Torrent City loomed on the edge of the Hidden Rain Village, dwarfing its neighbor in both size and ambition—a metropolis a hundred times larger than Rain itself, rivaling the capitals of the great nations.
A decade ago, when the Great Ninja Tournament system was born, Rain took the lead as host, pouring billions of ryo and a year's labor into building this colossal city—a stage worthy of the ninja world's grandest spectacle.
Each year, the Five Great Villages and Rain would select a hundred of their best to compete. Later, to encourage the smaller nations and villages to join the world stage, fifty more slots were opened for the underdogs. That brought the total to around 150 ninja—though only a hundred would make it past the brutal first written exam and into the survival battle.
Survive, and you earned a shot at the third round: the arena matches, where rankings and performance determined who would be named that year's "Earth-level Ninja."
Naturally, people wondered: once you'd made Earth-level through the tournament, could you come back for more? The answer was simple—hell yes.
If they barred repeat contenders, the tournament would be nothing but an "Earth-level exam"—hardly fitting for the ninja world's ultimate event.
Here's how it worked: Only those who claimed Earth-level status five times in a row, or seven times total, earned the coveted "permanent" Earth-level qualification. And only with that badge could you aim for the next rung: Heaven-level.
Even Naruto—the world's undisputed strongest ninja—climbed his way up through the Great Tournament, clinching his permanent Earth-level at the fifth tournament six years ago, and moving up to Heaven-level.
Heaven-level was the pinnacle: ten seats, no more. The first ten permanent Earth-level ninja ascended automatically; after that, it was survival of the fittest. At the end of the third stage, any newly minted permanent Earth-level ninja could challenge one of the ten Heaven-levels. Win, and you took their spot. Lose, and there was always next year.
With this system, young prodigies and old legends alike dreamed of one day earning the ninja world's highest honor—the title of Heaven-level Ninja.
This was the Great Ninja Tournament.
Ten days before the opening, the roads of every nation buzzed with travelers. Those with the means snagged expensive tickets and made their way to Torrent City from every corner of the continent.
During the tournament, Rain became the heart of the ninja world. No exaggeration—one third of Rain's annual revenue came straight from tournament proceeds. The city's initial investment paid itself off by year two.
But with the flood of visitors—and the threat of the "Violence Gang" extremist group—security was tighter than ever. Last year, Amado, inspired by Naruto's "malice detection," developed the Mind Monitor: a sensor that flagged anyone with ill intent. Rain's ANBU would drag them off for interrogation, and if they turned out to be Violence Gang, they'd be beaten to death on the spot.
After last year's lesson, nobody dared cause trouble this time.
The daimyos of the Five Great Nations, honored for their role in shaping the ninja world's prosperity, arrived a day early, personally escorted by Rain's elite Flying Thunder God Squad. Rain provided everything—luxury mansions, food, entertainment—the works.
The Flying Thunder God Squad was the brainchild of Amamiya Ruri, who had championed universal ninja training in Rain. In the old days, countless geniuses wasted away in obscurity, but with everyone training as ninja, prodigies emerged everywhere. Three years ago, the "Ninja Conscription System" kicked things into overdrive.
From Rain's ten million citizens, Ruri handpicked ten gifted children, put them through hellish training, and taught them the legendary Flying Thunder God Technique. The one who oversaw their training? None other than Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage himself.
Naruto, of course, was oblivious. He'd noticed Rain's ninja ranks swelling, but when he asked Konan, she just shrugged it off as "expanded recruitment."
Truth was, Ruri had already struck deals with Rain's power players. Everyone knew the plan—except Naruto. They'd all agreed to keep it quiet, embracing the spirit of Naruto's old motto: "subtle influence."
It wasn't out of malice. First, everyone believed the move was for the greater good. Second, they couldn't wait to see Naruto's reaction when the truth finally came out.
So, in Rain, it was pretty much common knowledge—except to Naruto.
These days, aside from his role as Konoha's "military advisor," Naruto barely had to lift a finger.
He had no idea that little Rain now commanded a million official ninja, and the ranks were multiplying every year…
On the morning of the tournament, Naruto woke early and headed to Rain's tea house—a place that never closed.
Every year, at this time, he'd come here to catch up with old friends.
He pushed open the door, dressed in casual clothes.
Someone was already there. In the corner, Sasuke sat cloaked in shadow, bangs covering his left eye, the right Rinnegan gleaming. He set down his teacup, a faint smile curling his lips. "You're here."
Sasuke's aura had changed over the years—no longer sharp and volatile, but quiet, gentle, mature.
"Yeah." Naruto slid into the seat across from him. "How've you been?"
Sasuke shook his head, a trace of melancholy in his gaze. "Same as always…"
Naruto had settled down—two kids now. Himawari was ten, Boruto eight.
Rain's compound echoed with the voices of the new generation.
Madara and Ari's daughter, Uchiha Mai, was ten.
Itachi and Izumi's daughter, Uchiha Yume, was seven.
Jiraiya and Tsunade's daughter—Yuwaka—was six.
And Mitsuki, now eight, wasn't a clone anymore but Orochimaru's biological son. As for the father… well, that was still a mystery.
But Sasuke… Sasuke was still alone.
Naruto remembered not just the wars of his past life, but the warmth of family, too.
Sasuke had tried more than once to reconcile with Sakura.
But Sakura, back when she refused resurrection through Rinne Rebirth, had made her position clear.
Even after Sasuke's heartfelt apologies, Sakura wouldn't budge.
Naruto carried a heavy guilt about it. He'd talked with Sakura in private, even showed her memories from his past life. She was moved, but her answer stayed the same.
She'd said it outright—this life wasn't about the past. She planned to spend it alone.
Naruto ventured, "Want me to talk to Sakura again?"
Sasuke smiled. "No need. Life isn't just about marriage and career. I'm fine on my own…"
Naruto pressed, "What about Karin? Ever thought about her?"
Sasuke shook his head. "Don't bring her up. Haven't seen her in years."
"Ah…" Naruto looked down at his tea, hiding something.
Years ago, Karin had somehow gotten hold of Sasuke's genetic material and asked Kabuto to perform IVF—she wanted a child to carry on Sasuke's legacy. Kabuto was happy to oblige.
By the time Naruto found out, it was a done deal.
He'd quietly visited the child. Strangely, aside from the Uzumaki red hair, the girl looked exactly like Sarada—Sasuke's daughter from his past life.
Whether it was Karin's intention or not, she'd named the girl "Uchiha Sarada."
And this year, the eight-year-old Sarada was set to compete in the Great Tournament…
Naruto sighed inwardly. This mess… I hope Sasuke's heart can take it…
BANG!
The tea house door exploded open—a kick that shook the walls.
Sasuke didn't even flinch. "All these years, still the same."
Naruto grinned. "Uncle Madara, this tea house belongs to Kakuzu's wife. Try to show a little respect for the guy's troubles, huh?"
"Hmph. Not my problem."
Madara strode in, grabbed a chair, and dropped into it. "Hashirama's not here yet?"
Whoosh!
A black vortex swirled, and a man in a black coat materialized in the room.
He glanced around. "Looks like I'm not the last one here…"
Naruto shot a knowing look at the stool Madara had claimed, a sly smile on his lips. "Yeah… probably not…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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