The Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, Hyuga Kagami and Uchiha Itachi have applied to take the Genin exam!"
The teacher wore a respectful, admiring expression!
After all, the man before him was the strongest Hokage in history!
"The Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan?"
"Looks like we have two geniuses. But Ichiro, you know what applying for the Genin exam early means, don't you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was calm as he took a puff from his pipe.
His gaze fell casually on the two boys' files.
More accurately... on Uchiha Itachi's!
Uchiha Itachi?
He must be the boy Shisui had mentioned, the one who'd inherited the Will of Fire. He was worth keeping an eye on.
But Hyuga Kagami... where had he come from???
Fifth from the bottom in grades?
Hmm...
He had a strong will!
"Yes, Lord Hokage. To apply for the Genin exam early, they'll have to fight two Genin!"
Ueno Ichiro said, "They might not pass, but I think they deserve a chance!"
"After all, during the Third Shinobi World War, it was nothing unusual for seven- or eight-year-old boys to go to the battlefield!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then sighed.
"All right."
"I'll watch the exam in person. And what's your assessment of the two boys?"
He raised his head and looked at Ueno Ichiro.
To spread the Will of Fire, he first needed to understand the personalities of the young!
"Uchiha Itachi is a genius. He's consistently ranked first in his class. As for Hyuga Kagami..."
He paused, sounding uncertain. "His grades are very consistent!"
"He probably wants to get stronger, but he's from the Hyuga Branch Family. He's already been branded with the Caged Bird Seal."
Ueno Ichiro sighed.
Branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
How was that any different from being a prisoner?
"I understand. You may leave."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression remained calm as he spoke indifferently.
A member of the Hyuga Branch Family was worth far less than Uchiha Itachi. His eyes were deep, like a still, dark pool.
Early the next morning.
Training Ground No. 1.
Konoha had quite a few training grounds, but the one that truly represented the village was Training Ground No. 1!
Whether it was Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams or other official events, they were all held at Training Ground No. 1. The Genin exam was no exception!
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō sat on the raised platform overlooking the grounds!
"So not only is the Genin exam harder than it was in the Naruto story, but after becoming Genin, we get different options too?"
Hyuga Kagami's White Eyes gleamed.
As Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to be here to carry out his brainwashing mission: instilling the Will of Fire in children from the cradle.
But what Kagami hadn't expected was that Shimura Danzō, that old schemer, was here too!
"So if we perform well, we can choose to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzō?"
Hyuga Kagami's lips curled upward. Now that was interesting.
"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzō, Hyuga Kagami and Uchiha Itachi have arrived," Ueno Ichiro said respectfully.
"Hahaha! What outstanding young men. The fact that you applied to take the Genin exam early is proof enough of your talent."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of warmth. "You'll both become excellent shinobi of Konoha!"
"I hope to see the day you protect Konoha."
He smoked his pipe, his smile kind and gentle.
He looked just like a kindly old man next door.
But a glint flickered in his eyes as he studied Hyuga Kagami and Uchiha Itachi!
Shimura Danzō's eyes were cold. "Don't waste time, Hiruzen. Start the exam! If a shinobi can't even complete a mission, what's the difference between him and a useless failure?!"
He looked displeased.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes!
Hyuga Kagami glanced at Shimura Danzō. The old schemer was sinister, but he was also a genuine idiot!
Even the black-hearted politician Sarutobi Hiruzen had started winning people over.
And this guy was spouting subversive nonsense.
What normal person would ever choose Root?
Tsk!
No wonder he'd never managed to beat Sarutobi Hiruzen. And when he finally became Hokage, he'd only been the Fifth-and-a-Half Hokage.
His face hadn't even made it onto Kage Rock.
"Danzō!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned cold. "They're the future pillars of Konoha, our family. They're more than shinobi who complete missions! A shinobi's worth isn't measured only by the missions he completes!"
He looked slightly angry.
It was as if he were sticking up for Hyuga Kagami and Uchiha Itachi!
Then he slowly regained his composure and turned a kind gaze on the two boys. "Let's begin the exam. It has two parts."
"First, you'll be tested on the Three Body Technique! This tests your chakra control and reserves!"
"Second, you'll have to fight actual Genin!"
"You'll... have to take on two opponents at once!"
The kindly old do-gooder act was turned up to the absolute max!
Hyuga Kagami gave a derisive laugh.
What a joke!
Uchiha Itachi, meanwhile, looked excited and said respectfully, "Understood, Lord Hokage!"
Hyuga Kagami quickly echoed him.
Soon, the two boys each performed the Three Body Technique and passed the first test.
It was no challenge for either of them.
"Now for the second test. Uchiha Itachi will fight Xing Yuxiang and Tenaka Ono!"
Ueno Ichiro announced the start of the fight.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Uchiha Itachi with burning interest. He hadn't thought much of the Uchiha Clan before, but after Uchiha Shisui had submitted to him, he'd changed his mind!
Uchiha Shisui was damn useful!
To an enemy, the Sharingan was a terrifying power.
To an ally, it offered absolute peace of mind!
He had to bring Uchiha Itachi into the fold too!
Shimura Danzō gritted his teeth. "This time... I absolutely can't let Sarutobi Hiruzen steal the Uchiha genius from me again. The Uchiha Clan's forbidden power must be in my hands."
"Only then can it shine with glory!"
At that moment,
the two men stared intently at Uchiha Itachi.
They barely spared Hyuga Kagami a glance.
On the training ground,
Xing Yuxiang sneered. "Hmph! A brat from the Uchiha Clan, is it? Don't get arrogant just because you have a little talent!"
"Geniuses like you, who don't know their place, are the ones most likely to die on the battlefield!"
His eyes were full of envy!
Uchiha Itachi remained calm. "Let's begin."
Envy?
It wasn't uncommon for someone with mediocre talent to envy a genius from a great clan, and Uchiha Itachi was already used to it!
"Damn brat!"
Xing Yuxiang gritted his teeth.
Uchiha Itachi's indifferent attitude only made him angrier!
He shot forward like a gale!
"Just what you'd expect from King B Erzhuzi's Older Brother. His talent for showing off and taunting is maxed out!"
Hyuga Kagami chuckled.
The other boy was clearly the kind of shinobi who resented the world. Because he lacked talent, he'd come to hate geniuses whose strength hadn't even had a chance to develop yet.
But Uchiha Itachi's calmness only made him look even more foolish!
A sharp whistle cut through the air!
Xing Yuxiang shouted, "Ono, attack with me! Don't hold back!"
"Got it!"
The two exchanged a glance, then charged at Uchiha Itachi from both sides!
Uchiha Itachi was surrounded.
There was nowhere to dodge!
Before you continue