Danzo: He's Mocking Hiruzen!

Konohagakure Ninja Academy.

"Uchiha Qing Xuan?"

A scrutinizing glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. Although Uchiha Qing Xuan looked identical to Itachi, he was very easy to distinguish.

He didn't have those two narrow tear troughs on his face.

"Then the other nine people will also fall ill and die, and in the end, not a single crew member on the entire ship will survive, including yourself."

He spoke the final answer in a low voice, the coldness in his words sending a shiver down one's spine.

"No."

Qing Xuan shook his head, his clear eyes looking directly at Danzo's right eye beneath the bandage. "The other nine crew members will not die."

"Why?" Nawaki, who had followed, also heard the question. He asked doubtfully, "Are those nine people immune to the toxin?"

Qing Xuan's gaze never left Danzo as he explained, "Because the first mate will take action and kill the sick person. The sick person will die no matter what; it is his destiny. Killing one person to save nine is the only choice to preserve everyone's lives."

His voice was very calm, so calm as if he were recounting a very ordinary event.

"Prioritizing how to save the lives of the other nine people is the first mate's mission! For the sake of the entire ship, he must make the correct judgment."

Although he was answering Nawaki Senju's question, Danzo believed these words were directed at him.

"Then why don't you do it yourself?" Nawaki was unconvinced and voiced the doubt of the others.

Qing Xuan immediately smiled.

The six-year-old boy smiled exceptionally brightly under the sun, but his next words sent a chill down everyone's spines.

"As the spiritual leader of this ship, I cannot have any blemishes on me!"

At this moment, his gaze finally shifted from Danzo to Itachi. "One's gaze should not be confined solely to a broken ship. Rational thought will allow you to make the best judgment, but it will also narrow your perspective..."

Such blunt words made Itachi fall into deep thought.

[Story Character: Uchiha Itachi's mindset has been altered. Reward: One Bronze Treasure Chest. Congratulations to the host for obtaining - Advanced Carving Technique!]

Meanwhile, Danzo fell into deep silence.

Hiruzen steadfastly protected Uchiha Qing Xuan and refused to let go. Thus, he turned his attention to Uchiha Itachi, who was also called a genius. However, he unexpectedly encountered Uchiha Qing Xuan here.

Now, upon hearing the child's answer, he finally understood Hiruzen's determination to take him as a disciple.

Konohagakure, this sinking ship, and the sick Uchiha were the test questions he had given Itachi. However, Uchiha Qing Xuan had elevated this question to another level, even mocking him and Hiruzen to their faces.

If Ryuuun was born for Ne, then his son...

"You are indeed very suitable to be Hiruzen's disciple." Danzo stared deeply at Qing Xuan before turning and leaving.

Compared to Ryuuun and his son, a genius like Uchiha Itachi was too normal, making him feel uninspired...

Qing Xuan stared at Danzo's retreating figure until he completely disappeared into the crowd. Only then did he turn to look at the family of three from his uncle's family, his gaze finally settling on Itachi's face.

He revealed a pure smile.

"Hello, my brother. Have you been well at Uncle's house these past few years?"

Itachi froze.

Looking at the boy who was slightly shorter but had a similar face, the intelligent Itachi suddenly recalled a certain rumor circulating within the clan.

Am I really second uncle's child?

"Qing Xuan, don't joke with Itachi like that."

A deep, steady voice sounded. Itachi turned his head and saw his father standing beside his mother, who was laughing so hard she couldn't stand straight. His usually stern father was now somewhat annoyed.

"Thank you for your trouble." Fugaku Uchiha respectfully nodded to Nawaki, who had brought Qing Xuan.

Nawaki casually waved his hand, laughing as he ruffled Qing Xuan's black hair. Amidst Qing Xuan's complaints, he disappeared into the crowd.

"He is someone even the Uchiha respect."

Qing Xuan hugged his snacks, gazing at the crowd, lost in thought. A voice sounded from beside him. He turned his head and saw his uncle also looking in that direction.

"You can trust him as much as you trust your own clansmen."

"No."

Qing Xuan pouted and retorted, "Compared to the Uchiha, Uncle Nawaki is more trustworthy."

Fugaku Uchiha finally got angry, but he was helpless against his younger brother's son. He could only maintain a stern face and remain silent.

This scene made Itachi's eyes shine again. He suddenly realized that his father's words could actually be refuted.

[Story Character: Uchiha Itachi's mindset has been altered. Reward: One Bronze Treasure Chest. Congratulations to the host for obtaining - One Small Red Pill!]

The scorching sun in the sky shifted slightly, casting its somewhat sweltering rays onto the tender green leaf buds. The early spring flowers swayed in the breeze. Blades of grass, swirling like the wind, brushed past his face, emitting the unique fragrance of the earth. The ticklish sensation made little Sasuke constantly reach out to scratch.

"This place is so remote? We're far from the village center, aren't we? The dignified Uchiha Clan, the most prestigious family in Konoha, lives in such a remote, rundown place?"

After a long journey, upon arriving at the entrance of the clan grounds, Qing Xuan finally couldn't help but complain.

This made several Uchiha at the entrance glare at him angrily.

"What are you looking at?"

Qing Xuan glared back without an ounce of fear. "Do you know who my uncle is? The head of the Uchiha Clan! Don't mess with me! Or you'll regret it!"

Several Uchiha were stunned. They didn't understand what was wrong with Itachi, who had always been taciturn, today. He felt like a different person.

Fugaku, on the other hand, covered his face with a helpless expression. He knew this would happen. How could Ryuu possibly have a well-behaved child!

He had been mentally prepared the moment he received the intelligence. Now, it seemed, it was indeed the case.

As for Itachi, he looked at the person who claimed to be his twin brother with surprise. Everything the other person said and did felt novel to him.

But compared to the other's disdain, Itachi was quite satisfied with this new clan territory.

Although it was far from the village center, the Naka Shrine, which was related to the clan, was not far away. More importantly, because this was the outskirts of the village, the natural environment was diverse, so there was no need to worry about not having a place to train. As long as they walked a short distance, they could cross the village border, and on the other side lay rugged mountains and wilderness.

He thought this was a quiet and suitable place to raise his younger brother.

"Wait... wait a minute!"

Just then, a girl chased after them from behind. It was clear she had been running with all her might, so much so that when she reached everyone, she was already bent over, panting.

She had black hair that reached about her shoulders. She rested her hands on her knees, and beneath her willow-like eyebrows were long, upturned eye tails. Her eyes were very clear, but at this moment, they were covered in sweat.

"Clan... Clan head."

She first greeted Fugaku, then explained.

"I, I heard that Itachi graduated today, so... Huh? Why are there two Itachis?"

She looked at Qing Xuan and Itachi with a bewildered expression, a hint of cuteness in her eyes. "Is it a shadow clone? Which one is the real body?"

Then, under everyone's gaze, Qing Xuan calmly stepped forward, holding a snack.

"Hello! I'm the real body. Tell me if there's anything you need!"

"Huh?"

Itachi looked at Qing Xuan's actions in surprise. He didn't understand why Qing Xuan was impersonating him, but his father's words at this moment made him even more confused.

"Learn more from Qing Xuan, Itachi."

Watching the two already chatting happily, Fugaku turned his gaze to his son, using this opportunity to say what he had always wanted to say.

"You're too eager to become a ninja who can stand on his own."

He saw through me...

Itachi's face suddenly felt a little hot.

"Your serious attitude towards ninjutsu is sometimes something even I, your father, feel I should learn from you. But if a string is pulled too tight, it becomes brittle and might snap with a slight tug."

Watching Qing Xuan make Izumi Uchiha giggle, Fugaku sighed with emotion and finally said, "More than your achievements, I hope you can chat with friends your age and understand the feeling of happiness a little."

[Story Character: Uchiha Itachi's thoughts have undergone significant changes. Reward: One Bronze Quality Treasure Chest! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: One Quality Puppet!]

Qing Xuan, who was chatting with Izumi Uchiha, froze.

Huh?