Uchiha Fugaku

The fourth round of the tournament featured Uchiha Mikoto against Kushina. The outcome was no surprise to anyone, as Uchiha Mikoto activated her Three-Tomoe Sharingan and brought the match to a swift conclusion.

Regardless of combat experience or ninjutsu, Uchiha Mikoto already possessed the strength of a Jonin. Even by exhausting every ounce of her effort, Kushina had to admit the gap between them.

Before the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, her movements were like a child playing before an elder; every opening was precisely captured by her opponent, leaving her almost entirely unable to mount a counterattack.

The crowd below fell into a momentary silence before erupting into thunderous applause.

Tsunade watched Mikoto in the center of the arena and remarked to Jiraiya, "As expected of someone from the Uchiha Clan. With this Three-Tomoe Sharingan alone, she is virtually unrivaled among the younger generation."

Jiraiya nodded with a wry smile, "This girl's strength is no different from ours when we were young. If she can advance just a little further, I fear she will reach our level."

Bai Lin took Uchiha Mikoto's hand and announced, "The final winner of the Youth Tournament is Mikoto! Let's have a round of applause!"

Applause and cheers instantly filled the arena. Might Duy slapped his thigh and laughed, "Splendid! This is the peak showdown that youth deserves! Miss Mikoto, you are incredible!"

Although Kushina felt a bit dejected—she had wanted to be the one held by Bai Lin while he announced her victory in front of everyone—she still clapped sincerely and muttered, "Fine, you're good. I'll definitely beat you next time!"

The two were close friends, and both wanted to appear superior in front of Bai Lin; neither was willing to concede to the other.

Wrapped in Bai Lin's warm palm, Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly. She looked up at him, her tone gentle yet firm, "Brother Lin, I will continue to work hard. I will absolutely not become a burden to you."

Just as everyone thought the youth tournament had concluded, an untimely voice drifted from behind the crowd, carrying a hint of arrogance and disdain: "Hmph, a farce played by a bunch of brats—is this really worth such a grand display?"

The crowd turned to look, only to see four ninjas wearing Konoha headbands and flak jackets, their clothing marked with a ping-pong paddle emblem, walking slowly toward them.

"It's the Young Clan Leader!" Uchiha Mikoto exclaimed.

Bai Lin narrowed his eyes upon hearing this; he recognized the leading youth as the same person he had seen at the meeting earlier.

"Young Clan Leader? Is it him? Uchiha Fugaku!"

Uchiha Fugaku (Konoha Year 18, 17 years old)

"Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya!" Uchiha Fugaku bowed toward them, his tone respectful.

"Hmm!" Tsunade responded flatly, her face devoid of expression; she had never been fond of the Uchiha Clan's arrogance.

Jiraiya smiled and waved his hand. His gaze swept over Fugaku before landing on Mikoto, and he teased, "It's you, Fugaku. It seems your Uchiha Clan has produced another genius. This girl Mikoto's strength has truly opened our eyes."

Fugaku's gaze flickered over Mikoto, a hint of imperceptible approval flashing in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by coldness.

He turned his head to look at the hands held by Bai Lin and Mikoto, his brow furrowing slightly. His tone turned frigid, "Mikoto, clan regulations forbid excessive intimacy with outsiders of the opposite sex. Let go and come back with me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire arena fell silent. Everyone knew the newcomers meant trouble.

Both the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were unique, passing down their Kekkei Genkai through bloodlines and placing particular importance on the purity of that blood.

They would not allow members of their clan to marry outsiders and let their bloodline drift away.

One of the Uchiha ninjas grew colder, stepping forward with an air of indisputable authority: "Uchiha Mikoto, you have already activated the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, proving your high talent. You are a key subject for the clan's cultivation."

"Only by uniting with a clan member who also possesses an excellent bloodline can you give birth to more powerful descendants and protect the glory of the Uchiha."

He pointed toward Fugaku beside him as if to illustrate, his voice resonant: "And our Young Clan Leader has long since activated the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. His strength is unrivaled among the younger generation, and he is the future successor of the clan!"

"The union of the two of you is a match made in heaven; it is the only way to make the Uchiha bloodline purer and stronger. This is your honor, and your responsibility!"

Mikoto's face turned pale as paper, her body trembling slightly. She looked up at Fugaku, her eyes full of resistance: "Young Clan Leader, I do not agree! I do not want to marry hastily because of bloodlines and responsibilities. I have my own path to walk, and I have people I want to protect!"

After all, Mikoto was of the Uchiha Clan, and in her heart, she was still bound by the clan's rules.

"Insolent!" the ninja beside Fugaku barked sharply. "Lady Mikoto, do you know the consequences of defying clan rules? The clan has arranged the most glorious destination for you; do not be ungrateful!"

Kushina's fur stood on end, and she glared at the ninja: "You are going too far! Marriage is Mikoto's own business—what right do you have to arrange it just because you say so!"

"This is the private business of our Uchiha Clan. What right does an outsider like you have to interfere?"

A cold glint flashed in the ninja's eyes. His Two-Tomoe Sharingan activated instantly, and his figure vanished from where he stood. A second later, he appeared behind Kushina, a kunai in his hand, clearly intending to teach this meddlesome girl a lesson.

Seeing this, Bai Lin reacted the moment the opponent moved.

He released Mikoto's hand, his right hand moved with a thought, and he drew the Kusanagi Sword from his System Space. His own figure vanished from the spot.

"Clang!"

The sharpness of the Kusanagi Sword was not something a common kunai could compare to. The moment the Kusanagi Sword made contact with the kunai, the weapon snapped in two.

Before the opponent could react, Bai Lin had appeared behind him, the blade of the Kusanagi Sword resting lightly against his neck. The icy sensation caused the ninja to freeze in place, cold sweat sliding down his temple.

"I've heard that your Uchiha Clan is always arrogant and conceited. Seeing it today, the rumors are true." Bai Lin's voice was cold to the extreme, devoid of any warmth. "Are my people someone you can touch?"

"You!" The ninja was both furious and terrified, but he dared not make a move, only staring fixedly at Fugaku, hoping he would intervene.

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence; everyone was stunned by Bai Lin's aggressive stance.

No one expected that this seemingly gentle youth could be so terrifying when angered.

Fugaku's expression turned ugly. A member of the Uchiha Clan had actually been threatened by a civilian ninja.

His Three-Tomoe Sharingan fully activated, the tomoe spinning rapidly within his scarlet pupils: "Bai Lin, Uchiha Mikoto is a member of our Uchiha Clan. You have seen her talent. Regardless of our clan's rules, you are simply not worthy of her."

"Heh, not worthy?" Bai Lin sneered, applying slight pressure with the Kusanagi Sword, leaving a shallow red mark on the ninja's neck. "I'd like to see exactly how I am not worthy."

"Brother Lin, don't be impulsive!" Mikoto hurried forward, grabbing Bai Lin's sleeve, her eyes full of anxiety. "I am, after all, of the Uchiha Clan."

Kushina also regained her senses; although she was still furious, she knew that if things escalated, it would be bad: "Brother Lin, forget it, forget it. Someone like this isn't worth dirtying your hands."

Bai Lin looked deeply at Mikoto, and seeing the pleading in her eyes, he finally reined in his killing intent. He lifted the Kusanagi Sword slightly, signaling the ninja to back away.

The ninja, as if granted a reprieve, scrambled back several steps and hid behind Fugaku, gasping for air with a pale face, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Bai Lin.

Fugaku stared fixedly at Bai Lin, the rage in his eyes nearly erupting, but he suppressed his anger and said coldly: "Since you were just having some youth tournament, why don't the two of us have a match! Let's use our strength to decide who is qualified to stand by Mikoto's side!"

He pointed toward the center of the clearing, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan flashing with scarlet light: "The loser will leave Mikoto forever and must apologize to the Uchiha Clan for today's actions!"