The Golden Generation

"Actually, there's no need to be so pessimistic, I will—"

"Eiji, look over there! It looks like there's a match going on!"

Kushina interrupted Eiji, pointing with her other hand towards the open space.

The host stood on a platform made of several huge wooden crates, with more than a dozen children behind him who were not even old enough to enter the Ninja Academy.

Three tables were set up on the other side, where three elderly men sat, seemingly acting as referees, while villagers gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Eiji looked at the banner that read "Young Ninjutsu Tournament." It seemed that life in the Village wasn't so boring after all. With the arrival of peace, the villagers' spiritual lives were becoming richer.

Recently, the villagers heard that a "Bonsai Tournament" had been set up. When Tsunade heard that there was money to be won, she brought out a bonsai that had been carefully cared for by the First Generation's Grandma Mito, Mito, for many years and entered it into the contest. Unsurprisingly, she won the contest, and the prize money ended up in the hands of the casino owner.

"Eiji, let's go join the fun!"

Eiji was pulled by the arm by Kushina and led to the other side of the crowd.

"Ei, Eiji- sama!?"

"It really is! It's Eiji- sama and Kushina- sama!"

"I never expected to meet you in person here, I'm so lucky!"

With one of them pointing them out, Eiji and Kushina were instantly noticed by the villagers, and then the scene became noisy.

"Don't worry about us, everyone. We're just here to watch the fun."

Eiji could only wave his hand to signal everyone to calm down, but the children participating in the competition seemed to take it very seriously.

After all, he was a hero who ended the war single-handedly, and he was only about ten years older than them, making him like an "older brother" to the children.

"Eiji, I wish to learn the legendary Ninjutsu. Could you please take me as your apprentice?"

"Eiji, how can I become as powerful as you?"

"Kushina- neechan, when are you and Eiji- sama getting married?"

These kids are really tough to deal with, but Kushina seems to like them quite a bit, chatting and laughing with them.

Eiji was surrounded by children and couldn't get away for a while, so he came up with a solution.

"Ahem, how about this?" Eiji cleared his throat. "I can teach the winner a Ninjutsu that suits him, how about that?"

"Okay, then I want to learn 'Azure,' so I can fly in the air!"

"Then I want to learn 'Zi,' because the adults who returned from the battlefield said that this Ninjutsu can defeat any enemy!"

"Idiots, you completely misunderstand that what's truly powerful is the 'Limitless,' learning this is the most practical."

The scene instantly erupted in excitement, with the children discussing what Ninjutsu they should obtain after winning, allowing Eiji to escape.

"Are you alright? It seems the children want to learn your Kekkei Genkai." Kushina leaned close to Eiji, her voice filled with concern.

"It's alright. I was referring to Ninjutsu that suits them. My techniques are clearly not suitable for them."

"Uh, isn't this just fooling the kids...? They'll be so disappointed."

"Obito, are you alright? You look so nervous." Rin Nohara, a little girl with purple markings on her cheeks and a cute smile, looked at Obito Uchiha beside her with a worried expression.

At this moment, Obito was trembling all over, and said nervously, "N-nothing, it's just that a very important person has come! In short, I have to win!"

"Then you have to do your best!" Lin smiled sweetly, which eased Obito's tension a little.

"Well then, next up is— Obito Uchiha!" The host, a little nervous, cleared his throat and announced.

As soon as his name was called, Obito tensed up immediately. He walked onto the stage like a robot, his arms pressed tightly against his trouser legs.

When Eiji and he locked eyes, Eiji could feel the tension and anticipation emanating from them.

At that age, Obito still had a youthful spirit. If he hadn't gone through those things, he might have lived a normal life.

Obito's only relative was his grandmother, and he wasn't considered a genius within the clan. The Uchiha clan didn't value Obito at all.

Even if Obito himself found Fugaku and told him that Obito had the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku would probably just treat it as a joke.

The richer one's emotions, the easier it is to awaken the Sharingan and become a powerful being. The Uchiha Clan really doesn't make sense.

"I... I'm going to perform the Great Fireball Technique!"

"Oh, that's quite a difficult Ninjutsu. Well then, let's begin the performance."

As the host finished speaking, Obito began to form hand seals, and then used all his strength to exhale a small flame from his mouth.

The scene fell silent, and the villagers all looked bewildered. However, the judges gave high scores, making Obito the current number one scorer.

Obito, somewhat embarrassed, stepped off the stage and began chatting animatedly with Rin Nohara.

"That's great, Obito. This way, it might be possible to obtain Ninjutsu."

"Hehehe, I'm not feeling too good today."

Eiji shrugged. None of them had enrolled in the Ninja Academy yet. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, Obito getting the scroll for the Great Fireball Technique was a small privilege, wasn't it?

Even if they aren't geniuses, the Uchiha are still the Uchiha.

The host continued, "Now, let's have Kakashi Hatake take the stage!"

As the words fell, the silver-haired, masked boy standing on the tree Kakashi Hatake —leaped down from the tree and onto the stage.

"Look, Eiji! It's Kakashi!" Kushina waved to Kakashi, "Good luck, Kakashi!"

Eiji nodded to Kakashi in acknowledgment.

When Kakashi was born, Eiji attended Hatake Sakumo's wedding banquet, Kushina even held Kakashi in her arms, so the two families were very familiar with each other.

Kakashi glanced at Kushina, then looked away somewhat awkwardly, his cool demeanor shattered, and he appeared a little uneasy.

Hearing how close Kushina and Kakashi were, many people showed expressions of envy.

After all, Eiji is the Future fourth generation leader, and Kushina will likely be Eiji's Future wife, so her status will naturally be high.

"That's great, Kakashi can get so close to important people." Rin said with envy.

Obito's tone was somewhat uncertain. "No, it's okay... It's not like who has the strongest connections can win the championship..."

"I'm going to perform the Earth Release: Earth Wave."

Before the host could speak, Kakashi clasped his hands together, then squatted down and slapped the ground!

"Earth Release: Earth Wave Technique!"

The ground beneath their feet began to undulate like waves, and some people nearly fell.

"That was absolutely fantastic! You're undoubtedly number one!"

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Kakashi received the prize for winning: a gleaming Kunai.

"What a pity, Obito."

Rin said with some regret, Obito gritted his teeth and looked at Kakashi on the stage, his expression full of resentment.

Eiji's lips twitched. Actually, he wanted to help Obito, since it was truly remarkable that someone his age could do this much without parents.

However, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I'll talk to Fugaku later and ask him to take better care of Obito.