A circular building stood in the middle of Konoha. It was shaped like a bird's nest, with red tiles, white foundations, and stone-paved ground, all woven together.
The layout meant that a large number of people could sit around the training ground below and watch.
On ordinary days, some civilians would sit there to observe shinobi training, mostly practicing with Shuriken and Kunai. As for techniques like the Five Releases and Yin-Yang Release, few people would practice them in full view of such a large crowd.
Never underestimate how many people came to the training ground. Before the war, it had been called a top attraction alongside the shopping district. Of course, the shopping district had since lost that status, leaving the training ground to reign alone.
Every day, countless civilians came to watch shinobi training. In the Land of Fire, who knew how many people admired shinobi?
But today was different.
Some civilians had wanted to visit the training ground, but the guards at the entrance had turned them away. Now, everyone inside the training ground was a shinobi.
When Sora Uchiha and the others arrived, they could feel how lively the place was even before they went inside.
It was noisy and bustling, and everyone seemed excited.
Sora Uchiha smiled faintly. He knew why.
Minato Namikaze had become famous during the Third Shinobi World War, earning the title of Yellow Flash. More recently, he had fought the two renowned Raikage brothers to a draw.
Young Minato had become famous throughout the Shinobi World. The enemy forces had even issued an order on the battlefield: "If you encounter the Yellow Flash, you may abandon your mission immediately."
That order not only filled the enemy with dread, but also drove Konoha's morale to a fever pitch.
From then on, Minato Namikaze's standing in Konoha soared. Civilians adored him, and shinobi revered him.
Under these circumstances, rumors had even spread through the village that Minato Namikaze would become the next Hokage.
Sora Uchiha strongly suspected that Hiruzen Sarutobi was promoting the rumor behind the scenes.
"Sora, it's so lively in there." Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened, and she seemed thrilled. "We'll get to see Lord Minato soon. I'm so excited."
"Come on, is it really that big a deal?"
Seeing her flushed face, Sora Uchiha was at a loss for words. Who would've thought Kurenai was a Minato Namikaze fan?
"Take a page from Rin's book. She's so composed."
"Oh, Rin's Lord Minato's student, so she sees him all the time. Of course she's not as excited as I am. What a pity... Why couldn't I have been Lord Minato's student?" Kurenai Yuhi sighed, then glared resentfully at the innocent Obito beside her.
Obito: How is this my fault?
Mitaraishi Anko was excited too. She clenched her fists. "I really want to see Lord Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique. It's the technique that defeated the 'Jasper Thunder Ox Hot Blade' team."
"I thought they fought to a draw," Sora Uchiha said expressionlessly.
"Sora, you don't get it. The draw was obviously just what they said publicly." Mitaraishi Anko seemed to admire Minato deeply.
Sora Uchiha was speechless. One after another, they were all too much.
Hey! Blind admiration wasn't a good thing!
It also showed just how much Minato Namikaze united the people of Konoha at this time.
"Come on, hurry up! There won't be any seats left if we wait," Kurenai Yuhi urged.
They headed toward the training ground's entrance.
The guards asked them a few questions, confirmed that they were newly promoted Chunin, and let them through.
Sora Uchiha noticed the two guards' eyes linger on him for a moment.
So... they recognized me. He thought to himself.
He ignored them and followed Kurenai Yuhi and the others into the training ground.
After they had left, the two guards exchanged glances. One of them looked uneasy and asked in a low voice, "Should we notify Jonin Shio?"
The other nodded. "I'll go let him know."
At the Konoha Administrative Building,
Shio Nara sat at his desk, working through a stack of documents. The Nara Clan was known for its exceptional intelligence, and Shio was qualified to sit here because he had one responsibility: dealing with Sora Uchiha.
The documents in his hands contained detailed information about Sora Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were responsible for everything else.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Come in." Shio took a sip of tea.
"Jonin Shio, the person you asked us to watch has arrived at the training ground," a Chunin reported calmly as he entered.
Shio Nara narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded. "I know. Anything else?"
"N-no, that's all."
"Mm."
After a moment of silence, the Chunin ventured, "Are we just going to leave it at that? You told us not to notify Sora Uchiha, but now he's at the training ground. We aren't going to do anything?"
Shio looked up at him, amused. "What are we supposed to do? Throw him out? He's a member of Konoha too. There's no need to treat Uchiha like outsiders."
The Chunin looked awkward. "Then why... not notify him?"
Shio seemed to be in a good mood today. For once, he took the time to explain.
"My goal isn't to suppress him. I want to remind him that the Konoha High Command has a complicated attitude toward Uchiha prodigies.
"In truth, whether he goes to the training ground to hear Minato's instruction will have little effect on him. This time, I just wanted to get a sense of his personality."
"Then... have you reached a conclusion?"
"I have." Shio smiled. "This kid probably understands what the Konoha High Command is thinking, yet he still showed up at the training ground without hiding it. Looks like he's a real rebel.
"That's not a bad thing. If he's properly nurtured, he might become someone truly remarkable."
At the same time, he knew that if the rebel wasn't headed in the right direction, he would end up driven straight into Konoha like a nail through its skull.
"All right, if that's everything, go back. The training ground may not have enough staff. Minato's gotten far too popular."
"Yes!" The Chunin gave a standard shinobi salute, then left the room.
Shio Nara was left sitting alone at his desk. He picked up one of the documents and read the words on the page.
His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a glint of deep, hidden intent. The document contained little information related to Sora Uchiha, but unlike the others, it mentioned one person by name.
Shimura Danzō.
The Third Hokage's assistant, and also the leader of Root.
Root operated between the guard force and Anbu. Under Danzō's leadership, its overt influence had quietly surpassed that of Anbu, which answered directly to the Hokage.
"Lord Danzō has actually set his sights on Sora Uchiha."
According to the information in the document, Shimura Danzō seemed intent on bringing Sora Uchiha under his command.
Shio's brow furrowed slightly. As far as he was concerned, this wasn't good. Unlike him, Root acted with ruthless speed.
Such a reckless move could easily provoke resentment.
Shio picked up his pen and tapped it lightly against the desk, making a crisp "clack, clack" sound.
"Never mind. Let Root test Sora Uchiha."
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