When the organizing committee came to discuss matters with the Hokage, nearly every young person in Konoha who mattered had learned something about it. Seeded contestants like Uchiha Yo even knew the rules inside and out.
Things progressed smoothly, with both sides reaching an agreement almost immediately. Everyone began promoting the event, and even the Daimyo received an invitation. Since it was organized so quickly, registration had already closed by the time word reached other countries. Anyone who wanted to participate could only wait for the next one.
The tournament's rules and regulations were posted throughout the streets and alleys. To Konoha, this was far more interesting and novel than the Chunin Exams.
The competition was divided into several stages.
In the first stage, the qualifiers, all Konoha ninja under the age of twenty could register. Contestants could only use ninja blades against their opponents, with no limit on the number of blades they could carry.
Before each match, staff would beat drums to raise morale, with the striking of bronze drums serving as the signal to begin. During matches, no weapons other than blades could be used. Attacking an opponent's eyes or sensitive areas was forbidden. Falling out of the ring, surrendering, or being knocked down and unable to rise all counted as defeat.
Killing an opponent during a match was forbidden, and violators would be disqualified. Injured contestants would be treated by Konoha's medical ninja.
The first round of the qualifiers was simple: defeat ten opponents to advance. A contestant could take the stage up to three times. For example, if you lost your first match, that was fine—you might have simply been unlucky. You could keep competing. Whether you won ten in a row or had your streak interrupted along the way, you could advance as long