, Chunin, and Genin.

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

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

"But a Chunin must do more than master B-rank or higher ninjutsu. He must also be capable of casting B-rank ninjutsu multiple times. In addition, he needs experience—enough ninja experience to independently complete a mission. Only then is he a qualified Chunin."

"As for a Jonin, he must master A-rank or higher ninjutsu and be able to use A-rank or higher ninjutsu repeatedly in battle. Finally, he must be able to stand on his 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 fields, their strength lying between that of Chunin and Jonin. They engage in specialized research, such as education, development, intelligence, and so on."

As for this division and explanation of ninja ranks, the few of them clearly felt that it should be this way.

But even after learning about the ninja ranks, the battle showed no sign of stopping. Against 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 leaders of their generation, displayed extraordinary talent at this moment. Whether in taijutsu or ninjutsu exchanges, the two were evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand.

A pair of savage Sharingan eyes, like the eyes of a demon, stared fixedly at the figure preparing hand seals. In the silence, Uchiha Madara dropped his kunai and said, "There's no result if we keep fighting. Give up."

"It seems so. Then we'll wait until our fathers' battle is over and see."

Senju Hashirama did not want to continue fighting either. He lowered his raised hand and met Uchiha Madara's gaze. With perfect tacit understanding, they both snorted at each other, then turned away and stopped looking at one another, instead watching the battle between the two Clan Leader Tier experts.