Konoha's Number One Genius

"Hane, Shisui."

"The two of you, come to my Hokage office tomorrow."

Finally withdrawing his gaze, which was filled with immense shock and complexity, the Third Hokage gave his orders in a deep voice before his figure instantly vanished from the spot.

These were extraordinary times during the Great Ninja War, and there was a mountain of battle reports and documents in his office waiting to be processed.

"Did you hear that?"

"Lord Hokage is actually summoning the two of them privately!"

"Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui... It seems like Konoha is about to see two more incredible figures emerge!"

Hearing the words the Third Hokage left behind before departing, the onlookers became even more certain that the futures of these two youths, Hane and Shisui, were limitless, given that they had received a personal summons from the Third Hokage himself.

"Thanks, Hane."

At that moment, under the healing effects of Hane's Mystical Palm Technique, the wounds on Shisui's body had finally fully recovered.

"What an impressive medical ninjutsu. I admit defeat in today's battle..."

"But don't get cocky; I will definitely catch up to you soon!"

Watching Hane's exquisite medical technique, Shisui could not help but reveal a look of admiration on his face.

"Is that so? Heh..."

"Then we'll talk once you've caught up!"

Facing Shisui's look of genuine respect yet refusal to concede, Hane shrugged dismissively.

The "Body Flicker Shisui" who would awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in the future was indeed powerful, but he himself would never remain stagnant.

Moreover, he still had other trump cards in reserve. If he could successfully obtain the Human Puppet Secret Technique and increase his Devil Law, Shisui would never be able to catch up to his pace in this lifetime.

As he finished speaking, Hane turned his head to see Urushi, Mayuna, and the other brats from the Konoha Orphanage rushing toward him with excited, high-pitched cries.

Yakushi Nonō stood not too far away, watching him with a gaze that was both gentle and complex.

After Hane and the others left, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed.

But from this day on, aside from the Uchiha Clan's genius Shisui, the name of Konoha's number one genius, Yakushi Hane, spread through the village like a plague.

The magnificent and stunning Lightning Release Chidori, the vanishing ninjutsu Vanishing Rasengan, and that unknown, mysterious bloodline limit, String Release.

All of this made Hane the focus of constant attention and discussion.

Even in this era of war and turmoil, Hane's reputation as a genius began to spread beyond the Konoha Ninja Village.

The next day.

Just as everyone in Konoha Village was discussing the unprecedented graduation exam from the day before.

No one knew that a fierce argument was taking place inside the Hokage office at that very moment.

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

The old Third Hokage had long since tossed his pipe aside, questioning the man before him loudly, "Hand over both Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui to you??"

"Sarutobi, hand over these two geniuses with the most potential to me."

Shimura Danzo, standing before the Third Hokage, looked at him without compromise. "The strength of Root is fully capable of training these two."

Having witnessed the unparalleled talent and strength of Hane and Shisui with his own eyes in the Hokage office yesterday, Danzo could no longer hold back. He had come to the office early this morning to demand these two genius youths directly from the Third.

"I certainly believe in your capabilities, but I'm sorry..."

The Third Hokage said calmly, "I have already decided to have them both join the Anbu. I believe their growth within the Anbu will be no less than it would be under your guidance."

"What?!" Danzo's gaze turned cold. "Are you determined to fight me over these two?"

"There is no 'fighting' over them; this is my decision." The Third shrugged helplessly, though his tone was absolutely firm.

"Sarutobi, what is the meaning of this!"

"Last time I wanted to recruit Hatake Kakashi, you blocked me, and now you want to snatch these two brats! What exactly..."

Before Danzo could finish, the Third interrupted him: "Danzo, I am the Hokage, after all!"

The Third then shifted his tone, "How about this, Danzo? I see there are other outstanding talents in the Anbu..."

"Why don't you look for other candidates to join your Root?"

Yes, he was the Hokage—the highest leader of this village. Danzo gritted his teeth.

Ignoring the rest of what the Third had to say, he leaned on his cane and walked out the door, his eyes growing increasingly icy.

Sarutobi, you forced my hand...

One day, I will ascend to the position of Hokage, and when that time comes...

"Sigh..."

Watching Danzo's retreating back, and thinking of this former teammate who had now chosen a path so drastically different from his own, the Third Hokage let out a heavy sigh.

Konoha, a bustling main street.

Yu walked through the endless stream of people.

Times had changed; after yesterday's unprecedented graduation exam, Yu, now crowned with the title of "Konoha's Number One Genius," found himself being pointed at wherever he went.

Especially with his handsome and ethereal appearance, he occasionally even caused quite a stir, which made Yu feel even more uncomfortable.

"Oh my..."

"I didn't expect a kid like you to be so popular with the girls!"

Just as Yu was about to quicken his pace to escape everyone's gaze, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, and two slender, graceful figures appeared before him.

"Anko?!"

"Senior Yugao?!"

Hearing that slightly teasing tone, Yu looked up to see Anko Mitarashi and the cool, beautiful Yugao Uzuki.

"Um..."

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

After being playfully pushed in front of Yu by Anko Mitarashi, Yugao Uzuki looked a bit shy as she handed a bag of Three-Color Dango she had been holding against her chest to Yu.

"I waited in line for a long time to buy these dango; consider it a gift to celebrate your graduation!"

Dango?

Staring at the dango Yugao Uzuki was offering, Yu was slightly stunned, but he reached out and took them.

These dango were limited-edition items from the most famous shop in Konoha—the very same one that Uchiha Itachi, Anko Mitarashi, and Kurenai were so fond of in the original story.

Although Yu wasn't particularly fond of sweets, he was interested in trying this most famous Konoha delicacy.

"Then... thank you, Senior Yugao."

After accepting the gift from Yugao Uzuki, Yu's eyes lit up as he looked at the beautiful girl, who had clearly dressed up carefully today. "I can't finish all of these by myself, so why don't we eat them together?"

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

Before Yugao Uzuki could even answer, the boisterous Anko Mitarashi had already snatched a skewer of dango from Yu's hand and started eating. She suddenly eyed Yu and Yugao Uzuki with a suspicious gaze.

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