With the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Chakra Enhanced Strength, and Nature Transformations for three chakra attributes, combined with Uchiha Gen's current base stats, he was confident that he now possessed the combat power of an Elite Jonin.
As long as Kage-level experts didn't target him specifically or he didn't get surrounded by a massive army on a large-scale battlefield, there should be few things left that could threaten his life.
That afternoon, Orochimaru, returning from the battlefield, watched Uchiha Gen demonstrate his Earth Release Nature Transformation with a look of disbelief in his eyes.
Learning this fast?
His own cultivation speed back then had surprised many, but compared to Uchiha Gen, it actually paled in comparison.
At this rate, in a few years, let alone having anything left to teach, Uchiha Gen's strength might already be like his, standing at the peak of the Ninja World.
It was time to let him help shoulder more responsibilities.
But before that, Uchiha Gen's ninja rank needed to be advanced further.
"Rejoin your team tomorrow."
"With Dan providing assistance from the other side from time to time, our intelligence gathering has become much more convenient."
"You won't need to go on missions like the last one anymore."
"From now on, your squad will fully participate in frontal battlefield assaults and confrontations."
"Sunagakure's logistics system is currently compromised."
"As long as we keep applying pressure, we have a chance to repel them before they can recover their logistical capabilities."
"At this stage, their counterattack will be at its most desperate; there will be no shortage of missions for you."
"Over at the medical area, Tsunade has returned from her mission."
"Although she can't do without you for the time being, you can set that aside for a bit."
"Given the current momentum of the war, within this year, you will accumulate enough mission merits to be promoted to Jonin."
Amidst Orochimaru's raspy voice, Uchiha Gen nodded.
"I understand, Orochimaru-sensei."
Having more missions to gain more experience was naturally what he pursued.
Becoming a Jonin sooner was also a good thing.
Becoming a Jonin meant reaching the highest ninja rank below the Hokage.
Simply to become Hokage, one first had to pass a vote of confidence at the Jonin Council, which was enough to make every Jonin someone those aspiring to be Hokage would want to win over.
Furthermore, if one wanted to become a leader of an important department, an elder, or even the Hokage, they had to become a Jonin first.
This status was not only a mark of strength but also a hard requirement for status and power.
Although he had anticipated the escalation in the intensity of the war, Uchiha Gen was still somewhat surprised by the desperation of the Sand Shinobi when he truly stepped onto the large-scale frontal battlefield again.
Because if they didn't get desperate now, they would be driven out of the Land of Rain and lose the war.
Similarly, Konoha only needed to endure this final struggle of a cornered beast and maintain pressure on Sunagakure.
Once their logistics could no longer support them, they would have no choice but to withdraw from the Land of Rain, unable to continue the expedition.
Once the Sunagakure forces in the Land of Rain retreated, they would no longer be able to pin down Konoha from that direction.
Left alone in the Land of Rivers, the Third Kazekage would be isolated and lose the power to advance.
At that point, it would be hard to say if they could even hold onto their current gains.
Time flew by.
—
A few months later.
From late spring to autumn, the blood and fire nearly dyed the rivers and lakes of the Land of Rain red.
Snap.
A throat was snapped, and Uchiha Gen casually tossed a corpse onto the ground.
After taking a few shallow breaths, he used a Sharingan genjutsu combined with a Rasengan to kill a pursuing Sand Shinobi.
Then, without hesitation, he used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat.
"Gen!"
Mitarai Zixiao's voice came from nearby.
Uchiha Gen understood perfectly.
He formed hand seals and spat out a series of exploding fireballs diagonally into the air ahead.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The gale whipped up the raging fire, blocking the Sunagakure shinobi's pursuit.
However, the enemy soon launched a combined Wind Release ninjutsu, overcoming their elemental disadvantage through sheer numbers to suppress the flames and using the air currents to extinguish the sea of fire.
But soon, a figure carrying a large pot arrived at Uchiha Gen's side, forming hand seals and spitting out water.
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
A torrent swept forth, surging majestically toward the front.
Uchiha Gen also began to form new hand seals, brilliant lightning leaping from his body and striking the water.
"Lightning Release: Roaring Thunder."
The combination of lightning and water formed a barrier separating the two sides.
Walking on the water would result in being shocked by the Lightning Release within, and using Earth Release—which naturally counters Water Release—to change the terrain and create a path would be rendered ineffective by the lightning.
If the Sand Shinobi wanted to cross, they would inevitably be delayed for a short while.
"Retreat."
Maruboshi Kosuke grabbed Mitarai Zixiao beside him, and the three of them used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat together, vanishing from the spot.
A few minutes later.
"They've all gone mad, these Sand Shinobi."
Mitarai Zixiao looked gloomily at the purplish wound on his shoulder and turned a pleading gaze toward Uchiha Gen.
He had been wounded by an enemy puppeteer whose weapon was poisoned.
Even detoxification pills could only temporarily suppress the spread of the toxin; to be cured in a short time, he had to rely on Uchiha Gen.
Seeing this, the latter pressed his hand onto Mitarai Zixiao.
He activated the Poison Extraction Jutsu, slowly drawing the toxins from the wound, and then used the Mystical Palm Technique to briefly treat the injury and stop the bleeding.
This wave of attack had lasted all day, but they had ultimately failed to break through.
Now that enemy reinforcements had arrived, they had to retreat.
Their few Jonin-level combatants covered the rear, shielding the unit's withdrawal.
"That's war for you."
"You have to be mad."
Maruboshi Kosuke looked at the Sunagakure stronghold nestled in the distant mountains and sighed.
"Let's return to the camp to rest first."
"With this wave of Sunagakure reinforcements, the total defense of this stronghold has at least doubled."
"There must be four or five hundred people in total, and more Jonin than us."
"A single detachment like ours certainly can't take this stronghold."
"We'll have to apply for reinforcements, otherwise it'll just be a meaningless stalemate."
Mitarai Zixiao glanced at the wound on his shoulder, which had recovered somewhat, and shook his head helplessly.
It was only because his detachment was somewhat special, having a Genin like Maruboshi Kosuke whose combat power rivaled an Elite Jonin, plus Uchiha Gen, whose strength was no less than Kosuke's.
Their high-end combat power was extremely formidable, allowing them to successfully cover the main force's retreat.
Any other detachment might have actually been overwhelmed and pushed back after the enemy reinforcements arrived.
"Then this place will also become a battlefield with a scale of over a thousand people."
"These large-scale battles have been happening more and more lately, which shows that Sunagakure has no other options."
"They can only gradually consolidate their forces, abandon some areas, strategically contract, and dig in at these strongholds."
Uchiha Gen also gazed at the mountains in the distant rain, understanding in his heart.
The moment of the decisive battle was drawing closer and closer.