Entrance Exam

"Naruto, what's so bad about school? You can make many good friends there." Kushina Uzumaki was explaining the benefits of attending the Ninja Academy to Naruto.

Naruto noticed that many people on the street looked at Kushina Uzumaki with disgust in their eyes.

Hmph, a bunch of trash.

"Big Brother Naruto." Karin ran over from the Konoha Hospital residential area early in the morning. "I made some sushi for you, Big Brother Naruto. Please have a taste."

Karin placed the lunch box in front of Naruto with anticipation.

Just then, a shout of "Hey-ha!" rang out.

Rock Lee rushed over first. "Naruto, spar with me! Neji won't practice with me anymore."

Rock Lee, by status, should be Naruto's junior; he was tenacious and hardworking, possessing more natural talent for taijutsu than Naruto.

According to Might Guy, he had seen Rock Lee training hard in a small grove and, moved by the sight, decided to mentor him.

Naruto, however, believed that Might Guy simply saw his younger self in Rock Lee. It was baffling that two people with such identical temperaments weren't father and son.

This thought struck Naruto as bizarre.

"Lee, I'm about to head to the Ninja Academy, there will be plenty of time later." Naruto refused; sparring with Rock Lee was a huge hassle. If you didn't exhaust his stamina, he would never stop.

Naruto's ring finger twitched.

Hinata had arrived.

Hinata was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, her eyes a pale lavender.

"Naruto!" Hinata's gaze landed on Karin, and a hint of crisis emerged in her heart.

Naruto naturally took the lunch box. "Her name is Karin, she's a friend. Karin, can I share this with everyone so we can all have a taste?"

Karin adjusted her glasses. "Big Brother Naruto, that's fine."

Neji Hyuga maintained the air of a genius from the Hyuga Clan, standing far off to the side. He didn't want to be dragged into a spar by Lee, nor did he want to talk much with Naruto.

Even though their relationship was actually quite good.

Karin and Hinata soon got to know each other, the two young girls whispering to one another on the side.

Hinata had been spending a lot of time with Naruto, so her personality was no longer as insecure as it once was. Even though she always lost to Neji in Gentle Fist sparring, she could face it with a calm heart. However, seeing another cute red-haired girl suddenly appear by Naruto's side shattered that composure.

Karin didn't think much of it; because Naruto was her savior, it was only natural for her to be good to him.

Naruto found them quite amusing at this moment. It was just childish sentiment—the desire for the person they were close to not to be close to other members of the opposite sex.

Kushina Uzumaki gave a polite nod to Hiashi Hyuga.

Ever since the incident with Hizashi Hyuga, the ties between the Hyuga Clan and the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had grown increasingly tight, slowly forming a community of shared interests and emotional bonds.

Therefore, the Hyuga Clan did not stop Hinata from associating with Naruto; in fact, they were somewhat secretly supportive of it.

With the influence of the Fourth Hokage and the Hyuga Clan, it was very easy for Naruto and Hinata to enroll. This entrance examination could also be considered an opportunity for the children to make their debut.

At the Ninja Academy playground.

The children preparing for enrollment and their parents stood to one side.

Umino Iruka stood nervously by the wooden target. He was the teacher in charge of this incoming class and was serving as the lead teacher for the first time. "Hello everyone, my name is Iruka, and I am in charge of today's entrance examination. The test is very simple: hit the target next to me with a shuriken from five meters away. If you hit it, you pass. I will call out names according to the registration order, and those called may participate."

Naruto had Hinata standing on one side and Karin on the other. Karin would not be attending the Ninja Academy; she would primarily be learning the Uzumaki Clan's ninjutsu and sealing techniques from Kushina Uzumaki.

Hinata was angry at Naruto because he hadn't told her about Karin in time.

Naruto chuckled as he tried to coax Hinata.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Iruka called Naruto first.

Kushina Uzumaki pushed Naruto out of the crowd, and many people turned their eyes toward him.

Iruka looked forward to Naruto's performance. He knew that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage and surely inherited the Fourth Hokage's excellent ninja bloodline.

Naruto took two shuriken from Iruka; he only needed to hit with one to pass.

Naruto held the two shuriken between his fingers, stood at the firing point, and gave a light flick.

Thwack! Thwack!

Half of each shuriken was embedded in the target.

Iruka was startled. Naruto's strength was immense; he truly was the son of the Fourth Hokage.

"Naruto Uzumaki, pass."

"Sasuke Uchiha."

The Uchiha—one of the most powerful clans in Konoha.

Sasuke Uchiha walked out, wearing a simple black long-sleeved shirt and shorts, with the Uchiha Clan's fan crest on his back.

Naruto and Sasuke brushed past each other.

Sasuke had black hair and black eyes, delicate features, and fair skin.

"Sasuke, Sasuke, you're the best!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd of girls.

Naruto chuckled; handsome guys naturally had their own fanbases.

It didn't matter, though; Naruto didn't even know him.

Sasuke ignored the girls cheering for him. The Uchiha were born with a competitive spirit, and Naruto's shuriken technique from moments ago had ignited a desire to win in Sasuke.

"I was taught this shuriken technique by my brother himself." Sasuke assumed a textbook stance.

The shuriken traced a perfect arc through the air before changing trajectory to strike the center of the target. It was a flawless performance.

Another genius had emerged from the Uchiha Clan.

"Sasuke, that was amazing!"

Screams rang out.

Sasuke turned to look toward Naruto, expecting him to be just as focused as he was. Instead, he saw Naruto grinning and fawning over the little girl from the Hyuga Clan. He felt a sudden flash of irritation, though he kept it hidden.

The entrance exam continued.

Iruka was satisfied with the performance of this year's students, especially Naruto and Sasuke. They would undoubtedly become the young generation that Konoha focused on cultivating.

Hokage Office.

"Sensei, Naruto performed quite well." Kakashi wore his Anbu mask.

Minato Namikaze was busy reviewing documents. "It's all thanks to Guy's teaching, but Naruto's personality is too slippery. I hope he can become a bit more serious at the Ninja Academy."

"Does Sensei have any expectations for Naruto?" Kakashi asked curiously.

Minato Namikaze replied, "I just hope he can grow up easily and happily."

Kakashi sighed, "Sensei loves Naruto too much."

"Kakashi, is there solid evidence that Fugaku Uchiha intends to rebel?" Minato Namikaze frowned. "According to information gathered from various channels, Fugaku Uchiha has united a group of restless individuals within the Uchiha clan who are dissatisfied with being isolated by the upper echelons of Konoha and want more power."

Kakashi analyzed, "Sensei, someone must be inciting Fugaku Uchiha. Over the years, you have given the Uchiha plenty of room to develop, but unfortunately, Body Flicker Shisui and Itachi Uchiha were transferred under Danzo, which has made our strategy very passive."

Minato Namikaze commanded, "Kakashi, we cannot implicate the entire Uchiha Clan. Konoha needs to unite the strength of the Uchiha, but we cannot allow Fugaku Uchiha to stir up trouble in the shadows. Find an opportunity to draw Fugaku Uchiha out."

"Is Sensei planning to make a move against Fugaku Uchiha?" Kakashi asked.

Minato Namikaze said, "The Third Hokage is indecisive, and the Council of Elders and Danzo seem to want to completely annihilate the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps other forces are involved as well, but if we capture the core, Fugaku Uchiha, the situation surely won't spiral into something so dire."

Besides, Uchiha Mikoto, the wife of Fugaku Uchiha, was a close friend of Kushina Uzumaki.

"Yes, Sensei. I will execute this immediately." Kakashi departed.

Root.

Danzo stared at Body Flicker Shisui. "The evidence is right in front of you. Do you still not believe that the Uchiha Clan intends to betray the village? Shisui, you must make a choice."

Body Flicker Shisui wore a dark, high-collared short-sleeved shirt with triangular guards, matching trousers with leg wraps, and a small katana strapped to his back.

"I will explain the situation to the Third Hokage," Shisui said calmly to Danzo. "I believe it is still possible to stop Fugaku Uchiha, and given the Fourth Hokage's stance, he will not stand by as a mere spectator."

Danzo sensed the wavering in Shisui's emotions. "Shisui, you are Body Flicker Shisui, the strongest in the Uchiha Clan today. As long as you are willing to cooperate with me, I can persuade the Third Hokage. As for the Fourth Hokage, he has never truly valued the Uchiha Clan. Otherwise, why was it Kakashi who survived the battlefield, and not Uchiha Obito?"

Shisui did not trust Danzo; he only trusted the Third Hokage. After nodding, he transformed into a murder of crows and vanished from Root.

"Keep an eye on Shisui."

"Yes! Lord Danzo."

Uchiha Clan residential area.

Sasuke was practicing shuriken in the backyard alone when he suddenly heard the Space Gate open. He immediately broke into a smile and sprinted toward the sound.

The person who entered was Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha.

"Brother, I successfully entered the Ninja Academy today! I will definitely be the top graduate, just like you," Sasuke declared confidently.

Itachi had long black hair tied back, and a katana hung at his waist. "Little brother, practicing shuriken again?"

Sasuke nodded. "Brother, I think I'm ready to learn ninjutsu."

Itachi ruffled Sasuke's hair. "Then I'll teach you a ninjutsu. You'd better study hard."

Sasuke said excitedly, "You're the best, brother!"

Itachi looked up toward the house, his heart in turmoil. On one side was his clan, on the other, the village. He had no idea how to choose.

Why did it have to come to this?

Konoha street barbecue restaurant.

Naruto took out his pocket money to treat Hinata to barbecue.

Then, Neji arrived with Lee in tow.

Karin naturally followed Naruto as well.

Hinata looked at Naruto's pained expression and laughed happily; she was determined to make Naruto bleed his wallet dry this time.

Naruto kept his word and told everyone to order whatever they wanted.

"Neji, can you really eat that much?" Naruto shouted. Neji alone had ordered ten plates of pork belly.

Neji said earnestly, "I can finish it."