The fourth round of the battle pitted Uchiha Mikoto against Kushina. The match came as no surprise to anyone; once Mikoto activated her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, she quickly brought it to an end.
In terms of both combat experience and ninjutsu, Uchiha Mikoto already had the strength of a jonin. Even after giving it her all, Kushina had to admit there was a gap between them.
Before the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, her movements were like those of a doddering old man trying to outwit a child. Mikoto pinpointed every opening, leaving Kushina almost no chance to fight back.
The crowd fell silent, then burst into enthusiastic applause.
Watching Mikoto in the center of the arena, Tsunade said to Jiraiya, "As expected of someone from the Uchiha Clan. With just that Three-Tomoe Sharingan, she's almost unmatched among the younger generation."
Jiraiya nodded with a wry smile. "That girl's strength is every bit as impressive as ours was when we were young. If she takes one more step forward, she might reach our level."
Bai Lin took Uchiha Mikoto by the hand and announced, "Mikoto is the final winner of the Youth Duel! Let's hear a round of applause!"
Applause and cheers rang out across the arena. Might Duy slapped his thigh and laughed. "Fantastic! Now that's the kind of peak showdown youth is all about! Miss Mikoto, you were amazing!"
Kushina was a little disappointed. She'd wanted Bai Lin to take her little hand in front of everyone and announce her victory, too. Still, she clapped sincerely and muttered, "You win this time. I'll beat you next time for sure!"
The two were close friends, but they both wanted to impress Bai Lin, and neither was willing to yield to the other.
With Bai Lin's warm hand wrapped around hers, Mikoto's cheeks flushed faintly. She looked up at him and spoke gently but firmly. "Brother Lin, I'll keep working hard. I absolutely won't become a burden to you."
Just as everyone thought the Youth Duel had ended, an ill-timed voice came from behind the crowd, laced with scorn and disdain. "Hmph. It's nothing but a farce put on by a bunch of brats. Is there any need to make such a fuss over it?"
Everyone turned toward the voice. Four ninjas wearing Konoha Forehead Protectors and flak jackets, each bearing a fan emblem, calmly stepped forward.
"The young clan leader!" Uchiha Mikoto cried.
Bai Lin narrowed his eyes. He recognized the young man leading them as someone he'd seen at the meeting before.
"The young clan leader? Is that him? Uchiha Fugaku!"
Uchiha Fugaku (Year 18 of Konoha, age 17)
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya!" Uchiha Fugaku bowed to them respectfully.
"Mm," Tsunade replied flatly, her expression unreadable. She'd never cared much for the Uchiha Clan's arrogance.
Jiraiya smiled and waved a hand. His gaze moved from Fugaku to Mikoto as he teased, "So it's you, Fugaku. Looks like your Uchiha Clan has another genius. Mikoto's strength has certainly impressed us all."
Fugaku's gaze passed over Mikoto, and a hint of approval flickered in his eyes, quickly buried beneath a cold expression.
He turned his gaze to Bai Lin and Mikoto's joined hands. His brow furrowed, and his voice instantly turned cold. "Mikoto, clan rules forbid you from getting too close to men from outside the clan. Let go and come back with me."
The moment he said this, the entire arena fell silent. Everyone could tell he hadn't come with good intentions.
The Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were both unusual, passing down Kekkei Genkai through their bloodlines and placing great importance on keeping those bloodlines pure.
They wouldn't allow clan members to marry outsiders and have their descendants scattered beyond the clan.
One of the Uchiha ninjas stepped forward, his gaze growing colder. His voice carried an unquestionable authority. "Uchiha Mikoto, you've awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, proving how great your talent is. You're one of the clan's most valued prospects."
"Only by joining with a clan member who also has an excellent bloodline can you bear stronger descendants and protect the Uchiha's glory."
He gestured toward Fugaku beside him, his voice ringing out with conviction. "Our young clan leader awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan long ago. He's unmatched among the younger generation, and he's also the future heir to the clan leadership!"
"You two are made for each other. Your union will keep the Uchiha bloodline purer and stronger. It's both your honor and your responsibility!"
Mikoto's face turned pale as paper, and her body trembled slightly. She looked up at Fugaku, her eyes full of resistance. "Young clan leader, I don't agree! I don't want to rush into marriage for the sake of bloodlines and duty. I have my own path to follow, and someone I want to protect!"
After all, Mikoto was a member of the Uchiha Clan, and the clan rules still weighed on her.
"Impudent!" the ninja beside Fugaku snapped. "Lady Mikoto, do you know what happens when you defy the clan rules? The clan has arranged the most glorious future for you, so don't be ungrateful!"
Kushina instantly bristled and glared at the ninja. "You've gone too far! Mikoto's marriage is her own business. Who are you to decide it for her?"
"This is a matter for the Uchiha Clan. What business is it of yours, an outsider?"
A cold glint flashed in the ninja's eyes. He activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and vanished from the spot. The next moment, he appeared behind Kushina with a Kunai in hand, clearly intending to teach the meddlesome girl a lesson.
Bai Lin reacted almost the instant the ninja moved.
He let go of Mikoto's hand, and at a thought, drew the Kusanagi Sword from the System Space. Then he vanished from the spot.
"Clang!"
The Kusanagi Sword was far sharper than an ordinary Kunai. The moment the two weapons met, the Kunai snapped in half.
Before the ninja could react, Bai Lin appeared behind him, the blade of his sword resting lightly against the man's neck. The cold touch froze him in place, and sweat trickled down his temple.
"I've heard the Uchiha Clan is always arrogant and conceited. Seeing you today, I can tell the rumors were true." Bai Lin's voice was ice-cold. "You think you can lay a hand on someone of mine?"
"You!" The ninja was both furious and afraid, but he didn't dare move. He could only glare at Fugaku, hoping he would step in to save him.
The arena fell utterly silent. Everyone was stunned by Bai Lin's forceful attitude.
No one had expected the boy, who usually seemed so mild-mannered, to be so frightening when angered.
Fugaku's expression darkened. A civilian ninja was threatening a member of the Uchiha Clan.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan fully activated, its tomoe spinning rapidly in his scarlet eyes. "Bai Lin, Uchiha Mikoto is one of our Uchiha Clan. You've seen her talent for yourself. Whatever our clan rules may be, you're not worthy of her."
"Heh. Not worthy?" Bai Lin scoffed. He pressed the Kusanagi Sword slightly harder, leaving a shallow cut on the ninja's neck. "Let's see exactly how I'm not worthy."
"Brother Lin, don't be rash!" Mikoto hurried forward and tugged at his sleeve, her eyes full of worry. "I'm still a member of the Uchiha Clan."
Kushina had also calmed down. She was still angry, but she knew it would be bad if things escalated. "Brother Lin, forget it. This kind of person isn't worth getting your hands dirty over."
Bai Lin looked deeply at Mikoto. Seeing the plea in her eyes, he finally reined in his hostility and lifted the Kusanagi Sword slightly, signaling for the ninja to back away.
The ninja, relieved, hurriedly retreated several steps and ducked behind Fugaku. His face was pale as he gasped for breath, and he looked at Bai Lin with terror.
Fugaku stared at Bai Lin, fury nearly spilling from his eyes. Forcing it down, he said coldly, "Since you were just holding some kind of Youth Duel, why don't the two of us have a match? Let's settle it with our strength and decide who has the right to stand by Mikoto's side!"
He pointed to the center of the open space, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan gleaming scarlet. "The loser will leave Mikoto for good and apologize to the Uchiha Clan for what happened today!"