The Youth Competition Begins

The Uchiha Clan's competition for young ninja was held once every three years, a stage for the clan's younger generation to show their strength.

Any clan member under twelve could participate. They would fight one-on-one until the top three were decided, with generous prizes-one Ninjutsu Scroll for first place, a set of Kunai for second, and ten thousand ryō in silver for third.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up when he heard the news. Ten thousand ryō! I'd still have plenty left after paying back what I owe the system! He promptly signed up.

When he registered, the elder handling registration saw that he was only five and tried to dissuade him. "Child, this competition is no game. You could get hurt."

Uchiha Rìtiān gave him an innocent smile. "Grandpa Elder, I'm not afraid! I'm really strong!"

The elder shook his head but registered him anyway. Every year, there were children who didn't know their own limits and got eliminated in the first round.

The day of the competition soon arrived. Clan members crowded around the training ground to watch.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood out among the contestants-he was simply too short. Even the youngest of the others were seven or eight. A little five-year-old brat standing among them, he looked like a chicken among cranes.

People pointed and whispered. "Whose kid is that? Competing when he's so little?" "Isn't he the one who sells ice cream? Does he even know any ninjutsu?"

Uchiha Rìtiān listened to their chatter with inward disdain. Make me cry? We'll see who makes whom cry.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "Well, if it isn't the big boss, Uchiha Rìtiān! Earned enough selling ice cream and come to play in the competition?"

Uchiha Rìtiān turned to look. Well, speak of the devil-wasn't that Daisuke?

Daisuke had two lackeys with him and wore an arrogant expression. Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it's the guy I beat. What, didn't get thrashed badly enough last time? Back for more punishment?"

Daisuke flushed. "I let my guard down last time! This time, I'll make you pay!"

Uchiha Rìtiān picked at his ear. "Oh? I'll be waiting. But you'd better pray you don't face me in the first round. Otherwise... you know."

Daisuke's face turned purple with anger, but he really was a little afraid of Uchiha Rìtiān's Three Basic Jutsu and didn't dare talk back just then.

One of the lackeys beside him stepped forward. "What are you so cocky about, brat? I'm Uchiha Ken! If you face me later, just watch how I deal with you!"

Uchiha Rìtiān yawned. "Oh, got it. Just don't get knocked out in the first round."

Just as the tension was mounting, the referee called out, "Quiet! The competition begins! Announcing the first-round matchups!"

"First match, Uchiha Daisuke versus-Uchiha Rìtiān!"

The crowd fell silent for a second, then burst out laughing. "Haha, speak of the devil!"

Daisuke's face turned green. How could it be such a coincidence?

Uchiha Rìtiān looked delighted. "Oh my, it really is you, Daisuke! We must be destined to meet."

Daisuke said nothing. Who's destined to meet you?!

Daisuke glanced at Uchiha Ken and gave him a meaningful look. Uchiha Ken nodded slightly.

Uchiha Rìtiān caught it all and sneered inwardly. Still trying to play dirty? Fine, I'll play along.

"First match, begin!"

Daisuke glared viciously at Uchiha Rìtiān. "Brat, I let my guard down last time. This time, I definitely won't lose!"

Uchiha Rìtiān picked at his ear. "You said that last time, too."

Daisuke charged with an angry roar and threw a punch at Uchiha Rìtiān. Uchiha Rìtiān dodged sideways and stuck out a foot to trip him.

Thud! Daisuke fell flat on his face. Laughter erupted around them.

Daisuke scrambled up, his face bright red. "You cheated!"

Uchiha Rìtiān spread his hands. "All's fair in war. It's called tactics, understand?"

"I don't understand any of that tactics stuff! The harder fist makes the rules!" Daisuke roared and charged again.

Uchiha Rìtiān switched into "take Daisuke for a walk" mode, dodging this way and that and running circles around him.

After chasing him for ages without even touching the hem of his clothes, Daisuke was panting with exhaustion. "You... stop running if you've got the guts!"

Uchiha Rìtiān chuckled. "Do you think I'm stupid? Why would I stand still and let you hit me?"

Just then, Uchiha Rìtiān noticed Uchiha Ken quietly moving at the edge of the arena. While everyone's attention was on the match, he secretly took out several Shuriken and aimed them at Uchiha Rìtiān.

Uchiha Rìtiān narrowed his eyes. Well, well. You really dare to play dirty?

The instant Uchiha Ken was about to throw them, Uchiha Rìtiān suddenly moved. "Substitution Technique!"

With a bang, Uchiha Rìtiān turned into a wooden log, while his real body instantly appeared behind Uchiha Ken.

Uchiha Rìtiān raised his foot and kicked him right in the backside. "Off you go!"

"Aah!" Uchiha Ken screamed as he pitched forward. The Shuriken flew out of his hand and, as luck would have it, headed straight for Daisuke.

Daisuke was still wondering what was happening when he looked up and saw the Shuriken coming. "Holy shit!" He hurriedly dove aside, and the Shuriken grazed past his ear and embedded themselves in a pillar.

Everyone froze. What was going on?

Uchiha Rìtiān looked "surprised." "Oh my, Uchiha Ken, how did you fall out here? You nearly hurt Daisuke, too. That was so dangerous!"

Uchiha Ken got up, his face alternating between red and white. He wanted to say Uchiha Rìtiān had kicked him, but who had seen it?

The referee's expression darkened. "Uchiha Ken! You're disqualified! Get out!"

Uchiha Ken went deathly pale and slunk away.

Uchiha Rìtiān laughed to himself. Taking me on? You're still too green.

The referee turned to Daisuke. "Continue the match."

Daisuke gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with both anger and fear.

Over the next few minutes, Uchiha Rìtiān pulled out every flashy trick he had. One moment, he used the Transformation Technique to look like Daisuke; the next, he used the Clone Technique to create several copies of himself and circle around Daisuke.

Daisuke was so dizzy from being toyed with that he finally sat down on the ground. "I'm done, I'm done! I surrender!"

Grinning, Uchiha Rìtiān dismissed his clones. "Oh, giving up already? I haven't had enough fun yet."

The referee announced, "First match, Uchiha Rìtiān wins!"

Applause and laughter erupted around them. "This kid's a riot!" "He's really slick with the Three Basic Jutsu. Better than plenty of Genin."

Uchiha Rìtiān strutted off the arena, thoroughly satisfied with his successful showing off. He gave himself an inward thumbs-up. That performance deserves full marks!

Just then, he felt a piercing gaze on him. He looked up to see a boy of eight or nine watching him coldly from the stands, his eyes indifferent and a disdainful curl to his lips.

Someone nearby whispered, "Isn't that Uchiha Shō? He awakened the One-Tomoe Sharingan last year!" "He's a favorite to win the championship!"

Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow. Someone who's awakened the Sharingan? Interesting.

Uchiha Shō seemed to notice his gaze. His lips curved into a sneer, and he mouthed a word-"Trash."

Uchiha Rìtiān wasn't angry. He flashed him a brilliant smile, then raised his middle finger.

Uchiha Shō's expression instantly darkened.

Uchiha Rìtiān chuckled and turned to leave. That ought to piss you off!

Still, he knew Uchiha Shō would be a formidable opponent. The One-Tomoe Sharingan, huh...

Should I... awaken mine for fun, too?

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.