Soon, everyone gathered in the girls' apartment, where they were informed of the tournament's details.
Jada's smile seemed to lift the mood instantly as she asked, "So what do you all think?"
Margaret re-adjusted her hair as if uninterested. "Should we really be doing this?"
"There's a million ryō prize," William exclaimed, barely containing his excitement. "And I think we can all compete."
"But isn't taijutsu by itself a tad boring?" Alex wondered.
"It sounds like fun," Alice defended, sitting next to Jasper. "I mean, I've never heard of any more tournaments happening after the Chūnin Exams."
"There was one scheduled to happen during the time-skip," William reminded.
"Yeah, but," Margaret corrected, "that won't happen for like another year. Besides, don't you guys think it's kinda weird the Wave Country called the tournament that?"
"Clash Of Ninja is a cool name, though," chimed Jada.
"Yeah, but that name's from the video franchise, isn't it?"
"Let's not forget we're playing a game, too," Alex reminded everyone. That comment snapped everyone back into focus. Most of them had forgotten that they were in the virtual world of Naruto. "We've already confirmed game techniques work here, so I'm sure Elysium implemented something like this."
"Well," William added, "if that's true, it means it's a chance we should all take before Shippuden starts."
Because it was William suggesting this, Jasper, who had been quiet till now, didn't want to listen. So he said, "I don't care who enters; I've got better things to do."
"I'm curious to know how many fighters will even be there," Alice pondered, ignoring Jasper's proclamation. "It said only thirty would be selected to actually compete."
"I bet there'll be a long list of ninjas," Margaret agreed.
William fidgeted at the prospect of his friends ramping up the stakes. "We should get others like Lee and Kakashi to sign up."
"There's an issue with that," Alex said.
"What's the issue?"
"Says here that shinobi with large bounties on their heads aren't allowed entry."
Before the mood could turn sour, William quickly announced that it wasn't going to affect his decision. And while certain ninjas wouldn't be allowed to participate, that didn't mean that all of them were excluded.
Alex thoughtfully tapped on his chin. "You know, there's something interesting about this tournament."
"How can there be anything about it?" Jasper asked.
"You can already tell by their submission rules. Like, keeping criminals away from the competition." Jada was now curious as Alex continued to explain. "The Land of Waves isn't what we'd call a strong nation. But here they are trying to say, 'Look, we're all ninjas here, so let's fight in a friendly competition'."
"Doesn't that also mean they're gonna strict on who they let through?" Alice asked.
"Exactly," Alex replied. "None of us are wanted criminals. Well, at least not that I know of."
Jasper let out a small chuckle. "Looks like I'm not making the cut then."
"What the heck did you do, dude?" Alex laughed.
"Nothing… I'm just gonna be busy traveling outside, is all."
"Well," William began, "I dunno about you guys, but I'm looking at this differently. There aren't a lot of taijutsu leagues in existence where a bunch of ninjas are completely innocent. I think it'd be safe to enter."
He was more than right. There were hardly any tournaments or events in the Narutoverse that centralized martial arts.
"It'd be better that I sit this one out like Jasper," Alex added.
"Why's that?" Alice asked, clearly suspicious.
"Who's to say there's going to be elite fighters compared to those here in the village? I mean, with this background check making it so tough, and all."
"But you could show off," Margaret added.
"If you guys aren't signing up," William emphasized, raising his fist high, "then I'm totally gonna win this whole thing!"
"You're that confident, Make-Karin?" Jasper smirked.
"Quit calling me that!"
Alice deferred the mood back to the registrations. "So if Jasper and Alex aren't trying to join, that just leaves Will, Jada, and Marge."
"What about you?" Alex asked.
"I'm not really a taijutsu specialist, so I'd prefer to sit this one out, too."
"Umm," Jada interjected, "maybe I should also take a rain check."
The whole room was surprised. Even if she, an Uchiha, couldn't use the Sharingan, it'd at least be a great opportunity to copy other skills as a spectator.
"Come on, Jada!" Margaret begged. "At least tag along with us. Who knows who might see there?"
"Well," she thought, "I guess a little change of scenery from the village would be nice. But I won't be fighting."
Hardly anyone understood why Jada of all people didn't want to try showing off her skills. Either way, that didn't stop them from doing a headcount of who actually wanted to participate and who didn't.
"Since it looks like only Will and Marge are trying to enter," Alice continued, "why don't you guys form a team? The odds of a group making it are far better than signing up individually."
"I've got a couple ideas," William replied, shifting in his seat. "Let's invite Guy-sensei, Lee, and Neji?"
"Neji?" Margaret chuckled, loving the irony. "I sparred with him once, and he's pretty solid. But I think—"
"That's a great idea," Jada agreed, interrupting Margaret.
"Guys," Margaret tried, "I think—"
"If Guy-sensei enters, he'll definitely win," Alex interjected.
Margaret finally shouted, "Listen, you idiots! Guy-sensei's been out of the village for a while now... He's likely not gonna make it in time before registration ends."
"You don't have to yell," William urged. "We can replace Guy-sensei for Sakura-chan?"
"Ill!" Margaret commented. "Don't call her that!"
"Sakura's busy with something else," Jada answered. "So let's try someone else."
"Fine, fine," William committed, "I'll go and ask around to see who's willing to tag along."
Everyone allowed William to invite anyone he wanted as long as they were actually in the village.
With that, the meeting concluded.
William marched his way back to his apartment, where Naruto was lounging on the couch, already dressed in his pajamas.
"Hey, cuzo!" William called out. "I've got some exciting news!"
"Did you finally convince Jada to date you?"
"No, nothing like that!" There was a brief pause as he puffed his cheeks. "Anyways, there's a tournament happening in the Land of Waves, and I think we should join."
"Seriously?!" Naruto said, bouncing. "When's this happening?"
"Wait, wait! Ya haven't even heard the best part: the cash prize for the winner is a million ryō!"
"Now we're talking!"
William grinned, knowing how much that would appeal to the main character. "You have to register, though, and only thirty fighters will be selected."
"I'm definitely registering then!" Naruto declared, fists clenched in determination. "And I'm gonna win it all!"
William pulled out the flyer to let him read it. And as Naruto did, William felt a sense of elation.
The main character was surrounded by friends, camaraderie, and a belief in something bigger than individual goals. It would be nice if they could all be selected. That way, it would prove just how much everyone had already contributed to the story as whole.