Mifune's POV (Kage Box of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
"It seems fortune frowns at you, old friend," Rasa said while radiating joy. While he valued the Leaf as allies, especially with his village struggling, seeing what many considered the strongest village suffering a bit felt good. Besides, the shrewd elder likely saw the bright side. "While you may have shown some talent thus far, you are losing Genin like flies. Your chances of victory dwindle."
"Only if one is short-sighted, my old friend." Hiruzen countered with a friendly smile. "The tournament is merely a method to display talent. The victory of it means little. I am grateful my Genin are being tested so thoroughly. Besides, next are two of my most promising Genin."
"Ah, you refer to the Genius of the Hyuga and the Ashes of the Uchiha," Onoki added glee. Knowing one of Hiruzen's best prospects would be out brought him a petty joy. If he was fortunate, they may just kill or maim each other.
"The Uchiha's are still alive and well. Several members survive and continue to live, and we are about to see one who proudly continues his clan." Hiruzen responded as if not phased by the subtle reminder.
"Such a shame it is then that either the diminished Uchiha's will be shamed or the great Hyuga humbled. From what I hear, both have proven to be remarkable shinobi." Onoki continued.
"I would put my money on the Hyuga; his records are flawless. Though I wouldn't mind the Uchiha being victorious either." A roared happily. His thoughts needed no explaining.
"Beneficial indeed that the spawn of both villainous clans will clash." Yagura agreed. "Hopefully, they both fall today."
"Villainous? Neither clan is one of questionable morals. Furthermore, it is bold of you all to flex the intel you have gained on us so plainly. Bolder still for you, Yagura, to wish grief on my shinobi in my presence." Hiruzen's calm facade merely cracked, and the total weight of his killing intent filled the room.
Yagura offered his own as his guards drifted closer, hands on the hilt of their blades.
Tsunade and Jiraiya stalked forth to back Hiruzen. Rasa allowed some metal to drift through the air but remained seated. His guards watched warily but watched all the same.
Onoki and A laughed at the spectacle, seemingly unaffected by the intense air.
"They have killed many of my men. Of course, they are villains." Yagura said darkly.
"Such is the nature of war. We did not start them." Hiruzen countered. "We may have benefited from them doubtless. But it would be most ironic to hear you judge others for spilling blood."
"He makes a fair point, you know," Rasa added. "Your home is called the Bloody Mist for a reason."
Yagura growled but sat. "Regardless, one of them will not continue on. I will enjoy watching your men tear each other apart."
"Of course, otherwise, it wouldn't be fair for you." Hiruzen countered evenly.
Mifune could only sigh. Kage never changed all that much.
Hiashi / Mikoto's POV (Audience Section of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
"It seems fortune frowns at you, old friend," Rasa said while radiating joy. While he valued the Leaf as allies, especially with his village struggling, seeing what many considered the strongest village suffering a bit felt good. Besides, the shrewd elder likely saw the bright side. "While you may have shown some talent thus far, you are losing Genin like flies. Your chances of victory dwindle."
"Only if one is short-sighted, my old friend." Hiruzen countered with a friendly smile. "The tournament is merely a method to display talent. The victory of it means little. I am grateful my Genin are being tested so thoroughly. Besides, next are two of my most promising Genin."
"Ah, you refer to the Genius of the Hyuga and the Ashes of the Uchiha," Onoki added glee. Knowing one of Hiruzen's best prospects would be out brought him a petty joy. If he was fortunate, they may just kill or maim each other.
"The Uchiha's are still alive and well. Several members survive and continue to live, and we are about to see one who proudly continues his clan." Hiruzen responded as if not phased by the subtle reminder.
"Such a shame it is then that either the diminished Uchiha's will be shamed or the great Hyuga humbled. From what I hear, both have proven to be remarkable shinobi." Onoki continued.
"I would put my money on the Hyuga; his records are flawless. Though I wouldn't mind the Uchiha being victorious either." A roared happily. His thoughts needed no explaining.
"Beneficial indeed that the spawn of both villainous clans will clash." Yagura agreed. "Hopefully, they both fall today."
"Villainous? Neither clan is one of questionable morals. Furthermore, it is bold of you all to flex the intel you have gained on us so plainly. Bolder still for you, Yagura, to wish grief on my shinobi in my presence." Hiruzen's calm facade merely cracked, and the total weight of his killing intent filled the room.
Yagura offered his own as his guards drifted closer, hands on the hilt of their blades.
Tsunade and Jiraiya stalked forth to back Hiruzen. Rasa allowed some metal to drift through the air but remained seated. His guards watched warily but watched all the same.
Onoki and A laughed at the spectacle, seemingly unaffected by the intense air.
"They have killed many of my men. Of course, they are villains." Yagura said darkly.
"Such is the nature of war. We did not start them." Hiruzen countered. "We may have benefited from them doubtless. But it would be most ironic to hear you judge others for spilling blood."
"He makes a fair point, you know," Rasa added. "Your home is called the Bloody Mist for a reason."
Yagura growled but sat. "Regardless, one of them will not continue on. I will enjoy watching your men tear each other apart."
"Of course, otherwise, it wouldn't be fair for you." Hiruzen countered evenly.
Mifune could only sigh. Kage never changed all that much.
X-X
Mikoto's POV
"Well, of course, I think my baby will win," Mikoto answered with confidence only a mother could have. "Sasuke barely does anything these days except for training, not to mention he's my little prodigy."
Kushina laughed but accepted the logic quickly enough. "Not worried about him fighting the prodigy of the Hyuga? They say the only person that can beat a genius is another genius."
"No, my son, he… well, the attempted coup of the Uchiha was always something he seemed to feel strongly about. He always felt the Uchiha must've been framed or tricked somehow." Mikoto explained. "Shisui and I spent a lot of time explaining that our brethren in the Uchiha had earnestly made a… selfish ploy against our home. But even if that were the case, Sasuke would continue. He intends to find out the "truth," as he puts it. Redeeming our clan in the process. He has trained with that idea in mind. Seemingly attempting to forge himself into a legend so great that people have no choice but to celebrate us again." Mikoto sighed to herself as she finished. She appreciated what Sasuke was trying to do. Kami knew she missed Fugaki and wished he had not been involved. But she simply wanted her child to be happy. Sasuke sometimes seemed only to live for his ambition.
X-X
Hiashi's POV
"That's what he's trying to do?" Hanabi asked incredulously. "He's trying to change the very traditions we follow? The Branch has always served us."
"Indeed," Hiashi answered. He has forged himself with this goal in mind. He works tirelessly towards it. His mind learns everything as quickly as possible; he seems to have talent in all fields. He has become what some call a prodigy, a genius; the title matters little. The point is that Neji has become a shinobi that may well surpass even myself."
"Surely you exaggerate," Hanabi asked.
Hiashi did not answer as his mind dwelled on the night that Hizashi was sent to his death. He had been beside himself yet had hidden it well. Hizashi had been a brother for whom he had been grateful. One that, after his death, Hiashi felt he was undeserving of. It had been the best choice, as Hiruzen had remorsefully told him; Hiashi knew his clan could not survive without him. As such, he had agreed to his brother's plan. It had worked as they thought it would. Hiashi, as both clan leader and brother to the fallen, had been left with the duty of telling Neji. Neji had begun training at that point and had already shown his level was above his peers. It had been a training session Hiashi had interrupted to tell him the news. Hiashi, as much as he felt for the child, had to maintain his image. So he had said the news bluntly and harshly, hoping to skip the denial phase. It had worked, but not quite the way he had expected. Neji had sent a glare that, for a moment, was only one, but a moment all the same; at that moment, Hiashi had felt fear.
At that moment, he had no doubt Neji would surpass him and, in the process, change the foundations of the Hyuga clan. He could not say anything about that now. Nor could he acknowledge it. After all, the clan head's job was to maintain the status quo. Yet, if Hiashi had genuinely done his job, he would have done something to stop Neji. To correct him. But how could he?
"No, no, I do not," Hiashi replied. "I believe Neji will win this match."
He hoped so as well.
X-X
Both Hiashi and Mikoto POV
"The path of a prodigy isn't for the faint of heart. Yet Sasuke walks it without hesitation. He'll win."
"The path of a prodigy isn't for the faint of heart. Yet Neji walks it without hesitation. He'll win."
Both Mikoto and Hiashi said with utter confidence.