Conversation

Time flew by like sand through one's fingers—the harder one tried to grasp it, the faster it slipped away.

In the blink of an eye, nearly three months had passed, and they had entered the final stretch of Year 37 of Konoha.

Having spent enough time at the Ninja Academy to put the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at ease, Yin Jie now proposed the idea of graduating early to Uchiha Yasashiro.

Uchiha Yasashiro was listed with the village as Uchiha Yin Jie's guardian. Therefore, if Yin Jie wanted to graduate early, Uchiha Yasashiro would need to submit the application on his behalf.

Although since the Ninja Academy's founding, there had never been a case of someone attending for only one year and applying to graduate just halfway through the second semester.

Yin Jie knew that according to the timeline, in the second half of next year—during the autumn of Year 38 of Konoha—five-year-old Kakashi Hatake would apply for early graduation and set the record for the youngest graduate since the Hidden Leaf Village's founding.

Therefore, with the Uchiha Clan's support, combined with the good behavior he had put on every time Hiruzen Sarutobi used the "Telescope Technique" to spy on him over the past semester and a half, Yin Jie believed Hiruzen Sarutobi would approve his graduation application.

However, what Yin Jie had not expected was that although Hiruzen Sarutobi approved the early graduation application Uchiha Yasashiro submitted for him in principle, he requested to speak with him face-to-face first.

Thus.

The next day.

On the Ninja Academy's training field.

As gentle sunlight filtered down through the gaps between the towering trees.

Two figures, neither particularly tall, walked slowly side by side.

"Lord Hokage!"

Every Ninja Academy teacher and student who passed by bowed slightly, offering their respects to the Third Hokage.

Yin Jie remained silent throughout, saying nothing. He did not know what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to discuss with him, though he had a few uncertain guesses.

Still, Yin Jie had never feared to judge others with the greatest malice, nor had he begrudged treating others with the greatest kindness.

Yet based on his understanding of the entire plot, it was truly difficult for him to believe that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the harmless old man Kishimoto had portrayed early in the story.

At least, not when it came to the Uchiha Clan.

So, it was time to test his acting skills again!

"Uchiha Yin Jie..."

In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to break the silence. His strong voice carried a natural warmth, but upon closer listening, one could detect a trace of exhaustion hidden beneath it.

Everything in the Hidden Leaf Village rested upon the shoulders of the Third Hokage.

Thus, though he was still in his prime and at the peak of his strength, the burdensome administrative duties often left him feeling weary.

Not to mention that he had already occupied the Hokage's seat for twenty years, yet still had not found a perfect successor who suited his wishes. Even Orochimaru, his most promising disciple, fell slightly short.

"How has your past year or so in the village been?"

Setting aside those miscellaneous thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head and asked Yin Jie.

The boy's appearance had changed greatly compared to before. He had grown taller and become more handsome.

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi had watched that entire process through the "Telescope Technique."

He had been quite "concerned" about Yin Jie's growth.

"Very well! Everything in the village is..."

Yin Jie knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to hear. So, he first "worked hard" to show a shy smile befitting a child, then began his performance.

Still, although there was an element of acting involved, much of what he said about the Hidden Leaf Village was sincere.

After all, compared to the other ninja villages, the Hidden Leaf Village was far more prosperous.

"Mm..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then shifted the subject and began asking about Yin Jie's life at the Ninja Academy.

Naturally, through his occasional "peeping," along with regular reports from the homeroom teacher, Dāhé Wàng, he already knew these matters inside and out.

He merely wanted to hear Yin Jie describe them personally, so he could judge the boy's true thoughts from them.

After exchanging words with Yin Jie for quite some time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally, seemingly without meaning to, asked the question he most wanted answered in this conversation.

That was, how did Yin Jie now view the relationship between the individual and the collective?

"Heh..."

The fox's tail has finally shown itself!

Mockery rose within Yin Jie's heart. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had not said it outright, what he truly wanted to ask was how Yin Jie viewed the relationship between the clan and the village.

However, if that were all there was to it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's question would not seem abrupt or strange.

After all, this was not an issue unique to the Hidden Leaf Village. The other ninja villages also had the same problem to varying degrees.

But Yin Jie, who knew the future plot and its course, understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi's question was more subtly aimed at the Uchiha Clan.

So, having confirmed Hiruzen Sarutobi's purpose, he would continue performing!

The exchange between Yin Jie and Hiruzen Sarutobi lasted around twenty minutes.

And naturally, the result left Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had initiated this conversation, immensely satisfied.

Whether it was his way of viewing problems or the angle from which he considered them, Yin Jie's answers perfectly struck Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

Then, it was obvious.

Uchiha Yin Jie was the new "bridge" Hiruzen Sarutobi had hoped for—someone who could allow smooth communication between Konoha's upper ranks and the Uchiha Clan. In other words, a second Uchiha Kagami!

Once he grew up, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha would once again return to the flourishing state it had enjoyed when Uchiha Kagami had been clan head.

Of course, that was on the condition that his thoughts and beliefs did not waver or even change as he grew...

But as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi would keep watching Yin Jie.

There was no major problem!

A trace of anticipation flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

Uchiha Yin Jie, grow up quickly...