The king’s voice reached the ears of everyone present, and without showing the smallest sign of hesitation, they attacked anyone who was near them.

As for me, I just tried my best not to be noticed. I skillfully blended in with the angry crowd, and let them fight each other.

Some of the birds actually did notice me, and were quite shocked. But the important thing right now was to fight and pass through the first round.

Most of the birds used their sharp claws and their pointy beaks on others. They were even flying all around the place while they fought in mid-air.

Al was worried for me, especially since I am a kid and the fact that he doesn't know my true power.

Penny didn't care much about me. So not much emotion could be seen from her eyes.

The Phoenix king and his younger sons and daughter also never noticed that I was here either. Their vision is just bullshit if they can't even see me!?

Well none of that matters. What matters now is that I have to win this round. But all of these birds are literally frickin’ insane, the whole place looks like a bloody battlefield

I didn't fight anybody here for two reasons. 1. To keep a low profile and not have all of these savage birds gang up on me. I might be able to put up a good fight, but I don't wanna underestimate any of them. Not only are they fast, but their claws and beaks are as hard as steel.

The second reason is to save up as much chakra as I can. I remember that my fight with Orochimaru took me half of my chakra to wound him, and if I have to fight these birds whom are at the jonin level, how can I not keep my chakra reserves in check. I would die if I exhausted myself from fighting all of them, or I would get kicked off from the platform.

After a few more hours of witnessing a brutal fight, there were only 400 of the 2500-3000 birds who first started.

It was only a matter of time before someone discovers me. Earlier I used the huge amount of birds as smoke screen to keep me from being found out. But as more and more birds lost over time, the bigger the chances of me getting discovered were growing larger by the second.

Right now I was hiding underneath a pile of rocks that I summoned with my earth jutsu, this way I won't get found out. Most of the battles were mostly in the air, so almost none of the 400 remaining birds are fighting on the ground. But I can't rely on this cowardly move forever, but if it can help me reserve my chakra for the next round, then I will keep using it.

Soon 111 birds were left, the ones remaining were definitely the most strongest ones out of the rest.

What actually surprised me is that at least 70 of these birds knew how to use chakra, without using any type of hand signs at all.

I remember in my other life, I read in some naruto fanfics of people that can use jutsus just by the power of their mind and such.

In the anime, I am pretty sure that there have been strong ninjas that were able to use 1 hand to use jutsus, instead of 2 hands. There are even jutsus out their that don't require any type of hand signs, like the rasengan.

This step is incredibly hard to master, but if these people/birds can do it, then so can I.

Finally 100 birds were left, they were all bruised up and tired that they didn't have the energy to fly anymore. Hence, they decided to rest on the platform.

As after 3 minutes since they stopped fighting, the Phoenix king had yet to call the final result of the match.

This confused everyone present. Normally when a match has finished, the Phoenix king would immediately move to the next round.

No one said anything, they didn't dare talk back to their king, but he was just sitting there, watching everyone from the high tree.

Seeing the gazes of everyone, the king finally spoke up. He already knew about my existence since about halfway of the fight.

The same thing goes to the five children of the Phoenix king. Nobody besides the Phoenixes, Al, Penny, and Elgae knew about my existence.

“Why have all of you stopped!” (Phoenix king) said to the 101 competitors in the giant platform.

“But my king? There are already 100 of us left. Shouldn't have the round ended by now.” (Joc)

A bird by the name Joc, said to the king with full respect to the strongest Phoenix.

Joc was a sparrow like the ones who bullied Al and Penny earlier.

The Phoenix king frowned upon hearing this. Have they seriously not noticed the human kid hiding underneath a pile of rubble. It makes you wonder how these 100 birds made it through the first round.

But it couldn't be blamed on them. Although 70 of them have indeed learned to use chakra, they aren't sensor types. As these last 100 competitors only rely on their offensive skills, speed and strength.

Also none of them could have expect a little human among the crowd.

“There's a human hiding underneath the rubble!” (?)

This bird that just gave away my location away, was one of the first 3000 birds that started in this battle. He was one of the few birds who saw me during the fight, but he didn't think that I would survive this long.

As soon as everyone heard him, I immediately came out of the pile of rocks, and made my way to a group of birds, who were near the edge of the platform.

I used this time to my advantage, and knocked out 11 birds off the stage at the same time. I originally aimed to knock off 1 bird of the platform, but I thought that if I could knock more of them, then the next round might be shorter, and I would be able to learn to control natural energy faster.

Of course, that is if I win this tournament.

The eleven birds I knocked out were verry weak in comparison to the others.

As soon as I showed myself to the public, they all were once again shocked. I am pretty sure you know the reason already.

“Okay let's move on to the next round.” (Phoenix king) said, not giving anyone else the chance to say anything.

He didn't like wasting his precious time, so he almost immediately chose to move on to the next round.

Nobody knew what to think anymore. A human just appeared and took out 11 birds in a very shameful way. And yet, the Phoenix king doesn't want to say anything about this matter.

Even I was surprised. But I kinda like this guy, he's cool.

The 11 birds who were knocked off didn't know what to do. Are they still in the round or are they not, since the king said the the first 100 will be able to advance. But now there were only 90 remaining.

One of the birds who was knocked off, had the appearance of a black ugly duck, he foolishly tried his luck and tried to set his little claws on the stadium.

At this time, the Phoenix king said out loud.

“Oh! and those 11 birds on the ground may be excused from the round.” (Phoenix king) said very clear.

He was sticking to his words. anybody who was knocked off the stage, will be done for this round.

It was their fault for not paying attention to their surroundings. And besides, he wanted this tournament to end already so he can focus on his other problems as well.

“But you said that-” (ugly duck) tried to question the king, but was met with an overwhelming force.

“Did I not make myself clear already!” (Phoenix king) yelled loudly to the ugly duck.

There are two things that he hates in this world. Wasting time, and when someone else interrupts him. And now that this idiot bird was wasting his time, how could he not feel annoyed.

“Ye-yes my-my king! You did.” (Ugly duck) said while stuttering in fear.

“It's all of your fault for not paying attention. And incase you're wondering, this competition isn't limited to birds only, but other species as well.” (Phoenix king) said

It has never been mentioned before. But a few years ago, Itachi also came to this world.

He won the tournament back then, but lost the chance to obtain a powerful Phoenix summoning contract.

Let me explain clearly. The Phoenixes don't submit to others easily, and even when Itachi had those rinnegan eyes back then, he still didn't have the qualifications to summon a powerful Phoenix like them,

What Itachi did was to fight all of the Phoenix king’s children, which he won easily.

And yet, the Phoenix king said that he failed. Although Itachi won the battle, he still lost the chance to obtain the strength of a Phoenix.

This wasn't the first time it happened. Many people thought that the Phoenix king was a sore loser, and couldn't take the burden of having one of his children be under the command of someone else.

Although Itachi was bit weirded out, he didn't pursue the matter and chose to have a crow summoning contract that he obtained from old crow.

Back on topic. Although everybody else was a bit angry that a human shamelessly performed such an action, they couldn't question the king's words. Because the king’s words are final.

Al was happy that I was still alive. But more importantly, I made it to the first round. This means that I am one step closer to obtaining those 1 year worth of bird seeds.

I didn't care what Penny thought about me, so I just kinda ignored her.

Then a huge Eagle landed in front of us. It wasn't Elgae, but his aura felt familiar to Elgae’s. They must be related somehow.

“I am sure most of you recognize me, but let me introduce myself anyways. My name is bald, and I am the son of Elgae .” (Bald) said.

(Lol that name.)

I kinda snickered at hearing his name. Who would name their son ‘bald’ at least let them have some dignity and give them an awesome name, like Chris.

(I am sorry if I have offended anyone by the name ‘bald’ I love you and you are awesome.)

Bald, then led us to the next round of the tournament. It's a good thing that I hid myself from the others, and saved all of my chakra. These guys didn't even get the chance to rest at all. I was smart enough to save my chakra for this round.

We followed Bald to the deep forest. I already read his mind and knew what the next round was gonna be. And it's gonna be gross…

Bald stopped in his tracks, turned around to see us, then he said.

“As you all know, the food for the bird population is scarce. We have relied on everything to even pick up the smallest amounts of seeds or anything that can feed us. So now the 90 of you, must find 1 insect within these woods.” (Bald)

When the others heard this, their faces sank.

Although it was a relatively big forest, but the odds of finding even a small squirrel was close to nothing. Not to mention finding a small insect.

The only reason they were able to survive this long without so much food, was because of the Phoenix king. The Phoenix king was someone who prepared for everything, even for a shortage of food.

The Phoenix king had enough food for the village to live a month or two. But now the king’s food is at its end, at most it can last for a week:

This tournament is the last hope for the village. Either they find someone who is capable of learning the new nature energy, or reduce the population of the bird species by 50% or less of its original population.

“You will have 1 hour to complete this round. If you aren't successful at finding anything within the given time limit, you will not make it to the third round. Are we clear.” (Bald)

Everyone else had a terrible expression of their faces, but they still nodded in agreement.

What they don't get is why this year’s tournament is a lot harder than the previous ones.

It's because this is the last time that a tournament will ever be held, simply because of the lack of food that they have left. Meaning that Phoenix king intentionally made this tournament a lot tougher than the last few tournaments, hoping to find that one person who is qualified to help them in this food situation.

Me, who didn't clearly understand the situation the village was in, I just thought that this tournament was easy as walking in a park.

If others knew what Chris was thinking, they'd claw him to death.

Unlike them, Chris is definitely the best sensor out of all of Konoha, mostly thanks to his incredible chakra control, which makes it easy for someone like Chris to find the smallest insect miles away.

In fact, when they say here, Chris was able to sense 5 small worms on the way.

When he read bald’s mind, he already knew beforehand what the next round was gonna be about.

But the thing is that…… Chris hates bugs. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as its small and walks, Chris would never go near a bug.

But for the sake of learning to use nature energy, he was willing to make the sacrifice.

(Wow….. so brave…… nope!)

“Begin!” (Bald) said to begin the second round. Then everyone flew fast as they could to scan the entire area for a single bug.

Bald knew that only 1 or 2 of them Will make it to the third round. There is no way for them to find an insect in this forest, it was no different from trying to find a needle in an ocean.

This round can only be accomplished in two ways. You must be super lucky, or you must be an expert at sensing your surroundings.

Of course sensing is not something that a bird can accomplish. They’re fighters, not a sensing type of race. Because each species of birds is skilled in their own fields.

Phoenixes are extremely smart and strong.

Eagles are fast and can see from a far distance.

Crows are natural tricksters, and show no mercy to true enemies.

The list goes on endlessly, but there is not a single bird species that is skilled I sensing.

The Phoenixes might be able to, but they are not that good at it.

And even if eagles have the best eyesight, they can't see anything underground and search for small insects.

And back on topic. Unlike the others, I just stood there and just stared intensely at that bald guy. I can feel some natural energy coming out of him, I would like to spar with him.

When bald saw me, he seemed a bit angry and yet shocked.

Doesn't this human know that even a single second is important. And yet there he is, standing there with that stupid grin on his face.

Even without using mind reading, I knew what bald was thinking. But I just stayed there and didn't move. I already knew the locations of several small insects who were hiding deep underground, so there wasn't any reason for me to panic.

Bald, started examining me as well. He was curious of how a human can still be here. But he had a hunch, and he knew that I was somehow related to Itachi in a way.

Out of curiosity, he couldn't help but ask me.

“How's Itachi doing.” (Bald) said to me.

I kept a calm expression and didn't react at all, and then I said.

“He's fine. How do you know him?” (Chris)

It's not that surprising to know that Itachi was here before me. Still, I couldn't help but ask him about what Itachi did in this place.

“He's still alive, lucky bastard.” (Bald) said.

Bald is not a mean guy, but he's someone who sees justice over on top of anything else, like his dad.

It’s not like he's saying that Itachi is evil, but that Itachi decided to use his summoning contract to summon crows only.

In bald’s view, crows are not holders of justice, but are merciless and are natural born killers. This is not something that justice needs.

If it wasn't because of the Phoenix king, he would have driven out the crows of this city a long time ago.

But there was also that ‘old crow’ who is as strong as his dad. Bald is still young, but he will someday gain enough power to run off every single crow from tori no kuni.

As I was reading his mind, I understood why he hates Itachi. In this village, eagles and crows were like oil and waters, they don't mix in at all.

If it wasn't because the Phoenix king was here, then the eagles and the crows would have been on an all out war already.

“Itachi is not a bad guy, in fact, he is gonna be my brother in law in the near future.” (Chris)

If I said this in front on Itachi, will he kill me… probably not.

“Brother in law!? I see, you're gonna marry his sister.” (Bald) said. Not showing any signs of anything at all.

Bald didn't hate Itachi, but he hated that fact that he chose the crows over the eagles.

(That last part sounded like a sports team of some sort)

“Aren't you gonna look for insects, you only have a little bit over 50 minutes.” (Bald)

“Nah don't worry about me. I just want to have a nice chat with you.” (Chris)

“About what?” (Bald)

“Well for starters…” (Chris)

End of chapter