As he walked out of the examination hall, the sunlight felt a little glaring.
On the open ground outside the teaching building, many small groups had already formed, excitedly or dejectedly discussing the exam questions.
"Wasn't the case analysis in the third Genjutsu question way too detailed? We even had to consider psychological issues?"
"That ethics question at the end of Command Theory... I really didn't expect that to be tested. I only wrote about how to win..."
"Tch, the Uchiha really came too. And they even signed up for Command Theory? They're quite ambitious."
"Don't talk nonsense. If they signed up, they must be confident. I heard this assessment is absolutely fair—the Hokage is personally overseeing it."
Sora stood alone beneath a tree, calming his thoughts as he listened to the discussions around him.
For the Uchiha, being privately discussed in public was nothing unusual. Yet today, beyond the usual scrutiny, there seemed to be a little more recognition of their abilities under "fair competition," and a little less pure estrangement.
Just then, a hesitant yet curious voice spoke beside him.
"Um... excuse me, but regarding the second question on the Genjutsu exam, about safety precautions for an introductory teaching plan.
After the papers were collected, I saw that you wrote that instructors proficient in Genjutsu must be assigned for real-time monitoring. Did you specifically mean Genjutsu abilities at the Sharingan level?
Or would an ordinary Jonin proficient in Genjutsu be enough?"
Sora turned and saw an ordinary-looking young ninja dressed plainly. He seemed to come from a civilian background. His eyes were clear and filled with curiosity, without any ill intent.
Sora was slightly surprised. In the past, such proactive and peaceful conversation from a non-Uchiha stranger had been rare.
After thinking for a moment, he answered seriously.