Are You Willing...?

Upon hearing Uchiha Hao's words, Li's pupils constricted slightly, though he quickly returned to normal. He lowered his head, cursing inwardly. Uchiha Hao was naturally suspicious; because Li had suddenly used Flash Step to defeat that Sand Ninja, Uchiha Hao likely believed Li had been intentionally hiding his strength. Coupled with the fact that Li did not play with his peers and acted with such maturity, the man probably suspected him of having ulterior motives.

The Military Police Force was the department under Uchiha Clan jurisdiction in Konoha, specifically tasked with managing the village's grievances. Initially, the Uchiha Clan took pride in this department. Later, after realizing it was merely a department established by Konoha to keep the Uchiha away from the village's politics, some core members of the Uchiha Clan began to view it with shame. However, out of respect for the Third Hokage, they dared to be angry but dared not speak out.

Because of this, core members of the Uchiha Clan were never assigned to the Military Police Force. Those sent there were only young clansmen who had yet to awaken the Two-Tomoe Sharingan or middle-aged clansmen who still only possessed the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. To put it bluntly, they were the clan's castaways; summoned when useful, and if not, they would never be able to participate in the inner circle of the Uchiha Clan. These clansmen arranged for the Military Police Force were merely there to appease Konoha.

Uchiha Hao's current approach was to exile Li from the clan's core. In his view, Li was still young and would not understand the significance of the Military Police Force; he would likely even be proud to become a ninja. This way, he could avoid drawing Li's hostility while slowly letting him fade out of the clan's core.

One must know that Li was the most outstanding genius in the Uchiha Clan and should have enjoyed the most abundant resources for cultivation. Yet, he was now being treated as a castaway to appease Konoha. Truly, his intentions were clear: to ensure Li would not threaten Uchiha Fugaku's future position as clan head, he had forgotten that Li's parents died saving him.

"Li, are you willing to join the Military Police Force as a ninja and fight for the glory of the Uchiha Clan?" Uchiha Hao looked at Li and asked again.

Bullshit glory! Li cursed inwardly upon hearing this, but his expression remained calm. He looked up at Uchiha Hao and said indifferently, "As a member of the Uchiha Clan, this is my duty! I will obey the Clan Head's arrangements in everything!"

When one is under the eaves, one must bow one's head. Although Li's strength had reached the level of a Chunin and he could perhaps kill an elite Chunin by relying on Flash Step, trying to oppose the entire Uchiha Clan was undoubtedly like throwing an egg against a rock.

"Good, this is the spirit of a son of the Uchiha Clan. Go back and prepare now; tomorrow's assessment will be held at the Third Training Ground! Don't be late!" Receiving Li's answer, a smile appeared on Uchiha Hao's face. He had truly been afraid that Li would refuse, which would have been difficult to handle.

Li bowed slightly, then silently backed away. Watching Li's retreating figure, Uchiha Hao narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered, "Fugaku, this is all I can do for you. I have wronged Li this time, but after you become the clan head and transfer him back to the core, I trust he will be grateful and serve you wholeheartedly in the future!"

Uchiha Hao's calculations were quite sound; he played the bad cop, letting Uchiha Fugaku play the good cop. It was a seamless plan, yet he could never have imagined that the person he was trying to scheme against was not as simple as a six-year-old brat.

Early the next morning, after packing all his combat gear, Li left the house. According to Uchiha Hao, this Genin exam was at the Third Training Ground. Uchiha Hao did not accompany him; it was a foregone conclusion that Li would pass, so there was nothing to see. Moreover, Uchiha Hao was intentionally distancing himself from Li and would certainly not go to watch in person.

Arriving at the Third Training Ground, Li saw only three people: the Third Hokage, Orochimaru, and a middle-aged man. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a career Genin.

"Sarutobi-sensei!" Although his relationship with the Third Hokage had become unpleasant due to the Sand Ninja incident, they were still master and student on the surface. After greeting the Third Hokage, Li nodded at Orochimaru, though the look in Orochimaru's eyes made Li feel quite uncomfortable.

"Li, Uchiha Hao must have told you about the assessment. Now, you only need to defeat the Genin in the arena, and you will be qualified to become a Genin!" The Third Hokage nodded with a smile, looking harmonious, as if he had forgotten what happened a few days ago.

Li looked at the Genin in the arena. He was a thin, middle-aged man wearing a forehead protector and casual clothes, but his expression was somewhat dissatisfied. It was likely he was unhappy because his opponent was Li. After all, Li had defeated a Chunin; having a Genin test Li's strength was simply asking for a beating. However, this was the Third Hokage's order, and he had to execute the mission regardless of his feelings.

"You must be Mirai Uchiha. Next, you only need to defeat me to wear this forehead protector just like me!" The middle-aged Genin pointed to the forehead protector on his head. Speaking of the protector, he looked proud; it was a symbol of being able to stand on one's own as a ninja, and it was not easy for a civilian like him to become one.

Li nodded indifferently, not caring at all. He had initially thought the Third Hokage would arrange for a Chunin to fight him, but he hadn't expected a Genin. The outcome of this battle was already obvious.

The battle was very short, ending almost ten seconds after the start. Li used a triple Flash Step and then knocked the career Genin unconscious. Once his strength reached the level of a Chunin, he was even more adept at using Flash Step.

"Li, from now on, you are a ninja of Konoha. This is your forehead protector, a symbol that you can stand on your own. Please keep it safe, do you understand?" The Third Hokage did not seem surprised; this assessment was just a formality. After the battle ended, the Third Hokage walked up to Li with a smile, holding a forehead protector.

"I understand, Sarutobi-sensei!" Li took the forehead protector and tied it around his forehead, his long hair falling to one side and covering one eye.

Seeing Li put on the forehead protector, the Third Hokage suddenly pondered for a moment, then looked at Li with an inquisitive tone and asked, "Li, you are now a ninja. Could you come under my command and help me? The Konoha Intelligence Division happens to be short-handed; would you be willing to join?"