You're Just Like Big Brother Shisui

Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi tumbled away like a pair of rolling gourds.

After a long moment, Uchiha Itachi finally got to his feet in a daze. He stared at Uchiha Gray in shock.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Gray to risk his life to save him at the last moment!

What kind of spirit was that?

They were clearly opponents.

"W-why did you save me?" Uchiha Itachi asked, utterly bewildered.

"We're both members of the Uchiha Clan, and we're classmates too. This is only a match. Why wouldn't I save you?"

Uchiha Gray asked in return, looking deeply puzzled, as if he couldn't understand Uchiha Itachi's question at all.

Uchiha Gray grumbled inwardly.

Damn it, I'd love nothing more than to kill you right now.

What, should I tell you I'm just putting on an act?

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

If I couldn't put his suspicions to rest, then showing off my strength wouldn't bring me any benefits. Instead, I'd become someone he feared.

When the Uchiha Clan defected from the village three years from now, my name would definitely be near the top of the kill list!

Since I'd already established myself as a talented and powerful ninja, I also had to make sure my actions fit that image.

I had to perfectly meet Sarutobi Hiruzen's expectations of a subordinate!

Powerful and talented, but also devoted to the Will of Fire—that was the perfect tool.

"Uchiha Gray, Uchiha Itachi, are you both all right!?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked anxious. Uchiha Gray's reaction had shocked him too much.

He wasn't just powerful and talented; when his companion was in danger, he'd even risk his own life to save him.

Wasn't what Uchiha Gray had shown the very Will of Fire?

At the same time, a thought flickered through his mind: perhaps Uchiha Gray was only pretending.

But he quickly shook off the absurd idea. Uchiha Gray was only eight years old!

What had he himself been doing at eight?

Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered clearly. At eight, he'd still been at the Ninja Academy. Though he had a talent for ninjutsu, all he'd thought about was playing around.

Besides, if Uchiha Gray had truly planned all this in advance, what kind of monster would he be!?

His earlier suspicions about Uchiha Gray vanished in an instant. If he couldn't trust a genius like this, a ninja this outstanding, then there was no one in the whole of Leaf he could trust!

Uchiha Gray looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face full of remorse. "I'm sorry, Third."

"I wanted to win too badly this time and didn't control my chakra properly. I released all of it."

Uchiha Gray lowered his head like a child who'd done something wrong.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes brimmed with admiration.

Just look at him.

What resolve!

What conviction!

So what if he'd released a little too much chakra?

Uchiha Gray had done all this to win, become a Genin, and serve Leaf better!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely pleased. He looked from Uchiha Gray to Uchiha Itachi, unable to get enough of either of them.

"You're both exceptionally talented!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of warmth. After a moment's thought, he said, "In that case, I hereby declare that from today on, both of you are Genin!"

His gaze was as kind as if he were looking at his own grandsons.

"You are the hope of Leaf's future. You'll become powerful ninjas, and I hope Leaf will grow stronger under your protection!"

"Your protection will also allow the next generation of ninjas to grow and become even better, so they can protect Leaf in turn. That is the Will of Fire!"

"Thank you, Third!" x2

Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi were both visibly thrilled.

Uchiha Itachi clenched his little fists. It was obvious that he'd lost the match just now. Under the original rules, there was no way he could have become a Genin.

But now he was a true Genin, which meant he could start taking real missions and have more free time.

He'd have more time to train and make greater contributions to Leaf!

Uchiha Gray rolled his eyes inwardly.

If I were a native of this world like Uchiha Itachi, born and raised in Leaf, I'd have been completely taken in by him by now.

The kind of person who'd count the money after being sold.

Look at Uchiha Itachi beside me. He seems perfectly normal now, but after three years of Sarutobi Hiruzen's relentless brainwashing—

He'd soon become a beast who'd do anything for Leaf, even kill his own parents for it!

The brighter Uchiha Itachi smiled, the colder Uchiha Gray felt inside.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

Shimura Danzō gritted his teeth, his face darkening at once.

He hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to pull such a move and snatch victory from his grasp.

The rules had been set: only one person in this class could become a Genin. And yet Sarutobi Hiruzen changed them just like that, without the slightest regard for principle!

Shimura Danzō drew a deep breath. He should have known that old Sarutobi Hiruzen had no idea what shame was.

And Sarutobi Hiruzen had held the position of Hokage for decades. His political instincts and scheming were beyond Shimura Danzō's reach!

He'd planned to approach whichever of Uchiha Gray or Uchiha Itachi didn't make the cut, once Sarutobi Hiruzen announced the winner, and win over the one left disappointed.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision had turned all his plans to bubbles!

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you win this time. We'll see about that."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked kindly at Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi.

He didn't even glance at Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō would always be the Root beneath Leaf. As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen held the Hokage's position, Shimura Danzō wouldn't be able to make waves!

"Now, I'll hand out your Forehead Protectors!"

With a kindly smile, Sarutobi Hiruzen placed a Forehead Protector on each of their heads.

"From now on, you're both real ninjas. If you run into any problems, you can always come see me at the Hokage Office!"

"I hope you'll become powerful assets to Leaf!"

All along, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been subtly guiding their thoughts with his words.

By the time the two of them left the Training Ground, Uchiha Itachi was still beaming with excitement, his little hands clenched tight.

Uchiha Itachi suddenly turned around and stared intently at Uchiha Gray.

"Uchiha Gray, you're amazing. I never expected you to be a ninja with such a generous spirit." Uchiha Itachi spoke gravely, his voice full of seriousness.

There was even a hint of admiration in his gaze.

"You've been hiding your strength all these years just so you could meet the Hokage, haven't you?"

Seeing Uchiha Itachi's earnest expression, Uchiha Gray furrowed his brows. A sudden sense of foreboding crept over him.

The more Uchiha Itachi spoke, the more excited he became, completely shattering his usual aloof image.

"Uchiha Gray, you really are just like me and Big Brother Shisui. You also want to stop the Uchiha Clan's rebellion!"