The Blind Swordsman of the Uchiha Clan

Chiba formed hand seals, chakra surging within his body.

The next moment, chakra flames appeared on the five fingers of his raised right hand.

The Anbu's pupils constricted sharply.

Then, Chiba struck him squarely in the abdomen.

"Five Elements Seal!"

With a dull thud.

The Anbu was sent flying instantly.

Five charred marks appeared on his abdomen, forming the structure of a seal.

The blow itself did not hurt.

Yet, in that moment, he felt the flow of chakra throughout his entire body completely sealed off.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō looked on in astonishment.

"This is... a sealing jutsu?"

"And it's the Five Elements Seal passed down from the Uzumaki Clan."

Chiba waved his hand, and the chakra flames vanished from his fingertips.

"My apologies--"

No sooner had the words left his lips.

Three katanas were instantly pressed against Chiba's neck, pinning him in place.

"Alright, alright!"

"Don't be so nervous... don't hurt my adorable student!"

"He was just demonstrating the sealing jutsu I taught him."

Kushina spoke with a smile.

However, there was not a hint of warmth in her eyes.

Under Kushina's gaze, the three Anbu felt a tremor of fear.

After all, this was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Her strength was so immense that she could suppress the Nine-Tails single-handedly, and even forcibly extract and utilize a portion of its chakra.

The scene was deathly quiet.

Kushina smiled, and the three Anbu dared not make a move.

Chiba simply stood calmly, leaning on his cane, his eyes covered by a black cloth; no one knew what he was thinking.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were also silent.

Perhaps out of shock, or perhaps contemplating a countermeasure.

It was Uchiha Fugaku who broke the tense atmosphere.

"Lord Hokage..."

A soft whisper pulled Sarutobi Hiruzen from his stupor.

He waved his hand calmly.

"Don't be nervous, stand down."

"Chiba was indeed demonstrating a sealing jutsu."

At these words, the three Anbu sheathed their blades and vanished from the office.

Once the Anbu had disappeared, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted, and he resumed that kindly smile.

No one knew what had truly passed through his mind.

But, in all likelihood, he had already devised a strategy.

"Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"

"Chiba, I never expected that not only is your swordsmanship exceptional, but you have also delved into sealing jutsu?"

"I... have indeed underestimated you."

"However, I hope that next time you wish to demonstrate a ninjutsu, you will give prior notice, and do not perform it in such a setting or such a place."

"That—is very dangerous."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had always viewed Chiba as a mere six-year-old child.

In his eyes, what kind of schemes could a six-year-old possibly harbor?

Yet, it seemed he had been mistaken.

The aura Chiba had just displayed was absolutely not something a mere child could manifest.

At the same time, that hostility was genuine and tangible.

Were those words spoken at the memorial service a product of Chiba's own will, or were they instructed by Uchiha Fugaku?

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not certain; he was merely suspicious.

However, suspicion alone was enough.

Before this, he had indeed harbored the intention to cultivate Chiba, and quite strongly at that.

No one dislikes a genius.

After all, brainwashing a six-year-old child is quite easy.

Yet, just now, Sarutobi Hiruzen abandoned that thought.

What he needed was an obedient dog.

Not a maverick genius.

At this moment, Kushina Uzumaki walked to Chiba's side.

"Now, is it proven?"

Kushina Uzumaki was indeed mentoring Chiba.

The sealing jutsu Chiba used was the best proof.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

"Indeed, it is a very excellent sealing jutsu."

"Since that is the case, then... the graduation examination for Uchiha Chiba will be held in three days."

Kushina was stunned for a moment.

"What examination?"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

"Kushina, could it be that you have forgotten?"

"To graduate early from the Ninja Academy, one must undergo a ninja examination."

"Does his strength as a ninja still need to be proven?"

Kushina frowned.

"Kushina, since when has strength been the only standard for measuring a ninja?"

"Ninjas are required to execute missions."

"Rescue missions, protection missions, escort missions... these require more than just strength."

"His blindness is a limitation after all, so naturally—an examination is required."

"That is all for today. You are dismissed."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.

Clearly, he did not want to continue this any further.

He was very displeased with Kushina's interference today.

Yet, he ultimately could not impose any punishment on her.

Who would dare provoke their own Jinchuriki during wartime?

For the first time, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that his tenure as Hokage was somewhat stifling.

After Chiba and the others left.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions turned cold.

As high-ranking officials of Konoha, it had been a long time since they had been subjected to such treatment.

"Does this Kushina think too highly of herself?"

"Does she not know that she is interfering in Uchiha affairs?"

"How could she not know?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a calm expression.

"I fear it is still because of Minato..."

"Although Minato has never stated it directly, he has always had the idea of wanting to resolve the issues regarding the Uchiha clan."

"Kushina is likely trying to support Minato by following his example of taking an Uchiha apprentice..."

"But why, of all people, this Uchiha Chiba?"

Danzo, who had failed to obtain Chiba, was also very displeased.

"Even Minato only took in a dead-last Uchiha."

"In any case, we absolutely cannot let Chiba graduate smoothly."

"This is no longer a matter of where this Uchiha genius belongs, but a suppression of the Uchiha clan."

"We cannot allow the Uchiha clan to push their luck any further."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had already made up his mind, and he spoke quietly.

Utatane Koharu seemed to recall something and asked.

"Hiruzen, who do you intend to have test Chiba?"

"An excellent candidate—"

After Chiba and the others left the office building.

Kushina Uzumaki let out a triumphant shout, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.

"That felt so good..."

"I've found them eyesores for a long time now."

"These old fogies, to think they've kept me cooped up in Konoha for so long—"

Kushina did not hide her true feelings in the slightest.

Even while standing right beneath the Hokage Building.

Is this the wilfulness of a jinchuriki from the war era?

"So, is this the real reason you came today?"

Chiba looked up, meeting Kushina Uzumaki's gaze directly.