The third stage, the Top Ten, began. Each group's first place was paired against the loser's bracket of the same number.
Renji Uchiha had been placed in the tenth group, so his opponent was the tenth loser's bracket survivor. In other words, he was almost guaranteed to advance.
That poor boy had already fought too many battles, using every secret move again and again. By the time he faced Renji, his tricks were all exposed. Bitter as he was, defeat was certain.
Six Uchiha advanced into the Top Ten. Four of them never even used their Sharingan, relying purely on kenjutsu to claim victory.
The clan's training spoke for itself. With Sharingan aiding their sword mastery, even "just practice" yielded extraordinary results.
Now came the real show: the Judges' Exhibition Match. The twenty finalists gathered to watch. Only they, along with the clan heads serving as referees and the Hokage himself, could witness it.
As expected, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang, seized first place. Kenshi Uchiha ranked second, losing by only one move to Sakumo. To everyone's shock, a mere genin named Kosuke Maruboshi managed to topple Shimura Kakuji and claim third. The rest settled into expected order.
Exhibition Ranking:
- Hatake Sakumo (White Fang)
- Kenshi Uchiha
- Kosuke Maruboshi
- Shimura Kakuji
- Moonlight Shinji
- Uzuki Takashi
- Fuyuki Ryuei
- Jōro Sanju
- Oda Saishi
- Kishimoto Dairen
Then came the lottery where judges drew lots for their one-week disciples. Sakumo drew Uchiha Huoluo, sending the boy into a frenzy of joy, shouting wild praises as the elders laughed at his childishness.
Kenshi drew Uchiha Duantian, which pleased everyone. With clan secrets at stake, being mentored by a clansman meant no restraints on Sharingan and sword techniques.
The genin Kosuke drew Renji Uchiha. Renji rushed forward, bowing, flattering, calling him "Master Kosuke" nonstop. He knew what others didn't.
Kosuke carried the legacy of the Second Hokage's sword style, Konoha Flow – Willow, one of the village's top five kenjutsu forms. Renji could hardly believe his luck.
The rest of the pairings were drawn, and by sheer luck, none of the Uchiha landed under Shimura Kakuji's tutelage. Those who did looked miserable, forcing fake smiles while others congratulated them insincerely.
The next week, teachers took their disciples for training. Huoluo shouted home that he was pitching a tent at the Hatake compound and not coming back, sending everyone into laughter.
Kosuke took Renji camping in the Forest of Death, training by day and cooking over campfires by night.
For three days he tested Renji's base, then wrote out scrolls full of adjustments and counter-moves. By the seventh day, Renji had internalized it all.
They ended with a swim in the river, singing and laughing like true master and student.
When Renji returned to the arena, he felt sharp, rested, and strong.
His opponent in the next round was Moonlight Baixiaosheng, first place of the ninth group. The boy used Transparency Release to vanish from sight, circling unseen.
Against most fighters it would be overwhelming. But Renji relied on perception, not sight.
"Sorry, brother," Renji whispered, then drew. "Iaijutsu – Sky Cut!" His blade cleaved the air where Baixiaosheng moved, then followed instantly.
"One Sword Style – Swallow's Return!" The duel ended in a flash, his opponent's sword clattering to the ground.
Spectators were stunned. One boy disappeared, another swung at air, and suddenly it was over. To the untrained eye, it looked like a staged match. But the seasoned recognized the deadly precision.
Renji's strikes carried the edge of a veteran swordsman, proof of Kosuke's careful teaching.
The tournament surged on. One match even forced Uchiha against Uchiha. Finally, the top five were decided: four Uchiha and one Shimura.
The 6–10 bracket gave Uchiha placements at 6th and 8th. Huoluo, brimming with confidence, challenged Shimura Tokuko for 5th. But Tokuko fought ruthless, trading injury for injury, and Huoluo's inexperience cost him.
Renji warned the others that Tokuko was faking weakness, using intimidation and cunning rather than strength.
When it was time to continue, Tokuko raised his hand, declaring himself too wounded to fight further, securing 5th without more risk. Shameless, but effective.
Finally, Renji and Duantian faced each other for the crown. Both ignited their Sharingan, Duantian revealing he had reached three tomoe. Their blades clashed with blinding speed, sparks flying.
Duantian unleashed "Uchiha-ryu Sword Art – Raging Flame Tempest Slash." But Renji countered with "One Sword Style – Iaijutsu, Lion's Song," striking with the flat to avoid mortal injury yet still blasting Duantian off his feet, leaving a bloody gash.
Victory was Renji's. He had become Champion of Konoha's First Sword Tournament.
_____________________________________________
If you're enjoying this story and want to read more advanced chapters, you can support me on Patreon: patreon.com/PurgatorialPoet. Your support helps keep the translations coming faster.