Uchiha Temple seemed to sleep well?

"They say he only became a chunin because of his connections to the clan head. Who would believe you if you said he wasn't weak?"

Someone overheard Uchiha Tiger and couldn't resist scoffing.

That immediately drew agreement from quite a few others.

The few who knew the details began listing Uchiha Hui's past failings: he had never been to war, had barely even left the village on missions, and his strength was so pitiful that they questioned his Uchiha purity.

After all, the Uchiha Clan rarely produced such weaklings.

The scattered murmurs did nothing to spoil Uchiha Hui's good mood.

Whoosh!

Almost the instant they finished the Seal of Confrontation.

His figure vanished from where he stood, and Uchiha Temple launched his own attack at the same time.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

After running forward, Uchiha Temple abruptly stopped, clasped his hands tightly in front of his chest, and unleashed his ninjutsu.

Scorching flames poured from his mouth and gathered into a fireball. The air seemed to grow hotter in an instant.

His ninjutsu had been successfully unleashed.

Uchiha Temple brimmed with confidence, as though he could already see his victory.

He didn't think his ninjutsu would kill Uchiha Hui. They belonged to the same clan, and even if they weren't particularly close, he wouldn't kill him over a sparring match.

But based on his impression of Uchiha Hui.

His opponent would probably struggle to withstand this ninjutsu.

He could use this opportunity to teach him a lesson: don't try to provoke a ninja stronger than you!

"Temple's Great Fireball!"

Uchiha Tiger cried out from the sidelines, admiration flashing in his eyes. He seemed envious of how quickly and precisely Uchiha Temple could unleash the Uchiha's signature ninjutsu.

With that thought.

He turned his gaze toward Uchiha Hui.

The next second.

His eyes widened.

A mass of flames had already gathered in front of Uchiha Hui, forming a fireball that hurtled straight toward Uchiha Temple.

Uchiha Temple's Great Fireball was a little over two meters across.

But the one Uchiha Hui unleashed was at least three and a half meters, perhaps even larger!

Boom!

The two fireballs slammed into each other.

A terrifying blast rang out as exploding flames scattered in every direction.

Everyone present seemed stunned by Uchiha Hui's performance. The spectators stared wide-eyed, and even Uchiha Temple froze in surprise for a moment.

Fortunately, Uchiha Temple remembered he was still fighting.

So.

He quickly regained his composure, activated his Sharingan, and looked ahead, seemingly preparing for Uchiha Hui's next attack.

Whoosh!

A muscular figure burst through the scattered flames.

"This is..."

Shock crossed Uchiha Temple's face.

He instinctively prepared to defend himself.

Ignoring the scorching air, Uchiha Hui lunged toward Uchiha Temple like a ravenous wolf.

The next second.

His fist landed squarely on his opponent's face.

With a heavy thud, Uchiha Temple's raised hands dropped, and he flew backward. His eyes turned unfocused, as though that single punch had knocked him senseless.

"Temple!"

Uchiha Tiger cried out in alarm.

The next second.

He reached Uchiha Temple's side as he landed.

The latter's eyes had returned to normal, but his pupils remained slightly unfocused. He looked groggy, as though he had just woken up.

"What... happened to me?!"

Uchiha Temple looked at his friend and finally spoke after a long pause.

"Looks like I won?"

Uchiha Hui hadn't expected this chunin named Uchiha Temple to be so fragile. He had only coated his fist in a layer of chakra and bone, yet a single blow had left his opponent unable to resist.

So this was all eighteen hundred reputation amounted to?

He really had been too cautious before!

Of course, Uchiha Hui knew his opponent hadn't shown his full strength. He had treated him like the old Uchiha Hui and suffered for it.

Still.

What difference would it make if he went all out?

He, Uchiha Hui, was absolutely confident he would win again. It would just take a little more time!

Uchiha Hui's voice rang across the training ground.

It also snapped Uchiha Temple back to his senses as he lay on the ground.

He remembered!

Just now.

He had been sparring with Uchiha Hui.

But what had happened?

Uchiha Temple began recalling the fight. He soon remembered their clash of fireballs, then how Uchiha Hui had charged through before the ninjutsu fully dissipated and struck him.

After that.

Tiger had come to his side...

I got taken out in one hit!?

Uchiha Temple struggled to accept it.

Especially as he gradually began hearing the surrounding chatter.

"What the hell! Didn't Uchiha Temple say he was preparing for jonin promotion? And this is all he's got?"

"Looks like Uchiha Temple isn't that strong after all!"

"I bet I could do it too!"

"..."

Uchiha Temple's expression darkened.

He couldn't tolerate losing to Uchiha Hui.

His opponent had only won.

Because of a sneak attack.

"I haven't lost yet!"

Uchiha Temple pushed Uchiha Tiger aside and shouted at Uchiha Hui, who stood in the center of the training ground.

"You lost!"

Uchiha Hui answered seriously.

As he spoke, he pointed at the people around them.

And so.

The clansmen watching from the sidelines loudly chimed in.

"Uchiha Hui won!"

“Uchiha Temple lost!”

"He went down with one punch!"

Pleased with the spectators' jeering, Uchiha Hui took two steps forward as he spoke, stopping where Uchiha Temple had been sent flying.

With a sweep of his arm.

He lightly brushed back his slightly wavy black hair.

Unlike Uchiha Fugaku.

His hair had a slight wave, and its medium length gave him a rather dashing look.

He wasn't doing this merely to look cool. His main purpose was to scoop up the reward that had just dropped. He couldn't stand leaving something lying on the ground.

As he collected the Red Light Orb.

Uchiha Hui also took a moment to glance at its contents.

[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (Experience Card)]

It wasn't as good as he had imagined, but honestly, it wasn't that bad either.

Improving his Ninjutsu proficiency.

Could still bring plenty of benefits.

Power, efficiency, fluidity...

Perhaps if he someday ground a Ninjutsu up to its highest level, he could match or even surpass the spectacular Majestic Destroyer Flame that Madara Uchiha would later unleash against the Allied Shinobi Forces?

At that thought.

Uchiha Hui couldn't help trembling with excitement.

Perhaps this really was a path he could take to grow stronger. Taking one thing to its absolute limit had to be better than knowing a little of everything but mastering nothing!

Amid the surrounding voices, Uchiha Temple's expression grew increasingly conflicted.

He stared hard at Uchiha Hui, gritting his teeth as though weighing something.

"What? Can't accept it?!"

Uchiha Hui had noticed Uchiha Temple's reaction long ago, but he deliberately let the spectators rile him up. Now, judging the moment right, he said, "I can fight you again!"

"Fine!"

Uchiha Temple nodded without hesitation.

He couldn't wait any longer!

He truly feared that losing to Uchiha Hui would turn him into a laughingstock. He was desperate to redeem himself and shut his clansmen up.

"We can certainly fight again, but I have one condition!"

Uchiha Hui gave a devilish smile, which looked rather charming paired with his handsome features.