Opportunity Often Coexists with Risk!

How much earlier?

The thought left all three of them speechless and somewhat dejected, especially Tsunade and Jiraiya. It meant Hiko had possessed strength greater than theirs long ago, yet they had never noticed. They had foolishly assumed that Hiko's grueling training was meaningless.

Even while Hiko had been training hard, they had been bragging, basking in the sun, and chatting nearby.

At the thought of this, Tsunade and Jiraiya felt their faces grow hot. They did not need to look to know they had turned red.

"Still, since you awakened your Sharingan so early, why did you keep it hidden?"

That was what puzzled the Third Hokage. If Hiko had spread the news that he had awakened the Sharingan, he would certainly have gained the Uchiha Clan's attention and received greater resources for his training.

Yet Hiko had not. He had quietly made his way forward without drawing any notice.

Setting aside the somewhat ambiguous matters between him and Tsunade, Hiko truly had been rather inconspicuous.

Looking at the Third Hokage, Hiko answered calmly, "If the Uchiha Clan values me only because I awakened the Sharingan, then I would rather not have it."

"..."

The Third Hokage was left speechless. How could a child of only a few years old have such strong pride? Still, Hiko was not wrong. When he had nothing, aside from the necessary subsidies, who had ever cared about Uchiha Hiko?

To put it more bluntly, Hiko's deceased parents had rendered service to the clan. After they sacrificed themselves, was it really too much for their child to receive even one of the few financial subsidies available?

Would Hiko take the Uchiha Clan's subsidies, then deny being an Uchiha when he grew up and refuse to do anything for the clan?

"You child..." The Third Hokage did not know whether to laugh or cry.

As he looked at the stubborn expression on Hiko's face, the Third Hokage's smile gradually faded. He sighed and said, "Besides your pride, I imagine you also did not want others to know that you awakened the Sharingan so early, did you?"

"Yes." Hiko nodded in admission.

If today's assessment had not been turned into this by the Third Hokage, Hiko would not have revealed his Sharingan. In an ordinary assessment, he could pass even without relying on it.

But no one had expected the Third Hokage to place him in this team, making him a teammate of the Sannin and deliberately evaluating him.

Otherwise, the secret of Hiko's awakened Sharingan would have remained hidden.

"I understand."

The Third Hokage stepped forward and patted Hiko on the shoulder. "Your concerns will not come to pass. Even if the Uchiha Clan, the Senju, or even any clan in the major ninja villages learns of it, the result will be the same. Child, when it is time to fight for something, you cannot hesitate. Seize the opportunity with your own hands."

"Danger often accompanies opportunity. Endurance may bring peace, but it cannot last forever. Do you understand what I mean?"

"..."

Hiko looked at the Third Hokage, somewhat dazed. The Third Hokage was telling him to charge forward boldly, not to be afraid, and to show what he needed to show.

Whatever happened, the Third Hokage would have his back. There was no need to fear wolves ahead and tigers behind.

Hiko's concerns were not unfounded. Even if the Uchiha Clan learned that he had awakened the Sharingan and chose to focus on training him, they would still be displeased because Hiko had not informed the clan immediately.

That was the problem. Hiko did not want to become a pawn in certain people's hands, but unfortunately, the Third Hokage had forcibly changed the path he would take today.

"Yes, I understand."

Looking at the solemn Third Hokage, Hiko nodded. This entire assessment was a massive gamble. If he won, Uchiha Hiko would grow under the Third Hokage's protection, at a rate far faster than before. Calling it rapid growth would not be an exaggeration.

If he lost, Hiko would become like Kagami Uchiha, gradually falling out of favor with the clan, though he currently held little status within it anyway.

Both choices had their own advantages and disadvantages; neither could be called better. Compared with being trained by the clan, Hiko hoped the Third Hokage would recognize him. He did not want to become a second Uchiha Shisui or a second Uchiha Itachi!!!

"Alright, today's assessment is over. Children, you all performed very well."

Hiko's performance had deeply shocked the Third Hokage, and he took the opportunity to end the day's assessment. At this point, the assessment had lost its meaning. Was he supposed to separate Hiko and assess Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya again?

To be honest, this kind of assessment was merely a formality. Its greater purpose was to foster unity and trust within the team. However, with Hiko's unexpected appearance, the assessment had now lost its meaning.

"Children, come to the Hokage Office Building tomorrow to collect your forehead protectors. You may go home and rest now."