In the training field, Uchiha Gen stepped on the ground that had become a mess due to the battle, leaning on his ninja sword and panting heavily.
Around him, the Third Hokage stood beside Enma, surrounding Uchiha Gen along with Shadow Clones from two other directions.
Only one of the clones the latter had previously split off was a Shadow Clone; the remaining two were Phantom Clones with physical forms, created using ocular power combined with the Clone Technique according to the methods of the Phantom Body Flicker Technique.
He didn't know the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique yet; that was a forbidden technique recorded in the Scroll of Seals, requiring the Hokage's approval to learn.
Phantom Clones excelled in blurring the line between illusion and reality, though they weren't as strong as Multi-Shadow Clones. However, the difficulty and danger were not as high. When used with the Sharingan and special Body Flicker Techniques, they were eerie and unpredictable, requiring coordination with the original body to achieve their true effect.
Uchiha Gen was only at an introductory level with this technique, only able to split two or three Phantom Clones to coordinate with his main body to temporarily restrain an enemy. He couldn't last long at all against the Third Hokage's two Shadow Clones.
"To think you could make this old man summon Enma... no wonder Kakuzu and Chiyo couldn't do anything to you for a while. Truly outstanding."
"Continue, Gen. Let this old man see how many more surprises you can bring out."
The Third Hokage gripped the adamantine staff again and looked at Uchiha Gen, his face carrying a hint of peculiar expression.
Although he already knew that Uchiha Gen had independently developed two A-rank Ninjutsu of impressive power—one of which was an instant-cast, hand-seal-less technique—he was still somewhat amazed when he saw them with his own eyes.
The Rasengan and Chidori could serve as the primary techniques for the two protagonists, Naruto and Sasuke; their practicality was beyond doubt, and their potential was extremely high. The series of derivative Ninjutsu possessing both power and functionality was enough to prove this point.
As a supreme Ninjutsu grandmaster, the Third Hokage's vision was unquestionable, and he could naturally see the excellence of these two techniques.
Uchiha Gen exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his figure flashing once more as he rushed toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Sword light flowed, and staff shadows flew.
The two figures clashed in battle once again.
Ten-odd minutes later.
Feeling unable to hold on any longer, Uchiha Gen plopped down on the ground, his Sengoku Ninja Sword falling to the side. His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and his clothes were soaked through.
Once the Third Hokage summoned Enma, it meant he was getting somewhat serious.
In the Five Element Ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi could be said to be unsurpassed in the current world, and he was also a top-tier powerhouse in close combat. Even his Genjutsu ability could be considered master-level among conventional Ninjas, with extremely high resistance.
In fact, Uchiha Gen found no opportunity at all to use Genjutsu on the Third Hokage.
He could feel that Hiruzen Sarutobi had a particular knack for dealing with the Uchiha Clan's fighting style, especially for handling the Sharingan.
But on second thought, this was only logical.
Would Senju Tobirama's disciple not know how to deal with the Sharingan?
What a joke!
The Third Hokage in his prime was absolutely the strongest 'all-rounder' warrior of this era, with no weaknesses and comprehensive abilities. Facing any situation, he seemed to have a corresponding counter-method.
In a contest between those of the same level, he was almost invincible, and once an enemy showed a vulnerability, it was very easy for him to seize the opportunity.
Even though it was just a teaching-style spar, and Uchiha Gen's strength couldn't force out most of Hiruzen Sarutobi's power, he could still feel the terror of this 'Shinobi no Kami' who stood at the peak of the current era.
"Your swordsmanship is a bit lacking. Although there are commendable points, it mostly relies on the convenience of the Sharingan to exert power. In this regard, it's still a bit behind your talent in Ninjutsu."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put away the adamantine staff that Enma had transformed into and looked at Uchiha Gen.
The latter had spent almost no time seriously practicing swordsmanship, but his proficiency was almost entirely honed through long-term practical combat on the battlefield. It actually wasn't bad; instead, it was ruthless, swift, sharp, and decisive, filled with killing intent.
It was just that in the foundation of swordsmanship, he was indeed lacking. Had it not been for the fact that young Kakashi's White Fang Sword Technique was also somewhat refined and supplemented some of his basics in this area, he really wouldn't have been able to show it off.
"Yes, Lord Third, I indeed haven't put much effort into swordsmanship; it was almost all passively tempered on the battlefield."
"Mm, you children who were sent to the battlefield right after graduation have worked hard this past year or so. This is a failure on my part as Hokage."
The Third Hokage stroked his beard and sighed.
"No, Lord Third, the one at fault is not you, but this world of constant war. You have already done very well. Besides you, no one else could support the Village."
Uchiha Gen replied with feigned earnestness and urgency, his eyes looking as sincere as they could possibly be.
He was still counting on the Third Hokage to give him more pointers; how could he not make him happy now?
Besides, his words weren't without reason, and no fault could be found in them.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi was admittedly a bit weaker than the first two Hokage, he was truly the only one who could sit firmly in the Hokage position after the Second Hokage, generally commanding the respect of the Konoha Ninjas and holding up the massive framework of Konoha.
If Danzo or Homura Mitokado were to become the Third Hokage, they would only be even worse than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At least for now, Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige in Konoha Village was very high. Above him was the rich foundation accumulated by the two previous Hokage and Uzumaki Mito; around him was the support of several classmates serving as high-level officials; and below him were the strong of the younger generation like Sakumo Hatake, the Sannin of Konoha, and Kato Dan.
With a large number of elite Ninjas plus several top-tier experts in the first echelon of the Ninja World, even in the midst of war, Konoha appeared to have reached its peak under the Third Hokage's hands.
During this period, the Third Hokage was at a time of great satisfaction and ambition.
Uchiha Gen's words couldn't be said to have scratched exactly where Hiruzen Sarutobi itched, but they were enough to make him feel satisfied.
'That's right, besides me, who else could be such a good Hokage?'
"The one supporting the Village isn't just this old man. After I grow old, the future of Konoha will need young people like you and Orochimaru to shoulder it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Uchiha Gen a few habitual words of encouragement and then began his guidance.
In terms of secret techniques related to the Sharingan, there wasn't much the Third Hokage could teach, but in Ninjutsu—especially Composite Ninjutsu—there was far too much he could teach.
From the cultivation of five-attribute Ninjutsu to the usage techniques of combination Ninjutsu, the Third Hokage could explain everything logically and clearly.
Being able to train two Kage-level Experts like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who were proficient in multi-attribute Ninjutsu, the Third Hokage's teaching level in this regard was absolutely beyond reproach.