Sovereignty
Deepest part of the Top 100 Ranking Tournament Camp.
There was a separate tent here, without any guards or signs.
But all races know that this is where that being exists.
The top 100 champion, a monster who has held the title for over a thousand years --
Jiang Hao.
Uchiha Kei stood in front of the tent, quietly looking at the door.
"Master, should I go and inform them first?"
Kaguya asked cautiously.
"Need not."
Uchiha Kei shook his head.
He should already know I'm here.
As soon as he finished speaking, the tent door opened automatically.
A languid voice came from inside.
Come in.
Uchiha Kei stepped in.
The tent was very simple, with only a table and a cushion.
Behind the desk sat a young man dressed in white.
He had a handsome face and a faint smile on his lips, making him appear harmless.
But Uchiha Kei could sense how terrifying the power was hidden within this seemingly ordinary young man.
"Sit."
Jiang Hao pointed to the prayer mat opposite him.
Uchiha Kei sat down, and the two looked at each other.
"Do you know who I am?"
Jiang Hao asked.
"Know."
Uchiha Kei nodded.
"Earth Soul".
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Jiang Hao smiled.
He laughed heartily.
"That old bastard Heavenly Soul, he really did choose you after all."
"You're not convinced?"
Uchiha Kei.
"Submit? Of course not."
Jiang Hao stopped smiling and looked at him seriously.
"I have been ranked first among the top 100 for over a thousand years, obtained more than two hundred Divine Authority Key, and mastered more than two hundred kinds of rule power."
"Even at the peak of his Heavenly Soul might not be my match."
"And you, a mere brat who has just fused with the Heavenly Soul, what makes you think I should submit to you?"
Uchiha Kei did not refute him, but simply looked at him quietly.
"The power within you is indeed very strong."
After a moment, he spoke.
"With the combined power of over two hundred rules, even a True Immortal couldn't withstand your full-force attack."
"But..."
"But what?"
Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow.
"Rules are ultimately just rules."
Uchiha Kei calmly.
"No matter how many rules are added, it cannot change its essence."
"But the True Immortal Realm possesses sovereignty."
"Sovereignty?"
A strange light flashed in Jiang Hao's eyes.
"Creating sovereignty, Destruction sovereignty, spatiotemporal sovereignty..."
Uchiha Kei spoke each word clearly.
"Rules can be superimposed, but sovereignty can only be unique."
"Because sovereignty represents a complete world."
Jiang Hao fell silent.
After a long while, he suddenly smiled.
"Interesting, very interesting."
"No wonder the Heavenly Soul chose you."
He stood up, walked to the tent entrance, and turned his back to Uchiha Kei.
"I'll be waiting for you at the finals of the Top 100 Ranking Tournament."
"If you can defeat me, I will willingly be merged with you."
"If you lose..."
He turned around, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Then let me merge with you obediently, and let us complete our unfinished mission."
Uchiha Kei stood up.
"Good."
Two words: resolute and decisive.
The last day before the final.
The atmosphere in the Shinobi Alliance's camp was unusually heavy.
Everyone knows that tomorrow, their leader will face off against the legendary top 100 champion.
"Jing, are you confident?"
Naruto, unusually serious, asked the question without his usual joking demeanor.
Uchiha Kei glanced at him.
"You guess."
"What nonsense!"
Naruto panicked.
"That's a monster that's been champion for over a thousand years! Do you even know what a thousand years means?!"
"It's probably more than a thousand times yours."
Uchiha Kei calmly.
"You!"
Naruto was speechless.
Sasuke, who had his arms crossed, spoke up, a rare occurrence for him.
"Naruto, stop asking."
"But..."
Trust him.
Sasuke looked at Uchiha Kei.
When has he ever let us down?
Naruto was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.
"That's true."
He patted Uchiha Kei on the shoulder.
"Jing, come back alive."
"If you win, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen for a year."
"We lost..."
"We didn't lose."
Uchiha Kei interrupted him.
Only winning matters.
Senju Hashirama leaned closer, his face full of worry.
"Teacher, shall I go in your place?"
"You?"
Uchiha Kei glanced at him.
"You can't even beat Madara."
"Who said that!"
Senju Hashirama panicked.
"I was just letting him have his way!"
"Fart!"
Uchiha Madara's voice came from behind.
When have you ever given in to me?
"I always win in fights!"
"You're just lucky!"
"You're the lucky one!"
The two started arguing again.
Uchiha Kei shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, stop arguing."
He looked at the crowd.
"Tomorrow, you'll all be watching from the audience."
"Watch how I win."
After a moment of silence, everyone nodded in unison.
"Owner."
Kaguya walked to his side and gently took his hand.
"You must come back."
Looking at the worry in her eyes, Uchiha Kei felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
"Rest assured."
He ruffled her hair.
"I promise you, I will come back."
Night fell.
Uchiha Kei sat alone outside the camp, gazing at the unfamiliar stars in the sky.
What are you thinking about?
A voice sounded from behind.
Uchiha Kei did not turn around.
"Sasuke, aren't you going to rest?"
I can't sleep.
Sasuke sat down next to him.
The two remained silent for a moment.
"Scene."
Sasuke suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
"If... I mean, if..."
Sasuke hesitated for once, which was uncharacteristic of him.
What will happen if you lose?
Uchiha Kei remained silent for a moment.
"You'll die."
"Then what about her?"
Sasuke looked at the lamp that was still lit in the camp.
That was Kaguya's tent.
Uchiha Kei looked at the lamp.
After a long silence, he spoke softly.
"Therefore, I will not lose."
Sasuke nodded and stood up.
"That's good."
He turned and left, took a few steps, then stopped.
"Scene."
"Um?"
"Come back alive."
Uchiha Kei smiled.
"Good."