Chapter 81: What is the Most Important Thing as a Clan Leader? (Part 2)

A dozen young elites from the Uchiha clan stood on the arena, sizing each other up with eyes full of competitiveness. Hanma glanced over them with a meaningful smile.

[Just as expected, after a war, the young Uchiha with three-tomoe have become restless again.]

Tetsuka, Hachidai, Yakumi, Fugaku. These new-generation Uchiha, who had been through the crucible of war, all exuded a sinister aura, looking around with an air of arrogance.

Some older Uchiha Jonin also gathered, unwilling to miss this rare event. Showcasing one's prowess in front of others was simply too enticing for the Uchiha.

The clan members in the stands exploded in enthusiastic cheers, rooting for them. This tournament-like clan gathering was unanimously praised by all. In the Shinobi world, there were very few entertainment activities. Even the daimyo of the Fire Country, who indulged in constant merriment, would come to Konoha to watch the Chunin exams.

"Bro Hanma, what are the rules for today's match? Is it a round-robin match or an elimination match? I have no problem with either." Uchiha Tetsuka asked excitedly. With his awakened three-tomoe Sharingan, he was deeply enamored with his own terrifying ocular powers. He, Master Tetsuka, wanted to prove himself as the number one among the young Uchiha!

"Tetsuka, it doesn't matter what the rules are. You'd better pray you don't face me first," Fugaku said mockingly, glancing at Tetsuka. In the Uchiha clan, he feared no one except Hanma. Even those who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, like Shisui, he considered relics destined for the trash heap of history.

"Fugaku, don't be so full of yourself. I have those eyes too!" Tetsuka retorted angrily.

"You youngsters are full of energy. I wonder if you'll still be like this after a real fight?" A middle-aged Uchiha, named Uchiha Shin, who also held the title of Uchiha elder, spoke slowly. His sarcastic tone was met with unanimous disdain from the young Uchiha present, who all glared at him. However, Uchiha Shin just smiled slightly, looking proudly at Hanma. Based on his age, Hanma was also included in the "youngsters" remark, which was a veiled challenge.

Hanma didn't say anything but felt quite satisfied inwardly. [Just a few more, bring me more.]

This was the effect Hanma desired. He genuinely hoped that all the Uchiha troublemakers would stand out at this moment, so he could bestow upon them his love and power.

"Hmph, Uchiha Shin, you haven't improved at all over the years." Shisui leapt from the stands to join the fray. The recent attitude of the clan members had hurt Shisui, who had been the clan leader for over a decade. If he could showcase the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan in front of the clan members, his departure would be much more respectable.

Fugaku, Tetsuka, and the others frowned upon seeing Shisui join, collectively sighing inwardly: [This old guy, although not very capable, still has some legitimate skills. Winning won't be easy for us.]

The addition of the previous clan leader made the scene more intense. Cheers, applause, and jeers filled the training ground. Some Uchiha who hadn't stepped into the arena even activated their Sharingan, scanning the battlefield with excitement.

Kushina curiously glanced around. The excitement of the Uchiha was something she, a member of the Uzumaki clan, couldn't quite relate to. She poked Minato, asking softly: "Minato, who do you think will win?"

Minato, with a knowing smile, replied: "Based on what I know about Hanma, none of them will win."

Obito, who was nearby, jumped into the conversation angrily, glaring at Minato, "How can you say that? Hanma is very fair; how could no one win?"

"And how did you two sneak in here?!"

Minato's yellow hair and Kushina's red hair stood out among the sea of black-haired Uchiha. However, Obito overlooked the fact that Konan beside him also had blue hair—perhaps a bit of double standards there. Minato chuckled, "Though I'm not an Uchiha, I am your clan leader's disciple."

Obito was shocked; he hadn't expected one of Hanma's disciples to be an outsider!

Hanma's deep, magnetic voice interrupted their conversation, drawing everyone's attention to the field.

"Today's match won't be a round-robin or an elimination. Instead, I will fight alongside you all to explore our shinobi skills."

Fugaku blinked, instinctively sensing something was amiss and wanting to retreat. But Tetsuka, oblivious, boldly questioned, "Brother Hanma, you must assign fair teams, right? Otherwise, wouldn't those on your team definitely win?"

Shisui, realizing something was wrong, remembered his previous battles alongside Tsunade against Hanma.

Hanma stopped Fugaku and Shisui with a look and said cheerfully, "No need for teams. I'll be one team, and you all can form the other."

The entire training ground erupted. The young clan leader wanted to take on all the Uchiha elites?

The spectators began chanting Hanma's name, eagerly anticipating the battle. Obito turned to Minato in shock; the yellow-haired man had anticipated this. Minato simply raised an eyebrow, indicating that Obito was still too young to understand.

The Uchiha in the arena frowned. As the clan's elites, they had their pride. In the shinobi world, the three-tomoe Uchiha were seen as nearly invincible. Tetsuka, Hachidai, and Yakumi looked at Hanma with growing discontent. As Uchiha, the one thing they couldn't tolerate was someone underestimating their power.

Uchiha Shin snorted heavily. He bore a grudge against the young Hanma for his behavior and approach with the Hokage's office. In Shin's heart, the Uchiha should be led by experienced, steady hands. Hanma's style was too rebellious.

"Hanma, you're looking down on the Uchiha, aren't you? Even if you are to become the clan leader, you should respect your elders!" he shouted. But Hanma ignored him, raising three fingers.

"If no one has any objections, the match will officially begin in three seconds."

Fugaku exchanged glances with Shisui. Shisui then commanded sternly, "Everyone, form a defense formation with me at the center and Fugaku at the front! Quickly!"

Uchiha Shin shook his head disdainfully, his eyes spinning rapidly with the three-tomoe Sharingan, focusing on Hanma. Recently, his genjutsu had improved further. He planned to show this arrogant brat the power he possessed. But before he could gather his chakra, Hanma's third finger dropped.

Uchiha Shin had more to say, but in the next instant, he was shocked to find Hanma had vanished from his sight. His vision could barely catch a fleeting afterimage, as if the dynamic vision granted by his Sharingan was rendered useless.

Hanma appeared instantly in front of Uchiha Shin, grabbing his head with a large hand. The overwhelming force left Shin unable to resist; he was lifted off the ground and then slammed into the cobblestones beneath. The sound of impact silenced the entire arena. Even though Uchiha Shin was a seasoned three-tomoe wielder, the strike rattled his senses. Hanma's grip was relentless, slamming Shin's head repeatedly into the ground.

"It's like pounding rice cakes!" Hanma thought.

"Duangduangduang!"

Hanma's ruthless and rhythmic pounding redefined the Uchiha's understanding of clan duels. Shin, coughing up blood, could barely muster the chakra to protect his head. Each collision between his skull and the stone sent waves of dizziness through him, threatening to end him. He tried to activate his Sharingan again, but Hanma suddenly hurled him into the air.

"Whoosh! Bang!"

With a flick of his spine, Hanma kicked Uchiha Shin like a ball, sending him crashing into the wall of the stands, creating a massive cloud of debris. As the dust settled, Shin lay powerless on the ground, unconscious.

Hanma had no intention of being so brutal towards his clan members. However, Uchiha Shin's arrogant demeanor and the "young brat" remark made Hanma realize that some people required a harsh lesson.

Every ninja clan or village has those elders who despise the younger generation, always nit-picking. For such individuals, Hanma believed in using heavy-handed tactics.

Hanma waved his hand, signaling a team of young Uchiha women to run over and start treating Uchiha Shin. Tsunade had trained this medical team in her spare time, a precaution Hanma had arranged before the duel.

Hanma smiled, satisfied with the organized formation led by Shisui, and praised him: "As expected of Clan Leader Shisui, unlike some who only talk."

Shisui remained stern. He knew Hanma's prowess better than anyone. "Everyone, focus! We can't afford another mistake!"

Even though Hanma had once pierced his Susanoo, the moment he stepped on the battlefield, Shisui would do everything to secure victory. This was his pride as the Uchiha Clan Leader! Although he understood deep down that winning might not be possible.