Konoha's Number One Prodigy

"Yu, Shisui."

"Come by my Hokage office tomorrow."

At last, the Third Hokage pulled his deeply shocked, complicated gaze away and gave the order in a low voice. Then he vanished in an instant.

It was a critical time during the Ninja World War, and a pile of battle reports and documents was waiting for him back at the office.

"Did you hear that?"

"Lord Hokage actually wants to see those two alone!"

"Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui, huh... Looks like Konoha's going to have two more extraordinary figures in the future!"

Hearing what the Third Hokage had said before leaving, everyone present became even more certain that the two boys, Yu and Shisui, had boundless futures. They had even earned a personal summons from the Third Hokage.

"Thanks, Yu."

By then, under Yu's Mystical Palm Technique, Shisui's wounds had finally healed completely.

"That's some incredible Medical Ninjutsu. I admit defeat in today's battle..."

"But don't get cocky. I'll catch up to you soon!"

Watching Yu demonstrate such exquisite Medical Ninjutsu, Shisui couldn't help showing a hint of admiration.

"Is that so? Heh..."

"Then we'll talk when you catch up!"

Facing Shisui's gaze—one that admitted defeat but refused to give up—Yu merely shrugged.

The future "Body Flicker Shisui," who would awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, was certainly powerful. But Yu would never stand still, either.

Besides, he still had other trump cards in reserve. If he managed to obtain the Human Puppet Secret Technique and add it to his Devil Law, Shisui would never catch up to him in this lifetime.

After saying that, Yu turned around and saw Urushi, Mayuna, and the other kids from the Konoha Orphanage charging toward him, howling excitedly.

Yakushi Nonō stood not far away, watching him with a tender yet complicated gaze.

After Yu and the others had left, the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed.

But from that day on, in addition to the Uchiha Clan's prodigy Shisui, the name of Konoha's number one prodigy, Yakushi Hane, spread through the village like wildfire.

The dazzling Lightning Release: Chidori, the vanishing jutsu known as the Vanishing Rasengan, and the mysterious, unknown Kekkei Genkai, String Release.

All of it made Yu the center of everyone's attention and conversation.

Even in this turbulent era of war, Yu's reputation as a prodigy was beginning to spread beyond Konoha Ninja Village.

The next day.

As everyone in Konoha discussed the unprecedented graduation exam from the day before,

no one knew that a fierce argument was taking place in the Hokage's office.

"Do you even know what you're saying, Danzō?!"

The old Third Hokage had apparently tossed his pipe aside somewhere. He loudly questioned the man in front of him. "Hand Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui over to you?!"

"Sarutobi, hand over those two gifted prodigies with the most potential."

Shimura Danzō, standing before the Third Hokage, stared at him without yielding. "Root is more than capable of training them."

After witnessing Yu and Shisui's peerless talent and strength with his own eyes in the Hokage's office the day before,

Danzō had finally reached his limit. He had come to the office first thing that morning and directly demanded that the Third Hokage hand over the two prodigies.

"Of course I believe in your ability, but I'm afraid..."

The Third Hokage replied calmly, "I've already decided to have them join Anbu. I'm sure they'll grow just as well there as they would under you."

"What?!" Danzō's gaze turned colder. "Are you really going to fight me for these two?"

"There's nothing to fight over. This is my decision." The Third Hokage shrugged helplessly, but his tone was utterly firm.

"Sarutobi, what do you mean by that?!"

"Last time, you blocked me when I wanted to recruit Hatake Kakashi, and now you're trying to take these two brats! What exactly are you—"

But before Danzō could finish, the Third Hokage cut him off. "Danzō, I am the Hokage, after all!"

Then the Third Hokage changed tack. "How about this, Danzō? There are other talented people in Anbu..."

"Why don't you look for someone else to join your Root?"

That was right. He was the Hokage—the highest authority in the village. Danzō clenched his teeth.

Ignoring the Third Hokage as he continued speaking, Danzō headed for the door, leaning on his cane. His gaze grew colder and colder.

Sarutobi, you forced my hand...

One day, I'll take the position of Hokage. And then...

"Sigh..."

Watching Danzō leave, the Third Hokage thought of how his former teammate had now taken a path completely different from his own, and let out a heavy sigh.

Konoha's bustling streets.

Yu walked among the endless stream of people.

Things were different now. After yesterday's unprecedented graduation exam, Yu had been branded "Konoha's number one prodigy." Wherever he went, people pointed at him.

Combined with Yu's handsome, otherworldly appearance, he sometimes even caused quite a stir, which made him feel even more uncomfortable.

"Oh?"

"I didn't know you were so popular with the girls!"

Just as Yu was about to quicken his pace and escape everyone's gaze, a familiar voice suddenly rang out. Two graceful figures appeared in front of him.

"Anko?!"

"Yugao-senpai?!"

Hearing the teasing tone, Yu looked up and saw Mitaraishi Anko and the cool, beautiful Uzuki Yugao.

"Um..."

"Yu-kun, I haven't congratulated you on graduating and becoming an official ninja yet."

After Mitaraishi Anko playfully nudged her in front of Yu, Uzuki Yugao, looking a little shy, handed him a bundle of Three-Color Dango she had been holding against her chest.

"I had to wait in line for ages to get these dango. Think of them as a gift to congratulate you!"

Dango?

Yu stared at the dango Uzuki Yugao had offered him, paused briefly, then accepted them.

They were from Konoha's most famous dango shop, where purchases were limited. It was the same shop that Uchiha Itachi, Mitaraishi Anko, and Kurenai Yuhi loved in the original story.

Yu didn't especially like sweets, but he was interested in trying Konoha's most famous treat.

"Then... thank you, Yugao-senpai."

After accepting the gift from Uzuki Yugao, Yu looked at the lovely girl, who had clearly made an effort to dress up that day, and his eyes lit up. "There's too much for me to eat by myself. Why don't we share?"

"At least you've got a little conscience, kid!"

Before Uzuki Yugao could answer, the straightforward Mitaraishi Anko had already taken a dango skewer from Yu's hand and started eating. Then she looked between Yu and Uzuki Yugao with suspicion.

"Tell me... you two aren't on a date, are you?"