Preparing for the Match

The Uchiha Clan Compound

"Too naive. Far too naive! That ignorant brat Fugaku actually trusts an outsider so much that he's begun to doubt the supreme power possessed by our noble Uchiha Clan."

Uchiha Setsuna turned his back, his expression icy as he spoke in a hostile tone.

He was one of the Uchiha Clan's elders. He had enjoyed considerable prestige within the clan since the Second's era, and now, as a venerable elder, he had the right to weigh in on many matters.

He was therefore deeply displeased with Uchiha Fugaku's repeated praise of Ryuuzaki Eiji within the clan. The Second's fear of the Uchiha's power had filled him with resentment, but having that power belittled was even more intolerable—especially when the one doing it was Fugaku, who would one day become their clan leader.

Behind him, a ninja knelt on one knee, his body bowed.

His features were delicate, and he looked only about twelve years old. He kept his head lowered, saying nothing.

"Uchiha Yo, you are undoubtedly a prodigy among this year's new students. You awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age. With your current strength, you could hold your own even against an ordinary jonin."

"..."

Uchiha Yo remained silent. He agreed with Elder Setsuna's assessment and had no doubts about his own strength.

"I want you to defeat this Ryuuzaki Eiji in the upcoming match. Can you do it?"

"I will do everything I can."

"Not do everything you can. You must defeat him." Uchiha Setsuna's voice was cold. "You must defeat him. Only then can we prove that the Sharingan is the greatest dojutsu in the Shinobi World, and that the Uchiha are the strongest clan."

Uchiha Yo also felt some resentment toward Ryuuzaki Eiji.

He was the pride of the Uchiha, yet lately everyone in the clan had been talking about Ryuuzaki Eiji, paying less and less attention to him. How could a prodigy who thought so highly of himself accept that?

Besides, how powerful could those eyes of his possibly be?

However powerful they were, could they match the Sharingan, which could keep evolving?

After all, the Hyuga were also a dojutsu kekkei genkai family. Hadn't they fallen behind the Uchiha precisely because the Byakugan could not evolve?

Still, he was levelheaded and would not let arrogance blind him. Ryuuzaki Eiji had, after all, defeated a Root ninja head-on.

"But Ryuuzaki Eiji also has a dojutsu bloodline. We still don't know exactly what power those eyes possess."

"I know, but you needn't worry. You've already awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. No matter how strong he is, he cannot possibly be your match."

Elder Setsuna naturally knew that Ryuuzaki Eiji had defeated a Root ninja, but he merely thought the opponent had been careless. Besides, those useless members of the Shimura Clan did not have the Sharingan. Wasn't it only natural for them to lose to a ninja with a kekkei genkai?

As for why Shimura Shio had failed, he did not know, and few others did either.

"Still, the exact power of his eyes remains unknown. To make your victory more certain..." Setsuna took the ninjutsu scroll he had prepared from inside his robes and tossed it to Yo. "There's still a month before the match. For a prodigy like you, mastering this ninjutsu shouldn't be difficult."

Uchiha Yo caught the scroll. When he saw the words "Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame" written on it, he understood.

So that was it. This ninjutsu really was as good as cheating in a competition like this.

The Circular Arena had limited space to begin with. If he felt he could not defeat his opponent easily, he could retreat to the edge and unleash a wide-range fire release attack indiscriminately across the entire arena. With nowhere to hide, his opponent could only suffer a brutal defeat.

Even if his opponent chose to flee, leaving the arena would incur a penalty. Either way, the result would be a loss.

But wouldn't doing this betray the Uchiha Clan's pride?

Wasn't this just exploiting a loophole in the rules? How could an ordinary encounter ever take place on terrain like that?

"There's no need to resent this. It's merely insurance. I would much rather see you defeat him head-on."

Noticing Uchiha Yo's misgivings, Setsuna spoke coldly. He, too, possessed the pride of the Uchiha, and winning through such an unfair advantage would hardly bring him any honor.

"Yes! I will fulfill the clan's mission!"

Uchiha Yo's eyes instantly turned scarlet, two tomoe spinning within each pupil and giving them a distinctly dangerous look.

His voice brimmed with confidence. He would crush Ryuuzaki Eiji head-on without using Majestic Destroyer Flame. Then the glory that rightfully belonged to him would be his once more!

The Hyuga Clan Compound

"I know you have your concerns, but don't be afraid! Our Hyuga Main Family's Gentle Fist is invincible! As long as you focus on using Gentle Fist, that boy's ninjutsu will have its limits, no matter how terrifying it is! Have faith in yourself!"

After hearing the Hyuga elder's assurances, Hyuga Yamashiro's doubts vanished. He clenched his fists and declared loudly.

"Understood! I'll use Gentle Fist with everything I have. Whatever ninjutsu he uses, I'll smash right through it!"

He had been worried about Ryuuzaki Eiji's unusual dojutsu. It could supposedly intercept objects in flight. What would he do if it could intercept Gentle Fist as well?

"That's the spirit!"

The Hyuga elder looked at the Hyuga Clan's prodigy with satisfaction.

"Don't worry. I've investigated Ryuuzaki Eiji! That dojutsu of his that intercepts external objects must be the power residing in his eyes. But I'm certain it takes an enormous amount of chakra to accomplish that, so it won't last. Our Hyuga Clan's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms is the perfect counter!"

So that was it. Hyuga Yamashiro had no more doubts.

Science had developed rapidly in the Shinobi World. Almost every ninja understood the principle of conservation of energy.

Since Ryuuzaki Eiji had the ability to intercept external objects, maintaining that power had to consume an enormous amount of energy. Otherwise, it would make no sense.

His sole goal this time was to defeat Ryuuzaki Eiji and compete with Uchiha Yo for the title of Konoha's Number One Prodigy!

Not only the Uchiha and Hyuga, but the other ninja families and even children from civilian households were frantically preparing for this Shinobi Selection.

Children from the great families honed their clan secret techniques under their elders' guidance, while in the usually deserted Konoha Forest, civilian children could occasionally be seen throwing shuriken at targets over and over.

They had all heard that the Land of Fire's daimyo would be attending the competition.

For clan ninja, this was a chance to make a name for themselves and win glory for their clans before the daimyo.

For civilian children, it was an even greater opportunity to change their lives. If they were selected to become a daimyo's guard, not only would their status rise, but their pay and personal safety would also be guaranteed.

After all, who would try to assassinate a daimyo for no reason? Serving as the daimyo's guard was far better than living on edge as a ninja in the village.