[Kamui Marecage, Pseudo-Otogakure, Bones Academy]
"SHIMURA TAKESHI HAS WON!", the instructor shouted, making it the sixth consecutive win of a Shimura clansman against a Hagomoro's prodigy.
The next match was an interesting one. Danzo was beginning to be bored, but Aiko Hebikaze, the patriarch Toru's daughter, was faced against a Yashiro clansman. The Yashiro clansman was known to use seals rather than chakra strings, a tradeoff of manoeuvrability for independance.
Aiko Hebikaze twirled a senbon needle between her fingers, her lips stained faintly blue from the clan's venomous bloodline. Yashiro Masaru unsealed a puppet—a wooden falcon etched with outdated Suna seals.
The falcon dove, talons glinting. Aiko didn't flinch.
Hebikaze Secret Art: Serpent Bind [C]
Snakes erupted from her sleeves, coiling around the puppet's joints. The falcon stuttered, its mechanisms gummed by venom. Masuru's hands trembled as he struggled, urging his seals. However, his distress was all but an act. He smirked, and detonated his own puppet.
Aiko, who took the explosive tag from close distance, had her whole body charred, but she had not claimed defeat. In a rush of adrenaline, she threw her senbon into his shoulder, and he collapsed, kneeling.
"Outsourced puppetry", gasped a Kaonashi instructor, "Without innovation, it's just…wood. But this youngster just found a nice trick"
The fight was in stalemate, the Yashiro's heir struggling against poison, Aiko through pain and burn marks. Aiko took a vial out of her pocket and injected it in her body, a regent from the Hebikaze clan. However, Toru Hebikaze, seeing the superchery, intervened and slapped her
"The Yashiro heir wins. My daughter just used illegal shinobi gear. My apologies for this unsightful error", Toru Hebikaze said in disgust and disappointment
Whether it was the explosion, or her father's look, she fainted.
Amused at the sight, Danzo shook his head: "Don't be too hard on her. Being willing to win at all stakes is a strength in itself. Still, the Yashiro heir proved his superiority in this match"
In seven matches, it was the first time an outer clan won...
A kaonashi student was matched against a civilian student. It was not even close. The Kaonashi imitated the kenjutsu style of his opponent, and won with ease.
Next was a Hebikaze student against a Sori student. Despite having strong foundations in swordsmanship, it paled infinitely compared to what Ren Shimura had just displayed. The Sori ended up almost dead, the Hebikaze defeating him by strangulation, having transformed his arms into snake weaponry.
Eventually, the day passed, without any meaningful fights. First place went to Ren Shimura. Second to Hana Shimura. Third to Futo Shimura.
Danzo's legacy was showing. The resources, techniques and role model he provided had widened the gap between the strongest clans with the Shimura clan, not to mention the other clans. It was a difficult truth to accept, but everyone could see why.
"Have you decided who will be your future students?", the dean asked Danzo
Danzo shook his head: "If I choose them right now, they would be from my clan. And they will grow complacent.", his words for everyone to hear, especially those on the podium.
Hearing the facts, they clenched their fist, but their eyes showed unbattered determination.
"So be it", the dean said, with a knowing gaze. Their leader truly had a way with words. After all, it meant that everyone still had a chance, and would work even harder to have the honour of being chosen as one of Danzo's student.
The clan leaders, too, showed a knowing smile.
Otogakure was fragmented in different classes, yet a strong sense of unity prevailed. Danzo's actions showed a semblance of meritocracy, even if that meritocracy existed only in their minds. The regents, genetic enhancement drugs, and even ether gas that was coursing the underground pipeline...They were all cheats that reinforced the major clans in priority.
Still, Danzo aimed at rewarding the outer clan for their efforts.
"From now on, each clan will receive 100 portions of royal rice per trimester, besides the occasional bonuses from missions. Make sure to treasure these and allocate them wisely", Danzo said. Eiji had managed to increase the productivity of royal rice fields by 20% recently, so it was only fair to provide the clans with some incentive to work even harder.