Uchiha's Taijutsu Supreme

How much military strength does Konoha really have? What is the true scale of the ninja wars? This question had always puzzled Fuma in his past life, as he was a meticulous researcher.

From Konohamaru's ninja registration number, 12707, and considering the casualties from three ninja wars and natural deaths, it seemed that Konoha's combat-ready ninja count was no more than 6,000.

Yet, during the final great ninja war, the Allied Shinobi Forces claimed nearly 90,000 soldiers. This figure likely included a significant number of samurai and small nation ninjas, with some exaggeration for dramatic effect.

Since his reincarnation, Fuma noticed this discrepancy—the number of ninjas was indeed quite limited.

Using ninja school data, Minato Namikaze's registration number was 6510, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's was 0261. Discounting the first ninja war's casualties, Konoha's current military strength was around 5,500 ninjas.

However, this number didn't account for many factors: the private soldiers of the major clans, veteran ninjas who joined before the village was established, or those who chose not to register at the ninja academy.

Due to the war era, the number of Chunin was currently much higher than in later generations.

Officially, Konoha had 72 Jonin, 330 Special Jonin, around 1,700 Chunin, and about 3,500 Genin.

Unregistered ninjas, similar to hidden households in feudal times, were unknown in number. This was the so-called background strength of ninja clans.

The power struggle between the great clans and the Hokage meant that Konoha's military strength was like water in a sponge or money in a feudal lord's pocket—there was always more if you squeezed hard enough.

Jonin were the absolute core of this army, extremely precious strategic resources whose voices had to be seriously considered within the village.

Fuma shifted his gaze, lost in thought while waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's next speech.

"Those willing to compete for the command position, place your nameplates in the box."

As the Third Hokage's words fell, about a dozen people leaped forward to submit their nameplates.

Fuma couldn't help but smile. Fairness had its unwritten rules—how could ordinary civilian ninjas compete against the powerful clans?

Most of the candidates were from the major clans. Among the civilian ninjas, apart from Jiraiya and Orochimaru, only Hayate Shirakumo stood out.

The rest were from the prominent clans like Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Aburame.

Other clans, like Yamanaka and Inuzuka, known for reconnaissance and communication, lacked significant combat capabilities.

Fuma slowly walked towards the draw box, submitted his nameplate, and smiled slightly, awaiting the long-awaited one-on-one battle.

"Alright, if there are no other submissions, let the selection officially begin."

The Third Hokage waved his hand majestically, announcing the start of the selection.

Danzo Shimura, still with his sinister demeanor, slowly looked at the crowd, drew two nameplates from the box, and announced in a deep voice:

"I, Danzo Shimura, Hokage's advisor, now announce the first round of selection: Uchiha Fuma versus Hyuga Tenzo!"

A buzz of discussions filled the training ground. An Uchiha versus a Hyuga was always a captivating match.

Moreover, Hyuga Tenzo was reputed to be the Hyuga clan's top combat ninja, with his Gentle Fist reaching perfection.

Uchiha Fuma was also well-known in the Jonin circles, but few outside the Anbu had seen him fight.

With a graceful Body Flicker Technique, Tenzo appeared in the center of the duel arena.

Fuma was also slightly excited. Fighting a taijutsu specialist had always been his favorite form of training.

"—Uchiha Fuma, please teach me."

"—Hyuga Tenzo, please teach me."

As the words fell, Fuma unleashed his full aura, no longer restraining his predatory presence. The bloodthirsty intent locked onto Tenzo, eroding his chakra.

This devouring battle intent made many watching Jonin frown. Even they felt a surge of unease and fear, their chakra inexplicably agitated.

Tenzo took a step back, realizing from the aura alone that Fuma was a formidable opponent.

"—Byakugan, activate!"

As a combat genius of the Hyuga clan, Tenzo habitually used his Byakugan to observe the opponent's chakra flow, gaining an intelligence advantage.

But under the Byakugan's scrutiny, Fuma's chakra reserves were surprisingly low!

Fuma was indeed an exception. His chakra was continually enhancing his body and spirit through passive abilities.

Tenzo inwardly sneered. No matter how impressive the aura, ninja battles ultimately depended on chakra.

Just as Tenzo prepared to engage in close combat and swiftly end the fight, he suddenly realized Fuma had vanished.

Only the Hyuga clan, with their clan's unique all-around vision, allowed Tenzo to spot Fuma behind him immediately.

"So fast!" Tenzo, still facing away, was unsure what to expect next.

Fuma's speed was purely a result of his extreme physical prowess.

With a slight crouch, his spine crackled, and the muscles in his arms compressed and gathered. He unleashed a straight punch towards Tenzo.

Tenzo, a seasoned Jonin, didn't flinch, his hands wrapped in Gentle Fist chakra as he met Fuma's fist head-on.

A thunderous boom echoed across the sky, the chakra collision raising waves of dust.

Seventy meters away, Tenzo's forehead was covered in sweat from the pain.

Years of combat experience told him his right arm was undoubtedly fractured, possibly severely shattered.

The sheer force was too overwhelming. Such brute strength was difficult for even a Gentle Fist master like Tenzo to handle.

When the fight was reduced to simply charging forward and delivering a powerful punch, leaving the opponent unable to withstand it, it was frustrating.

Fuma gracefully paused, understanding this was an intra-village sparring match where fatalities were to be avoided.

"Do you wish to continue, Tenzo?"

"Yes."

Tenzo was also unwilling to give up. The true finesse of Gentle Fist hadn't been displayed yet. He believed he could win if he landed a single hit.

Fuma didn't respond, knowing that showcasing some overwhelming moves in the first fight would be beneficial for establishing authority.

The [Predator's Malice] gathered around him, forming a blood-red armor that glowed with an eerie light.

The blood armor exuded a strong scent of blood, noticeable even to the Jonin watching from the high platform.

To be honest, this appearance was far from befitting a Hokage—more like a villainous overlord. If villagers saw him, they might warn their children to behave or be taken by Uchiha Fuma.

Blood Armor was an advanced application of Fuma's [Predator's Malice], a compound jutsu mixing killing intent, chakra, and predator's malice.

It significantly enhanced Fuma's strength and perception. Upon contact, it would release blood energy to devour the opponent's chakra, replenishing Fuma.

With a flash of red light, Fuma aimed a knee strike at Tenzo's face.

Tenzo, a seasoned Jonin, erupted with chakra, his arms wrapped in the blue-white glow of Gentle Fist chakra, barely deflecting the blow but still being sent flying.

"The pain is unbearable. Such a straightforward style of overwhelming the opponent with pure strength and speed is really unreasonable."

In mid-air, Tenzo, recalling sparring with his son, Hiashi, felt as if he was being treated like a child.

Before Tenzo could make his next move, the blood-red shadow loomed, a massive fist closing in on his temple!

A powerful punch landed near Tenzo's ear, causing the ground to wail in agony, splitting the training ground into fragments.

The dust raised by the punch covered the sky, with only the eerie red light of the blood armor visible, emitting a terrifying atmosphere.

In the massive crater, Tenzo lay sweating profusely, his ears ringing from the impact.

The intense adrenaline rush combined with a clear mind gave Tenzo his first taste of being utterly crushed.

How long had it been since he, a Jonin, was so helpless? If that punch had hit his head...

"I surrender."

Taking a deep breath, Tenzo stood up with difficulty, looking at Fuma with a complex expression.

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

Tenzo stared at Fuma's eyes. Despite the bloodthirsty aura surrounding Fuma, his eyes were bright black.

Sigh. Facing an Uchiha without them even using the Sharingan—what a situation.

Fuma laughed heartily. "An enjoyable battle. Shall we complete the ninja seal of reconciliation?"

Embarrassed, Tenzo replied, "Ah, it seems both my arms are broken."

Fuma grabbed Tenzo's hand, forcing the completion of the traditional post-fight ritual.

Honestly, in Konoha's environment, maintaining appearances and preventing moral censure were quite necessary.

The Third Hokage watched quietly as the defeated Tenzo lay on the ground and the figure resembling a demon god, sighing lightly. The once stubborn child had grown to such a level?

"The victor, Uchiha Fuma!"

The Third Hokage announced loudly.

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