Changing the Rules of the Competition

Yoruichi's cry of pain did not last long. His back slammed into a thick tree trunk, knocking the breath out of him, and he slid to the ground.

He stared blankly at the sky, with no idea what had happened.

He could not understand how Eiji had pulled him over or why he had been unable to move. All he knew was that the heavy punch had left an impression he would never forget. Then dizziness overtook him, and he gradually lost consciousness.

Poof! As Yoruichi passed out, his Shadow Clone vanished too.

The once-noisy spectator area fell dead silent.

"Just like that... it's over? With one punch!?"

"That's terrifying. Who is this Ryuuzaki Eiji? How come I've never heard of him?"

The civilians kept talking, but while they were stunned, the Ninja from the Great Families looked grim.

The Uchiha Clan Members' side erupted. Many complained that Yoruichi was too weak, but even more were shaken by the Ninjutsu Eiji had used to Teleportation him to his side.

No good. I couldn't tell what kind of Ninjutsu that was at all. The Sharingan couldn't see through it.

The scarlet faded from Fugaku's eyes. He shook his head helplessly. Eiji must have used that Ninjutsu when he dealt with the Root Ninja earlier.

The Hyuga Clan Members looked grim as well. Their expressions had darkened the moment Eiji appeared, because their Byakugan had shown them how extraordinarily robust his Chakra pathways were.

No one understood the situation better than the Hyuga Clan. For someone as powerful as Ryuuzaki Eiji to face an Uchiha child who had only just graduated was like an adult fighting a kid.

His Chakra reserves had not visibly diminished at all. In other words, that Ninjutsu had cost him next to nothing... But how was that possible?

The more Hyuga Hiashi thought about it, the more alarmed he became. He had gained an even deeper understanding of Eiji's strength.

"Yes! Eiji won! Eiji... you're amazing!!!"

Kushina shouted excitedly. Her fists trembled where she held them against her chest, and at last she could not help leaping from her seat.

"H-how did he do that!?"

Jiraiya rubbed his eyes. He had no idea what had happened.

Seeing his astonishment, Tsunade grinned. That was exactly the expression she had been waiting for.

She had seen Eiji use that ability many times at the Ancestral Home. He usually used the Telekinesis-like power against Nawaki when he came to challenge him, though more often he used it to fetch ingredients from a distance while cooking. It was an incredibly versatile Ninjutsu.

"Interesting Ninjutsu. If I saw correctly, that Uchiha child tried to break free but failed."

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth.

"So it does more than Teleportation someone from a distance to his side. It seems to restrain them somehow, too."

It was an ability he had never seen before, and Eiji had not even made any Hand Seals.

So is this the power those eyes give him?

Orochimaru had also heard that those eyes could stop physical objects. Unfortunately, Eiji had not displayed that ability just now.

Still, the confidence with which he had thrown that punch, without the slightest concern that the Kunai might cut him, lent some support to the rumor.

I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve, Eiji.

The Daimyo beamed at Eiji's impressive performance.

He had not expected Ryuuzaki Eiji to be both an excellent cook and such a formidable fighter. At that thought, he glanced toward Sayuri, who was quietly watching the match.

Sayuri seemed stunned by Eiji's strength too. An unusual light shone in her eyes.

The girl was interested in Ryuuzaki Eiji anyway. He would not mind bringing them together.

These were troubled times. In a world ruled by Ninja, what good was noble blood without strength to back it up?

And in such a world, a woman needed a powerful protector to rely on. It had nothing to do with her personality; it was simply an instinct for survival.

Of course, he would not force her. He could see that Eiji already had a girl from the Uzumaki Clan at his side. But who said a man could have only one woman?

Apart from the wife he had married for political reasons, he himself had taken four women of far lower standing as wives. To him, there was nothing unusual about it.

What mattered was Ryuuzaki Eiji's potential. If Eiji grew strong enough to command the respect of the entire Shinobi World, an investment made today would bring riches in the Future. That was the foresight he possessed as Daimyo.

Now, I suppose it's time to fulfill Lady Mito's request. She certainly thinks highly of this boy.

Could it be... she wants Ryuuzaki Eiji to become the next Hokage?

If so, even marrying Sayuri to Ryuuzaki Eiji as a concubine would be an enormous gain for the Daimyo's family.

"Lord Hokage, at this rate, who knows when the matches will end? They're not much of a spectacle, either. I have a proposal."

Some time later, in the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were arguing fiercely.

"No! I object! This is madness! How could you agree to it, Hiruzen!"

Utatane Koharu shouted at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, this has gone too far. The Daimyo may hold a noble position, but he can't interfere with Konoha's decisions whenever he likes. Surely you can see that he's trying to influence the selection of the Future Hokage!"

Mitokado Homura frowned as he voiced his displeasure to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I understand your concerns, but—"

"Hiruzen, you're too weak!"

The sharp rebuke cut Hiruzen Sarutobi off. A man with a bandage over his right eye strode toward them.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened the instant he saw Danzo.

"Danzo, didn't I order you to stay on the Clan Grounds and reflect on your actions? Why were you allowed to leave? Where are the Anbu assigned to guard you?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were uneasy to see Danzo walk in so brazenly. They opened their mouths, but in the end, both chose to remain silent for the moment.

"Ryuuzaki Eiji is too dangerous. Can't you see that? Those eyes are even more dangerous than the Sharingan! His power must be brought under control. Hand him over to me—"

"Enough, Danzo! How long are you going to keep this up?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply displeased. The Daimyo thought highly of Eiji, Mito protected him, and Tsunade had taken him as her student. And Danzo wanted Eiji handed over to him?

At times, Hiruzen genuinely questioned his old friend's intelligence. Had Danzo thrown away his brain for the sake of ambition?