"Uchiha Mei, Hyuga Iripo, and... Shiranui Haotian." Danzo pronounced the three names one by one, his tone brimming with determination. "I'm taking these three children."
The Third Hokage's expression shifted slightly, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Danzo, do you know what you're saying? Especially Haotian—his parents gave their lives for the village..."
"Their sacrifice for the village doesn't mean their children have to follow the same path." Danzo cut him off, his tone firm. "In wartime, what we need is strength, not sentiment. These three children have tremendous potential. Only in my Root can they receive the best training."
"Potential? Danzo, you and I both know what your so-called training really means!" The Third Hokage abruptly rose to his feet and struck his pipe against the desk with a dull thud. "They're still children!"
"Children? Hiruzen, you're too naive! The war won't spare them just because they're children!" Danzo's single eye glinted coldly. "Only strength can protect them and the village!" He stepped closer. "At the very least, Hyuga Iripo must be handed over to me."
The Third Hokage fell silent. He slowly sat back down and wearily rubbed his brow.
He knew that once Danzo had made up his mind, it was difficult to change it.
He sighed helplessly. "Iripo... you can have him. But Mei and Haotian are absolutely off-limits."
Danzo gave a cold snort and said nothing more. He turned and headed for the door.
When he reached it, he stopped. Without turning around, he said, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
As the door closed, silence settled over the room once more.
The Third Hokage gazed out the window at the darkening sky and drew a deep breath. "I hope... I made the right choice..." he murmured.
He picked up the documents on his desk again, his eyes falling on Haotian's youthful face. Worry filled his heart.
Could these children really shoulder Konoha's future?
Suddenly, a frantic knock broke the silence in the room.
"Lord Hokage! There's trouble!" a somewhat panicked voice called from outside. "Two unidentified enemies are heading toward the Ninja Academy!"
The atmosphere on the practical training field remained somewhat tense.
Shiranui Haotian stood at the edge of the field. The students around him deliberately kept their distance, and the occasional glances they cast his way were filled with curiosity and unfamiliarity.
His mediocre performance in class seemed to have left him forgotten in a corner.
"Hey! Shiranui Haotian!" A voice full of provocation broke the silence.
Uchiha Obito charged up to Haotian like an angry little bull, pointed at his nose, and shouted excitedly, "You were slacking off the whole time in class, weren't you? Do you have the guts to fight me and show me what you can really do?"
Haotian calmly looked at the hotheaded boy before him, his eyes utterly unruffled.
He gave a slight shrug but neither answered nor moved, simply standing there in silence.
Obito's provocation was like a punch thrown into cotton; it had no effect at all.
The students nearby were drawn by the sudden challenge and gathered around, whispering among themselves.
"Obito, quit fooling around!" A loud voice rang out. Might Guy stepped between Obito and Haotian, striking his signature passionate pose with a radiant smile. "Haotian seems like a quiet student. We shouldn't bully someone honest. If you want to fight, you can fight me first!"
Obito curled his lip disdainfully. He glared at Guy and shouted angrily, "You're in my way again! I'll prove today that the Uchiha Clan is the strongest! Come on! Take this!" Obito formed Hand Seals, Chakra surging through his body. He took a deep breath and cried, "Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"
But all that came from Obito's mouth was a tiny, feeble flame. It flickered twice in the air and then vanished.
Laughter erupted around them. The students clutched their stomachs, making no effort to hide their mockery.
Obito's face turned beet red. He glared at everyone around him in humiliation, a feeling of helplessness welling up inside him.
Might Guy shook his head and sighed. In a flash, he appeared in front of Obito.
He raised his right leg and delivered a textbook sweep, striking Obito in the waist and kicking him straight off his feet.
Obito hit the ground with a dull thud. He lay there, staring blankly and muttering, "How could this... How could this happen..."
The laughter around him grew louder, like countless swords stabbing into his heart.
He felt as if everyone had abandoned him, and despair and dejection engulfed him.
Just then, Uchiha Mei's voice rang out, her assessment tinged with a hint of coldness. "What a disgrace."
Her gaze passed over Obito on the ground and went straight to Haotian, standing in the corner. There was an inexplicable note in her voice. "But... how much better are you?"
Before you continue