Changing the Tournament Rules

Yoruichi cried out in pain, but he did not stay conscious for long. His back slammed into a thick tree trunk, knocking the breath from him, and he slid down 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 struck him with a force he would never forget. Then dizziness washed over him, and he gradually lost consciousness.

Poof! As Yoruichi passed out, the Shadow Clone vanished.

The viewing area, noisy just moments before, fell dead silent.

"That's it... it's over? With just one punch!?"

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

The civilians could not stop talking, but while they were stunned, the Ninja from the major clans looked grim.

The Uchiha were in an uproar. Many complained that Yoruichi was too weak, but even more were shaken by the Ninjutsu Eiji had used to pull him instantly to his side.

No good. I couldn't tell what 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 earlier against the Root Ninja.

The Hyuga looked troubled too. Their expressions had soured the moment Eiji appeared, because their Byakugan showed them how extraordinarily robust his Chakra pathways were. It was frightening.

No one understood the situation better than the Hyuga Clan. Pitting someone as powerful as Ryuuzaki Eiji against an Uchiha child who had only just graduated was like setting an adult against a child.

His Chakra reserves had not diminished in the slightest. In other words, that Ninjutsu had cost virtually nothing... But how was that possible?

The more Hyuga Hiashi thought about it, the more alarmed he became. He had to revise his understanding of Eiji's strength yet again.

"That's great! Eiji won! Eiji... you were amazing!!!"

Kushina shouted excitedly. She clasped her trembling fists to her chest, then could not help leaping from her seat.

"H-how did he do that!?"

Jiraiya rubbed his eyes. He had not understood what happened at all.

Seeing his astonished expression, Tsunade broke into a broad grin. That was exactly the reaction she had been waiting for.

She had seen Eiji use this ability many times at the Ancestral Home. He often used its seemingly telekinetic power against Nawaki when he came to challenge him, though he used it even more often to fetch cooking ingredients from a distance. It was an incredibly versatile Ninjutsu.

"An interesting Ninjutsu. If I saw correctly, that Uchiha child tried to break free just now, but he couldn't."

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth.

"So it doesn't merely bring someone to his side from a distance. It also appears to restrain them somehow."

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

So this is a power those eyes give him?

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

Still, the confidence with which Eiji had thrown his 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'll show me, Eiji.

The Daimyo grinned from ear to ear at Eiji's performance.

Ryuuzaki Eiji was not only a superb cook; his strength was astonishing too. With that thought, the Daimyo glanced toward Sayuri, who was quietly watching the match.

Sayuri seemed just as amazed by Eiji's strength. An unusual light shone in her eyes.

The girl was interested in Ryuuzaki Eiji already. The Daimyo would not mind bringing them together.

These were troubled times. In a world ruled by Ninja, noble blood meant little beside genuine strength.

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

Of course, he would not force the matter. 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 his principal wife, whom he had married for political reasons, he had taken four women of vastly different social standing as wives. He considered it perfectly normal.

What mattered to him was Ryuuzaki Eiji's potential. If Eiji grew strong enough to command the respect of the entire Shinobi World, today's investment would become tomorrow's fortune. That was the foresight he possessed as Daimyo.

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

Could she want Ryuuzaki Eiji to become the next Hokage?

If so, even having Sayuri marry Ryuuzaki Eiji as a concubine would be an enormous gain for the Daimyo's line.

"Lord Hokage, there's no telling when these matches will end at this rate, and they aren't particularly entertaining. I have a proposal."

Some time later, in the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were locked in a heated argument.

"No. I object! This is completely reckless. How could you agree to it, Hiruzen!"

Utatane Koharu shouted at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen! This has gone too far. The Daimyo may hold a lofty position, but that doesn't give him the right to interfere in Konoha's decisions. Surely you can see he's trying to meddle in the selection of the next 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 the newcomer.

"Danzo, didn't I order you to stay in the Clan Grounds and reflect on what you did? Why were you allowed to leave? Where are the Anbu assigned to watch you?"

Seeing Danzo walk in so brazenly, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked uneasy. They opened their mouths, but ultimately chose to remain silent for the moment.

"Ryuuzaki Eiji is far 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, and I'll—"

"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?

Sometimes Hiruzen genuinely wondered about his old friend's intelligence. Had Danzo cast aside his wits for the sake of his ambition?