Danzo and the Hokage's Argument

In a pleasant mood, Uchiha Kei returned home, ate a bowl of expired instant noodles, and lay comfortably on his dilapidated little bed.

With both Shisui and Itachi already hoodwinked and on board, he undoubtedly felt a strong sense of confidence.

The Mangekyo Sharingan sounded incredibly impressive, but unfortunately, his chakra was insufficient, rendering the Mangekyo little more than a bluffing ornament.

What others possess isn't truly yours; only what you hold yourself is real.

After pondering for a long time, Uchiha Kei opened his Shock Value panel.

1000 points—just enough for a draw.

With a wave of his hand, he initiated the lottery!

"Ding! 1000 Shock Value can be exchanged for a random ninjutsu. Do you wish to exchange?"

"Exchange."

"Ding! Obtained: Complete Encyclopedia of Ninja Knowledge."

In an instant, a mountain of knowledge was forcibly crammed into his brain.

Complete Encyclopedia of Ninja Knowledge.

Uchiha Kei sat up, stroking his chin with an amused expression.

With this mess of knowledge, couldn't he accelerate the process of leaving the Ninja Academy to become a genin?

In his next steps, he planned to win over various clans; what kind of identity would be most suitable for that?

Without a doubt.

A genius!

Would an Uchiha who becomes a genin at eight years old and possesses a three-tomoe Sharingan count as a genius?

Isn't that a rhetorical question!

In the afternoon, Uchiha Kei appeared at the academy right on time.

"What? You want to apply for early graduation?"

Iruka's mouth hung wide open as he shouted in disbelief.

"That's right, Iruka-sensei. I want to apply for graduation. Is it not possible to apply early?"

Uchiha Kei replied with a beaming smile.

"No... it's not that. Of course you can apply early, but the problem is, you only just enrolled yesterday..."

Iruka still couldn't hide his shock, his expression stiffening.

"I know. I've already learned all the ninja knowledge and mastered the Three Body Techniques. Believe me, I can become a qualified genin."

"This... this..."

Iruka muttered, his mind in a chaotic whirl.

"Why don't you report it to the higher-ups, Iruka-sensei?"

Uchiha Kei couldn't help but prompt him.

"Ah, yes, yes, report it. Kei, go back to class first. I'll notify you once there's news."

Watching the figure saunter back to the classroom, Iruka couldn't help but pat his own head.

"Applying for graduation... applying for graduation..."

"Are all the Uchiha clan members freaks? Another one wanting to graduate early?"

Returning to the classroom, Uchiha Kei ignored the several hostile glares and sat back in his seat.

"Kei, about yesterday..."

Naruto hesitated, struggling to find the words.

Yesterday had been truly humiliating, and if not for Kei's protection, he likely would have died.

Of course, this was assuming he didn't know the Nine-Tails would have emerged.

But that didn't affect the guilt he felt toward Kei in the slightest.

Uchiha Kei smiled and patted Naruto's head. "Yesterday's matter was resolved perfectly; you don't need to worry."

At the same time, Uchiha Kei had already formed a new plan for Naruto's future in his mind.

It seemed it was time to find a moment to have a chat with the Nine-Tails.

Without suppressing the Nine-Tails' surging chakra, Naruto would never be able to train properly.

Konoha, Hokage Office.

"Hmph! Look at this! Is this what you called 'nothing to worry about'?"

Danzo slammed his hand against the desk. "Five battle-hardened Anbu, two chunin, and three genin—and the mission still failed!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his throbbing temples. "I'm telling you, Danzo, this is the Hokage's office. Can you please be mindful of your influence?"

"At a time like this, you're still worried about influence?"

Danzo scoffed directly at Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.

"I told you long ago that the brat Uchiha Kei was no simple matter, and the facts have proven that I was not wrong!"

"Hiding his strength for no good reason—if that isn't a sign of a guilty conscience, then what is?"

"That evil Uchiha brat must be eradicated as soon as possible! Otherwise, there will surely be endless trouble! He must be put on trial!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up helplessly and turned to look at Konoha behind him.

"In its current state, Konoha is only fit for rest and recovery. Uchiha Kei is just a child; what charges could you possibly use to put him on trial?"

A fierce glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. "Charges? What charges did Hatake Sakumo have back then? If I say he is guilty, then he is guilty!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen spun around abruptly, his clouded eyes erupting with a sharp light.

"Danzo, do you even know what you are saying!"

"Of course I do!"

Danzo let out a roar, his squinted eyes snapping wide open, bloodshot and intense. "Sarutobi, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Ever since you became the Third Hokage, your desire for power has been stronger than mine!"

"Why did Namikaze Minato die? Could Konoha really not stop the Nine-Tails?"

"Why did Hatake Sakumo, who had the qualifications to become Hokage, die? Was it because of me, Danzo?"

"Why did the Twelve Guardian Ninja fall into internal strife?"

"Why did Chiriku leave Konoha to become a monk?"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, are all of these things my fault!"

The Hokage's office fell into an instant silence, leaving only the sound of Danzo's ragged breathing.

"I do want to become Hokage. From beginning to end, I have believed that the teacher's choice was wrong."

Danzo calmed himself for a moment, gradually regaining his composure. After throwing out that cold remark, he turned and left.

Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe and took a deep drag.

The light of the setting sun shone into the room, casting a reddish glow across his face.

Flickering in and out of the shadows...

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

Iruka pushed the door open and entered.

"Lord Hokage."

A smile appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. "Ah, Iruka. What is it?"

"Lord Hokage, it's like this." Iruka gathered his thoughts. "Uchiha Kei of the Uchiha Clan has applied for early graduation."

"Early graduation?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly.

Entering the Ninja Academy yesterday and applying for graduation today—this was quite the bold move.

Did he expose his strength and decide he no longer wished to hide it?

"I know it's a bit hasty, but Lord Hokage, please don't worry. I will go back and discipline him."

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen frown, Iruka's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"No need."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and exhaled slowly.

"Iruka, what do you think of Uchiha Kei?"

Iruka's brain raced.

Although Uchiha Kei had only been his student for a day and was always causing trouble alongside Uzumaki Naruto, he knew—based on yesterday's test and the aura he had unleashed that morning—that this seemingly slacker-like Kei was likely not simple at all.

Now that Sarutobi Hiruzen was asking such a question out of the blue, there had to be a reason.

"Although the kid is young, his strength is indeed far beyond that of his peers."

"Furthermore, he possesses a level of composure that his peers lack; he doesn't seem like an eight-year-old child at all."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sneered inwardly.

Composure? Based on the intelligence he currently possessed, "composure" was hardly the word for it.

An eight-year-old brat who not only possessed the Three-Tomoe Sharingan but could also unleash a C-rank ninjutsu like the Great Fireball, all while maintaining a calm temperament in the face of danger.

He was far more than just composed; many Chunin and Genin were not even his equal.

"In that case, let him graduate early."