You're Just Like Brother Shisui

Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi tumbled away like rolling gourds.

After a long moment, Uchiha Itachi stood up in a daze, staring at Uchiha Gray in shock.

He never expected that at the very last moment, Uchiha Gray would risk his life to save him!

What kind of spirit was this?

They were clearly rivals.

"Wh-why did you save me?" Uchiha Itachi asked, his face full of confusion.

"We are both members of the Uchiha clan, and we're classmates to boot. This was just a spar, so why wouldn't I save you?"

Uchiha Gray asked back, looking genuinely puzzled, as if he couldn't comprehend Uchiha Itachi's question at all.

Uchiha Gray grumbled inwardly.

Damn it, I wish I could kill you right now.

Don't tell me I have to explain that I was just acting?

That old dog Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't easy to fool.

If he couldn't dispel the man's suspicions, then revealing his strength wouldn't bring him any benefits; instead, he would become a target of the Hokage's wariness.

In the Uchiha clan's rebellion three years from now, his name would surely be at the top of the kill list!

Since he had established the image of a talented ninja, he had to ensure that image fit the persona.

He had to perfectly align with what Sarutobi Hiruzen required of a subordinate!

Powerful and talented, while also possessing the Will of Fire—that was the perfect tool.

"Uchiha Gray, Uchiha Itachi, are you two alright!?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked anxious; Uchiha Gray's reaction had truly shocked him.

Not only did the boy possess great strength and talent, but he was even willing to disregard his own safety to save a companion in danger.

Wasn't what Uchiha Gray displayed exactly the Will of Fire?

At the same time, a fleeting thought crossed his mind that Uchiha Gray might be faking it.

But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea. Uchiha Gray was only eight years old!

What was he doing when he was eight?

Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered clearly that at eight, he was still in the Ninja Academy; although he had talent for ninjutsu, he spent all day thinking about nothing but play.

Besides, if all of this had truly been calculated by Uchiha Gray...

Then what kind of monster would Uchiha Gray be!?

His previous doubts about Uchiha Gray vanished instantly. If a genius like this, such an excellent ninja, couldn't be trusted, then no one in the entire Leaf could be trusted!

Uchiha Gray raised his head, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a face full of guilt. "I'm sorry, Lord Third Hokage."

"I just wanted to win too badly this time, and I didn't control my chakra release well, letting it all out."

Uchiha Gray lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong.

Admiration filled Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

Look at that.

What kind of awareness was this?

What kind of will was this?

So what if he released a bit too much chakra?

Uchiha Gray did all of this just to win, to become a genin, and to better serve the Leaf!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely satisfied. He looked at Uchiha Gray, then at Uchiha Itachi, unable to get enough of them.

"You two are both exceptionally talented individuals!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of kindness as he pondered for a long moment. "In that case, I announce that from today on, you are both genin!"

His gaze was as warm as if he were looking at his own grandchildren.

"You are the future hope of the Leaf. You will become very powerful ninjas in the future, and I hope the Leaf will become even stronger under your protection!"

"And your protection will allow the next generation of ninjas to grow up, become even better ninjas, and protect the Leaf in turn. This is the Will of Fire!"

"Thank you, Lord Third Hokage!" x2

Both Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi were filled with excitement.

Uchiha Itachi clenched his small hands. In the spar just now, he had clearly lost; according to the original rules, he would never have been able to become a genin.

But now, he had become a true genin, which meant he could start taking on real missions, and his schedule would be more flexible.

He would have more time to train and make greater contributions to the Leaf!

Uchiha Gray rolled his eyes internally.

If he were a native of this world like Uchiha Itachi, raised in the Leaf, he would undoubtedly have been completely hoodwinked by the old man by now.

And he was the type who would even count the money after being sold out.

Looking at Uchiha Itachi beside him, he appeared normal for now, but after three years of Sarutobi Hiruzen's tireless brainwashing, he would soon become a beast who would stop at nothing for the Leaf, even willing to kill his own parents for its sake!

The brighter the smile on Uchiha Itachi's face, the colder Uchiha Gray felt in his heart.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

Danzo Shimura gritted his teeth, his expression turning ugly in an instant.

He had not expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to be capable of such a drastic move.

The rules had been set, with only one person allowed to become a genin in this batch, yet he changed them just like that, without a shred of integrity!

Danzo Shimura took a deep breath; he should have known long ago that an old fox like Sarutobi Hiruzen had no concept of shame.

And the fact that Sarutobi Hiruzen had been able to sit in the position of Hokage for decades meant his cunning and political maneuvering were absolutely beyond his own reach!

He had originally intended to recruit whichever candidate failed—either Uchiha Gray or Uchiha Itachi—after Sarutobi Hiruzen announced the winner, taking advantage of their low spirits.

But now, Sarutobi Hiruzen's actions had turned all his plans into bubbles!

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you win this round, but we shall see."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi with a benevolent gaze.

He didn't even spare Danzo Shimura a glance.

Danzo Shimura could only ever be the roots beneath the Leaf; as long as he remained in the position of Hokage, Danzo Shimura would never be able to make any waves!

"Now, I shall distribute your ninja headbands!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen kindly placed the two ninja headbands onto the heads of Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi respectively.

"From this day forward, you two are true ninjas. If you encounter any problems in the future, feel free to come to the Hokage's office to find me!"

"I hope that in the future, you will become a powerful asset to the Leaf!"

From beginning to end, Sarutobi Hiruzen was subtly using his words to guide their thoughts.

By the time the two walked out of the training grounds, Uchiha Itachi was still full of excitement, his small hands clenched tightly.

Uchiha Itachi suddenly turned his head, staring intently at Uchiha Gray.

"Uchiha Gray, you are very impressive. I never expected you to be a ninja with such great capacity." Uchiha Itachi's voice was heavy and filled with seriousness.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Uchiha Gray actually held a trace of reverence!

"You hid your strength for so many years just to meet the Hokage, didn't you?"

Watching Uchiha Itachi's earnest expression, Uchiha Gray frowned slightly, a sudden, ominous premonition rising in his heart.

Uchiha Itachi grew more and more agitated as he spoke, completely subverting his usual cold and aloof image.

"Uchiha Gray, you are just like me and Shisui-nii; you both hope to prevent the Uchiha clan's rebellion!"