The World’s Greatest Shinobi!
Although the Uchiha clan members were informed beforehand that this was just a competition, nearly the entire clan showed up mainly because…
Well… Shisui offered too much!
The winner of the Chunin division would receive a 10 million Ryo prize and a trophy titled ‘Strongest Chunin’ certified by the police force.
The winner of the Jonin division would receive a 30 million Ryo prize and a trophy titled ‘The World’s Greatest Shinobi’ certified by the police force.
Runners-up, third place, and even the top eight would receive significant cash prizes and various honor-laden medals and trophies.
Hmm!
Proud, arrogant, and self-important… the Uchiha naturally wouldn’t admit they were here for the prize money. They were here because the title of ‘The World’s Greatest Shinobi’ rightfully belonged to them. As Uchiha, they had to give their all for the honor!
Was it appropriate that only the Uchiha clan participated in the ‘World’s Greatest Shinobi Tournament’?
Other clans, even the venerable Senju or Hyuga, might find this presumptuous.
But the Uchiha clan!
Except for a few outliers like Shisui, nearly a thousand earnest Uchiha present felt no such misgiving. The idea that the ‘World’s Greatest’ naturally belonged to them never crossed their minds as strange.
As the strongest clan in the Hidden Leaf Village, the Uchiha naturally deserved the title ‘The World’s Greatest.’
Is there a problem with that?
So, when the plaque was unveiled, the Uchiha became even more excited and emotional.
The only discomfort came from the two side plaques beside the ‘World’s Greatest’ plaque. Written in bold characters, they read:
“Conceding is not shameful, and cheating is trash!”
These contrasting lines made the Uchiha feel slightly uncomfortable but didn’t distract them much.
Their attention was focused on the heroic figure under the blazing sun, waiting for this unprecedented event to begin.
“Excellent!”
Shisui surveyed the crowd, satisfaction evident in his expression.
Eighty-eight Jonin!
Sixty had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, their scarlet eyes casting a cold glow even under the sun!
Behind them were one hundred and eighty-eight Special Jonin, their Two-Tomoe Sharingan eyes equally imposing!
As for the six hundred and sixty-six Chunin at the back, while significant in number, they were less impressive by comparison, despite two-thirds having awakened their Sharingan!
As for the Genin?
A few dozen kids are watching curiously with the Uchiha villagers.
Including the Uchiha clan leader and the six elders on the dais, nearly all of the Uchiha’s combat power was present!
Nearly a thousand shinobi, each of such high caliber!
The Uchiha clan, the undisputed strongest in Konoha, accomplished the feat of a single clan holding back an entire village during the Third Great Ninja War. This immense strength made the current Konoha leadership wary.
Shisui couldn’t fathom how Itachi Uchiha annihilated such a powerful clan.
Forget a thousand shinobi. Even a thousand pigs would take Itachi a while to kill!
As for the Third Hokage’s inability to rescue them in time?
Was this another attempt to reenact the Whirlpool Village’s demise with poor acting?
Considering Itachi’s mastery of ninjutsu and the Mangekyo Sharingan, combined with Uchiha’s trust in him, the use of poisons, genjutsu, and ambushes could explain their downfall.
With Obito’s space-time Mangekyo and Root’s treacherous attacks, the Uchiha clan’s demise was unsurprising.
Hmm…
Should I assassinate this traitor first?
The crops I’ve nurtured haven’t matured yet, and many people are trying to steal them. Do they think I’d be grateful? Shisui felt a wave of exasperation.
“Itachi Uchiha, step forward!”
One of the core purposes of the World’s Greatest Shinobi Tournament was to foster recognition and bonds, and Itachi had no place in this.
Hmm?
Special Jonin Itachi frowned. His current task of ‘monitoring the Uchiha clan’ made him wary of attracting attention.
Yes!
The Uchiha’s large-scale movements almost seemed like a coup, but the Konoha leadership remained calm.
This was because Shisui deliberately allowed Shisui and Itachi, the two traitors, to relay the information.
Thus…
The Konoha leadership, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, likely viewed this as a ploy by some instigator.
After all, if the Uchiha were truly rebelling, they wouldn’t have crippled the Root members monitoring them beforehand.
Veterans of the Ninja Wars knew the Uchiha’s strength. Without proof of their betrayal, no clan wanted to make them enemies.
Therefore.
Hiruzen Sarutobi feared a silent Uchiha attack more than an open conflict, doubting Konoha’s ability to fend off other villages after subduing the Uchiha.
If the Uchiha openly rebelled, Hiruzen was confident he could rally Konoha’s forces to crush them swiftly.
The aftermath would be another matter.
Itachi’s mission was to relay the Uchiha’s movements when the Anbu and Root couldn’t infiltrate.
Thus, under Shisui’s cold gaze, Itachi felt increasingly uneasy.
Have I been discovered?
Itachi couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong. Even if there was a mistake, there was no evidence. After a deep breath, he walked onto the massive one-hundred-meter-square platform.
“Is this the notorious ‘instigator’? Shisui told me he’s a ruthless person willing to threaten him with his life!”
Itachi cautiously observed the handsome figure before him. Filled with the Will of Fire, he was naturally angry at this ‘villain’ disrupting clan and village harmony, but as a double agent, he had to feign ignorance.
“What is it?”
Shisui remained silent, examining the small figure before him with a peculiar look.
Finally!
His killing intent faded, replaced by a mischievous smile. Shisui spoke warmly to Itachi.
“Kid, how old are you?”
…
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