Brother Shisui

Uchiha Aozora crossed his hands and formed the Hand Seals with textbook precision. A moment later, there was a poof, and smoke enveloped him.

When the white smoke cleared, a wooden dummy stood beside Uchiha Aozora.

Seeing Chief Examiner Yamanaka Seigetsu staring fixedly at the handsome young man's face, Assistant Examiner Oishi could not help rubbing his forehead with a bitter smile. "Uchiha Aozora, what about the Clone Technique and Transformation Jutsu?"

Before Uchiha Aozora could explain, Yamanaka Seigetsu waved her hand. "No need. He has already passed the test."

At that, Uchiha Aozora gave Yamanaka Seigetsu a slight smile, then released the ninjutsu. White smoke rose beside him before quickly dispersing.

He stepped out of the smoke, thanked the two examiners, then slowly left the classroom.

Only after Uchiha Aozora had left the classroom did Yamanaka Seigetsu withdraw her gaze from his departing figure. She then wrote a score of 10 in the blank beneath the character for "ninjutsu" on the test paper.

Oishi hurriedly stopped her. "Lady Seigetsu, you cannot! Even if you are this examination's examiner, you cannot act so recklessly! The standards for this test are low, so I have no objection to letting him pass, but giving him a perfect score is too much!"

"Of the Three Basic Techniques, Uchiha Aozora only fully performed the Substitution Technique, and even that failed. He merely summoned a substitution dummy without switching places with it."

"With the ability he displayed, even a passing grade would be a stretch. Think about Hyuga Rong from the Hyūga Clan just now. His Transformation Jutsu and Substitution Technique were highly proficient, and he even created ten Clones. Even so, you only gave him a 9!"

Yamanaka Seigetsu rolled her eyes at him. "Do you think I grade people based on their faces?"

Oishi said nothing, but his firm nod made his opinion abundantly clear.

Yamanaka Seigetsu explained irritably, "How shallow and ignorant!"

"The instant the smoke rose, Uchiha Aozora had already completed all three basic techniques. He first created a Clone, then switched positions with it, using the Clone in place of his true body. Finally, his true body used the Transformation Jutsu to turn into the substitution dummy."

"What I value is the control and creativity he displayed in his ninjutsu."

Of course, the little brother was indeed very handsome, but that was not the point.

Oishi was left dumbfounded by Yamanaka Seigetsu's explanation. "How is that possible? My lady, I have not read much, so do not fool me!"

Yamanaka Seigetsu let out a sigh, wearing the lonely expression of a master without equals.

Seeing this, Oishi could not continue arguing with his superior. "Next!"

Meanwhile, Uchiha Aozora strolled out of the examination room with his forehead protector in hand, running into the second group of ten examinees waiting outside to be called in.

Seeing the forehead protector in Uchiha Aozora's hand, Inuzuka Aya cried out in surprise, "Uchiha Aozora, you actually passed the test?"

Uchiha Aozora did not even need to identify the voice. In their class, the only person who spoke without thinking was Inuzuka Aya.

He glanced at her utterly unremarkable chest muscles and developed a deep doubt about the phrase "big chest, no brains."

Inuzuka Aya hurriedly covered her chest with both hands and shouted, "What are you looking at?"

Uchiha Aozora chuckled and teased, "You have nothing there. What could I possibly be looking at?"

Inuzuka Aya was furious at Uchiha Aozora's contempt. She tried hard to puff out her chest and snapped, "Who says I have nothing? Open your eyes and take a good look! Hmph, Uchiha Clan dead last, if you have the guts, do not leave! Once I finish my exam, I will teach you a proper lesson in the little woods behind the Ninja Academy!"

Sensing its master's anger, the Little White Dog bared its fangs and growled lowly with a ferocious look in its eyes.

Uchiha Aozora had no interest in a little brat at all. Flicking his forehead protector, he said, "Little sister, we are not making a date."

With that, ignoring Inuzuka Aya's shouts, he headed home in high spirits.

Graduation had been expected, but it was still something to be happy about. At the very least, he could be independent from now on and would no longer have to listen to his older brother's nagging.

Outside the Ninja Academy stood a crowd of parents and children, some overjoyed and others heartbroken. Uchiha Aozora found a gap and slipped through it.

The moment he emerged from the crowd, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

In the next instant, the figure solidified, revealing a young ninja standing in front of him.

The young ninja bore a strong resemblance to Uchiha Aozora, but unfortunately, he had a dumpling nose that ruined his otherwise handsome features.

When he saw the forehead protector in Uchiha Aozora's hand, his weary eyes instantly lit up. Smiling, he said, "Aozora, congratulations on becoming a ninja!"

As he spoke, he reached out his right hand, intending to pat his younger brother's head.

His hand had only extended halfway when Uchiha Aozora slapped it aside.

"I have already graduated. In Konoha, I count as someone who can stand on his own now."

Uchiha Aozora shifted aside, walked around his older brother, and headed straight home.

There was a trace of disappointment on Uchiha Shisui's face, but he quickly recovered and followed Uchiha Aozora.

"Aozora, was today's ninjutsu exam difficult? How did you do?"

Rather than answer, Uchiha Aozora said mockingly, "Oh? Busy Shisui actually has the leisure to care about the affairs of an ordinary Genin like me?"

Uchiha Shisui gave a bitter smile and explained, "Aozora, today was an important day for you. I should have accompanied you, but the mission was urgent. The village is still recovering from devastation, and ninjas are needed everywhere."

"I understand. The village comes before everything else!" he continued sarcastically. "You are so impressive! Konoha cannot last a day without you! What, do you think you are the Hokage?"

"Look at your vest, big shot! You are only a Special Jonin!"

Uchiha Shisui was rendered speechless by the barrage. After a while, he said, "The village belongs to everyone. Every person should contribute whatever they can."

Uchiha Aozora praised him extravagantly, "With great power comes great responsibility. What lofty awareness!"

"If you are so capable, why do you not become Hokage?"

"I truly do not know how you ended up like this. You both made a name for yourselves in the Third Great Ninja War. Namikaze Minato became the Fourth Hokage, but what about you? You are still only a Special Jonin!"

"Where did your achievements go? Did dogs eat them?"

Uchiha Shisui's expression became complicated. After a pause, he answered vaguely, "I am sorry. We are different."

"Sorry? Who do you have to be sorry to?"

"We are different?"

"What did we do wrong? You leave early and return late every day, carrying out missions without rest all year round. You risk your life and shed your blood for the village, and what do you get?"

"Uncle does not care, grandmother does not love us. The Clan Members despise us, and the village guards against us."

"Do you still want to go on like this?"

As Uchiha Aozora unleashed his verbal barrage, he stared straight into Uchiha Shisui's eyes, hoping to see something there.

But he was disappointed. Uchiha Shisui's gaze remained as steadfast as ever.

After a while, Uchiha Shisui patted his shoulder and said, "Aozora, do not complain."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow the newly born leaves to sprout."

"We are all part of the village. Do not ask what the village has given us; ask what I can give the village."

"Only when the village prospers can we live and work in peace. If the village declines and falls behind, we will face war. I believe that is not a sight you would wish to see."

Seeing the holy light shining from behind his brother's head, Uchiha Aozora angrily turned away, completely giving up on any thought of correcting his brother's mindset.

"My foolish older brother, have you never read a book? A simple metaphor fooled you into devoting your life to it?"