League Opening, the Daimyo Arrives

"The Daimyo has arrived!"

Hearing that the Daimyo had arrived, the Third Hokage and the others were stunned. They had never expected the Daimyo to appear at this time, much less that he had come for the Stilt Football League.

"Your Highness, why have you come?" The Third Hokage hurried forward to greet him, his tone carrying a trace of confusion and respect.

"Why have I come? Of course, to watch the Stilt Football League! Once I've seen it, I'll go back and organize my own football league." The Daimyo smiled, clearly full of enthusiasm.

"A football league? Not a Stilt Football League?" The Third Hokage froze for a moment, clearly not following.

"My people aren't ninjas. They can't play football on stilts, so they can only take the stilts off." The Daimyo waved a hand, sounding somewhat helpless.

"Your Highness is wise." Seeing this, the Third Hokage could only flatter him, though inwardly he was frustrated. He had never expected Stilt Football's influence to have spread all the way to the capital of the Land of Fire.

"Where is the Youth Stilt Football League being held? Take me there." The Daimyo spoke eagerly.

"At the Uchiha Clan Territory." The Third Hokage answered helplessly, regretting even more that he had failed to suppress the Uchiha. The Uchiha's rise had already gone beyond his control.

"As expected of the prestigious Uchiha. I thought they had declined, but they've risen again. Good, very good." The Daimyo spoke happily, his eyes filled with approval.

The Daimyo was more than happy to see the ninjas wasting their ambitions on amusements. That would make it easier for him to control the situation in the Land of Fire.

"Uh, Your Highness is right." The Third Hokage echoed him helplessly, though his heart was full of worry. What he feared was that the Uchiha's rise was far more complicated than the Daimyo imagined.

Soon, the Daimyo was brought to the stadium.

"The Daimyo has arrived!"

With the accompanying eunuch's shout, the entire stadium instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at the entrance in shock. The Daimyo had actually come to the Uchiha Clan Territory in person!

The Uchiha clansmen were alarmed as well.

"The Daimyo? Why is he here?" The Uchiha clansmen did not hold the same respect for the Daimyo as the Third Hokage did. They were more confused and wary.

"Report this to the clan head first." Someone immediately rushed off to inform Fugaku Uchiha.

At that moment, Uchiha Chuan was sitting before Fugaku Uchiha. Hearing of the Daimyo's arrival, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Why has the Daimyo come?" Fugaku Uchiha looked toward Uchiha Chuan, clearly seeking his opinion.

"If he's here, he's here. We currently have no direct conflict with the Daimyo, so why worry about it? If he wants to come, let him come. Maybe he just wants to watch the excitement?" Uchiha Chuan said indifferently, sounding unconcerned.

"Mm, I understand. Then I'll go welcome him." Fugaku Uchiha nodded, then went with the Uchiha ninja who had reported the matter to greet the Daimyo.

"Your Highness, why have you come?" Fugaku soon came outside and greeted the Daimyo, his tone calm.

"Some days ago, Stilt Football spread to the capital, and I liked it very much. I heard that the Uchiha were holding a Youth Stilt Football League, so I came specifically to watch." The Daimyo smiled, full of interest.

"Your Highness's presence brings great honor to us. Please come in." Fugaku Uchiha received him calmly, his tone composed.

"Mm." The Daimyo nodded, somewhat surprised by Fugaku Uchiha's attitude. He no longer had his former arrogance, but neither did he have the snobbery hidden beneath that arrogance. For a moment, the Daimyo could not tell whether that was good or bad.

"Distinguished guests, uncles and elders, let us welcome the Daimyo with a thunderous cheer as he celebrates with the people!" At that moment, Uchiha Chuan used his Broadcasting Technique and shouted loudly.

"The Daimyo is here?" Everyone in the stadium was instantly stunned.

"Your Highness!"

A tremendous roar of cheers followed.

"Damn Uchiha Chuan, he even stole this bit of glory." Seeing this, the Third Hokage gritted his teeth, thoroughly displeased.

"Good, good, good! I am very satisfied." The Daimyo stood in a conspicuous spot and shouted loudly.

No one could hear what he was saying, and they merely erupted into cheers once more.

"It's the Daimyo! It really is the Daimyo! Long live the Daimyo!"

This made the Daimyo even happier, his face covered in smiles.

Afterward, Fugaku Uchiha brought the Daimyo to his original seat. As for Uchiha Chuan, he had long since changed seats. He had no desire to sit with someone like the Daimyo. If the Daimyo did something foolish, Uchiha Chuan would have to agonize over whether to kill him or not. It was truly no fun.

With the Daimyo's arrival, the atmosphere of the opening match was instantly pushed to its peak. The entire stadium was filled with cheers and expectant gazes, and everyone's attention focused on the coming showdown.

"The opening match of the Youth Stilt Football League: Youth Uchiha Team versus Youth Sarutobi Team!"

Following the announcer's declaration, the two teams strode out proudly. At the front were none other than Uchiha Mion and Asuma Sarutobi. Their gazes were sharp, and their momentum fierce, as though they had already regarded each other as their greatest opponent.

"Ahhh, damn it! We didn't get picked for the opening match!" Obito shouted in frustration from behind. "This is the match that gets the most attention!"

"Uchiha! Uchiha! Uchiha!"

"Third Hokage! Third Hokage! Third Hokage!"

In an instant, the cheers surged like a collapsing mountain and a tidal wave, deafeningly loud. The entire stadium was ignited by this enthusiasm, and the audience's emotions reached their peak.

"Damn it, why are they cheering for the old man? I'm Asuma Sarutobi! This is the Youth Sarutobi Team!" Asuma roared, trying to correct the target of the audience's cheers. However, his voice was completely drowned out by the sea-like roar.

"Bastards, Uchiha! This time, we'll definitely defeat you!" Unable to shout against so many people, Asuma immediately provoked Uchiha Mion.

"Hmph, defeated opponent. Come at us if you dare. You'll keep losing!" Uchiha Mion did not indulge him either. Though she was young, because of her relationship with Uchiha Chuan, she had been directly appointed as team captain. Her aura was not the least bit inferior to Asuma's.

"Damn it! Just you wait!" Asuma clenched his fists angrily, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

"People of Konoha, do you see it? The two teams have only just entered the field, and the clash of youth has already begun! This is fiery youth! This is a fiery contest! This is a battle of beasts! This will be a spectacular clash of youth!" An impassioned voice rang out. It was none other than the father of Konoha's future Azure Beast, Might Duy, whom the Uchiha had hired.

"Ah, it's my father! My father is commentating!" Might Guy was so excited that he did a flip on the spot, his eyes full of excitement.

"This is youth!" Might Guy shouted passionately, as though he could already feel the surging energy on the field.

"The Uchiha really will hire anyone." The Third Hokage was somewhat speechless, but he had to admit that Might Duy's youthful passion was perfectly suited to an occasion like this.

"The Uchiha Team and Sarutobi Team can be said to be among the first teams to face each other after Stilt Football was invented. So far, the Sarutobi Team's record against the Uchiha Team is 0:7. After a week of grueling training, can the Sarutobi Team create a miracle today and rewrite their losing streak? Let us wait and see!" At that moment, another gentle voice rang out. It was Hatake Sakumo.

"Father?" Kakashi was immediately stunned. He had not expected his father to be a commentator as well.

"The time is about right. Both teams have completed the coin toss and chosen their attacks. Next comes the grand bloom of fiery youth. The match is about to begi-begi-begi..."

With a shrill whistle, the match officially began!

"Begin!" Might Duy's voice rang out after the whistle, instantly igniting the entire stadium.