Bang!
With a dull thud, two figures were forced apart.
Senju Gen flipped backward in midair and landed lightly on his feet. The shock in his eyes was impossible to hide as he stared at Hatake Seiko.
He hadn't expected two consecutive bursts of power to erupt from Seiko's fist.
Gen managed to block the first impact, but the second penetrated through his defense, violently rattling his internal organs and sending his chakra into turmoil.
After forcefully expelling the lingering chakra from his body, Senju Gen's expression finally turned solemn.
"Seiko-kun… I didn't expect you to be this strong," he admitted. "I'll be using my full power now."
After the most recent chakra intensity test, Sarutobi Retsu had raised Hatake Seiko's overall strength ranking to third in the class.
Among the more than three hundred students in their grade, Seiko was ranked roughly around fortieth overall, placing him firmly in the upper-middle tier.
Because of this, Senju Gen had never truly considered Hatake Seiko a serious opponent.
Suiton: Wild Water Wave!
Gen leaped into the air, his hands flashing through seals.
A surging torrent of water materialized and roared forward, rushing toward Hatake Seiko.
Watching this, Uchiha Gen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
As expected of the Senju Clan…
The amount of chakra Senju Gen had just released was nearly three times that of an ordinary Ninja Academy student.
Doton: Earth Flow Wall!
Hatake Seiko slammed his palm into the ground. A sturdy earthen wall rose up, blocking the oncoming flood.
But in that instant—
A sharp gust brushed against Seiko's back.
He turned just in time to see Senju Gen flying toward him with a powerful kick.
Seiko met it with a punch—
Only for Gen's body to disperse into smoke.
A Clone Jutsu?!
Seiko's pupils shrank.
Before he could react, a hand grabbed his ankle from below.
The ground beneath him softened and collapsed, dragging him down until only his head remained above the surface.
Doton: Headhunter Jutsu…
Hatake Seiko frowned.
Senju Gen emerged in front of him, smiling faintly.
"Seiko, you lost."
"The battle isn't over yet."
Gen froze.
The next moment, his vision darkened as another Hatake Seiko swept in from above with a spinning kick.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Gen kicked off the ground and slid backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. At the same time, he hastily formed seals and expelled a violent gust of wind.
Fūton: Breakthrough!
The Shadow Clone was instantly dispersed, but Seiko used that opening to break free from the earth and leap forward.
The two figures collided again.
Their movements blurred as fists, elbows, and legs clashed in rapid succession.
Moments later, the sound of combat abruptly ceased.
A figure was sent flying backward.
It was Senju Gen.
He staggered after landing, barely regaining his balance—only to feel a cold edge press lightly against his neck.
A shuriken.
"I lost," Senju Gen said quietly, his expression complicated.
Hatake Seiko withdrew the weapon and spoke seriously.
"Gen, I hope you remember your promise."
"Don't worry," Senju Gen replied. "I won't say a word about what happened today."
Then he glanced at Uchiha Gen.
"Seiko… how does your strength compare to his?"
Seiko's eyes filled with respect.
"Gen-kun is far stronger than me. He's the most talented person I've ever met. Everything I've achieved so far is thanks to his guidance."
Senju Gen's heart shook.
At that moment, Uchiha Gen stepped forward.
With a bitter smile, Senju Gen said,
"Gen… can you show me your power? I want to see the difference between us."
The two stared at each other in silence.
After a long moment, Uchiha Gen finally spoke.
"Gen, I hope you won't betray my trust."
Senju Gen straightened immediately.
"Gen, Seiko—rest assured. My promise will never change."
"Then watch closely," Uchiha Gen said.
He released his chakra.
Instantly, it was as if a raging inferno had erupted—or a violent storm had descended.
An overwhelming pressure crashed down on Senju Gen, making it feel as though he were sinking into the depths of the ocean, his breathing forcibly stolen away.
The air itself is distorted. Invisible ripples spread through the sealed space, the isolating barrier trembling under the sheer force of Uchiha Gen's chakra.
Just as suddenly, it vanished.
Uchiha Gen calmly retracted his chakra.
Senju Gen stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief and fear.
"So… so powerful…" he whispered. "That chakra…"
If not for the lingering pressure still gripping his body, he might have thought it was an illusion.
"Gen… you're already beyond our grade," Senju Gen said hoarsely.
"Even most chūnin wouldn't possess chakra like that."
Then, confused, he asked,
"Why hide such strength?"
Uchiha Gen only smiled faintly.
"Because it's meaningless."
"Meaningless?" Senju Gen couldn't understand.
"With this talent, the Village would recognize you immediately. Your reputation would surpass even Hatake Kakashi's!"
You don't understand the darkness of the Village, Uchiha Gen thought—but said nothing.
He dispelled the Shadow Clone and released the barrier.
"Let's part ways here."
As Uchiha Gen and Hatake Seiko walked away, Senju Gen's expression shifted repeatedly before settling into resolve.
"I don't understand you, Gen… but I'll keep watching you. And I hope you never turn that power against the Village."
Though wary of Uchiha Gen's terrifying strength, Senju Gen was also deeply moved.
An Uchiha… trusting a Senju with such a secret.
---
Hatake Clan Grounds
After their sparring session, Hatake Seiko asked quietly,
"Gen-kun… aren't you worried he might reveal your strength?"
Uchiha Gen was silent for a moment.
"I am," he admitted. "That's why it's a gamble."
"A gamble?"
"If he breaks his promise, I lose nothing but secrecy. I still have the Uchiha Clan behind me."
"But if he keeps it," Gen continued, "then there's a strong chance he becomes our ally."
Seiko hesitated. "Will he?"
"He will," Uchiha Gen said confidently.
"As long as Senju Gen wants to grow stronger—and revive the Senju Clan—he has no other choice."
---
Uchiha Clan Estate
Returning home, Uchiha Gen carried a box of three-colored dango along the forest path.
Suddenly, sharp metallic clashing echoed through the trees.
Following the sound, Gen arrived at a familiar clearing.
Two figures leapt and twisted through the air, shuriken flashing as they exchanged rapid throws.
One was Uchiha Itachi.
The other was Uchiha Shisui.
---
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