Chapter 6 Hanma vs. Hyuga Tenzou.

Based on Konohamaru's ninja registration number 12707, considering the casualties from the three great ninja wars and natural deaths, Konoha's combat-capable ninja seem to number no more than 6000 people. However, during the final great ninja war, the allied ninja forces numbered nearly 90,000. This number likely includes a large number of samurais and ninjas from small countries, and was probably exaggerated for morale purposes.

Since his arrival, Hanma noticed this issue—the number of ninjas was indeed very small. According to the ninja academy records, Minato Namikaze's registration number was 6510, while Hiruzen Sarutobi's was 0261. Excluding the casualties from the First Great War, Konoha's forces were around 5500 people.

What wasn't accounted for were the private soldiers of the major ninja clans in the village, older ninjas who joined before the establishment of the village, or those who didn't want to join the academy. Thanks to the wartime period, the number of Chunin was far higher at this time than in later generations. 

Officially, Konoha had 72 Jonin, 330 Special Jonin, around 1700 Chunin, and about 3500 Genin. The unregistered ninjas, similar to the hidden households of the feudal era, were unknown in number—this formed the foundation of the ninja clans. The tug-of-war between the prestigious clans and the Hokage meant Konoha's forces were like water from a sponge or money from the pockets of powerful lords—always available with a squeeze.

Only the Jonin were the absolute core of this group, each precious as a strategic resource, a group that the village had to listen to seriously.

Hanma's eyes wandered as he waited impatiently for Hiruzen Sarutobi's next speech. 

"Those willing to compete for the position of commander, put your name badges in the box."

When the Third Hokage's words fell, about a dozen people leapt forward to place their badges in the box. Hanma couldn't help but laugh. It seemed even fairness had its unspoken rules. How could ordinary civilian ninjas compete with prestigious clans that had been around for centuries?

Most of the contestants were from these clans. Apart from Jiraiya and Orochimaru, there was only one civilian ninja named Baiyun Zaojian. The rest were from clans like the Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Aburame—prominent families of Konoha.

There was no other way; other ninja clans like the Yamanaka and Inuzuka were known for reconnaissance and communication, lacking somewhat in combat ability.

Hanma slowly walked towards the lottery box, placed his name badge inside, and smiled, anticipating the long-awaited one-on-one battle.

"Alright, if no one else is joining, today's selection officially begins."

The Third Hokage declared the start of the selection with an authoritative wave.

Shimura Danzo, with his usual sinister demeanor, looked at the crowd, then took out two name badges from the box and announced in a deep voice:

"I, Shimura Danzo, advisor to the Hokage, hereby announce the first round of selection: Uchiha Hanma vs. Hyuga Tenzou!"

A buzz of discussions filled the training ground. A match between the Uchiha and Hyuga was always a spectacle. Hyuga Tenzou was reputed as the main house's top combat ninja, a master of the Gentle Fist. Uchiha Hanma also had a renowned reputation among the Jonin, but outside the Anbu, no one had seen him in action.

Hyuga Tenzou elegantly used the Body Flicker Technique to stand in the center of the dueling ground. Hanma, slightly excited, also stepped forward. Battling with taijutsu experts had always been his favorite training.

"Uchiha Hanma, please enlighten me."

"Hyuga Tenzou, likewise."

As soon as the words fell, Hanma's aura exploded. His predatory intent was no longer restrained, locking onto Tenzou's presence with bloodthirsty malice, eroding his chakra. The intent to devour the opponent whole made many observing Jonin frown, an uncomfortable sense of dread arising within them, causing their chakra to become unsettled. 

Hyuga Tenzou took a step back, already understanding from the aura that Hanma was going to be difficult.

"Byakugan, activate!" 

As a combat genius of the Hyuga clan, Tenzou habitually used the Byakugan to observe the enemy's chakra flow, predicting their movements. The Hyuga had an innate advantage in intelligence. However, to his surprise, Hanma's chakra reserve seemed unusually small!

Hanma was indeed unique; most of his chakra was passively enhancing his body and mind. Tenzou inwardly scoffed. Despite any impressive aura, a ninja's battle would ultimately depend on chakra.

Just as Tenzou prepared to launch a close-range assault and quickly end the fight, he realized Hanma had vanished. 

Tenzou, with his 360-degree vision unique to the Hyuga's main house, immediately spotted Hanma behind him. 

"So fast!" He was shocked, his back to Hanma, unsure of what was coming next. 

Hanma slightly crouched, his waist making a cracking sound, his arm muscles compressing and concentrating. A direct punch was aimed at Tenzou. 

Tenzou, a veteran Jonin, met Hanma's fist with his own, imbued with Gentle Fist chakra. 

The massive booming sound echoed, sending waves of smoke and dust flying.

Seventy meters away, sweat covered Tenzou's forehead from the pain. Years of battle experience told him his right arm was definitely broken, possibly completely shattered.

The force was too overpowering; such raw strength was difficult for someone skilled in using softness to counter hardness to handle.

When the fight became so straightforward—charging in with a powerful punch that couldn't be blocked—it left one speechless.

Hanma, showing good sportsmanship, paused; this was, after all, a friendly competition within the same village—not a life-and-death battle.

"Do you want to continue, Tenzou?"

"Let's continue."

Hyuga Tenzou, feeling unwilling to concede, thought the true refined techniques of the Gentle Fist were yet to be displayed. If he could land one clean hit, he believed he could win.

Without a word, Hanma prepared to show something truly shocking—after all, making a notable impression was important in the first battle. 

His predatory aura gathered around him, forming a blood-red armor, shining with a strange red light. 

The blood armor exuded a thick scent of blood, even the Jonin on the high platform could smell it. Frankly, with such an appearance, any connection with the Hokage seemed far-fetched—he resembled an evil villain.

Villagers who saw him would likely go home and tell their children to stop crying, or Uchiha Hanma would come to get them. 

The blood armor was an advanced application of Hanma's predatory aura, a composite technique blending killing intent, chakra, and predatory aura.

It greatly enhanced Hanma's strength and perception. Any contact with an enemy would release blood aura that devoured their chakra, feeding it back to Hanma. 

The red light flashed, and a knee strike aimed at Tenzou's face.

Tenzou, a seasoned Jonin, flared all his chakra, entwining his arms in a thick coat of blue-white Gentle Fist chakra, managing to block the strike but was still sent flying.

"So painful, utterly painful. Such a straightforward method of overpowering the opponent with sheer strength and speed; it's unreasonable."

Flying through the air, Tenzou bitterly laughed, remembering practicing with his son, Hizashi, at home. He felt like a child being toyed with.

Before Tenzou could plan his next move, the massive blood-shadowed figure closed in, and a giant fist loomed near his temple!

The punch landed near his ear, causing the ground to cry out, the entire training ground fracturing.

The dust from the unleashed force covered the sky, with only a faint sinister red light emitting, creating a terrifying atmosphere.

In the giant crater, Tenzou lay sweating profusely, his ears ringing with the recent blow's noise.

The tension had maxed out his adrenaline, the weakness of his body contrasting with his sharp mind made Tenzou feel the sensation of being overpowered for the first time.

How long had it been since he'd felt this humiliated after becoming a Jonin? If the punch had landed on his head...

"I yield."

He heavily sighed, limping as he stood, looking complexly at Hanma. 

Was this really an Uchiha? What did this combat style have to do with the Uchiha clan?

Tenzou stared hard into Hanma's eyes, seeing despite the surrounding terrifying blood aura, his eyes were bright black.

Sigh. In a battle with an Uchiha, the opponent hadn't even activated his Sharingan, what was this?

Hanma laughed heartily, "That was an enjoyable battle. Let's complete the ninja sign of respect."

Tenzou awkwardly replied, "Ah, both my arms seem broken."

Hanma grabbed Tenzou's hand, forcing the completion of the friendly sparring conclusion ritual. 

Truthfully, maintaining surface-level decorum and preventing moral backlash was necessary in Konoha's environment.

The Third Hokage silently watched the fallen Tenzou and the demonic figure of Hanma, lightly sighing. The once stubborn child had grown into this.

"The victor, Uchiha Hanma!"

The Third Hokage loudly declared.