But if they did not give Kumogakure an explanation, that did not seem right either.
So Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Odley and asked.
"Captain Odley, how does Kumogakure intend to handle this matter?"
Odley spoke with a cold sneer.
"It is perfectly normal for young people to be a little impulsive. It is no surprise that Toroi lost to Konoha's prestigious Kekkei Genkai clan. Kumogakure willingly admits defeat."
"I hope Lord Hokage will give Kumogakure a chance to wash away this humiliation. Let our genius Darui compete with that Uchiha boy again. Would that be acceptable?"
After Toroi lost to Genya, Kumogakure was unconvinced and wanted to send Darui to challenge Genya and defend their honor.
"Could it be Darui, the wielder of the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai?" A Konoha higher-up exclaimed.
Darui was just over twelve years old, a genius elite youth from Kumogakure.
At that moment, he sat to one side of the delegation, expressionless.
"Captain Odley, I heard your Darui is already twelve, while our clan's Genya is not even nine. Isn't that bullying the young?"
Odley gave an icy smile. "Changing opponents is fine too. Don't say we Cloud Ninja aren't giving you an advantage. Any Uchiha youth under fifteen can accept the challenge!"
Odley sounded righteous on the surface, but in truth, there were not many elite Uchiha youths under fifteen, and even fewer who had awakened the Sharingan. He had secretly investigated all of this beforehand.
Fugaku gave an "Oh?" and asked, "Would I qualify at fourteen years and 252 months old?"
Everyone froze at his words.
"Clan Head Fugaku, don't joke around." After a brief pause, Odley gave a stern smile.
Fugaku possessed at least the strength of an elite Jonin.
No matter how formidable Darui was, he could not possibly be his match.
"We Uchiha accept this challenge. Uchiha Genya will fight!" Fugaku said calmly, before changing the subject. "But we Uchiha are not people Kumogakure can challenge whenever they please."
"How about this? Let us make a wager. If the Uchiha win, the two hundred thousand jin of grain Konoha was going to give you will all be handed over to the Uchiha."
"If the Uchiha lose, we will compensate you with an equivalent amount of grain. Does Kumogakure dare accept?"
"This..." Odley hesitated. He had no authority to decide matters concerning grain, but after considering Darui's strength, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"
Odley chose to trust Darui.
After all, Darui was already twelve.
He was about to graduate from the Ninja Academy.
He also possessed Storm Release.
He had no reason to fear the Uchiha's Sharingan.
Originally, Darui had only wanted to help Kumogakure regain some face.
Who would have thought the other side wanted to give them grain as well?
How foolish!
Fugaku turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked.
"Lord Hokage, what do you think?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"Since this is a matter between the Cloud Village Delegation and the Uchiha, I have no objection."
"If the Uchiha win, the grain will not be returned to the village," Fugaku said, emphasizing every word.
After pondering for a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen replied with two words. "Of course."
Hearing that answer, Fugaku smiled.
Sarutobi Hiruzen cared greatly about his reputation.
Having agreed in front of so many people, he presumably would not go back on his word.
Even if he did, Fugaku did not care.
It was only two hundred thousand jin of grain.
The Uchiha were quite wealthy now.
At most, it would only ruin Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation.
In the end, the Uchiha and Kumogakure signed the betting agreement.
The clash between the younger generations of the Uchiha and the Cloud Village Delegation did not begin immediately. It was scheduled for the next day.
The location was Konoha Arena.
One was the prestigious Uchiha clan of Konoha.
The other was Kumogakure's wielder of the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai.
The match between them would definitely be spectacular!
"Uncle Fugaku, you want me to fight a ninja from Kumogakure tomorrow?" Genya had just been fishing when he was urgently called back, leaving him in a very bad mood.
My fishing was interrupted over this?
Fugaku gave an awkward laugh. "This time, you must win and defend the Uchiha's reputation."
"Ah, no, you didn't even get my consent for this. Performing in front of so many people—I'm very shy and bashful."
"Ten thousand ryo!"
"No, this isn't about money!"
"Twenty thousand ryo!"
"I would certainly be honored to fight for the Uchiha, but I haven't been in a good mood these past few days, so I can't fully display my strength. You know, every month, boys have those few days."
"Forty thousand ryo!"
"Defending the Uchiha's glory is the duty of every one of us!"
Genya's voice rang out loud and clear through the courtyard...
Darui's Strength
Fugaku glanced at Genya and spoke speechlessly.
"Weren't you in a bad mood and unable to fully use your strength?"
Genya waved a hand and spoke with righteous conviction.
"For the Uchiha, I will certainly adjust my mood to its best state. When the time comes, I'll slaughter Kumogakure like chickens and dogs!"
Genya patted his chest, signaling Fugaku to rest assured.
Listening to those high-sounding words, Fugaku could only roll his eyes. If not for those forty thousand ryo, I'm afraid I couldn't even get this old master to make a move.
Then, Fugaku placed a stack of documents before Genya.
"This is intelligence on Darui, Kumogakure's Kekkei Genkai ninja. Study it carefully tonight. Give it everything tomorrow, and you absolutely must not lose!"
Intelligence was a ninja's first lifeline.
Only by grasping an opponent's information could one defeat them more effectively.
Genya believed that.
At that moment, Darui likely had a dossier in his hands as well.
A dossier on the Uchiha Sharingan.
One night quickly passed.
The next day.
Konoha Arena.
The seats for thousands of people were already full, and the place was bustling.
On the arena's high platform.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, sat in the main seat. Odley of Kumogakure, Fugaku, and the others sat beside him.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed no expression whatsoever.
He did not care who won or lost.
As long as this conflict could be resolved, that was enough.
"The Uchiha will probably lose..." Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured in a voice only he could hear.
After all, Kumogakure's Darui was older and had long been famous.
Uchiha Genya, meanwhile, was merely an unknown brat.
At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
Fugaku, you're already the head of a clan, yet you fell for Kumogakure's provocation so easily.
How foolish!
Sarutobi Hiruzen even hoped the Uchiha would lose.
That way, the peace treaty between Konoha and Kumogakure would become even more secure.
As long as he preserved peace.
The villagers would admire and revere him.
There were also quite a few people Genya knew in the surrounding stands.
For example, his homeroom teacher Watanabe Yu, Sarutobi Taro, and Hyuga Nami.
Itachi and Sasuke had also come to cheer for Genya.
Inside the arena.
Genya and Darui were already in position.
Darui, standing before him, had bronze skin and a broadsword on his back. He looked strong and imposing.
There was no unnecessary talk.
With the referee's command.
The two began fighting immediately.
Both Kumogakure and the Uchiha had much at stake.
There was no room for error!
With a sharp whoosh.
Darui charged in front of Genya at astonishing speed.
His massive fist.
Smashed directly toward Genya's face!
Seeing this, Genya's lips curled into a cold smile.
The reserve chakra within him surged continuously through his limbs and body, and Genya felt power filling every inch of him.
Without changing expression, he threw a punch as well!
How could his strength be this great? This brat's physical strength is terrifying!
The instant their fists collided.
Darui felt an incomparably fierce force crash into him, as though the one before him was not an eight-year-old child, but a Jinchuriki possessing terrifying power.
Kumogakure excelled at taijutsu.
Darui had originally intended to crush his opponent with taijutsu.
But his judgment had been wrong!
Darui changed tactics, drew the broadsword from his back, and slashed down through the air at Genya's face.
Before you continue