In the 10th year of the Sun God Calendar, the 60th year of Konohagakure—
With the third Chunin Exam and Jonin evaluations approaching, each village was carefully selecting and training their best candidates, hoping to make a name for themselves in the competition.
But then, the Sun God Kingdom dropped a bombshell.
"By decree of His Radiance, the Sun God:
For the future of the shinobi world, the upcoming joint Chunin Exam and Jonin evaluations will be rebranded as the 'Grand Shinobi Tournament.'
The tournament will follow a structured, tiered format, including:
- Chunin Exam
- Jonin Promotion
- Elite Jonin Selection
- Kage-Level (Village Leader/Clan Leader) Combat
- Above-Kage-Level (Beyond Kage)
- Open-Class Battles
Each category will be further divided into 'Elite' and 'Standard' groups, with separate matchups.
Anyone—regardless of affiliation—who is confident in their abilities is welcome to participate.
To encourage strong contenders and uncover hidden talents, outstanding performers will receive special rewards from His Radiance, including:
- Guaranteed mastery of a randomly assigned Kekkei Genkai
- Bloodline purification for shinobi clans
- Personal training from His Radiance
- The prestigious Sun God Seal
The tournament venue has already been decided by a draw among village representatives.
All registered participants must arrive in New Konohagakure in the Land of Fire before the event begins.
The Fifth Hokage will oversee the reception process.
We wish all competitors success and prosperity for the shinobi world.
Long live His Radiance, the Sun God!
Glory and triumph forever!"**
Ten years after the leader of Sun God Kingdom, Hyuga Hitoshi, changed the Chunin Exam format, the joint assessment has undergone its third reform.
In addition to the original test for Genin to become Chunin, new battles have been added for Jonin, Elite Jonin, and Kage-level ninjas. The exam is now divided into standard and elite categories, allowing those who lack confidence in their abilities to have a choice instead of always being background characters for geniuses.
Everyone in the ninja world has value. For ordinary participants, the focus of their assessment doesn't necessarily have to be combat ability, and the Sun God Kingdom's administrative team has done a great job in this regard.
But beyond Kage-level battles and free-for-all fights, the real key point of this announcement is at the end.
Some of the strongest figures in the ninja world don't actually care about proving who is the strongest at the Kage level. And since participation is voluntary, very few of them are willing to sign up.
The reason is simple.
Ninja battles are all about information. In a fight between equals, if your opponent knows your trump card and ultimate move, you're immediately at a disadvantage. No one wants to reveal their techniques in front of others, especially not Kage-level ninjas. They rarely make a move, but when they do, it's a single decisive strike aimed at maximum efficiency.
A public fight where they have to show their abilities in front of everyone? It's already a stretch for village leaders to agree to the Chunin and Jonin assessments.
But this time, things are different. The joint exam, held every three years, was delayed by a year, and now it has returned on a massive scale.
When people saw the rewards listed in the announcement, the entire ninja world's attention was instantly drawn to three words, making their hearts race.
Sun God Seal!
The fact that the Sun God Seal was being offered as a reward was shocking!
Ever since the Sun God Kingdom emerged and completely dominated the first and second joint Chunin Exams, the ninja world had gained a clear understanding of their power. It had become an unspoken rule that ordinary Genin would surrender immediately upon seeing someone with the golden mark on their forehead.
The gap in strength was too overwhelming. Even Kekkei Genkai clans stood no chance once their opponents activated the power of the Sun God Seal. This imbalance had turned the last two joint Chunin Exams into what was essentially an internal competition within the Sun God Kingdom, leaving the other villages as mere spectators. Ordinary participants had no chance of ranking at all.
Because of this, the exam was now split into standard and elite categories.
But now...
The Sun God Kingdom was actually willing to offer the Sun God Seal as a prize?
On top of that, there were random Kekkei Genkai rewards, personal training from the Sun God himself, and even the chance to refine one's own bloodline?
This meant that even ordinary people now had a real chance to rise!
As soon as the news spread, the entire ninja world erupted in excitement.
For the schemers who had already caught wind of this through "insider information" years ago, it was a huge relief—they had been preparing for this moment all along.
This was their best chance to uncover the secrets of the Sun God Kingdom, and they weren't about to let it slip away.
It was clear that this joint exam would be an explosive event. Powerful figures from all over the world would gather in Konohagakure. Even the veteran Kage-level fighters who had been avoiding conflict would finally step forward, eager to prove themselves and claim the Sun God Seal.
After all, those from the Sun God Kingdom already had the Sun God Seal. This battle was likely going to be between outsiders.
Whether someone could break free from their ordinary life and join the Sun God Network, rising to the top, would depend entirely on how hard they fought.
The most shocking part of the announcement was the statement that even those outside the Sun God Kingdom were allowed to participate.
It was a clear message to the hidden forces in the ninja world: as long as you have the strength, even if you are an enemy of the Sun God Kingdom, you can still enter the competition and win the Sun God Seal.
But then again, this was completely in line with the Sun God's character, so no one was particularly surprised.
With the ninja world now in an uproar, every village held emergency meetings to select their candidates for the upcoming grand exam, treating it with utmost importance.
Meanwhile, Fugaku, the lucky man who won the right to host the event, had his hands full, working nonstop to prepare the exam venues and set up protective barriers.
In contrast, the clan leader Hyuga Hitoshi, following his usual principle of letting professionals handle professional work, was completely relaxed. He carried on with his usual routine, simply waiting for the tournament to start and looking forward to whatever surprises Hagoromo and the others would bring him.
Of course, as the leader of the Sun God Kingdom, the strongest ninja in the world, and a living god, he still had certain responsibilities.
One of those was rewarding the contributors to the Sun God Kingdom. He had to personally meet with them, give them encouragement, promise them great things, and keep them loyal to the kingdom.
And today, he was meeting a particularly special contributor.
This person had been introduced by Black Zetsu, who had acted as a go-between. Over the past few years, this individual had made massive contributions to the Sun God Kingdom.
Not only did he establish a new division of the Sun God Construction Corps, taking on countless projects without asking for payment, but he also ventured alone beyond the Five Great Nations, expanding the ninja world's territory by more than double. And instead of claiming the land for himself, he generously handed it all over to the Sun God.
However, it seemed he had a request in return.
In the Sun God Palace, located in the Sun God Kingdom's capital, Hyuga Hitoshi was reclining in Uzumaki Reina's embrace, lazily enjoying grapes fed to him by Yugito. Through the veil before him, he gazed at the figure below.
Beside him, not too far away, the Rabbit Goddess sat with a finely crafted wine glass in hand, her cheeks slightly flushed as she also observed the visitor.
Fugaku had truly mastered the art of pleasing Hyuga Hitoshi over the years. Not only did he know how to flatter him, but he also made sure to maintain a good reputation among the upper ranks of the Sun God Kingdom. He even went out of his way to prepare gifts for the Rabbit Goddess, making sure his service was impeccable.
"Father."
At last, a voice came from below.
Dressed in the Sun God Kingdom's signature golden-patterned robe, Black Zetsu had shed his usual plant-like appearance and respectfully called out.
But the moment he spoke, Hyuga Hitoshi, hidden behind the veil, twitched in annoyance. Yugito and Uzumaki Reina covered their mouths, struggling to hold back laughter, while Kaguya, seated nearby, let out an amused chuckle.
"You don't need to laugh," Hyuga Hitoshi said calmly, shooting Kaguya a glance. His dangerous gaze made her expression stiffen for a moment, before she sighed and relaxed again.
Whatever. Let him do what he wants.
As the Rabbit Goddess, relying on a man occasionally wasn't such a big deal.
"Father."
Black Zetsu called out again, more cautiously this time.
This was the Sun God Palace. He wouldn't dare use his sensory abilities to scan the area without permission.
Over the years, since Hyuga Hitoshi never outright denied Black Zetsu's use of the term "father," his status within the Sun God Kingdom had become rather unique.
Just the other day, Sasuke even called him "big brother" in passing, leaving Black Zetsu completely stunned. He thought Sasuke was just looking for an Itachi replacement to take his anger out on.
But that wasn't the case at all. Sasuke had actually learned about Black Zetsu's origins and past from Mikoto, and…
Why isn't Father talking to me?
Did Mother make him angry?
Mother is really too thoughtless!
Black Zetsu clenched his fists. He planned to talk to Mother when he got the chance and make her understand that Father must not be disrespected.
"Bring him in."
Just as Black Zetsu was feeling uneasy, Hyuga Hitoshi's response finally reached his ears, making him breathe a sigh of relief. He was about to go out and notify Madara when he suddenly remembered something and spoke up again.
"Uh, Father, there's something unusual about this contributor's situation. I should report it to you in advance."
Scratching his head, Black Zetsu put on an innocent, harmless expression.
"It's like this—this contributor is actually a powerful warrior from the Warring States period, accidentally revived by Danzo using Edo Tensei. So his request is to transfer the resurrection to himself."
As he cautiously explained the details of this person who had expanded the Sun God Kingdom's territory, Black Zetsu felt a little unsure himself.
After all, Madara's ultimate goal was the Sun God Seal. He seemed to want to study its power—why it made Nagato so strong.
For someone like Madara to work for someone else for years without causing trouble was already impressive. Black Zetsu wasn't sure if Madara would remain reliable in the future.
But at least Madara and Father had the same goal—Infinite Tsukuyomi. There was no real conflict between them. Whatever happened later would be dealt with then. For now, he had to report this in advance.
Madara might not see working for someone else as humiliating, but Black Zetsu didn't think that way at all. In fact, he believed Hyuga Hitoshi was an incredibly strong person worth following.
"You always come up with new surprises."
Hyuga Hitoshi waved his hand slightly.
"His background and reasoning don't matter. He contributed to the Sun God Kingdom without asking for anything in return, expanded our territory, and did so without causing too many casualties. That's his skill, and such achievements must be rewarded—there's no question about that."
"Besides, do you really think someone as insignificant as Uchiha Madara—who is destined to be just another worker in the Sun God Kingdom—could pose any threat to me?"
Of course not.
On this point, Black Zetsu had no doubts at all. No matter how much trouble Madara stirred up, even if he reached the level of the Sage of Six Paths, what difference would it make? In front of Father, he was still just a slightly bigger ant.
Didn't Father already call him "Uchiha Madara Daimyo"? That meant Father knew about all their little schemes but simply didn't care. Maybe he was even giving Madara an opportunity, testing his attitude.
"When you go in later, don't act tough. If you really get destroyed beyond recovery, then it's all over for you."
At the entrance of the great hall, Black Zetsu gave Madara a serious warning.
"Usually, I wouldn't care, but today you're facing the absolute ruler of the ninja world. You're even relying on him to bring you back to life. If you go in there with an attitude, aren't you just asking for a beating? Come on, give me a smile."
What the hell…
Madara's mouth twitched. He lowered his arms from his chest, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself. Then, he forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.
Under someone else's roof, you have to lower your head.
As crude as Black Zetsu's words were, they made sense. Since he needed this man to revive him, he had to at least act respectful.
Black Zetsu was satisfied with Madara's response. After helping him adjust his clothes, the two of them entered the great hall one after the other.
"Father, I've brought him."
But just as they stepped inside and Black Zetsu spoke, Madara almost lost control, his face full of shock as he looked at his thick-browed, serious-faced "consciousness embodiment."
Yes.
Uchiha Madara, who didn't know Black Zetsu's true nature or the truth behind Infinite Tsukuyomi, still believed that Black Zetsu was a manifestation of his own consciousness—something he had unintentionally created after awakening the Rinnegan and mastering Yin-Yang Release. He never saw Black Zetsu as an enemy.
But what had he just heard?
His own consciousness embodiment was calling someone else "Father"!
And not just anyone—it seemed to be the ruler of the Sun God Kingdom, the supreme Yang God of the entire ninja world?!
What kind of joke was this?
If his own consciousness had acknowledged someone else as its father…
Did that mean he, Uchiha Madara, had also unknowingly become this person's son?!
…
What the hell?!
Had he just become Hyuga Hitoshi's son?!
"My son, no need for formalities."
Likewise, since Madara now saw himself as Hyuga Hitoshi's son, the real Kaguya—who had originally split off Black Zetsu—also found this whole situation extremely awkward.
Thinking about her eventual fate—being overpowered and subdued by Hyuga Hitoshi—she couldn't shake the bizarre thought that she might end up calling him both "husband" and "father" at the same time.
But things had already come to this point. The Rabbit Goddess chose to give up and let Black Zetsu handle it however he wanted.
After a brief exchange, the hall fell into silence.
Hyuga Hitoshi, enjoying a massage from Uzumaki Reina and Yugito, stared at Uchiha Madara with sharp eyes. But Madara couldn't see through the veil separating them. That faint yet overwhelming pressure made him feel like he couldn't even lift his head.
Just a slight hint of Hyuga Hitoshi's presence gave him an intense sense of oppression.
How strong was this man, really?
And what was this strange feeling—this sense that he was being completely seen through? It was as if, in front of Hyuga Hitoshi, he had no secrets at all, as if even his future had already been laid bare.
At that moment—
Even in his Edo Tensei body, Uchiha Madara felt a cold sweat dripping down his back.
"Interesting. Your request is granted."
After a long silence, the supreme Yang God finished his inspection. A soft, warm light descended from the top of the Sun God Hall.
The gentle power began restructuring Uchiha Madara's Edo Tensei body.
A long time had passed since the first use of Resurrection Reincarnation.
Both Hyuga Hitoshi's own strength and his mastery of the Golden Wheel Tenseigan had advanced significantly. His understanding of time itself had also deepened.
Naturally, the Resurrection Reincarnation technique had been upgraded several times as well.
With Hyuga Hitoshi's current power, even if someone's soul is shattered and erased, as long as he can find even the faintest trace of it, he can restore the soul to its peak state and bring the person back to life.
As he absorbs more and more of the Six Paths Ninja Tools, the foundation of his Tenseigan becomes even more terrifying. It's almost time for a true fusion. Once the Ninja World Tournament is over, he can start preparing for the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
A gentle power descended upon Madara. Above the great hall, a towering golden Tenseigan emitted a faint energy. No one knew how much time had passed before the energy slowly faded.
Then—
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
The powerful heartbeat made a wild and unrestrained look appear on Uchiha Madara's face. The sound of blood flowing and his heart beating was the most beautiful music in the world!
"This blood… this beating heart..."
The patterns in Uchiha Madara's eyes were cracking, but the corners of his mouth began to curl upward.
"This is my body."
At that moment, he couldn't help but hold his head, gathering strength—he wanted to laugh out loud with all his might!
But—
Slap!
"A country bumpkin like you has never seen godlike power before. Father, please don't mind him! I'll drag him away right now so he won't disturb your peace!"
A ruthless slap landed hard on Uchiha Madara's face, cutting off his laughter and disrupting his technique. While apologizing to the father figure behind the curtain, Black Zetsu grabbed Madara and started dragging him out of the great hall.
Finally, after successfully dragging the dazed and blind Madara away, Black Zetsu let out a breath of relief at the hall's entrance. Then, he pointed at Madara's nose and started cursing:
"Are you out of your damn mind?! I told you not to act crazy, but you just wouldn't listen! Do you really think Father, who can revive you with a flick of his hand, can't kill you just as easily? Damn it, why did I end up stuck with a useless Indra like you? Look at Sasuke—he actually has some damn sense!"
"What the hell are you saying?!"
Madara, eyes still shut, felt the burning pain on his face. He realized that Black Zetsu had hit him… and somehow, it felt completely justified.
"Alright, you're revived now. Go register for the Ninja World Tournament in Konohagakure. White Zetsu will bring you some new eyes soon—put them in yourself and don't embarrass me!"
After that warning, Black Zetsu turned and left.
Meanwhile, feeling the steady beat of his heart, Uchiha Madara fell into silence.
The good news? He was alive again.
The bad news? The power gap was so massive that he didn't even dare to laugh arrogantly anymore.
Still, at least he was back. Now, he had to find out the source of this overwhelming power.
The Sun God Seal.
He had to get it.
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