Uchiha's Reputation

Around nine o'clock, a light, drizzling rain began to fall over Konoha.

At the main gate of Konoha, two squads of ninja were on patrol. Today was a special occasion, so the gate-guarding duty had been entrusted to two Jōnin team leaders. As for how many Anbu members were hidden in the surrounding area, that was anyone's guess.

Suddenly, two sensory ninja among the patrol squads jerked their heads up, both looking toward the forest. They sensed two figures moving at high speed—a pace that no ordinary human or carriage could ever hope to match.

Astonishing speed, powerful chakra; these were undoubtedly two formidable ninja approaching Konoha.

Jōnin squads were typically experienced and well-coordinated. The reactions of the two sensory ninja immediately put the team leaders on high alert. They signaled their squads to keep their eyes fixed on the direction of the two figures, preparing for a confrontation.

Whoosh, whoosh— Two figures appeared within their line of sight.

Trailing green energy, the two figures darted through the forest at extreme speeds. Their velocity whipped up the air, the powerful currents shaking the tree branches. Within moments, they arrived a hundred meters away, slowing their pace as they leaped down from the trees.

"Who goes there? Without a pass, no one is permitted to enter Konoha freely today."

A Jōnin wearing a forehead protector and a green flak jacket stepped out from the squad, shouting at the two figures who wore straw rain capes but were clearly small in stature. Over the past few days, Konoha had restricted entry and exit to prevent anyone from sabotaging the tournament.

Therefore, without a pass, it was impossible to enter or leave Konoha freely during this period.

"I am a candidate for this tournament. Here is my notification."

Sato Hideaka gently removed his large straw hat, revealing slightly damp, cyan-colored cropped hair and cyan eyes as pure as the sky. The green, flame-like energy surrounding his body slowly began to fade until it vanished without a trace.

"You are Sato Hideaka? The only ten-year-old elite from the Forest of Death Genin Exam?" The Jōnin took the notification, compared Sato Hideaka to the photo, and asked in astonishment.

"Yes. The tournament is about to begin. Please, make it convenient for us." Sato Hideaka took back the notification the Jōnin returned and said calmly.

"That... that is fine. You may enter!" The Jōnin paused, speaking instinctively.

"Many thanks. Let's go, Guy..."

Sato Hideaka said this lightly, put his straw hat back on, and suddenly erupted with green, flame-like energy. Together with the other figure, who also wore a grey-brown straw cape and was wreathed in green energy, he vanished from the spot, disappearing from the ninja's sight in the blink of an eye.

"Green, flame-like energy... what kind of jutsu is that? To grant these two brats the speed of an elite Chūnin... it's truly incredible." The lead Jōnin watched them vanish, muttering to himself.

A six-year-old child with the speed of an elite Chūnin—could such a brat even be called a Genin?

He was likely the strongest Genin in history!

Beside him, a middle-aged ninja of about forty frowned, speaking with a mix of doubt and belief: "This jutsu... could it be the Eight Inner Gates Formation developed by the Second Hokage? It's truly shocking. Aside from Might Duy, there is actually someone else who practices it?"

"Eight Inner Gates Formation? What kind of jutsu is that?" the twenty-year-old Jōnin asked, clearly trusting the veteran Chūnin who had participated in the Second Great Ninja War.

"The Eight Inner Gates Formation is less of a jutsu and more of a forbidden technique. The training method is extremely perverse, requiring one to push past their physiological limits countless times. How could an ordinary person endure this? And now, a six-year-old child has opened three gates... it's just..."

The Chūnin watched the two figures disappear, his eyes filled with a mix of shock, disbelief, and reverence. A complex emotion flickered within his cloudy eyes.

Inside Konoha Stadium, hundreds upon hundreds of seats were packed with people. They looked down at the bluestone-paved arena in the center, erupting into waves of cheers. The noise was deafening, as if it would shatter the very dome above!

A Jōnin carrying a short sword and wearing a green flak jacket stood in the center of the arena. After a long-winded speech full of flattery and official platitudes, he announced loudly: "The first match is Uchiha Kenichi versus Shimura Masao. The second is Sato Hideaka versus Aburame Hakushou. The third is Uchiha Kaoru versus Inuzuka Jin. The fourth..."

"Now, the first match begins! Will Uchiha Kenichi and Shimura Masao please enter the arena!"

Amidst the cheers of the audience, Uchiha Kenichi and Shimura Masao walked slowly to the center of the arena. After bowing and forming hand seals, they instantly retreated to a safe distance, watching each other with vigilant eyes.

"Sharingan, activate!"

Uchiha Kenichi formed hand seals, and his scarlet Sharingan instantly activated. Two black tomoe swirled slowly within them. He kept his gaze locked on Shimura Masao, who had already seized the opportunity to form seals, preparing to launch a jutsu...

However, Shimura Masao's movements were completely copied by Uchiha Kenichi's Sharingan. He mirrored Shimura Masao's hand seals at his chest. Shockingly, their hand seals were identical, without the slightest error!

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Both finished their seals almost simultaneously. They took a deep breath and exhaled invisible blades of wind, which collided in mid-air with a dull, muffled thud. Most of the audience only realized the terrifying power of this invisible clash when they saw the bluestone floor being sliced open.

The wind blades canceled each other out in the air. Leveraging the advantage of his Sharingan, Uchiha Kenichi easily tracked the trajectory of the chakra-infused wind blades. Unafraid of the invisible shockwaves, he gripped a sharp Kunai and charged directly at Shimura Masao.

Clang, clang, clang...

The two clashed repeatedly with their Kunai. Sparks flew where their weapons met. Their movements—parrying, striking, slashing, and dodging—were so dazzling that the audience could barely keep up.

Uchiha Kenichi's Sharingan easily captured Shimura Masao's every move. Gradually, Shimura Masao began to fall behind. He feigned an opening during the fight, only to be kicked away by Uchiha Kenichi.

Having created distance, Shimura Masao began using jutsu again, but unfortunately, Uchiha Kenichi could not only see through his techniques, but his chakra reserves were also far greater. His Taijutsu was even more superior. Less than ten minutes into the match, Shimura Masao was defeated!

"Uchiha! Uchiha... Uchiha!"

The audience below cheered in unison. Although the Uchiha Clan was notoriously aloof, arrogant, and difficult to get along with, as the premier noble clan of Konoha and the symbol of the village's greatest military strength, everyone automatically ignored these flaws in that moment.

Uchiha Kenichi waved his arms vigorously, basking in the thunderous cheers. This was the honor an Uchiha deserved. He was certain that he would take first place in this tournament and gain the greatest prestige.

Hearing the audience's loud cheers and their exaggerated reaction, the Third Hokage's cloudy eyes darkened slightly, though his face remained expressionless. However, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—the Hokage's inner circle—frowned, their eyes filled with wariness and resistance.

"Uchiha Kenichi wins the first match! Now, will Sato Hideaka and Aburame Hakushou please enter the arena!" The Jōnin with the short sword returned to the center of the arena and announced loudly.

No sooner had he finished speaking than countless swarms of insects flew out from the stands. They converged in the center of the arena, forming the shape of a woman wearing a green trench coat and dark sunglasses. This was the same woman in sunglasses who had been Uchiha Kaoru's teammate in the Forest of Death!

"Sato Hideaka, Sato Hideaka... has Sato Hideaka arrived?"

Seeing that only one person had appeared, the Jōnin called out twice more. On the third call, one of the gates of Konoha Stadium slowly opened. A green figure darted out from the gate, instantly arriving at the center of the bluestone-paved arena.

"Sato Hideaka, reporting for duty!"