Chapter 8: The Battle for Renown

Fuma's fighting style reminded many of a certain figure—the Third Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Does this mean that Uchiha Fuma already possesses Kage-level strength?

The Jōnin exchanged glances. This heavyweight news had to be studied by their clans once they returned. The dynamics within Konoha might be about to change.

Compared to the Third Raikage, Fuma's displayed offensive ability hadn't reached the level of the "Hell Stab." However, Fuma's speed, his resistance to control, and his attack power, which was enough to harm most ninjas, made him a very tricky opponent.

The Jōnin communicated through their eyes and gradually focused their attention on White Fang, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Sakan.

The Third Hokage, with a smile on his face, spoke in a gentle tone:

"What's the matter? The appearance of powerful young talents in the village is a sign of Konoha's prosperity."

Jiraiya sniffed and silently thought: I've been fighting him countless times since I was a child. What powerful young talent? He's been an extraordinary prodigy all along. However, the old man's words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Orochimaru, squinting like a snake, whispered with Tsunade. Tsunade's uneasy expression and her constantly shaking legs under her dark green haori revealed her inner unrest.

For years, Tsunade and Fuma had been bickering rivals. Unlike the original story where Tsunade and Jiraiya grew from mutual fights to blossoming affection, she had a standard romantic arc with Fuma. Fuma, being restless, often brought her various souvenirs from other villages after mission returns from the Anbu. He would join her for drinks and meals and take walks with her under the starry nights of the village. Yet, what infuriated her was that Fuma never expressed his feelings.

Even though their relationship had potential, Fuma's passiveness made it awkwardly stagnant. Uchiha Sakan, on the other hand, couldn't hide his agitation. In reality, he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Claiming to inherit Uchiha Madara's will, he had activated the Mangekyō after witnessing his brother's death during the First Ninja War. 

Since no one knew how to guide him in the use of the Mangekyō, he recklessly used it in his youth, similar to how Sasuke did in the original series. Now, his sight had significantly deteriorated. Sakan, being the biggest proponent of martial strength in the Uchiha clan and also its leader, would have long united the various factions within the clan and challenged the Hokage Building if not for the fear of exhausting his ocular power.

Regarding Fuma, Sakan had mixed feelings. He valued this young and capable clansman yet adhered to the traditional belief in the supremacy of bloodline strength. From a young age, Sakan had tried to persuade Fuma to follow the traditional path of training. He believed that the path of taijutsu (body techniques) had its limits. Fuma, having inherited the Uchiha bloodline, focusing on physical prowess like a common ninja instead of tapping into the ocular power seemed like an incredibly foolish decision to him.

Nonetheless, after witnessing Fuma's stellar performance today, Sakan's Uchiha-specific obsession flared up. He planned to reveal his Mangekyō, even at the risk of blindness. An immensely promising clansman like Fuma, if returned to the right path of ocular techniques, could undoubtedly become an unparalleled leader of the Uchiha!

Filled with a sense of grand mission, Sakan was determined to make Fuma recognize the importance of the ocular techniques. If Fuma knew his thoughts, he would surely retort: "The Uchiha clan truly is a breeding ground for mad geniuses and obsessives."

"—Swoosh." 

The silence was broken as a challenger appeared in the arena. Unexpectedly, Uchiha Sakan and Tsunade moved simultaneously, stepping onto the platform. The atmosphere became awkward instantly, given the historical antagonism between the Senju and Uchiha clans. 

Since the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's death, this antagonism had only intensified, leading to the Uchiha's growing isolation in the village. Their inherent pride only prevented them from explaining themselves, worsening their position. Tsunade folded her arms, raised her chin, and narrowed her eyes at Fuma with a hint of provocation, revealing the deep-seated grudge between them. 

Meanwhile, Sakan was resolute, undeterred by the competitive air. Today's actions represented his grand endeavor for the glory of the Uchiha. This presented an opportunity to solidify his devotion to the clan, challenge the Hokage, and steer a promising genius back to the right path. He wouldn't miss it for anything.

Fuma smirked at the peculiar combination of a combative girl and an oddly motivated elderly man. Since the spotlight was already on him today, he thought he might as well go all out.

In a gentle yet teasing tone, Fuma addressed the two opposites:

"I don't mean any disrespect, but if neither of you is willing to yield, I can attempt to face both of you at once. Senju and Uchiha have always been the best partners since the founding of the village. How about joining forces once again today?"

Sakan faced Fuma solemnly, stating seriously, "I have no problem with that." 

Tsunade looked at Sakan in surprise, stunned that the usually proud Uchiha clan leader would team up with a Senju against a younger member of his own village. It was too unusual. Yet, Sakan ignored Tsunade's look, remaining resolute. Fuma was slightly taken aback, wondering what the old man planned.

The Third Hokage, smoking his pipe, turned to Danzo, "What do you think?"

Danzo, waving his hand dismissively, replied, "You should quit smoking, Hiruzen. But I support this. Knowing the real strength within the village is crucial. Our current main force never experienced large-scale war firsthand, and determining who can lead isn't easy."

The Third Hokage gave Danzo a rare approving glance. 

Fuma cleared his throat and addressed the crowd: "I mean no disrespect to both Jōnin. I've recently made some breakthroughs in my training and wish to test them with you."

Tsunade's face grew increasingly agitated, tinged with an angry redness. She was still just over twenty, even though she didn't change much at fifty. 

The Third Hokage then addressed Fuma, "Even if it's one versus two, if you lose, you will still be eliminated."

Fuma shrugged indifferently and thought of adding a wager to this battle.

"If I win, I hope you'll grant me a chance to apply for forbidden technique training. If I lose, I'll voluntarily take on the village's taijutsu teaching for free for a month, open to everyone."

The Third Hokage, delighted, readily agreed to Fuma's request. Jōnin were valuable political and military resources who were hard to deploy but had distinct personalities after coming off bloody battlefields.

Teaching others wasn't normally an activity they indulged in unless mentoring close friends or clansmen for personal gains. In Naruto's era, even Kakashi's reluctance to mentor is evident unless for special cases or chosen elite.

Now, Fuma, with exceptional taijutsu prowess, voluntarily offered to teach as a wager, making this battle essential for the village's interest.

"Moreover, let me raise the stakes. The winner of this duel will gain an additional chance to train in a forbidden technique. If Uchiha Fuma wins, it'll be two chances plus the priority to organize a unit."

Announcing the rules and stakes, the Third Hokage's smiles widened. Some might view this as breaking the selection process, but in the ninja world, power always speaks the loudest. Rules bind the weak, while the strong might just get a slap on the wrist for breaking them.

Fuma smirked inwardly, realizing the Third Hokage was testing him by putting him under pressure. Was it because his progress was so rapid?

The Third Hokage then sternly declared, "Well then, prepare yourselves. Uchiha Sakan, Tsunade, you have ten minutes for a combat meeting."

Fuma rolled his eyes, exasperated by the preferential treatment. But Sakan, without any airs, approached Tsunade, and the two began whispering conspiratorially, creating an unexpectedly amicable atmosphere. Indeed, unity against a common enemy fosters internal cohesion, an age-old truth.

The Jōnin present were already abuzz with excitement. The thought of the Uchiha clan leader and Senju Hashirama's granddaughter teaming up was something legendary in the making. Regardless of the outcome, this would become a story told and retold for decades.

Fuma decided to no longer hold back. Facing them would be challenging enough not to be taken lightly. Tsunade had already become a proficient medical ninja and mastered her powerful punches, and the unpredictability of Sakan made underestimating him risky.

Still, today was the day Fuma chose for his rise to fame. To quickly gather the necessary experience, hone skills, and get a command role in the impending war, he needed to choose his battles, accumulate merits, and unlock the Sealing Scroll, advancing his jutsu study faster.

With anticipation burning within, Fuma knew this marked the first major step in his decade-long preparation. Nothing could stand in his way today!

(End of the chapter)