The next day, the opening ceremony of the World's Strongest Shinobi Tournament began as scheduled.
All contestants exchanged their invitations for numbered participation plates at a dedicated office, then gathered in the large arena on the outskirts of Konoha, awaiting the start of the ceremony.
Of the participants, those from the Five Great Nations accounted for over ninety percent of the total number. The rest were shinobi from smaller nations and some wandering ninja looking to make a name for themselves.
"My number is 73. What's yours, Fugaku?" Nawaki asked Fugaku, who was standing beside him in the crowd.
Fugaku replied softly, "25."
"Huh, are our numbers that far apart? I thought they'd be close."
"It was probably a random draw."
Fugaku glanced at Nawaki, who was still fiddling with his number plate. "You should probably put that away. I suspect it's important."
"What's it for?"
"It might be used in the preliminary rounds. It's best to hide it and not let others see your number."
"Oh, okay."
Nawaki obediently put the number plate away and looked around at the crowd, muttering, "There are so many people competing. Does the shinobi world really have this many hidden masters?"
Before Fugaku could answer, a blond-haired man with a sunny smile walked up from behind them. "After all, the title of 'World's Strongest' is too tempting. It's not surprising that some people want to take a shot at it."
"Minato? You're competing too?!" Nawaki exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes," Minato nodded. "Nawaki, Fugaku, hello. Let's have our match in the finals!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"With your personality, I wouldn't have thought you'd be interested in something like this. Did the Third Hokage make you come?" Fugaku said.
"Heh, your eyes are as sharp as ever," Minato said with a gentle smile. "It's not really a big deal. The Third just doesn't want Konoha to lose too badly. After all, Master Jiraiya and the others aren't interested, so the burden falls on people like us."
"Hmph. Most of the participants were probably ordered to come by their respective Kage. A proper shinobi wouldn't be moved by such worldly things," Fugaku said with a stern face.
"Fugaku, I have to disagree with you on that," Nawaki said, wagging a finger. "Responding to the village's expectations is also our duty as shinobi!"
"Well said," Minato clapped.
"Mmm, you're right," Fugaku nodded thoughtfully.
"Heh heh, then let's bring glory to the village together!"
"Right."
"Okay."
"How about you count me in?" Kaito appeared out of nowhere, clapping Nawaki on the shoulder and making him jump.
"Master Kaito?! When did you get behind me?" Nawaki cried out in alarm.
'I didn't notice him either. It's like he appeared out of thin air. Is it a space-time ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God? This person... no wonder even Master Jiraiya admires him. He's truly unfathomable!'
Minato and Fugaku exchanged a look, their expressions incredibly grave.
"Just when you were giving your speech," Kaito said with a smile. "I heard from Tsunade that you've grown a lot. Don't disappoint me later, okay?"
Nawaki quickly forgot what had just happened and said loudly, "Don't worry, Master Kaito, I'll definitely impress you!"
"Good, I'll be waiting." Kaito turned his head, glanced at Minato and Fugaku, and a mysterious smile touched the corners of his lips.
The smile made Minato's hair stand on end. He chuckled nervously. "Lord Kaito, my name is Minato Namikaze, Master Jiraiya's student. I've always heard Master Jiraiya speak of your extraordinary strength. I'd like to ask for your guidance later as well."
"Sure, no problem." Kaito rubbed his chin and suddenly asked, "Minato, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Huh?!"
The abrupt question caught Minato off guard. He thought for a moment before saying, "No, I haven't met anyone I like yet."
"I see. I thought that since you're Jiraiya's student, you'd surely have a lot of female admirers."
"Heh heh, you're joking, my lord."
"The opening ceremony is about to start. I'm going to prepare. See you all later," Kaito said with a smile, waving goodbye.
"Minato, what do you think?" Fugaku, who had been silent, asked after Kaito's figure had disappeared.
Minato's face was serious. "He's very strong. He's probably our toughest opponent."
"Yeah." Nawaki's smile also faded. "But no matter what, I won't give up!"
"That's right. Let's do our best together!"
A short while later, after all the contestants had received their number plates, the opening ceremony finally began.
The Five Kage appeared together. Kaito, who had been chatting with Nawaki and the others just moments before, had changed into his Amekage attire and stood beside the Third Hokage, facing the packed audience and the large group of contestants below.
"Today is the day of the first World's Strongest Shinobi Tournament."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood in the center, his deep, slightly hoarse voice echoing throughout the venue via the microphone.
"This grand event is to commemorate the crucial step our shinobi world has finally taken towards peace. The so-called title of 'World's Strongest' is not actually important. What is important is that we must remember that it's not always life-or-death between shinobi. We can also grow and progress together!"
"For a better tomorrow!"
"OOH!"
Although many people scoffed at the Third Hokage's talk of peace, they still politely applauded.
The entire venue became a sea of cheers and excitement.
Afterward, Kaito and the other Kage each gave a short speech, thoroughly hyping up the crowd.
Then, Shikaku Nara took the stage to announce the details of the preliminary round.
"The venue for the preliminary round is Konoha's Forest of Death. The contestants are divided into three groups according to age. You can also distinguish your group by the color of your number plate. The first group is the junior group, with green number plates; the second is the youth group, with blue number plates; and the rest are the veteran group, with red number plates."
"The rule for the preliminary round is to capture three number plates with consecutive numbers. During the four-hour competition period, you are not allowed to leave the Forest of Death, or you will be disqualified. The first sixteen contestants to obtain three consecutive number plates will qualify for the next round..."
Hearing the rules of the preliminary round, Nawaki's eyes widened. "So that means we first have to find out which opponents have numbers that are consecutive to ours."
"Correct." Fugaku had already activated his Sharingan, scanning the numbers on the surrounding plates.
"But how am I supposed to find them?" Nawaki puzzled over it for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands. "Right! I can just have others come find me!"
He took the number plate out of his pocket and pinned it to his chest, as if afraid others wouldn't be able to see it.
"..." Fugaku felt that he had underestimated Nawaki.