The capital city of the Land of Fire had never been this alive.
The wide stone plaza outside the Daimyō's palace was transformed into a grand arena, banners of every clan fluttering in the wind. Drums echoed in rhythmic booms, their deep resonance carrying across the crowd like thunder. Nobles in silk robes, merchants in rich attire, shinobi in clan crests — all stood in tightly arranged sections. The air buzzed with excitement, tension, and suspicion, for this was no ordinary gathering. This was the Land of Fire Youth Ninja Competition, where the heirs of clans would prove their worth before nobles, shinobi, and the Daimyō himself.
At the center of the plaza, a raised platform gleamed with polished wood and golden trim. Upon it sat the Daimyō, resplendent in layered robes of crimson and gold, flanked by his guards. Beside him sat high-ranking nobles, the Merchant Association leaders, and the most powerful clan heads of the Land of Fire.
Madara Uchiha stood like a shadow among them, his crimson eyes hidden beneath a hood. Unohana sat to his left, her calm, deadly aura enough to make several nobles shift uncomfortably in their seats. Tajima Uchiha, Madara's father, remained still, arms crossed, his expression carved from stone.
And below the stage, Keiji stood with the other heirs, Gengar's invisible presence coiling around him like smoke. He could feel dozens of eyes boring into him already. The hum of chakra in the air was suffocating, a storm of talent and ambition gathered in one place.
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The Host's Call
A herald stepped forward, his voice amplified by chakra:
"By decree of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, we commence the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Ninja Competition! Today, the heirs of our great clans shall be presented before the court, so all may witness the future of our nation!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and murmurs. Nobles leaned forward with fans raised to their lips, merchants whispered about which clan might rise or fall, and shinobi clans tightened their focus.
One by one, names were called.
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The Heirs Revealed
"Asahi Senju!"
The boy stepped forward with calm grace, clad in green and gold. His black hair was tied neatly, his posture unyielding. His black eyes radiated patience, like the earth itself. Whispers spread—Hashirama's nephew… a true Senju heir.
"Sayaka Senju!"
The crimson-black-haired girl stormed onto the platform, sharp energy radiating from her. She bowed, but her eyes already searched for rivals. A sealing prodigy, the nobles whispered.
"Renjiro Uzumaki!"
The red-haired boy's grin lit up the stage. His freckles gave him an almost boyish look, but the Uzumaki spirals on his armor and the chains he carried made elders nod in approval.
"Kaya Kaguya!"
The silver-haired girl stepped forward with quiet precision, each step like a dance. The moment her pale eyes swept the crowd, a ripple of unease spread. A Kaguya with elegance? Dangerous.
"Daigo Hagoromo!"
Gasps erupted as the horned boy appeared, his golden armor glinting. The Sage's bloodline itself, marked by whiskers and strange tattoos. He carried the Banana Palm Fan upon his back, its legendary presence undeniable.
And so the names continued.
Shikanobu Nara, lazy yet calculating. Inoka Yamanaka, sly and sharp-eyed. Dōtō Akimichi, broad-shouldered and smiling with childlike cheer. Toru Sarutobi, fiery and restless. Kyousuke Shimura, disciplined and calculating.
Each name echoed with its weight. Miyako Utatane, Kaito Mitokado, Sho Aburame, Hinuru Hyūga, Hanazura Inuzuka,
Raizen Hatake, Ayame Kurama,
Shigeki Kohaku, Haruto Namikaze… one by one, they took the stage.
Every clan head measured the others. Every noble whispered speculation. And Keiji felt it—the battlefield here was not blades or kunai. It was bloodlines and perception.
---
The Ghost's Son
Finally, the herald's voice rang again:
"And now… the heir of the Uchiha Clan. Keiji Uchiha!"
The plaza erupted.
Keiji stepped forward, clad in black and crimson battle robes with the Uchiha crest burning like flame across his back. His Sharingan was dormant, but the intensity of his gaze silenced even the loudest voices.
But it was not just him.
Because the herald's voice did not stop.
"Son of Madara Uchiha, the Ghost of the Uchiha… and Lady Unohana Uchiha."
For a heartbeat, silence fell.
And then chaos.
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Shockwaves
The Daimyō straightened, his eyes wide. Nobles fanned themselves furiously, murmuring. The Merchant Association exchanged frantic glances.
But the greatest shock was among the shinobi.
Hashirama Senju, seated beside his father Butsuma, looked as if the ground had been pulled from beneath him. His calm eyes widened in disbelief. Beside him, Tobirama clenched his jaw, fury and calculation battling in his gaze.
Mito Uzumaki stiffened, her sealing chains faintly rattling under her robes. Elder Ashina of the Uzumaki narrowed his eyes, his sharp perception cutting through the moment.
Among the heirs, Sayaka gasped audibly. Renjiro muttered, "Impossible." Asahi Senju simply exhaled sharply, gaze flicking between Madara and Keiji.
Because everyone knew one truth.
Madara Uchiha was infamous for being heartless in all but battle. He had rejected countless political proposals, ignored noble daughters, and shown no sign of caring for anything but war.
And now… not only had he married… he had married Unohana.
The woman whispered about in dread, healer and killer both, the Crimson Blade of the battlefield.
The most dangerous woman of this era.
---
Whispers in the Arena
"Madara has a son?!"
"With her? That woman?!"
"The Ghost of the Uchiha… actually wed?!"
"This changes everything…!"
The Daimyō himself raised a hand, silencing the noise, though his face betrayed his own shock. His calculating eyes turned to Madara, then Keiji.
Unohana's faint smile did not waver. Her presence was colder than steel, and more than one elder shrank back.
Gengar's shadow flickered for just a moment, invisible to most, but those sensitive enough to chakra shivered at the unseen chill.
Keiji stood still, heart pounding. He had expected whispers, suspicion, maybe even awe. But this level of shock… it was as if the ground itself had split.
---
The Stares of Rivals
Every heir turned their eyes toward him.
Asahi Senju's calm gaze studied him, weighing, calculating.
Sayaka Senju's fists clenched, her glare sharp with indignation.
Renjiro Uzumaki's grin faded into wary focus.
Kaya Kaguya's silver eyes were cold, almost intrigued.
Daigo Hagoromo smirked, eager for a challenge.
Shikanobu Nara's dark eyes narrowed, interest piqued.
Hinuru Hyūga's Byakugan pulsed faintly, as if trying to read the flow of Keiji's chakra.
One by one, they measured him not as just another heir.
But as the son of Madara Uchiha.
The herald hesitated, as if unsure how to proceed.
Then, the Daimyō leaned forward, voice cutting through the air like a blade:
"Let the competition begin."
But beneath the roar of the crowd, one thought spread across the arena like wildfire—
The son of the Ghost has arrived.
And for the first time in decades, even the Senju and Uzumaki were shaken.
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End of the Chapter
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