Watching the Match

Before long, the day of the Uchiha Clan's competition arrived. Mikoto made it all the way to the finals with the Great Fireball Technique.

With nothing to do, Shen Ye happened to pass by the Uchiha Clan compound. He glanced inside from the entrance and saw Mikoto and Uchiha Fugaku fighting.

At that moment, only the two of them remained to compete for the final victory.

Fugaku clearly didn't want to fight Mikoto. His actions suggested that he was prepared to forfeit, but the Uchiha Clan Head's glare snuffed that idea out before it could take root.

"Mikoto, I'm sorry, but I can't let you win this match."

"The Uchiha Clan has always been a man's world. Today, I'll show you all how formidable a kunoichi can be."

"Nicely said. That's the way to be—bold and unapologetic."

Clapping as he spoke, Shen Ye walked over to the arena and stopped at its edge to watch quietly.

Fugaku's mouth twitched. He was already itching to lash out, but this was an important match, and he couldn't just act recklessly.

"Carry on. I just want to be a quiet spectator. And maybe see how the genius ninja Uchiha Fugaku loses to Mikoto."

The Uchiha Clan Head frowned but said nothing. He was a man of standing, after all; getting into an argument with a child would be humiliating if word got out.

Shen Ye's appearance hadn't affected Mikoto at all, but Fugaku wasn't so lucky.

Whenever he tried to channel his chakra, Shen Ye's face appeared in his mind, and his voice rang in Fugaku's ears.

Damn it. That guy's presence has completely thrown me off.

"Fugaku, don't lose focus in the middle of a fight. Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Mikoto spotted a flaw in Fugaku's movements. She rapidly formed Hand Seals, gathering most of her chakra in her mouth.

If this attack landed, the match would end immediately. But if Fugaku dodged, Mikoto wouldn't have enough chakra left to keep fighting.

A faint smile appeared on Shen Ye's lips as he watched from below. He already knew how this would end.

Under normal circumstances, Mikoto would never have stood a chance against Fugaku. After all, the Forehead Protector on his head showed that he was already a Genin.

How could a kid who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy possibly beat a Genin?

But what happened next left everyone stunned—everyone except Shen Ye, of course.

The small flame struck Fugaku at an utterly unbelievable angle. Even the Clan Head hadn't expected the match to end that way.

"Looks like the match is over. There's no point watching any longer."

Shen Ye shrugged and turned to leave.

He'd come to watch the match for two reasons: first, to put some psychological pressure on Fugaku; second, to see the looks on everyone's faces when they saw the result.

Shock and disbelief were written all over their faces.

Feeling the glaring sunlight, Shen Ye instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes.

"Shen Ye, so you came to watch the Uchiha Clan's match too."

"It's already over. You're late, Minato."

"I hurried as fast as I could, but I still missed it. How did the match end?"

"Mikoto won, of course. Don't forget, she went through my brutal training!"

Minato smiled with relief. The fight between Mikoto and Fugaku showed, in a way, just how different the kids at the Ninja Academy were from the Genin.

Besides, Fugaku wasn't just famous as a genius ninja in the Uchiha Clan—he was renowned throughout the entire village.

"To celebrate the result, let's go get some Ichiraku Ramen!"

"Forget the ramen. I've got other things to do. I haven't finished today's task yet."

"Task? What task?"

Minato sidled up to Shen Ye with a sly grin, assuming the village had assigned him some important mission.

Of course, Shen Ye couldn't tell him he was out to steal ninja skills, so he made up an excuse and turned to leave.

Watching him disappear into the distance, Minato shook his head helplessly.

He knew Shen Ye had some kind of secret, but since they were good friends, he wanted to respect his privacy and wouldn't pry.

After parting ways with Minato, Shen Ye wandered aimlessly through the village streets, searching for a target for the day.

But as he watched the crowds passing by, he couldn't find anyone worth stealing a skill from.

It seemed the ninjas had all vanished from the village today. He could only see ordinary people and children, so using Steal Skill would be pointless.

After thinking it over, Shen Ye settled on a target.

Even with the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, away from the village, that man would never leave. He'd stay right where he was, patiently eyeing the Hokage's seat.

Heading toward the Hokage Office, Shen Ye walked straight into the Anbu headquarters without stopping.

Danzo was taking a nap, looking utterly unconcerned with everything. The entire Anbu headquarters was otherwise empty; he was the only one there.

"Danzo, you've got it pretty easy all by yourself in here."

Danzo opened his bleary eyes and studied the person standing before him.

"Shen Ye? You've gotten so tall already? I only saw you yesterday."

Danzo was astonished. Shen Ye had somehow grown to the height he should have reached years from now in just a few days. What kind of monster was he? Even his chakra reserves had grown beyond belief.

But his shock only lasted a moment. Danzo quickly regained his composure.

"What brings you here all of a sudden? Even the Third Hokage doesn't just stroll in here."

Danzo's expression grew increasingly menacing. He was already thinking that if Shen Ye said one wrong word, he'd attack him.

If Shen Ye died here, no one would find out. The Anbu was the village's most secretive organization. Neither Tsunade nor the Third Hokage had any authority to interfere with its operations.

Shen Ye sensed the murderous intent but calmly continued approaching Danzo.

"I just missed you, old buddy, so I came by to see you."

As he spoke, Shen Ye placed a hand on Danzo's shoulder. Danzo didn't notice anything amiss.

Unable to find a suitable excuse, Danzo couldn't openly lash out, so he smiled back at Shen Ye.

"When a punk like you says something like that, it never sounds sincere. If you've got something to say, just say it."

"Actually, there's something I need your help with. You're the only one in the whole village who can help."