Hatake Sakumo

Over the past two years, Uchiha Ying Yue's reputation in Konoha had steadily grown.

Not only had Uchiha Ying Yue secured his place as the Ninja Academy's top genius through his extraordinary talent and strength, but he had also earned the villagers' trust and respect through a series of good deeds.

Uchiha Ying Yue continued to support the Konoha Orphanage, helping the children who had lost their families in the war. Whenever he visited, Ying Yue brought a large sum of money and plenty of supplies, ensuring the children received good care and education.

Ying Yue never begrudged the children his time. He often personally taught them simple ninjutsu and survival skills.

Seeing a genius from the Uchiha Clan who excelled in battle and cared so much for the vulnerable, the villagers couldn't help but feel even more affection and respect for him.

Uchiha Ying Yue's kindness gradually broke down the villagers' stereotypical impression of the Uchiha Clan as cold and aloof.

At the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Ying Yue not only stood head and shoulders above the others in strength, but also displayed astonishing learning ability.

By combining the Destiny System with a modern way of thinking, Uchiha Ying Yue developed a deep and distinctive understanding of ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and tactics. Whether taking theoretical exams or participating in practical exercises, he consistently earned outstanding results with ease.

Even Namikaze Minato, a prodigy whose brilliance had been dazzling in the original story, could only take second place behind Uchiha Ying Yue. Minato was exceptionally talented in ninjutsu, but Ying Yue's all-around development and mature combat experience gave him a slight edge in every area.

Although Uchiha Ying Yue had claimed the title of the Ninja Academy's top genius, he didn't let it go to his head. Instead, he paid even more attention to his relationships with his classmates.

Uchiha Ying Yue often helped classmates who ran into difficulties in their training, patiently guiding them on how to improve. His selfless attitude earned him widespread support and friendship among his peers.

Uchiha Ying Yue was especially attentive to his relationship with Namikaze Minato. He not only guided Minato in ninjutsu and combat, but also looked after him in daily life, caring for the future Fourth Hokage like an older brother.

With Uchiha Ying Yue's help, Minato grew even faster. He respected and appreciated Ying Yue deeply, seeing him as his older brother.

Minato often took the initiative to ask Ying Yue all kinds of questions. Whether it was about combat techniques, ninjutsu, or the troubles of life, Ying Yue patiently answered him. Through his interactions with Minato, Uchiha Ying Yue also gained more Destiny Points.

By performing all these deeds that built his reputation, Uchiha Ying Yue's Destiny Points continued to grow. Even after investing most of them in improving his Sage Body, he still had Destiny Points left.

Uchiha Ying Yue felt it was time to graduate from the Ninja Academy and become a real ninja. Only through missions and battles could he continue to improve his strength, strengthen his resolve, and hone his combat skills.

Uchiha Ying Yue made up his mind. He would apply to his Ninja Academy teachers for early graduation, become a Genin, and begin his journey through the Ninja World.

Soon afterward, Uchiha Ying Yue passed the Genin exam with near-perfect results and became an official Genin of Konoha.

The paperwork documenting Uchiha Ying Yue's exam results was soon delivered to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, reviewing Ying Yue's file. A trace of satisfaction and thoughtfulness showed in his eyes.

Ying Yue has grown far beyond my expectations, Sarutobi Hiruzen reflected. His strength is well beyond what's required of a Genin, yet he's only graduating from the Ninja Academy now. Since he's become a ninja, I'll need to assign him a suitable team.

Uchiha Ying Yue's special status made Sarutobi Hiruzen especially cautious when choosing a jonin leader. He needed a powerful jonin who could lead Ying Yue through all kinds of complicated situations.

After careful thought, a name came to Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind: Hatake Sakumo.

"Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of the Leaf," Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured. "He's not only powerful and levelheaded, but also has extensive combat experience. He's the best person to lead Ying Yue."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately decided to assign Uchiha Ying Yue to Hatake Sakumo's team.

Next, Sarutobi Hiruzen considered who to choose as Hatake Sakumo's other two teammates. Given Ying Yue's special status, he needed to be especially careful about selecting them.

As it happened, the leaders of the Yamanaka Clan and the Hyuga Clan had recently been bringing up their clanspeople to him frequently, hoping their promising members could train alongside Uchiha Ying Yue.

"Ying Yue's teammates need to be strong enough, and they need to be a good match for his status," Sarutobi Hiruzen mused. "The leaders of the Yamanaka Clan and the Hyuga Clan have recommended two kunoichi. They're pretty and talented, so it's easy to guess what they have in mind. They probably want to arrange a marriage alliance with the Uchiha Clan."

"But Ying Yue really does need stronger ties to the village."

He decided to respect the leaders of the Yamanaka Clan and the Hyuga Clan's wishes and assign the two girls to Ying Yue's team.

The two kunoichi were:

Yamanaka Chinatsu: A young kunoichi of the Yamanaka Clan, with beautiful blond hair and blue eyes. Gentle but resilient, she specialized in her clan's Mind Body Switch Technique. She was somewhat like the future Yamanaka Ino, sharing the same charm and talent.

Hyuga Ayane: A kunoichi of the Hyuga Clan, with the family's characteristic Byakugan and black hair. Introverted but determined, she specialized in Gentle Fist and defensive ninjutsu. She was a little like the future Hinata Hyuga: seemingly fragile on the outside, but strong at heart.

Sarutobi Hiruzen finally signed his name on Ying Yue's file, officially declaring him a Genin of Konoha and assigning him to the team led by Hatake Sakumo.

When Ying Yue received the notice that he had officially become a Genin, he felt perfectly calm. Life at the Ninja Academy could no longer help him grow. Only real missions and battles would let him keep improving.

He wasn't surprised to learn that Hatake Sakumo would be his jonin leader. He'd already suspected that, given the man's age and strength, Hatake Sakumo would most likely be chosen to lead him.

But he was a little surprised to learn that he would be teamed up with Yamanaka Chinatsu and Hyuga Ayane. Looking back on his days at the Ninja Academy, Ying Yue remembered that although he'd gotten along well with the two girls, he hadn't spent much time with either of them.

"Yamanaka Chinatsu and Hyuga Ayane... They're both reasonably strong, but..." Ying Yue recalled how they'd acted at the Ninja Academy and couldn't help shaking his head slightly. "They seemed a little too 'interested' in me."

Uchiha Ying Yue knew he was extremely popular in Konoha, especially at the Ninja Academy.

Whether it was his handsome looks, his strength, or his tall, muscular build, he drew the attention of many of his peers. And Yamanaka Chinatsu and Hyuga Ayane, in particular, seemed especially taken with him.