Arashi's Birthday Celebration

Arashi said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"I'll assign you to a squad currently carrying out high-difficulty missions."

The Third spoke slowly. "This squad is currently on the border of the Land of Fire, carrying out reconnaissance and rebel-nin elimination missions. The danger level is very high. If you can prove your worth in that squad and successfully complete three A-rank missions and two S-rank missions, then I can consider your request and make an exception by promoting you to special jonin, allowing you to carry out missions alone."

Three A-rank missions, two S-rank missions?

Arashi's eyes lit up.

With this condition, though he still had to join a squad, at least the mission rank had gone up.

Only A-rank missions and S-rank missions had a real challenge. Only they could let him grow quickly.

And as long as he completed them, he could become a special jonin. After that, he would be free to take on high-difficulty missions.

"Fine! I accept!"

Arashi agreed almost without hesitation.

To him, this was already the best result he could fight for right now.

"Very good."

The Third nodded, a faint, gratified smile appearing on his face. "Having that courage and resolve is a good thing. But remember, in the squad, you must obey the captain's commands. Teamwork is sometimes more important than individual heroics."

"I understand."

Arashi gave a noncommittal reply.

Obey commands? That would depend on whether that captain was worth obeying.

If it was some mediocre guy who still wanted to order him around, then Arashi would not mind letting the other party know what a gap in strength meant.

"I'll have the Anbu notify you of your specific mission arrangements."

The Third said, "For the next few days, prepare yourself properly. Familiarize yourself with the process and precautions for A-rank missions and S-rank missions."

"Yes."

Arashi turned to leave.

"Wait."

The Third suddenly called out to him.

"Is there anything else, Lord Hokage?"

Arashi looked back.

The Third looked at him, his gaze growing somewhat deep. "That power in you... is very special. It isn't ordinary chakra."

Arashi's heart tightened.

Sure enough, had he still been discovered?

The Saiyan Physique and Saiyan Chakra were his greatest secrets.

"That is a kind of energy my body naturally produced after I awakened the Sharingan."

Arashi said without changing expression. This was the excuse he had prepared long ago.

"Clan Head Fugaku said that this special phenomenon once appeared in the history of our Uchiha. It belongs to a special kind of Uchiha."

The Third looked at him deeply and did not press further.

"Go."

"Yes." Arashi turned and left the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe again and took a deep drag.

"Is it the same as Madara Uchiha?"

He looked out the window, his gaze complicated.

"I hope you won't go down the wrong path, Arashi."

Nurturing a genius always came with risks, but he had no other choice.

Although the Second Shinobi World War had already ended two years ago, everyone knew that it was only a temporary ceasefire. A shinobi world war could descend again at any time.

The Hidden Leaf Village needed more powerful strength to protect it.

He hoped this child called Uchiha Arashi could become the Hidden Leaf Village's sharp blade, and not... a hidden danger.

After walking out of the Hokage Building, sunlight spilled over Arashi, warm and pleasant.

The thought of taking part in combat missions next made the Saiyan blood in his body boil a little.

He had tied his shinobi forehead protector to his left arm. He narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the breeze brush past.

Just then, a familiar noisy voice came from behind him.

"Arashi! Arashi! We're here!"

It was Obito. This guy was always full of energy.

Arashi stopped and looked back with feigned helplessness.

Obito and Rin trotted over. Obito's face was full of undisguised excitement, while Rin wore her usual gentle smile.

"Arashi, you were amazing!" Obito hooked an arm around his neck and shook him hard. "Taking down three chunin all by yourself—now that's the pride of our class!"

Rin also walked closer with a smile. "Arashi-kun, congratulations on graduating early."

Arashi gently pushed Obito's head away and said in disgust, "Enough, enough. Keep your hands to yourself. You messed up my hair."

He complained with his mouth, but there was no real anger in his eyes.

Obito chuckled, long used to this habit of saying one thing and meaning another.

"Hehehe, but the biggest shame is that we couldn't see it in person," Obito said, somewhat unwilling to accept it.

"Still, graduation has to be celebrated!" Obito waved his hand grandly. "My treat. Ichiraku Ramen, as much as you want!"

"Not going," Arashi refused flatly. "I want something good."

"Oh, Arashi-kun~" Rin tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "Just think of it as keeping us company. Relax a little after the exam."

Arashi looked at Rin's sparkling eyes, and that little bit of insistence in his heart instantly crumbled.

During the half year he had spent at the Ninja Academy, only these two always liked to revolve around him.

Although he never said it aloud, he was actually rather pleased inside.

"And besides," Obito leaned in mysteriously and lowered his voice, "today is a big day!"

"Oh? What big day?" Arashi raised an eyebrow cooperatively.

"Your birthday!" Rin revealed the answer with a smile. "We prepared a surprise!"

Birthday?

Arashi froze for a moment.

After awakening his memories half a year ago, he had too many things on his mind. He really had no concept of this body's birthday anymore. He had not expected these two to actually remember.

"Tch, who wants to celebrate a birthday?" Arashi turned his head away, his tone haughty, but his slightly reddened ears betrayed him.

"Stop pretending!" Obito pushed him forward. "Come on, come on. We're not going for ramen. Today, Rin and I are bleeding ourselves dry and taking you to a barbecue restaurant!"

"Hey, I haven't agreed yet..."

Arashi struggled symbolically twice, then let them drag him along on either side toward the barbecue restaurant.

Anyway, being with them seemed pretty interesting too.

Inside the barbecue restaurant, the aroma spread everywhere and voices filled the air.

Obito found a window seat with practiced ease, picked up the menu, and began ordering lavishly.

"Boss! Thirty skewers of the signature barbecue first! Then a vegetable platter, and that..."

"Obito, the three of us can't eat that much." Rin smiled helplessly as she tried to stop him.

"Arashi just finished his exam. He used up a lot of energy! He has to eat his fill!" Obito promised, thumping his chest.

Arashi sat to the side, watching the excited Obito and Rin gently wiping the table for him. The joy in his heart from successfully passing the assessment seemed to be dyed with a warmer color.

This feeling... really was not bad.

Just then, a voice full of vitality rang out at the entrance.

"Youth! Burn, youth!"

The corner of Arashi's mouth twitched. He knew who it was without even looking.

Sure enough, a young boy wearing a green bodysuit, with thick brows and big eyes, charged in waving his arms. It was Might Guy.

"Ah! Arashi! Obito! Rin! What a coincidence!" Might Guy spotted them at a glance, his eyes going round as he ran over in a few steps. "Are you also here to enjoy a youthful barbecue feast?"

"Guy?" Obito was also rather surprised. "Why are you here?"

"I just finished five hundred push-ups and five hundred frog jumps! I feel my body brimming with the energy of youth!" As Might Guy spoke, he struck a bodybuilding pose. "So I came to replenish my protein!"

His gaze landed on Arashi, instantly becoming incomparably worshipful.

"Arashi! I heard about it! Your assessment today was super cool! You beat three chunin all by yourself! Your youth is simply as dazzling as a sunflower!"

"..." Arashi decided to selectively go deaf.

"I've decided!" Might Guy slapped the table, making the plates jump. "I'm joining you! Let's raise a toast to Arashi's graduation, and to our shared youth!"

"Hey, we..." Obito had just opened his mouth.

"You're welcome, Guy-kun." Rin cut him off with a smile. "The more people there are, the livelier it is."

"Rin! You truly are an angel of youth!" Might Guy was so moved that tears filled his eyes.

Arashi covered his face. Another noisy one had arrived.

He began to consider whether he should pretend to have suddenly remembered there was a mission to do.

Just as Might Guy was happily preparing to sit down, the door of the barbecue restaurant was pushed open again.

A silver-haired young boy walked in, wearing a forehead protector that covered one eye, his expression calm. It was Hatake Kakashi.