011. Passing the Test

Yashui was not particularly optimistic about the outcome of the fight just now. Although he had demonstrated excellent fundamental ninjutsu and tactical awareness, he had not utilized the Fire Style techniques for which the Uchiha Clan was renowned, and he had been rendered completely helpless the moment Asuma slightly increased the difficulty. Based on these two points alone, Yashui feared he might be judged unfit for early graduation.

After waiting for a long time, Asuma finally began to speak: "Your taijutsu seems different from what is taught at the Ninja Academy. It appears better suited for fighting in confined spaces. Unlike most taijutsu styles in Konoha—such as the Akimichi Clan's Human Bullet Tank, the Sarutobi Clan's Sarutobi Style Taijutsu, or the Konoha Whirlwind series—these styles are better suited for the front lines of the battlefield."

"Your taijutsu, however, has an end goal somewhat similar to the Hyuga Style." Asuma did not seem to intend to announce the test results immediately. "If you could hand over this taijutsu, it could fill a void in our Konoha's repertoire of such techniques..."

"Asuma!" The Third Hokage gave Asuma a meaningful look, and Asuma ceased speaking on the matter.

Yashui's taijutsu was quite unconventional compared to the people of the Naruto world. The world of Naruto had only existed for about a hundred years since emerging from the Warring States period, and in that century, it had already endured three large-scale Ninja World Wars, with local conflicts occurring incessantly. In such a world, all taijutsu was designed to serve the battlefield; to counter ninjutsu, taijutsu had evolved to a point of immense destructive power.

In Yashui's original world, taijutsu did not need to contend with ninjutsu. It was not meant for destruction or the battlefield, but for subduing opponents and ensuring safety. Taijutsu formed in such an environment naturally looked different from that of the Naruto world.

Asuma was right about one thing: Yashui's taijutsu was very similar to that of the Hyuga Clan, neither being suitable for large-scale battlefields. Yet, even the Hyuga Clan had developed techniques like "Rotation" and "Air Palm" to adapt to war, which could be used in large-scale conflicts. This showed just how frequent war was in this world.

Asuma's words just now were clearly intended to pressure Yashui into handing over this taijutsu so that more ninja could learn it. Born into an era of war, he possessed a clear sense of crisis.

"Asuma... he is still just a child. There is no need for this." The Third Hokage was known as the strongest ninja of his generation and was well-versed in all aspects; naturally, he did not think much of Yashui's minor taijutsu.

"Tell me, how is this child, really?" The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe. He had already seen Yashui's level quite clearly while observing from the sidelines.

"I will submit Sarutobi Yashui's early graduation application to the Ninja Academy." Asuma sighed. Although he had wanted to extract something from Yashui for the village, Yashui's strength had earned his recognition.

"That's great!" Yashui jumped for joy, and all the hardships he had faced during the day seemed to vanish like smoke.

"Yashui, to be honest, your level has already reached that of a genin. Compared to the children graduating this year, your strength should be among the best."

"However." Asuma's tone shifted. "You are still not the strongest genin of this year. Since you were born into the prestigious Sarutobi family, you must work hard to improve your own strength."

Asuma deliberately emphasized the words "prestigious Sarutobi," as if warning Yashui, "You are Yashui of the Sarutobi Clan, not Yashui of the Uchiha Clan." Yashui had originally had no concept of family, but after hearing this, he could not help but feel a surge of indignation.

Yashui, who had never personally experienced the Uchiha Clan massacre, felt as if he were seeing the scene of the Uchiha being slaughtered one by one right before his eyes.

Behind his sunglasses, a blood-red tomoe slowly manifested in his pupils.

This was strange! Yashui's emotions were actually resonating with the events of this world! These were not emotions that should belong to Yashui!

"I'm a bit worn out from the fight earlier. I feel tired and would like to go back and rest." Yashui found an excuse to return to his room early to sleep. "Thank you, Uncle Asuma, thank you, Grandfather. I'm heading upstairs."

After returning to his room, Yashui locked the door and buried himself under the covers.

"How can this be... thoughts that don't belong to me are appearing in my mind..." Yashui trembled.

Without his control, his Sharingan activated automatically. He couldn't shut it off no matter what he did. Now, even hiding under the covers, he dared not take off his sunglasses.

The night was deep, yet moonlight illuminated the sky.

"Danzo." An aged voice drew closer. Danzo sat in his seat, unmoved.

"Hiruzen, what business do you have with me?" Danzo sneered. "You should know that I could control you with my right eye at any moment... or perhaps you think your aged body can still break my genjutsu."

"That is not your genjutsu; it is Shisui's genjutsu." The person who had arrived was none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. "And you would not waste your limited ocular power on me."

"Heh heh..."

"You sent the Anbu to monitor Yashui again." The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe. "Do you not intend to spare even the last descendant of Kagami Uchiha?"

"He... might not be Yashui anymore," Danzo said slowly. "If his will is not strong enough yet he craves power, he may no longer be himself."

"What did you say?!" The Third Hokage roared in his aged voice.

"Nothing..." Danzo smiled. "I monitor him for the sake of our village. He recently killed the chunin who was watching him, then associated closely with the Uchiha Clan, and possesses strange taijutsu we know nothing about. He has even opened the 'treasure' of the Uchiha Clan."

"Is the treasure the Sharingan?" The Third Hokage hoped to hear a negative answer.

"Yes. You've noticed, haven't you? The current Yashui has already awakened the Sharingan." Danzo stood up, leaning on his cane. "What about you? As Hokage, why are you so protective of a child of the Uchiha Clan? Giving him sunglasses to hide the Sharingan, allowing a dangerous Uchiha to graduate early, not confiscating that taijutsu... aren't you being too protective? Besides, the level of Uchiha Shisui just now is nowhere near enough to be a qualified genin!"

"He is a member of our Sarutobi Clan." The Third Hokage said firmly. "He is my grandson!"

"Heh heh..." Danzo walked past the Third Hokage, ignoring him completely. "Suit yourself. I do everything for the sake of Konoha."

"I know you sent people to assassinate Yashui twice. For the sake of Konoha, I will not hold it against you. But this will not happen again; I will have my Earth Clone accompany Yashui at all times!" The Third Hokage left the room from the other side.

The two former partners left the same room in opposite directions.

Yashui woke up, or rather, Yashui hadn't slept at all.