Attitude is the Mask of the Heart

After hearing Qingyu, Chunin instructor Umino Shika felt that this was probably the hardest class he'd ever have to teach!

There was the Hokage's son, Asuma, and Tsunade's younger brother, Qingyu—not to mention all those students from prestigious clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha.

He was just a lowly Chunin instructor. He couldn't afford to offend anyone. He was practically walking on eggshells!

"Well said, Qingyu."

Though Umino Shika was struggling to keep it together, he still managed a smile.

[Detecting collectible trait: E-rank trait]

[E-rank trait: Attitude is the Mask of the Heart]

[Effect: Your ability to control your expressions has increased by 40%.]

"This trait..."

Qingyu glanced at Umino Shika.

He had a feeling the Chunin instructor had dropped it, since he was the only one smiling while everyone else still looked confused.

After Qingyu returned to his seat, Rin Nohara asked curiously:

"Qingyu, what's your relationship with Lady Tsunade?"

Qingyu thought that was a very perceptive question.

"Oh, I live with Tsunade. Whatever she eats, I eat."

Qingyu replied.

Tsunade wasn't his biological sister or even his cousin. Their blood ties were distant, several generations removed.

But they were still members of the same clan, and she treated Qingyu very well.

The students exchanged glances, realizing that a kid with powerful connections had joined their class.

Once everyone had introduced themselves, Umino Shika handed out their files and dismissed them.

Classes wouldn't officially begin until tomorrow.

"Obito's late again."

Rin Nohara sighed and picked up Obito's file for him.

Even on an important day like the entrance ceremony, Obito had managed to be late. It was unbelievable.

"That's Obito for you,"

Kakashi remarked.

Then he turned to Qingyu and asked where he planned to go to practice swordsmanship.

"Let's go to the Third Training Ground."

Qingyu replied.

It was close to the village.

"Okay."

Kakashi nodded.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice.

"Crap, crap! I absolutely can't be late today!"

Obito, wearing yellow goggles, ran desperately toward the classroom.

But all he could see was the stream of people pouring out, which only made him more anxious.

"Late even for the entrance ceremony? Someone like that doesn't deserve to attend the Ninja Academy. He's got no chance."

Kakashi shook his head as Obito hurried over.

He despised people like Obito, who couldn't be punctual. Someone like that could never become a true ninja.

Hearing Kakashi's words, Qingyu looked at Obito too.

Kakashi was being pretty harsh, but in a way, he was right.

Being late for a mission could cause it to fail.

And Hatake Sakumo was the perfect example of the price one might pay for a failed mission.

Obito only needed to awaken Kamui, but Kakashi had a lot more to worry about.

"It's okay. I picked it up for you."

Rin Nohara handed Obito his enrollment file.

"Thanks, Rin. I owe you one!"

Obito blushed for some reason and thanked Rin Nohara earnestly.

Kakashi shook his head.

If Rin Nohara kept indulging Obito like this, how would he ever fix his habit of being late?

"Qingyu, let's go."

Compared to someone like Obito, Kakashi was more interested in Qingyu.

"Let's go."

Qingyu and Kakashi continued on their way.

Obito looked puzzled, not understanding where they were going.

After Rin Nohara explained, Obito insisted on coming along too.

So the group headed to the Third Training Ground together.

The Hokage Building.

"Hiruzen, you can't keep letting Qingyu do as he pleases. You have to hand him over to me so I can discipline him!"

Shimura Danzō looked solemn.

In his view, every naturally evil Uchiha brat needed to be kept under control.

It was a saying he'd inherited from his mentor, Senju Tobirama, and upheld throughout his life.

Whenever Shimura Danzō saw an Uchiha breathe, he could smell the foul stench hidden in the blood of the Uchiha Clan!

"Danzō!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was growing displeased with Shimura Danzō's attitude, as if he had the right to tell him what to do.

It seemed he'd given Shimura Danzō far too much power.

"You need to understand that Qingyu is also one of Teacher Tobirama's clansmen."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and spoke slowly.

"Hmph."

Shimura Danzō snorted.

"That's exactly why he must be handed over to Root, so we can guide him onto the right path. Otherwise, he'll become a calamity, and you'll regret it someday, Hiruzen."

At Shimura Danzō's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe.

"That's enough! I'm the Hokage!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen slapped the table.

Back then, it was Teacher Tobirama himself who had appointed him to the Hokage Position.

Though Qingyu had half Uchiha blood, he also had half Senju blood!

How could he stand by while Shimura Danzō sent a Senju clansman to Root to be ruined?

At that, Shimura Danzō shot Sarutobi Hiruzen an angry look.

He'd devoted himself wholeheartedly to Konoha, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was using the Hokage Position to lord it over him again!

You think you're so great, so noble.

If I hadn't been a few seconds too late back then, what business would you have had becoming Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Shimura Danzō suppressed his resentment and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Bang!

The door, which Shimura Danzō had slammed countless times, was on the verge of falling apart.

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately called in an Anbu Ninja and told him to have someone come repair it.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

The Anbu Ninja was about to leave when Sarutobi Hiruzen added:

"Make Shimura Danzō pay for the repairs himself."

"Yes."

After the Anbu Ninja left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the Crystal Ball on his desk.

He'd witnessed every student's speech in the classroom through the Telescope Technique.

"From Qingyu's speech, he seems like a calm, indifferent child. I wonder how much he believes in the Will of Fire."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his chin, planning to keep a close eye on Qingyu.

The Third Training Ground.

"This guy wants to spar with Kakashi? Seriously?"

Obito folded his arms, looking unconvinced.

"Maybe Qingyu's really strong,"

Rin Nohara said in Qingyu's defense.

She had a good impression of handsome, well-groomed boys like him.

"Hmph. No matter which of them is stronger, I'm the strongest!"

Obito pointed at his eyes, brimming with confidence.

"And once I awaken the Sharingan, I'll be even stronger!"

"Idiot."

Kakashi was convinced there was no hope for Obito's intelligence.

The Sharingan was just a tool. Were all those Uchiha who hadn't awakened it really less capable than Obito?

"Come on, Qingyu."

Kakashi looked at Qingyu and picked up a branch from the ground to use as a wooden sword.

Qingyu did the same.

"I won't go easy on you,"

Qingyu said calmly.

He wanted to see if he could draw out more of Kakashi's sword techniques and obtain a corresponding trait.

As he spoke, Qingyu's eyes suddenly turned crimson.

It was a One-Tomoe Sharingan!