The black cosmetic lenses Seisui wore were not ordinary goods bought from the market. They were actually a special ninjutsu he had developed.
He transformed Water Release Chakra into hydrogel through extremely precise shape transformation, applied it over his pupils to conceal the Sharingan's physical traits, then used a small-scale Genjutsu to mask the leaking Dojutsu.
With this entire process in place, even a highly perceptive Jonin would find it difficult to notice anything unusual at once, so long as they did not get too close to Seisui.
The talent of a Ninjutsu Master (Tobirama Senju version) allowed Seisui to freely create practical minor techniques according to his imagination.
But there was always someone special.
Tobirama Senju inside Seisui narrowed his eyes and muttered, "At least Double Tomoe-level Dojutsu, skillful Sharingan Genjutsu techniques, and the ability to modify powerful ninjutsu..."
"What a troublesome brat."
Meanwhile, Iruka Umino, who was looking directly at Seisui, calmly swept his gaze over the training grounds that had erupted into excitement and smiled in satisfaction.
"Then, the tense and thrilling drawing of lots shall begin."
Iruka Umino rubbed his hands together, whetting the Ninja Academy students' appetites. Only after savoring the expectant, nervous looks on everyone's faces did he slowly draw out a slip of white paper bearing a name. Looking at the clearly written words "Kiyanosuke Fujiya," he read them out one syllable at a time.
"Seisui Uchiha will be the first student to take the field today."
The moment everyone heard the word Uchiha, the atmosphere visibly became more excited. But when they heard the name Seisui that followed, quite a few sighs rose from the crowd.
The meaning behind those sighs was obvious. What everyone wanted to see was an intense battle between geniuses in the ring. Hearing the Uchiha prefix, they had thought Shisui had been drawn.
And the students all knew Seisui's strength rather well.
As an Uchiha who was nearly twelve years old in this era yet had not applied for graduation, Seisui's notoriety was, in a sense, no less than that of Konoha's current rising star, Kakashi Hatake.
Especially since he was also a descendant of Kagami Uchiha.
Seisui smiled calmly, blinked at Shisui, who was sneering, and slowly walked to the center of the ring.
Iruka Umino frowned and glanced at Seisui with a trace of pity.
He had a good impression of Seisui. Though this student was a ninja of the Uchiha Clan, his talent was absurdly poor. Still, he was a very polite boy.
It could only be said that even a great clan could produce members without talent.
If not for the rules, Iruka Umino would not have wanted this student he liked to embarrass himself in public. But as a Konoha ninja, he had to uphold the rules of this examination.
Shaking his head, Iruka Umino took out the second slip from the box. Facing the five bold characters "Shiranui Genma," he read aloud.
"Rin Nohara, please come up!"
Iruka Umino relaxed slightly inside. Rin Nohara was a very talented ninja, but she was also a gentle girl.
If it was her, Seisui Uchiha might not lose quite so badly... Iruka Umino thought.
"Great! Rin, it's you!" Obito shouted excitedly at Rin Nohara beside him. "Don't worry, Rin. With your strength, you can definitely beat that dead last!"
"No, that's not right... It's not just that dead last. Rin can beat everyone else all the way through too, then give that bastard Kakashi a good lesson and win the Third Hokage's attention!"
Obito's voice was loud enough to make the other Ninja Academy students look over.
Although some people frowned at Obito, no one refuted him. In the public's view, Obito's shout showed terrible social awareness, but he had merely stated the unpleasant truth bluntly.
Rin Nohara took a deep breath. She first shot Obito a stern look, signaling him to shut up, then briskly walked toward the ring and stopped opposite Seisui.
When Kakashi Hatake saw Rin Nohara take the field, he finally put down the book in his hand. But upon seeing that her opponent was Seisui, he scratched his head in boredom again.
Seisui silently watched the scene, taking in every expression around him. He was very satisfied with Obito's reaction.
"Seisui, what childish game are you playing... You actually made these Ninja Academy students think you're the dead last..." Tobirama Senju's mouth twitched. Although he had long known Seisui was not a normal Uchiha.
What kind of Double Tomoe Uchiha, with a whole range of ninjutsu and Genjutsu talents, played at pretending to be weak in the beginner village that was the Ninja Academy?
Wasn't his temper and patience a little too good...
Tobirama, why are you getting impatient again... Seisui sighed inwardly and lectured him in a disdainful tone. What does strength amount to? The daily Will of Fire class at the Ninja Academy is the truly priceless treasure here.
The dignified first principal of the Ninja Academy doesn't even possess this much awareness? How disappointing.
Tobirama Senju's face darkened. For some reason, whenever Seisui brought up the Will of Fire, even he felt that it was not a good thing...
Iruka Umino nodded toward Seisui and Rin Nohara, then turned to everyone and said, "In today's examination, you may use lethal ninjutsu. Aside from Explosive Tags, any ninja tools may be used."
"Don't worry. Besides the teachers, Chunin Kakashi Hatake is here watching as well. Go all out. If there is any danger, we will step in immediately."
"Then, Rin Nohara, Seisui, are you ready?" Iruka Umino stepped back and said in a deep voice, "The first match of the practical examination begins!"
"Be careful, Seisui-kun!" Rin Nohara warned Seisui first, then formed hand seals seriously. "Clone Technique!"
Three phantoms appeared around Rin Nohara. Alternating positions with her, they charged toward Seisui together.
This was a relatively common opening move among Ninja Academy students. Without sufficient Chakra and ninjutsu to support them, they generally relied on taijutsu and Shurikenjutsu as their primary methods.
With the three phantoms mingled among her real body, Rin Nohara ran while pulling several shuriken from her ninja tool pouch and hurling them forcefully at Seisui's position.
"Not bad. Very precise Shurikenjutsu..." Iruka Umino commented to Kakashi Hatake beside him.
Seisui appeared to have given up resisting. After taking a few steps back, he stopped where he was and smiled at Rin Nohara.
Rin Nohara pressed her lips together and raised the Kunai in her hand. Seeing Seisui apparently pinned in place by the shuriken, she continued accelerating!
And just as she was about to reach Seisui.
Seisui formed a hand seal first, then slowly opened his arms.
Everyone was shocked!
"Did he give up..." Kakashi Hatake shook his head, lifting his short blade in preparation to enter the ring.
Just as Rin Nohara was about to dash in front of Seisui, her vision suddenly went black. The Kunai fell from her hand, and she lost her balance, crashing solidly into the embrace Seisui had long prepared for her...
The entire arena fell silent!
No one knew what had happened...
Before you continue