Gray, the Flower of the Leaf

The next day.

The Ninja Academy.

"Uchiha Gray, you dishonest scoundrel!"

Uchiha Shinsei looked furious. He still couldn't believe that the person who had promised to be a dead-last together with him was now taking the Genin exam.

Damn it!!!

"I'm a dishonest genius."

Uchiha Gray corrected him calmly.

"Uchiha Gray, Uchiha Itachi, come outside with me."

The Extra Teacher called out loudly, his voice brimming with pride.

Two of his students were taking the Genin exam early. Whether they passed or not, it was a testament to his teaching ability.

Uchiha Itachi shot Uchiha Gray a long look. The day before, he had already looked into Uchiha Gray's background within the clan.

He had discovered that Uchiha Gray had never shown any talent for ninjutsu or been known as a prodigy before.

So there was no doubt: Uchiha Gray's excuse yesterday—that he had skipped class so Uchiha Shinsei wouldn't be the only dead-last—had fallen apart!

"What kind of person are you, Uchiha Gray?" Uchiha Itachi couldn't help murmuring to himself.

Soon, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. "But no matter how strong you are, you can't beat me."

"Heh, not necessarily," Uchiha Gray replied mildly.

Uchiha Itachi wasn't yet the cold, powerful ninja he would become three years from now. No matter how talented he was, he was still just a child, and he still had a competitive streak.

Especially when it came to a fellow Uchiha his age, whose strength was on par with his own.

He, too, had the pride of a genius!

Before long, they arrived at the Training Ground.

Someone was already waiting there: the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the leader of Root, Shimura Danzō.

Uchiha Gray's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to be the only one at the Genin exam. He hadn't anticipated that old queer Shimura Danzō would be there too.

Did that mean that if he and Uchiha Itachi performed well, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō would each select one of them to join Anbu and Root?

The possibilities seemed interesting.

A smile tugged at Uchiha Gray's lips.

"Hahaha, it looks like you two little fellows are the most outstanding students in this year's class at the Ninja Academy!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his face full of kindly warmth.

But his gaze swept past Uchiha Gray, and a hint of scrutiny flickered in his eyes.

Was this little fellow really as terrifying and cold-blooded as Uchiha Madara?

If Uchiha Gray couldn't be controlled, there was no reason to let him live!

"Today, you'll take two exams."

Uchiha Gray knew that the kindness on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was merely a façade. The old man was a bona fide politician!

And Uchiha Gray had caught the cold glint that had briefly flashed in his eyes.

Now it was time to put on an act!

"The first exam will be a match against a Genin," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued kindly.

"The second exam will be a match against each other. We'll decide who can become a Genin based on your performances!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage." ×2

Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi wore expressions of deep respect.

"Before the exam, though, there's something I'd like to ask you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression suddenly turned serious. "What kind of place do you think the Leaf is?"

Uchiha Gray smiled to himself. So the probing was starting already?

Uchiha Itachi looked respectful, with a trace of excitement in his eyes. "Lord Hokage, I believe the Leaf exists to protect all its villagers. In turn, all the villagers and ninja must protect the Leaf!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was astonished. Even Shimura Danzō couldn't hide his surprise; he abruptly stood up.

In Uchiha Itachi, he saw the shadow of his old friend, Kagami Uchiha.

Could this boy have inherited Kagami Uchiha's will? If so, he could absolutely join Root and become an excellent subordinate!

Beneath Shimura Danzō's gloomy expression, a sinister light glinted in his eyes.

"Good. Very good." Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with excitement. Uchiha Itachi was the son of the Uchiha Clan Head, and barring any surprises, he would inherit leadership of the Uchiha Clan one day.

Perhaps with Uchiha Itachi's help, he could bring the entire Uchiha Clan under his control without bloodshed!

He could make the entire Uchiha Clan an asset to him, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

He shot Shimura Danzō a cold look. A ninja with such talent and the Will of Fire had to be kept firmly in his grasp.

"And you, Uchiha Gray? What does the Leaf mean to you?"

Uchiha Gray fell silent for a moment, as though giving the question serious thought.

He raised his head, his expression solemn. "If you ask what the Leaf means to me, then I have to talk about its clans—and about you, Lord Hokage."

"Oh? Me?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised. He hadn't expected an Uchiha to mention him.

Even more surprising, Uchiha Gray hadn't answered immediately. He had taken a moment to think.

It seemed Uchiha Gray had more to say than just a simple answer.

Could it be that Uchiha Gray, like Uchiha Itachi, also possessed the Will of Fire?

Sarutobi Hiruzen was thrilled.

Uchiha Gray relaxed inwardly, though his expression remained calm and composed. "That's right, Lord Hokage."

"The Leaf isn't just a village. It's a family we've built by bringing all of us together." Uchiha Gray's eyes were clear and sincere.

"In my eyes, you, Lord Hokage, lead the entire Leaf like a great tree! And everyone helps one another, devoting all their strength to the Leaf!"

"Even when faced with grave choices, people set aside their own interests to protect the Leaf's. I believe that's what makes the Leaf strong!"

"Just as the Fourth Hokage gave his life to seal the Nine-Tails, and countless ninja have thrown themselves into missions for the village."

"That's what the Leaf means to me: everyone working together for the village!"

Uchiha Gray's voice rang with conviction, and determination filled his handsome face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were stunned, their bodies trembling. What kind of resolve was this?

Could Uchiha Gray truly be a member of the Uchiha Clan?

There were probably only a few people in the entire village with such resolve. In that moment, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, Uchiha Gray was like a newly blossomed flower of the Leaf, growing toward the sun!