Hoshikaze

Some distance away, Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi's father, caught sight of several clansmen from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans. He couldn't help but feel irritated.

"Look at all these Leaf ninjas," he commented. "What's their deal?"

"Relax, Kitsuchi," Akatsuchi reassured him. Akatsuchi is a loyal shinobi from the Stone Village. Well-known for his support of the third Tsuchikage, he serves as his trusted bodyguard. Notwithstanding his cheerful and laid-back personality, he's a fierce warrior, always ready to protect those in harm's way. "Not all of them are here to fight. They could just be here to support!"

Despite Akatsuchi's attempt to ease the mood, both Han and Monga marveled at the participation but remained perplexed by their respective Kage's absence.

Monga, also a member from the same village, is a formidable shinobi. He possesses a deep sense of loyalty for his comrades, and his combat abilities are also impressive, using earth style techniques as his village is well-known for.

Monga himself is physically imposing with a large build, and his dark features add to his intimidating appearance.

Just his ability alone to manipulate earth for both offensive and defensive purposes showcased his skillset over earth style techniques. And even without ninjutsu by his side, he's got a strategic way of thinking that solidifies his reputation as a shinobi.

And as for Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, many were shocked by his appearance here. Forget that this is famous ninja; his steam ninjutsu is enough to make his enemies defecate.

His imposing physique is also nothing to shy from. In fact, he's even taller than Monga, easily dwarfing all of the fighters here. Much of the crowd eyed his towering height and heavy armour. His facial features, including his piercing eyes, added to his intimidating presence.

The steam armour he wore, powered by a furnace on his back, was what fueled his unique abilities and how many recognized him for his role as a Jinchūriki.

Han's combat skills were also exceptional. What many didn't know about him is that he's currently regarded as the world's fastest taijutsu user, triumphing even over the likes of Might Guy outside of the Eight Inner Gates.

Just what were the hosts thinking of inviting a monster like this to the tournament?!

"Is it too much to ask for our leader to show up when something like this is happening?" Han frowned. "To think lord third called this child's play."

"It's almost laughable," Monga added as they eyed the Mizukage and the Raikage—and all the recognition they were receiving, contrasting against their frustrations.

Both Mei Terumi and the Raikage, A, decided to come after being invited. Granted, it wasn't Arthur who sent them an invitation; they came of their own free will. As such, their seats were stationed far above the public, showing their high regard.

This was the first time any of the players were witnessing other Kages.

A was written to be a commanding presence, characterized by his impressive physical appearance. He's quite tall with a robust, muscular build, embodying the ideal image of a leader. His dark skin complements his features, including a small moustache and goatee that frame his face and pronounced cheekbones.

Adding to his fierce demeanour is a prominent crease on his forehead. His hair, although stated to be white, was actually blonde, like in the animation. It was also combed back, giving him a polished yet powerful look.

A's style of dress featured a white haori worn without a shirt underneath, paired with black pants that end in torn edges. His outfit mirrored that of a professional wrestler, complemented by tattoos of black shuriken on his shoulders.

His outfit even included a gold belt featuring a boar's face, large golden vambraces, and shinobi sandals.

Despite his aesthetic appeal, his true strength lied in his abilities as a shinobi. He is recognized as one of the strongest members of his village and has a unique fighting style that blends ninjutsu and taijutsu, known as "nintaijutsu."

His signature technique, the "Lightning Style Armour," encases him in a powerful aura of lightning chakra, drastically enhancing his speed, reflexes, and overall combat effectiveness. His ability to outpace opponents, even those endowed with the Sharingan, solidifies him as one of the most daunting forces on the battlefield.

In actual combat, he showcases his enormous physical strength through impressive feats, such as lifting significant weights with ease and delivering devastating strikes that can break through defenses like the Susanoo.

He favours wrestling maneuvers, granting him an unconventional edge in grappling and close-quarters combat. Moreover, his incredible durability ensures that he can endure severe injuries and maintain his composure under pressure.

This was demonstrated when he severed his own arm without hesitating to escape the amaterasu inflicted on him by Sasuke Uchiha three years from now.

Ultimately, A epitomizes the dual essence of a leader who is both feared and respected. His sternness and decisive actions often mask an emotional side, especially concerning his family, particularly Killer Bee, who is also his adoptive brother.

This complexity adds depth to his character as a leader who balances the weight of his responsibilities with care for his loved ones.

Whether he is confronting threats on the battlefield or navigating the politics of the ninja world, he remains a defining character.

Everyone already understood Mei's background. What dazzled them was her appearance. It was their first time seeing her up close.

Her figure was striking, exuding a blend of beauty and strength that was captivating those around her. Tall and slender, her fair skin seemed flawless. It was difficult to believe that she was once a kunoichi.

Her auburn hair, styled into an intricate herringbone pattern, added to her allure, with the top knot secured by a dark blue band accentuating her features. The playful arrangement of her bangs, with one covering her right eye and others cascading across her bust, drew eyes to her expressive face.

This was an unofficial tournament, meaning it wasn't going to serve well politically for those who decided to watch. So her choice of attire was a long-sleeved dress that exposed her arms and the contours of her upper body. It was completed by high-heeled sandals and shinguards.

"She's so beautiful in person," Margaret commented, admiring Mei's hair.

"I am just as impressed with the Raikage from the Cloud Village," Lee added.

"Yes, well," Neji added, "it would be troubling if something bad were to happen."

"Don't go jinxing anything!" Margaret said, punching Neji's arm.

Those who sat by the Kage were none other than the feudal lords of the various countries. They all had great seats and a select few guards to ensure their safety. While the Kages had their own personal guards, the lords of this country weren't allowing them to enter that specific seating area.

If they didn't comply, they would be forced to leave, even if they were Kages.

As their small collective gathered in the arena, the chatter grew. Prominent figures from many regions continued to pour in, and a steady influx of spectators filled the stands.

"There's got to be at least fifty thousand here," Mei commented, looking around.

A waiter brought her refreshments as she kept her legs crossed. A, not privy to waiting, added, "Yes, I hope the show's good. Otherwise, I'll be upset that I spent time to travel all the way here."

To see these two Kages in one area was a sight to behold. It was almost better than the time that the fake Kazekage attended the Chūnin Exams with the Hokage.

Who else could have orchestrated an event this well except for Arthur Bennett?

Back in the check-in area, Arthur watched intently, noting how conspicuously different ninja groups mingled with one another. He understood that this tournament had the potential to forge powerful alliances—or exacerbate tensions between factions.

Whoever the winner of this event would be, it wouldn't shake any of the five superpowers that governed the ninja world. Arthur remained determined to keep his identity concealed.

The clamour continued to rise in the arena. Many of the guards were having trouble letting the natives in due to how popular things were getting.

The arena eventually became full with a myriad of colours, banners, and eager ninjas. Things were finally set, and all the participants were in their respective groups, including Arthur, who by all means was going to fight with both an alias and a disguise.

He stood alone in Group 12, adopting the identity of "Hoshikaze," an unknown figure who blends casual charisma with a hint of formidable prowess.

He stands at an imposing 183 cm (approximately 6 feet), with a well-built frame that tips the scales at about 91 kg (over 200 pounds). His shoulder-length hair flows freely, framing a stoic face that was layered beneath the black blindfold, obscuring his eyes.

It was to hide the glow that his Tamashii emitted. To further add an element of mystery to his persona, he came prepared with the Chakra Disguise technique to ensure no one could distinguish his chakra signature.

In terms of attire, he wore loosely fitting black pants that allow for agile movement, paired with a simple dark shirt that accentuates his well-defined biceps and toned chest. All of it meshed well with his white belt around his waist. His flat-soled shoes were also practical, designed for swift maneuvers.

Just those combinations alone, and his relaxed aura was hinting that he was indeed strong.

Arthur couldn't help but make his appearance look like this, for he truly was strong. He might as well look the part if he was going to try to fool everyone. But that's not what he took into consideration; he needed to ensure his chakra didn't leak out.

And he was far from foolish; he allowed the other players entry to this event, knowing that his identity would be at risk if he participated.

As such, he wasn't going to use the same fighting methods that others had witnessed him perform. Players, most notably Jada, wouldn't recognize who he was when she would see him fight. Whether he was boxing or using jujutsu, he had an array of methods to combat another opponent without letting them know what his purpose was.

Regarding characters like Lee and Naruto, two characters who had personally felt the sting of defeat by his combat prowess, they wouldn't be fighting Arthur. If his calculations were correct, they wouldn't even make it to the final round.

Arthur knew what the bracket looked like. All the Leaf ninjas who weren't players would need to be at their highest level if they hoped to advance at least past the second round. This was the main reason he permitted more Leaf shinobi than any other village: because they were weak; because they had a one-track mind.

Although he was just another fighter among many, beneath the façade, he was looking to test his strength and compare to others. That meant he was planning to go all out if anyone here could push his limits.

The distant cheers of the crowd began to engulf his ears as he looked around. The arena was now like a roaring tide, bringing forth the thrill of impending confrontation.

As the fighters prepared themselves accordingly, Arthur scanned the field with regard. Every face and every posture of the competitors revealed vital information to him. Nervousness here, a display of confidence there—nothing was hidden.

He had orchestrated this tournament not just to put the spotlight on himself but to sift through the personalities of the ninja world.

The lofty ambition running through his veins had spurred him on. He had spent months crafting the narrative, purposefully placing invitations into the laps of powerful shinobi, inviting them into a space where he could truly gauge their strength without setbacks.

And was his ideal plan coming to fruition? Indeed it was, for there was one fighter who had dared to register that Arthur was not going to say no to: Lars Alexander!