In Naruto as the Shadow Monarch

Chapter 17

Chatter chatter

The people that come to spectate the tournament whisper among themselves seeing some of the participating kids tied up.

"LET ME AT HIM!" a Hyuga kid howls as he stares at an Uchiha kid across from him.

"COME AT ME YOU DEAD EYE MOFO!" The Uchiha kid bit back.

Across the open field, similar scenes play out between the clan kids. The adults from their clan just look at each other and shake their heads.

Kuro was enjoying the spectacle of his actions. He just regretted that he couldn't eat popcorn as it does not exist in this world.

'The Hokage said I could have started a conflict between the clans. However, looking at the adults, he doubts it.'

Once everyone participating students got to the clearing, the Third Hokage appeared in a position where everyone could see him.

"Congratulations everyone for completing the tournament. As you can see, we ran into a little trouble. However, worry not because the winner has been decided." Hiruzen waited.

"Winner?" A whisper rippled through the crowd. "But... how?" They look at most of the students tied up in rope and the adults staying close to them to prevent them from going out of control.

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow, hearing the crowd muttering, smile. "Yes," he continued, "the winner has already been decided, and it isn't about who can shout the loudest or throw the harshest words."

The crowd giggles and the tied up kids seem to quiet down.

Hiruzen allowed the moment to breathe, watching as the kids' fiery glares softened and the crowd's nervous chuckles echoed across the field. He knew that the tension needed to be broken, and his words had done just that—at least for now.

"The winner," he said, his eyes scanning over the kids, "is Kuro Nara!"

(°ロ°) !

"WHAT!" Asuma's shout pierced through the silence, his voice loud enough to echo across the field while the other kids were in disbelief.

"That's right," Hiruzen continued, unfazed by Asuma's outburst. "Kuro Nara has shown the most control, both in the way he handled the situation and how he manipulated all of you. You simple headed monkeys don't for once suspect that you are being played, especially the Uchiha." He gave Kuro a glance before turning back to the crowd. "Sometimes the best way to win isn't through force or aggression, but through intelligence and patience."

Kuro: (¬‿¬ ) 

The crowd went deathly quiet as Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the kids, especially the Uchiha, who now looked even more uncomfortable as the truth of his words started to settle.

Kuro, though, was fighting to keep his expression neutral. The Hokage was calling him out more directly now, but in a way that still made the young Nara feel... oddly accomplished.

Asuma's jaw tightened, and his glare shifted from Kuro to the Hokage, but he knew better than to cause a scene and look like an idiot.

"Manipulated?" one of the Uchiha clan kids muttered, frowning. The other kids didn't speak out but looked at Hiruzen.

"Yes. You were all manipulated like mindless idiots. All he had to do was change his clothes to look like other clans and you all believe he was from that clan without doubting him."

(╥﹏╥)

The kids were almost in tears hearing the harsh criticism from the Third Hokage. Some visibly recoiled, eyes widening in shock.

"Is that what this was?" Asuma muttered, his voice thick with disbelief and frustration. "Just... changing clothes?"

"Exactly, you all allowed yourselves to be led by your assumptions, your biases. You see the Nara clan boy, you think 'oh, he's from the Nara clan'. You see him in Uchiha clothes and think 'oh, he's an Uchiha. You don't stop to question, to think critically."

The Uchiha boy, who had once been so ready to fight, now looked utterly deflated, his face flushed with embarrassment. The others, too, avoided eye contact with each other, their earlier hate against evaporating like mist under the Hokage's stern gaze.

"You've all been so quick to think your clan's identity defines your strength, that your pride in your bloodline is enough," Hiruzen continued, his tone almost pitying now. "But you must understand, true strength is not just in what you are born with, but in how you think, how you act. Kuro showed you today that anyone can use your assumptions against you, and you let him."

The kids, now realizing how easily they'd been duped, exchanged guilty looks, their self-assurance shattered. A couple of them rubbed their eyes, clearly on the verge of tears.

"Next time," Hiruzen's voice rang out firmly, cutting through the thick silence, "take a moment to think. Don't just rely on appearances or assumptions. The world of a shinobi is far more complex than that."

Hiruzen then looked at Kuro. "Since you are the winner, why not give a speech to motivate your classmates."

(°ロ°) !

Kuro blinked, the sudden request catching him off guard. His eyes flickered toward the Hokage, then around at the kids who had just been absolutely wrecked by his manipulation. The last thing he wanted to do was stand in front of them and pretend to be some motivational speaker.

But the Hokage's gaze was unwavering, and there was an odd little glint in his eyes that said he was serious about this. Kuro's mind raced, his usual smirk still intact, but his stomach felt like it had dropped into his boots.

"Well…" Kuro said, stepping forward just a little, the crowd's expectant eyes making him feel like a deer caught in headlights. He let out a small breath before continuing. "I guess, uh… yeah. Sure, why not."

Kuro got in front of the kids and puffed out his chest while thinking; 'let's give a speech so that I am not blacklisted from all the major clans.'

"Alright, listen up. This isn't about winning or losing, okay? It's about seeing what's right in front of you without letting your emotions mess it all up." He shot a glance at the Uchiha, who was now looking at him as if he had killed their parents. "Anyone can throw a punch or shout insults. But to really win, you've gotta be smarter than that. You've got to stay calm, think ahead, and never let your pride blind you."

There was a long pause and cleared his throat. "We're all from different clans, different backgrounds, but none of that matters if we can't work with what we have. So yeah, I tricked you all. But guess what? I just showed you how easy it is to get too comfortable with what you think you know. And that's what you need to fix, if you want to be better."

Kuro glanced at the Hokage and the adults from the major clans. Noticing them nodding their heads in approval, Kuro breathes out a sigh of relief.

"Look, I don't have some grand speech to give you. But I will say this: don't let your clan, your bloodline, or your pride define you. Use your brains, use your patience, and maybe... just maybe... you won't get played next time."

Kuro took a final glance at the crowd before he slightly shrugged and made his way toward his resting spot.

The Hokage smiled softly, looking pleased with Kuro's speech. "Well said, Kuro. A lesson for all, indeed."

Tti-ring!

[You've completed 'Quest - Top Student.'.]

[Completion rewards have arrived.]

[Would you like to confirm?] (Y/N)

Kuro look at the message that finally arrived.

"Confirm."

Tti-ring.

[Quest - Top Student Completed.]

[Rewards: ]

+Skill Evolution Token

Kuro glanced over at the adults once again, the spectators exchanging looks that were hard to read. Most of them seemed impressed—maybe with his words, maybe with the way he'd handled everything.

After what seems like an eternity, Hiruzen finally completed his speeches and the Will of Fire.

Common students went out and the clan kids met up with the adults of their clan before heading out with their head down.

The Hyuga and the Uchiha kids, however, shot some final glares toward Kuro before they too went home.

Kuro also got up and was about to leave when he heard Hiruzen.

"Where do you think you're going little fella?"

(O_O)

Kuro paused mid-step as he turned slowly toward the Hokage. Kuro couldn't help but feel a slight unease.

"You're in a hurry to leave? After such an... eventful day? I think we still have a little unfinished business, don't you?" Hiruzen smiled at him.

GULP

Kuro gulped seeing that smile. "Unfinished business?" Kuro tried to keep his voice casual, but his heart rate was definitely picking up.

"Don't you remember what I said about you not needing to attend the academy anymore? Well, giving what you have shown today, I have the perfect teacher for you and an assignment. I hope you don't disappoint me." Hiruzen's smile widens as he looks at the nervous Kuro. "Meet me at the Hokage office tomorrow morning at 8. Don't be late."

With that, Hiruzen disappears and Kuro lets out a shaky breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Kuro looked at the now empty field and made his way back home. He still has a lot to do and see what the Skill Evolution Token is all about.

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