Fugaku's Transformation, A Test!

Over an hour later, Sasuke and Hinata left the small Ichiraku Ramen shop.

Teuchi was left behind with a dazed expression on his face.

He stared at the mountain of bowls piled up on the table.

In all his years, this was the first time he had encountered someone who could eat so much.

"I'll walk you home."

"It's better for a girl not to be out alone at night."

"In the future, if you're hungry, just keep some food at home; don't run out like this."

After saying this, Sasuke didn't wait for Hinata to reply and began walking toward the Hyuga clan's estate.

To most fans of the series, this little princess of the Hyuga clan was the standard "future wife of the protagonist."

Or rather, she was the archetype of a perfect wife.

But in Sasuke's eyes, it was completely different!

As the eldest daughter of the Hyuga main branch, Hinata's talent had been overlooked by far too many people.

Considering that she could still reach such a high level of proficiency with the Gentle Fist despite a lack of proper nutrition, a fragile childhood, and the inferiority complex she felt regarding her Byakugan... it was easy to see that Hinata's potential was immense!

If that potential could be fully developed, she would undoubtedly become a powerful asset in the future.

Building a closer relationship... was definitely the right move.

Soon, the two arrived at the back gate of the Hyuga estate.

"I'll leave you here."

"I'm heading back now. See you tomorrow."

Sasuke waved his hand and turned to leave.

"Thank you..."

By the time Hinata gathered the courage to say those two words, Sasuke had already vanished from sight.

"He... is a very kind person."

"The Uchiha aren't as bad as they say, either."

Hinata clasped her hands to her chest, a faint blush appearing on her face.

Back in his room, Sasuke once again mobilized his chakra and began the practice of tempering his cells.

For the next period of time, Itachi seemed to have disappeared.

It had been over half a month since he had last seen him.

"Sasuke, what are you thinking about?"

At that moment, a pair of massive, blood-red eyes suddenly appeared before Sasuke.

The terrifying ocular power instantly distorted the surrounding space.

It shattered the illusion Sasuke had just cast: Forest of Thorns.

After a brief moment of disorientation, Fugaku Uchiha stared at Sasuke with a serious expression.

"Father, I was thinking about my brother."

"Why haven't I seen him lately?"

"I'm sorry, Father. I shouldn't have been distracted during my training."

Sasuke immediately admitted his fault while voicing his question.

"Itachi is away on a mission."

"Continue."

"The strength of an illusion depends on the strength of one's mental energy."

"However, controlling mental energy is far more difficult than controlling chakra."

"When you first begin your training, you must never underestimate such issues."

Fugaku Uchiha began to teach him with patience.

The more he interacted with his youngest son, the more shocked Fugaku Uchiha became.

No matter the ninjutsu, Sasuke would learn it in no time at all.

Moreover, he would release it with an intensity far exceeding that of a standard technique.

At times, even Fugaku Uchiha had to admit that his own chakra control was not as precise as his son's.

This was the reason why he had agreed immediately when Sasuke proposed training in genjutsu.

As the father of two geniuses, Fugaku Uchiha had to consider the direction of Sasuke's development, in addition to feeling pride.

Itachi had been exposed to the battlefield too early, which led to a pathological aversion to the slaughter of war...

So much so that he now held such an ambiguous attitude between the clan and the village.

Therefore, Sasuke absolutely could not be raised in that same manner.

Time always passed quickly.

Two months later, the Ninja Academy held its first test.

"Sasuke, we have an exam today."

"I couldn't sleep at all last night."

"Are you confident?"

On the way to school, Naruto's "Talk no Jutsu" was in full output.

"It's just a test, there's no need to be so nervous."

"Besides, with your current strength, you don't need to worry."

Sasuke responded with a reassuring smile.

"Sasuke-kun!"

"Let's have a race to see who gets to school first today!"

"If I lose, I'll double all my training for today!"

Rock Lee, wearing his youthful green jumpsuit, rushed over and shouted excitedly.

"No thanks, we have a test today, I need to conserve my energy."

"By the way, Lee, this is Uzumaki Naruto, he's my friend."

"I suppose he'll be your friend too from now on."

"Why don't you two race instead?"

Sasuke pushed Naruto forward directly.

A contest between single-celled organisms should be quite interesting.

"Huh?!"

"Me?"

"Then let's have a race, believe it!"

Naruto didn't care what kind of contest it was; if someone was Sasuke's friend, they couldn't be weak.

"Come on, my youthful partner for today, Uzumaki Naruto!"

Rock Lee was one of the few people in the village who didn't discriminate against Naruto.

Because he didn't have the time to discriminate against anyone.

All his time was spent on training.

"Alright!"

"Let's go!"

The two of them dashed off instantly, disappearing from sight.

Are some of them still here to monitor me?

Root? Or Anbu?

As Naruto rushed off, some of the sensation of being watched vanished.

However, there were still people lurking in the shadows.

"Sasuke-kun, shall we go to school together?"

"Sasuke-kun, I brought you breakfast."

"Sasuke-kun..."

The moment Naruto left, a group of girls swarmed him.

Sasuke finally understood why his original self had become so cold and arrogant after starting school.

Facing so many chirping birds was truly a headache...

After finally reaching the school, with Naruto acting as a repellent, the number of girls around him finally dwindled.

"Naruto, from now on, let's walk to school together."

Sasuke said with a meaningful look before returning to his seat.

The morning exam was for academic subjects.

History, strategy, geography, Konoha culture...

With his powerful mental strength, Sasuke handled this knowledge with ease.

However, the very last question on the final paper made the corner of Sasuke's mouth twitch uncontrollably.

[Reflections on the Deeds of the Third Hokage]

[Minimum of 500 words]

Sasuke had already developed an immunity to the Third's shamelessness, but seeing this question still left him dumbfounded!

Of course, he had no trouble dealing with a situation like this.

[The Embodiment of the Will of Fire in My Heart—Lord Third Hokage]

Sasuke immediately began his praise of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He piled on flowery, elaborate rhetoric, quickly churning out over two thousand words expressing a reverence for Hiruzen Sarutobi that flowed like a surging river.

The only reason he stopped was that he ran out of space on the exam paper; otherwise, Sasuke could have written another two thousand words.

As the bell rang, the written examination concluded.

Next, it was time to face the combat test in the afternoon.