Gray, the Flower of Konoha

The next day.

Ninja Academy.

"Uchiha Gray, you traitor!"

Uchiha Shinsei looked indignant. He still couldn't believe that the person who had promised to be a dead-last student with him was now going to take the genin exam.

Damn it!

"A genius who doesn't keep his word," Uchiha Gray corrected him with a calm, indifferent expression.

"Uchiha Gray, Uchiha Itachi, come out here."

The extra teacher shouted, his voice filled with pride.

Having two students from his class take the genin exam early, regardless of whether they passed, was a testament to his teaching ability.

Uchiha Itachi took a deep look at Uchiha Gray. He had already investigated Uchiha Gray within the clan yesterday.

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

Therefore, there was no doubt that the excuse Uchiha Gray gave yesterday—that he skipped class just so Shinsei wouldn't be the only one at the bottom—had fallen apart.

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

Soon, his eyes filled with a fighting spirit. But no matter how strong you are, you won't be my match.

"Heh, that's not necessarily true," Uchiha Gray said lightly.

Uchiha Itachi was not yet the cold, powerful ninja he would become in three years. Even with his talent, he was still just a child with a competitive streak.

Especially when facing a member of the Uchiha clan his own age whose strength was on par with his own.

He, too, possessed the pride of a genius!

Before long, they arrived at the training ground.

People were already waiting there: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the leader of Root, Danzo Shimura.

Uchiha Gray's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had originally thought only Hiruzen Sarutobi would show up for the genin exam; he hadn't expected the old geezer Danzo Shimura to be there as well.

Did this mean that if he and Uchiha Itachi performed well, they would be selected by Hiruzen and Danzo respectively to join the Anbu and Root?

Things were starting to get interesting.

A smile curled at the corner of Uchiha Gray's mouth.

"Hahaha, it seems you two little ones are the most outstanding students of this year's Ninja Academy!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was full of kind smiles.

However, his gaze swept over Uchiha Gray, and a flash of scrutiny crossed his eyes.

Is this little guy just as terrifying and cold as Uchiha Madara?

If Uchiha Gray could not be controlled, then there was no need to keep him around!

"Today, you will undergo two tests."

Uchiha Gray knew very well that the kindness on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was just a disguise; this old man was a politician through and through!

He caught the cold glint that flashed inadvertently in the man's eyes.

Now, it was time to put his acting skills to the test!

"The first test is for each of you to spar against a genin," Hiruzen Sarutobi continued kindly.

"The second test is a spar between the two of you. We will decide who becomes a genin based on your performance!"

"Understood, Lord Hokage." x2.

Uchiha Gray and Uchiha Itachi both wore expressions of deep respect.

"But before the exam, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face suddenly turned serious. "In your opinion, what kind of place is Konoha?"

Uchiha Gray chuckled inwardly. Testing us already?

Uchiha Itachi looked respectful and slightly excited. "Lord Hokage, in my view, Konoha is an existence that protects all its villagers, and likewise, all the villagers and ninjas must protect Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was astonished, and even Danzo Shimura couldn't help but be surprised; he stood up abruptly.

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

Could it be that the will of Uchiha Kagami had been inherited by this young man? If so, he could definitely bring him into Root and make him an excellent subordinate!

Beneath Danzo Shimura's gloomy face, a sinister light flickered in his eyes.

"Good, very good." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were filled with excitement. As the son of the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Itachi would undoubtedly inherit the clan in the future.

Perhaps, through Uchiha Itachi, he could subdue the entire Uchiha clan without shedding a drop of blood!

He would make the entire Uchiha clan an asset to him, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

He cast a cold glance at Danzo Shimura. A ninja with such powerful talent and the Will of Fire must be kept firmly in his own hands.

"Then what about you, Uchiha Gray? What kind of existence is Konoha in your heart?"

Uchiha Gray pondered for a long moment, as if he were considering the question with the utmost seriousness.

He raised his head, his expression solemn. "If you ask me what kind of existence Konoha is, then I must mention the clans within Konoha, and you, Lord Hokage."

"Oh? Me?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback; he had not expected a member of the Uchiha to mention him.

What surprised him even more was that Uchiha Gray did not choose to answer immediately, but instead took a moment to think.

It appeared that Uchiha Gray was not merely intending to answer the question.

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a surge of excitement.

Uchiha Gray breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, though his face remained calm and composed. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Konoha is not just a village; it is a big family formed by all of us connected together." Uchiha Gray's eyes were filled with sincerity and clarity.

"In my view, it is precisely because you, Lord Hokage, lead the entire Konoha, acting as that great tree! And everyone helps one another, dedicating all their strength for the sake of Konoha!"

"Even when faced with matters of great principle, sacrificing one's own interests to preserve the interests of Konoha—this, in my eyes, is the reason why Konoha is so strong!"

"It is just like the Fourth Hokage who died to seal the Nine-Tails, or the countless ninja who have followed one after another to carry out missions for the village."

"This is the Konoha I understand: a Konoha where everyone works together for the sake of the village!"

Uchiha Gray's voice was resonant and powerful, his handsome face filled with determination.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were shocked, their bodies trembling. What kind of realization was this?

Was Uchiha Gray truly a member of the Uchiha clan?

Within the entire village, there were likely few people who possessed such an awareness. At this moment, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, Uchiha Gray was like a new flower of Konoha, growing toward the direction of the sun!