Officially Graduated

R-really learned it in one try?

The villagers below the stands, Sarutobi Hiruzen in the stands, Iruka, bending over with tears in his eyes, and Uchiha Fugaku, frozen in place.

They were all dumbfounded.

Since when had ninjutsu become so easy to learn?

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

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

The notification chimes rang one after another, as if the system had frozen.

In just a few dozen seconds, Uchiha Kei had racked up over 10,000 Shock Value. He'd made an absolute killing!

Though Uchiha Kei was laughing wildly inside, on the outside he remained perfectly composed.

Over 10,000 Shock Value meant more than ten ninjutsu!

That was a win—a huge haul!

Watching the crowd standing there like stunned statues, Uchiha Kei cleared his throat. "Lord Hokage, Iruka-sensei, does this mean I passed?"

"Ahem."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pretended to cough, but said nothing.

"Ah..."

Iruka was still in a daze. His mind had long since wandered off somewhere.

"Iruka-sensei?"

With no other choice, Uchiha Kei raised his voice.

"Ah... Hmm?"

Iruka stared at him blankly.

"Did I pass?"

"Y-yes... I think so..."

Iruka looked to Sarutobi Hiruzen for help, but the old fox already had his eyes half-closed, lost in thought.

"That's great! So what's the second part of the test?"

"The second part, the second part..."

Iruka hesitated for a long while, stammering without managing to say anything.

"All right, there's no need to test him further."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped in at just the right moment. "Uchiha Kei, you've already proven your abilities."

"I hereby declare that Uchiha Kei has officially graduated and become a shinobi!"

The people below the stands wore varied expressions. Those from the major clans looked envious, while the civilians were brimming with excitement.

A few scattered among them watched Uchiha Kei with cold glints in their eyes.

With his Ninja Headband hanging casually from his arm, Uchiha Kei strolled over to Naruto.

"See, Naruto? I'm an official shinobi now."

Naruto gazed at the Ninja Headband hanging from his arm with envy and jealousy, nearly drooling.

"Kei, when do you think I'll become an official shinobi?"

Uchiha Kei gave him a mysterious smile and patted him on the shoulder. "Trust me. It won't be long."

Ever since he'd drawn the Mangekyō Sharingan, Uchiha Kei had planned to have a chat with the Nine-Tails.

Naruto was the undisputed protagonist of Naruto. Even Sasuke had to take second place to him, and his strength was unquestionably on a whole other level.

Whatever their relationship might be, just considering his future potential, Uchiha Kei had to win the Nine-Tails over.

"Uchiha Kei."

Behind him, Uchiha Fugaku led a group of Uchiha Clan members over.

Uchiha Kei turned around, his brow creasing slightly.

To be honest, he wasn't fond of the Uchiha Clan.

Whether it was the Uchiha Clan in Naruto or the one he'd experienced firsthand, he wasn't particularly keen on them.

There was only one reason.

The Uchiha Clan was too arrogant!

Perhaps the Sharingan's reputation had gone to their heads; every Uchiha looked down on outsiders.

That included the Hyuga Clan, who were just as famous for their dōjutsu.

Arrogant, conceited, and disdainful of others.

That was how people saw the Uchiha.

"Clan Head."

Uchiha Kei bowed respectfully.

No matter what, he couldn't change the fact that he was an Uchiha.

"Mm. You've done well."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded and patted him on the shoulder.

"You've suffered all these years. As clan head, I failed you."

Uchiha Kei scoffed inwardly. Wasn't it a little late to cozy up to him now?

"Clan Head, you're too kind."

That was what he thought, but he still needed the Uchiha Clan's support. After all, the clan's influence would be impossible to avoid in his plans.

"Don't worry. From now on, the Uchiha Clan will be your strongest support."

After saying that, Uchiha Fugaku led the group away in a grand procession.

"Once we're back, we'll have to find Uchiha Kei a new place to live..."

Uchiha Kei watched them leave, deep in thought.

"Kei, are we going to the little woods today?"

Uchiha Kei shuddered at the question.

What do you mean, going to the little woods? Even if I went, it wouldn't be with you!

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

When he'd received his Ninja Headband, the Third Hokage had told him to report to the Hokage Building for his assignment.

Now that he was an official shinobi, he had two choices: become a teacher at the Ninja Academy, or...

Join the Anbu!

"Knock, knock."

"Come in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat upright at his desk, the same old pipe in his mouth as always.

Uchiha Kei entered the office and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Hokage."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly. "Kei, congratulations on becoming a Genin."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sarutobi Hiruzen got down to business.

"Kei, now that you're a Genin, you'll have more responsibilities."

"Usually, new Genin join the Action Squad and go on missions. But your situation is different. Your classmates haven't graduated yet."

"So, would you like to become a teacher at the Ninja Academy?"

Uchiha Kei shook his head without hesitation.

As if! What was so great about becoming a teacher at the Ninja Academy?

Spending every day like Iruka, worrying about year-end bonuses and promotion evaluations?

No future in that.

"Then you have only 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 the village? Including your family, your honor, even your..."

"Life!"

Here it comes!

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

"Lord Hokage, you know I lost both my parents when I was young. Konoha is my home. I'd give up anything for my home!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.

"Kei, may I ask you something?"

Uchiha Kei nodded without hesitation.

"Judging by how you learned the Three Body Technique in one try, your Sharingan must have awakened, right?"

Though Sarutobi Hiruzen phrased it as a question, his tone was utterly certain.

"I can't hide anything from you, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Kei put on a fearful expression and revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Three Tomoe. Very good, very good."

Though he spoke casually, Sarutobi Hiruzen was stirred inside.

Three Tomoe at eight years old—even Itachi hadn't been much different at that age.

Another prodigy from the Uchiha Clan!

A hint of killing intent flashed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, then vanished in an instant.

"Lord Hokage, I wasn't deliberately hiding it. In a clan like the Uchiha, having no parents and exceptional talent might not be a good thing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately caught the emphasis in his words.

A clan like the Uchiha?

It seemed this little fellow wasn't happy with the Uchiha Clan.

That made sense. His father had died fighting for the clan, and his mother had died after him. He'd been alone since childhood, never having enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. It would be strange if he felt any attachment to the clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled even more warmly. "I understand. Don't worry. From now on, Konoha will be your strongest support. You can show your talents to your heart's content!"

"Uchiha Kei, in my capacity as Hokage, I invite you to join the Anbu. Do you accept?"

"I accept!"