Itachi: I'm Too Stupid

Inside the Ninja Academy.

Many young girls were swooning over Hyuga Kagami, but Uchiha Itachi had even more admirers. In Naruto, the reason Uchiha Sasuke could have so many fans wasn't just because he was handsome, but also because of his talent.

In the ninja world, while girls cared about looks, they valued strength just as much.

"Teacher, I would like to apply for Genin graduation."

Hyuga Kagami arrived at the office and stated his request to his homeroom teacher, Ueno Ichiro.

Ueno Ichiro raised an eyelid. "You're... what? You want to apply for early graduation?"

Although Hyuga Kagami wasn't ranked dead last, he consistently hovered within the bottom five. Applying for early graduation? Had he forgotten to take his medicine today?

However, as a teacher who preferred to coast, he never concerned himself with such things.

"Fine, I'll submit your exam application this afternoon."

The background-character teacher looked indifferent as he casually handed him a form.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Hyuga Kagami shrugged, filled out the form, and handed it back.

He had originally expected some complications with the Genin exam application, but it had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Is it because the Third Shinobi World War hasn't been over for long? Ninjas in a wartime era are far more 'open' and bellicose than those in times of peace, so they maintain an open attitude toward early graduation.

Hyuga Kagami mused. This certainly fit the characteristics of a wartime era.

Just then, the office door was pushed open, and a polite voice rang out.

"Hello, Teacher. I would like to apply for the Genin exam!"

Uchiha Itachi walked through the door.

Ueno Ichiro chuckled, looking back and forth between Hyuga Kagami and Uchiha Itachi. "What a coincidence, you two."

"We usually don't get a single early Genin exam application in a year or two, yet here you both are today."

Stepping out of the office, Uchiha Itachi walked over quite naturally.

"Kagami-kun, are you also taking the Genin exam?"

"I've heard that the assessment for early Genin exam applicants is extremely difficult."

Uchiha Itachi continued, "I heard the most critical part of the assessment is that you must defeat at least two Genin!"

At the same time, he inadvertently studied Hyuga Kagami's expression, only to find the other boy calm and completely unruffled.

He knew that when he had first learned of the assessment criteria, he had been incredibly shocked. Yet, Hyuga Kagami seemed so calm, as if he hadn't even taken these matters to heart.

"It's only two Genin. I'll just defeat them."

Hyuga Kagami said indifferently.

Two Genin? To him, that was nothing more than a trivial matter to be dealt with easily.

Kagami-kun is truly different!

Uchiha Itachi was startled. It seems Kagami-kun's strength has grown significantly over this summer break!

He drew his own conclusion, looking into Hyuga Kagami's cold, white eyes. He felt a sense of pressure. This was a genius, just like himself!

Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but say, "Kagami-kun, you really are different from the others!"

Ordinary students spent their days arguing over appearances or girls. This past year, he had been picked on countless times! But the Hyuga Kagami before him was different. Aloof. Proud.

Suddenly, he froze. "Kagami-kun, you... you wouldn't happen to have been hiding your strength all this time just to avoid trouble, all so that you could focus on training, would you?"

"Why didn't I think of this method!"

Uchiha Itachi looked as if he had deduced the truth.

He stared at Hyuga Kagami with a face full of excitement.

Kagami-kun was just like him, popular with the girls in class, yet Kagami-kun had hidden his strength so well, avoiding all those pointless troubles!

"Kagami-kun, you are too smart. Not only did you avoid trouble, but you also gave yourself more time to train."

Uchiha Itachi looked full of regret: "By comparison, although I always defeat those guys who come looking for trouble, I end up wasting my training time."

"What use is being first in the grade?"

"I'm such a fool!"

"Kagami-kun, you are too smart!"

Uchiha Itachi was brimming with excitement, and a glimmer of approval surfaced in the depths of his eyes as he looked at Hyuga Kagami!

Hyuga Kagami: "???"

Watching Uchiha Itachi's expression, his face darkened.

Uchiha Itachi, what the hell are you rambling about?

Is this guy really that good at overthinking things?

Aside from being chuunibyou, the most impressive ability of the Uchiha clan members is their talent for over-interpreting everything; whether it's Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Madara, or Uchiha Obito, every single one of them is like that.

They are all damn overthinkers!

"The Ninja Academy is a place for learning, but many people just don't understand that."

Hyuga Kagami, too lazy to explain further, said: "I hope Itachi-kun passes the exam smoothly tomorrow."

He gave a perfunctory reply and turned to leave.

As for Uchiha Itachi, he really had no desire to interact with him.

Once Uchiha Itachi awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, he would become a double agent, a two-faced spy.

By then, he would not only be entangled with Konoha, but also have countless ties to the Akatsuki.

In short, getting involved with Uchiha Itachi meant nothing but endless trouble!

Watching Hyuga Kagami's retreating back, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but sigh: "This is the capacity a genius should possess!"

"It's just a pity... as a member of the Hyuga branch family, Kagami-kun must have already been branded with the Caged Bird Seal, right?"

Soon, Uchiha Itachi returned home.

However, he saw a familiar figure at the door: a bulbous nose, short hair, large eyes, and a short blade strapped to his back.

He said with pleasant surprise: "Shisui, are you back from your mission?"

Uchiha Shisui smiled and said: "Of course. This mission was a bit troublesome, but fortunately, everything was resolved in the end. How have things been at the Ninja Academy lately?"

Uchiha Itachi immediately perked up: "Shisui, I've applied for the graduation exam!"

"Once I pass the genin exam, I can become an official genin!"

Becoming a genin meant he could start taking on real missions.

He wouldn't have to waste any more time at the Ninja Academy, and his strength would surely improve much faster!

"Oh? Graduating from the Ninja Academy at seven? As expected of a genius of the Uchiha."

Uchiha Shisui praised: "Itachi, your talent is no less than mine; you will surely become a powerful ninja in the future!"

"You will become a powerful force within Konoha!"

His gaze was full of expectation, as if he were contemplating something.

Uchiha Itachi suddenly thought of something, his eyes brightening slightly: "That's right, Shisui, there is actually another powerful genius in our class, Hyuga Kagami. His talent is no weaker than mine!"

"Today, I felt a gripping pressure coming from him!"

That powerful spirit and terrifying aura were truly startling!

He explained everything that had happened to Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui looked thoughtful, a hint of curiosity appearing in his eyes: "A genius who can make Itachi feel threatened?"

"It seems he is a very formidable guy. It's a good thing that you finally have a worthy rival among your peers, Itachi."

The two of them continued to talk.

The sparring match began in short order.

For ninjas of the great clans, the greatest strength lay not merely in bloodlines or secret techniques, but in having superior mentors from within their own kin.

"Although I do not yet know the extent of his strength, I will surely witness the caliber of Kagami-kun during tomorrow's genin exam!"

Uchiha Itachi's dark eyes shimmered.

This was the first genius of his own age he had ever encountered!