Formal Graduation

He really learned it in one go?

The villagers below the stands, Sarutobi Hiruzen above, Iruka bowing and weeping, Uchiha Fugaku in a state of system shutdown.

They were all stunned.

When did ninjutsu become so easy to learn?

Even the most basic one shouldn't be this easy!

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

The prompt sounds rang out one after another, as if the system had frozen.

In just a few dozen seconds, Uchiha Kei had gained over 10,000 Shock Value, making a killing!

While Uchiha Kei was laughing wildly in his heart, his expression remained calm.

10,000+ Shock Value meant more than 10 ninjutsu!

This was a good deal, a massive profit!

Seeing everyone frozen like statues, Uchiha Kei coughed dryly, "Hokage-sama, Teacher Iruka, does this count as passing?"

"Cough cough."

Sarutobi Hiruzen feigned a cough and said nothing.

"Ah..."

Iruka was still in a daze, his mind long gone.

"Teacher Iruka?"

With no other choice, Uchiha Kei had to raise his voice.

"Ah... hmm?"

Iruka looked at him blankly.

"Does it count as passing?"

"It... it counts, I guess..."

Iruka looked towards Sarutobi Hiruzen for help, but the old fox had already narrowed his eyes and was lost in thought.

"That's great, then what's the second assessment?"

"The second, the second..."

Iruka hesitated for a long time, stammering and unable to speak.

"Alright, the rest of you don't need to be assessed."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped forward at the opportune moment, "Uchiha Kei, your strength has already been proven."

"I declare, Uchiha Kei has officially graduated and become a formal ninja!"

The expressions of the people below the stands varied. Those from influential families looked on with envy, while commoners were filled with excitement.

There were also a few scattered individuals whose gazes towards Uchiha Kei held a hint of coldness.

Uchiha Kei casually hung his ninja headband on his arm and walked leisurely to Naruto.

"See, Naruto? I'm a formal ninja now."

Naruto looked at the hanging ninja headband with envy and jealousy, almost drooling.

"Kei, when do you think I'll be able to become a formal ninja?"

Uchiha Kei smiled mysteriously and patted his shoulder, "Believe me, it'll be soon."

From the moment he drew the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Kei had planned to have a chat with the Nine-Tails.

Naruto, as the absolute protagonist of Naruto, even the "Erzhuzi" had to take a backseat. His strength was definitely bug-level.

Regardless of their relationship, just considering his future potential, Uchiha Kei had to win over the Nine-Tails.

"Uchiha Kei."

From behind, Uchiha Fugaku, leading a group of Uchiha clan members, walked up to him.

Uchiha Kei turned his head, his brow furrowed slightly.

To be honest, he didn't have a good impression of the Uchiha clan.

Whether it was the Uchiha clan in the Naruto anime or the Uchiha clan he experienced firsthand, he wasn't particularly fond of them.

There was only one reason.

The Uchiha clan was too arrogant!

Perhaps it was the fame of the Sharingan that weighed on them, but every Uchiha looked down on outsiders.

Including the Hyuga clan, who were also famous for their dojutsu.

Arrogant, conceited, and dismissive of others.

This was how others viewed the Uchiha.

"Patriarch."

Uchiha Kei bowed respectfully.

No matter what, his Uchiha identity couldn't be changed.

"Mm, you've done well."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded and patted his shoulder.

"I've made you suffer all these years; this is my failure as patriarch."

Uchiha Kei scoffed inwardly. Was it too late to try and curry favor now?

"Patriarch, you are too kind."

Despite his thoughts, he still needed to cling to the Uchiha Clan. After all, in his next plan, the Uchiha's influence was unavoidable.

"Rest assured, the Uchiha Clan will be your strongest backing from now on."

With that, Uchiha Fugaku led a group of people and departed grandly.

"After returning, Uchiha Kei's residence needs to be rearranged..."

Uchiha Kei watched their retreating figures, lost in thought.

"Kei, are you still going to the small woods today?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Kei felt a chill.

Go to the small woods? Even if I did, it wouldn't be with you!

After sending Naruto off to class, Uchiha Kei headed to the Hokage Building alone.

When receiving his Ninja Headband, the Third Hokage had instructed him to report to the Hokage Building for his appointment.

Now that he was a formal ninja, his next step was either to become a Ninja Academy teacher or...

to join the Anbu!

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Enter."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat upright, his ever-present pipe in his mouth.

Uchiha Kei entered the office and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Hokage."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a kind smile. "Kei, congratulations on becoming a Genin."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

After some pleasantries, Sarutobi Hiruzen got to the point.

"Kei, now that you are a Genin, your responsibilities will be heavier."

"Normally, new Genin join Action Squads to carry out missions, but you are different; your peers haven't even graduated yet."

"So, do you want to become a Ninja Academy teacher?"

Uchiha Kei shook his head without hesitation.

What was so good about being a Ninja Academy teacher?

Like Iruka, thinking about year-end bonuses and promotion evaluations every day?

No future.

"Then you only have one path left."

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Kei, as a member of Konoha, are you willing to give up everything for Konoha? Including family, honor, and even..."

"Your life!"

Here it comes!

Uchiha Kei secretly rejoiced. Was this the brainwashing before joining the Anbu?

"Lord Hokage, you know my parents died when I was young. Konoha Village is my home. For my home, I can give up anything!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.

"Kei, may I ask you a question?"

Uchiha Kei nodded without hesitation.

"From the fact that you mastered the Three Body Technique on your first try, your Sharingan must have awakened, right?"

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was asking, his tone was full of certainty.

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Kei feigned a look of panic, instantly revealing his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Three Tomoe, not bad at all."

Though his tone was light and breezy, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a surge of excitement deep down.

A Three Tomoe at eight years old—even Itachi had only reached that level at the same age.

Another monster from the Uchiha Clan!

A flicker of killing intent flashed in the depths of Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

"Lord Hokage, it wasn't my intention to hide it. In a family like the Uchiha, being parentless with exceptional talent might not be a good thing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen grasped the core of his words with precision.

In a family like the Uchiha?

It seemed this little one held a great deal of resentment toward the Uchiha Clan.

That made sense, he mused. With a father who died in battle for the clan and a mother who took her own life, he had grown up lonely, struggling for food and warmth. It would be strange if he felt any affection for them at all.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile widened. "I understand. Rest assured, from now on, Konoha will be your strongest backing. You may display your talents to your heart's content!"

"Uchiha Kei, I now invite you to join the Anbu in the name of the Hokage. Do you accept?"

"I accept!"