Indra's Chakra

Once, in the Warring States period before Konoha was even established.

Fire Style was once synonymous with the Uchiha.

Possessing the Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan, the Uchiha reduced countless enemies to ash on the battlefield with their formidable Fire Style.

In the vast shinobi world, only the Senju Clan could stand against them.

Later, the Uchiha and Senju set aside their prejudices and jointly established Konoha.

The shinobi world ushered in a brand-new village system, and ninjas welcomed a brand-new living environment.

As time passed, Konoha experienced two Shinobi World Wars, and the Third Shinobi World War had only just begun not long ago.

With the passing of the old and the arrival of the new, "ancient," "powerful," and "noble clan of Konoha" remained the labels for the Uchiha.

Yet, having relocated their clan grounds several times within Konoha, the Uchiha had seemingly been relegated to the role of Konoha's police force...

And as of today.

When that Fire Dragon circled above the examination grounds!

When that Uchiha youth held up two fingers, seemingly hesitating whether to burn his opponent to nothingness!

Those fears of the Uchiha Clan, dormant deep within the souls of their ancestors—how could only Hyuga Seikawa feel them?

"Fire Style... can it even be used like this?"

An Akimichi clansman finally could not suppress his inner astonishment; he even forgot the potato chips in his hand, his voice trembling.

"Is this what the Uchiha are..."

"..."

Fugaku did not express any words of shock. He appeared calm, but Mikoto, whose fingers were interlaced with his, could best feel her husband's agitation.

She gently stroked her lower abdomen, "Child, you have a very powerful big brother."

"Orochimaru..."

Wearing a conical hat, the Third, who had witnessed Ruohuo's technique with his own eyes in the Crystal Ball, took a puff of his pipe. His aged face did not reveal much joy.

No one knew what this old man was thinking, including Orochimaru, who stood closest to him.

"During the second Chunin exam, this child once used this technique to circle the Forest of Death, igniting a vast expanse of the forest with Fire Style."

"I had no choice but to suspend the exam. That fire... it took the Rescue Squad a full three hours to extinguish."

"I have heard, Teacher." Orochimaru allowed his tone to carry a note of seriousness.

"This was my oversight. I still underestimated this child's talent. His current strength has already far exceeded the limits that a Chunin exam can withstand..."

"I should have anticipated this."

Orochimaru took the responsibility upon himself.

But how could the Third possibly hold him accountable?

Not to mention that the Uchiha had already covered Konoha's losses this time, the Third's goal at this moment was not to assign blame.

Another gifted Uchiha, indeed...

Danzo's worries were not without reason, but he was still more inclined to emulate his teacher's approach from back then.

"Take this child by your side in the future, Orochimaru... do not forget my instructions to you."

Orochimaru smiled slightly, "Understood, Teacher."

The key to the reconciliation between the Uchiha and Konoha?

Orochimaru had not yet forgotten that child's dream from that day...

To become the clan head, protect Konoha, reach out to the shinobi world, and grow strong.

In Orochimaru's view, the things the teacher worried about were undoubtedly superfluous.

This child had not yet come into contact with those things.

And if the Konoha higher-ups only needed to abandon some prejudices, what need was there for any bridge?

In a dark corner.

Danzo watched that figure with cold eyes. The sunlight could not reach this old man, and no one could see his expression.

"Elder, the Bug Squad has intercepted an emergency distress signal from White Fang."

A Root Ninja appeared, bowed, and reported in a low voice.

"Notify the Bug Squad to disengage from the battlefield, maintain silence, and prepare to execute the mission to exterminate the Uchiha."

Danzo continued to stare fixedly at the youth above the examination grounds, adding:

"Hand over the intelligence on Uchiha Ruohuo to those rats hiding in Konoha, and ensure they can send it back to their respective villages."

"If the plan fails, I must also ensure that this brat dies in an attack from another shinobi village."

"Yes." The Root Ninja vanished.

Danzo tapped his fingers rhythmically against the armrest. Although he had prepared much in advance, he felt that such an operation was still not secure enough.

The talent of that Uchiha brat was plain to see.

Danzo was born in an era protected by the First, a time that still bore the lingering shadow of the Shinobi World Asura.

Though he did not know if this Uchiha brat was qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as Uchiha Madara.

Danzo neither wanted nor dared to let time be the judge of that...

What if this brat truly became the second Uchiha Madara?

The Konoha of today had no second First to stand against him...

"If Orochimaru is willing to cooperate, that would be for the best..."

Danzo closed his eyes, contemplating the feasibility of this matter.

Based on his understanding of Monkey, the position of Fourth Hokage would absolutely never be passed to Orochimaru.

Even if Tsunade had been dispirited since the Second Shinobi World War and Jiraiya had no heart for succeeding as Hokage, Monkey would never consider Orochimaru once a more suitable candidate appeared.

That fellow's ambition was far too heavy...

But if that ambition could be exploited, perhaps...

Hyuga Seikawa ultimately failed to avenge his beloved younger brother.

The examiner announced the victor.

Yet, Hyuga Seikawa was indeed the "strongest" among all the examinees.

Following this, Ruohuo received another bye in the semifinals.

Then, he encountered an opponent who voluntarily forfeited, allowing him to enter the finals without even moving an inch.

Just as he prepared to go through the motions one last time, his final opponent also forfeited the decisive battle due to being too depleted from the semifinals, with both his chakra and stamina in the red.

"..."

And just like that, Ruohuo took first place without breaking a sweat, feeling as though he had participated in nothing at all.

With that, the Chunin Exams were declared over.

The overall duration of these exams was shorter than usual; had the rules not been urgently changed to retain a few candidates through other means, it could have been shorter still.

However, the scene of Ruohuo appearing above the arena atop a Fire Dragon was passed from mouth to mouth among the Konoha shinobi in the stands.

It wasn't exactly the talk of the town, but everyone expressed their awe that such a genius had emerged from the Uchiha clan.

The Third finally announced that a total of four people had been promoted to Chunin.

There was Ruohuo, along with two commoner shinobi who had performed well in the semifinals.

And the last one was, surprisingly, Ruohuo's first-round opponent, Hyuga Seikawa!

Well... being able to "endure" two ninjutsu at Ruohuo's hands was enough to be proud of.

As for what Hyuga Seikawa himself might think...

Ruohuo couldn't be bothered to guess, because he had more important things to do now.

[Ding--]

[Clan Mission (B): Promote to Konoha Chunin. √]

[Obtained B-rank clan reward: Indra Chakra.]

[Indra Chakra: Your chakra will receive the blessing of the ancestor of ninjutsu, Indra, and you will gain the Power of Samsara: Yin.]

[Power of Samsara: Yin: Your spiritual energy is significantly increased. When you obtain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and the Power of Samsara: Yang, you can obtain the Six Paths Eyes.]

[You have obtained B-rank main skill slot *1.]

[Personal Attribute Interface unlocked, click to view.]

[Your Sharingan has evolved into Three Tomoe Sharingan.]

"..."

Ruohuo finished digesting the information.

"Did I just pull something incredible?"