A Child Among the Genin

The examination grounds had been set in a vast wilderness.

Obito Uchiha focused slightly. Before him stood several Konoha higher-ups responsible for evaluating him.

It was quite the impressive lineup!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Fugaku Uchiha, and the ANBU captain.

"Begin!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said as he looked at Obito Uchiha.

Obito Uchiha swiftly formed seals.

"Transformation Technique!"

"Clone Technique!"

"Substitution Jutsu!"

Obito flawlessly performed all three basic techniques!

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. These were the basic requirements for graduation as a ninja, but the Three-Body Technique alone was not enough to graduate early.

Very soon, Obito Uchiha began performing offensive Ninjutsu!

"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"

As Obito Uchiha murmured the words, his hands rapidly formed seals, and the Chakra within his body surged toward his mouth like a roaring flood.

In an instant, a dazzling blaze erupted from his mouth, rapidly gathering in midair into a massive, imposing fire dragon!

The fire dragon roared as it soared toward the sky!

It exploded in the air with a thunderous boom!

The many Konoha higher-ups all looked on in amazement.

"At this level, it already counts as Chunin-level. This Uchiha brat is even better with Fire Release than you were back then..."

Danzo Shimura murmured into Hiruzen Sarutobi's ear.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke with a smile. "The Uchiha Clan is naturally gifted at Fire Release. I heard this child can use Wind Release too..."

Danzo Shimura was somewhat surprised upon hearing that. He himself specialized in Wind Release.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Obito Uchiha took a deep breath and unleashed a Wind Release technique at a thick tree nearby!

Boom!

A loud explosion rang out.

The tree toppled in response, snapped cleanly in half at its trunk as wood chips flew everywhere!

Danzo Shimura believed that at Obito's age, he himself had not been capable of releasing Wind Release at such a level.

Obito's Ninjutsu won unanimous approval from Konoha's higher-ups!

Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely satisfied. Even in his own era, only he himself could have rivaled Obito Uchiha at this level.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to approve Obito's Headband, Danzo Shimura suddenly spoke up!

"Wait!"

Danzo Shimura interrupted Hiruzen, and everyone was shocked that Danzo would dare be so disrespectful toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi did not find it strange at all, merely turning toward Danzo Shimura with a gentle expression.

Danzo Shimura glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi before turning to Obito Uchiha.

"You are very good, but Konoha's ninja need more than outstanding Ninjutsu. They also need strong conviction!"

Danzo Shimura stared sharply at Obito Uchiha, as though trying to see straight into his heart.

Obito Uchiha's expression remained unchanged. He had long expected there might be a political examination.

"I ask you, how do you view the village and the clan?"

Danzo Shimura asked directly.

For a moment, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point!

Fugaku Uchiha's expression changed in alarm.

What a question. He had gone straight for such a sensitive topic right in front of him, the clan head.

"Danzo! Obito is still young. You're making things difficult for the child!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi reprimanded him with a deep frown.

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also frowned slightly. Though they knew Danzo Shimura was prejudiced against the Uchiha Clan—

Obito Uchiha was only a five-year-old child. Asking such a question right away really was making things difficult for him.

Danzo Shimura ignored them, his eyes fixed directly on Obito Uchiha.

Obito's expression remained calm. Though he knew Danzo Shimura was testing him—

He was not angry.

What child got angry with an old man?

"The village and the clan coexist. The village was built upon countless clans, while the clans flourish and realize their own value by relying on the village. The two depend on each other and coexist."

Obito Uchiha said calmly.

The moment those words were spoken, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a satisfied smile.

Danzo Shimura's eyes gave away neither pleasure nor displeasure.

Fugaku Uchiha visibly relaxed. He was very satisfied with Obito Uchiha's neutral, noncommittal answer.

He had truly been worried that Obito Uchiha would speak without restraint and say something about Uchiha superiority in front of everyone.

However, Danzo Shimura did not give up and continued questioning him.

"What do you believe is the most correct ideology?"

Danzo Shimura's eyes were like hidden springs beneath the moonlight as they remained fixed on Obito Uchiha.

Obito Uchiha's expression remained unchanged.

"The most correct ideology of this era would be the Will of Fire, pioneered by the First Hokage, refined by the Second Hokage, and promoted by the Third Generation."

Obito Uchiha said calmly.

Danzo Shimura's face stiffened.

What an answer. He had originally wanted to find fault with Obito Uchiha's views, then correct the Uchiha brat's thinking.

He had not expected Obito Uchiha to make such a statement.

Obito Uchiha secretly laughed. If you refute me, then you're opposing the first two generations of Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also nodded in satisfaction.

"Danzo, this child is excellent. He fully meets the requirements to become a Genin!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Danzo Shimura said nothing at that and merely nodded.

"Then, Obito Uchiha! From today onward, you are a Genin of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi personally stepped forward and placed the Headband on Obito Uchiha's forehead.

"Where Konoha's leaves dance, fire lives on!"

"Do not disgrace it. You are not only the pride of the Uchiha Clan, but also the pride of the village!"

"Work hard to make our village better, and bring even greater glory to your clan in the Shinobi World!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued speaking.

Obito Uchiha listened quietly, paying no attention at all to what Hiruzen Sarutobi was saying.

The village or the clan—it made no difference.

He felt no sense of belonging. The village and the clan were merely tools for him to gain greater power.

He needed the clan's Sharingan.

He also needed the village's Ninjutsu resources.

He had no interest in improving the village or bringing glory to the Uchiha Clan. He only wanted to obtain greater power.

He had come to the Shinobi World, and they expected him to strive for these fictional characters?

To work hard so that life in this fictional world could become more beautiful and peaceful?

Keep dreaming. Since he lived in this world where strength reigned supreme—

Obtaining greater power and endless life was his first priority. Even if he had to sacrifice the entire Shinobi World for power, he would not hesitate!

Kakashi watched as Obito failed to return for so long, his thoughts wandering wildly.

Just then, the classroom door opened.

Umino slowly entered the classroom together with Obito.

Everyone's attention was drawn to them.

When Kakashi saw the gleaming Headband on Obito Uchiha's forehead, his pupils suddenly contracted!

"Obito Uchiha has been personally approved by the Hokage to graduate early!"

"Obito is currently the youngest Genin in the village! He has also set a new Ninja Academy graduation record! Let's congratulate him together!"

Umino said with a smile.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the classroom!

Everyone looked at Obito Uchiha with envious eyes.

Their eyes held not only envy, but also amazement!

They were not only astonished that Obito had become a Genin so early, but even more astonished by how he had transformed overnight from a dead last into a genius!