Opportunities Often Coexist with Risks!

How much earlier?

At that thought, the three of them fell silent and grew somewhat dejected. Tsunade and Jiraiya especially so. It meant Hikaru had possessed strength greater than theirs long ago, yet they had never noticed. They had foolishly believed that Hikaru's grueling training was pointless.

While Hikaru had worked hard at training, they had been bragging, sunbathing, and chatting nearby.

At the thought, Tsunade and Jiraiya felt their faces burn. They did not need to look to know they had turned red.

"But since you awakened the Sharingan so early, why did you keep it hidden?"

That was what puzzled the Third Hokage. If Hikaru had spread the news that he had awakened the Sharingan, he would certainly have gained the Uchiha Clan's attention and received greater resources for training.

Yet Hikaru had not. He had made his way forward in obscurity.

Setting aside the slightly ambiguous topics between him and Tsunade, Hikaru truly had remained rather obscure.

Looking at the Third Hokage, Hikaru answered calmly, "If the Uchiha Clan values me solely because I awakened the Sharingan, then I would rather not have it."

"..."

The Third Hokage was rendered speechless. Where had a child of only a few years gotten such strong pride? Still, he was not wrong. When he had nothing, aside from the necessary subsidies, who had ever cared about Uchiha Hikaru?

To put it more bluntly, Hikaru's deceased parents had contributed to the clan. After they sacrificed themselves, was it really excessive for their child to receive even one of the few financial subsidies available?

Would Hikaru take the Uchiha Clan's subsidies, then deny being Uchiha once he grew up and refuse to work for the clan?

"You child..." The Third Hokage did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Looking at the stubborn expression on Hikaru's face, the Third Hokage's smile slowly faded. He sighed and said, "Besides your pride, I imagine you also did not want others to know that you awakened the Sharingan so early, did you?"

"Yes." Hikaru nodded in admission.

If the Third Hokage had not turned today's assessment into this, Hikaru would not have revealed his Sharingan. In an ordinary assessment, he could have passed even without relying on it.

But no one had expected the Third Hokage to place him in the team, make him the Sannin's teammate, and specifically assess him.

Otherwise, the secret of Hikaru's awakened Sharingan would have remained hidden.

"I understand."

The Third Hokage stepped forward and patted Hikaru's shoulder. In a solemn tone, he said, "Your concerns will not come to pass. Even if the Uchiha Clan, the Senju Clan, or any clan or major shinobi village learns of it, the outcome will be the same. Child, when it is time to fight for something, you cannot hesitate. Seize the opportunity with your own hands."

"Danger often accompanies opportunity. Endurance may bring peace, but it cannot last forever. Do you understand what I mean?"

"..."

Hikaru looked at the Third Hokage, somewhat dazed. The Third Hokage was telling him to charge forward boldly, not to fear, and to show what he should show.

Whatever happened, the Third Hokage would back him. He did not need to fear danger from every direction.

Hikaru's concerns were not unnecessary. Even if the Uchiha Clan learned that he had awakened the Sharingan and decided to focus on training him, they would still be somewhat displeased because Hikaru had not informed the clan immediately.

That was the problem. Hikaru did not want to become a pawn in certain people's hands, but unfortunately, the Third Hokage had forcibly changed the path ahead of him today.

"Yes, I understand."

Looking at the earnest Third Hokage, Hikaru nodded. This entire assessment was a huge gamble. If he won, Uchiha Hikaru would grow under the Third Hokage's protection, at a pace far beyond before. Calling it rapid growth would not be an exaggeration.

If he lost, Hikaru would become like Kagami Uchiha, gradually falling out of the clan's favor, though he currently held little status in the clan anyway.

Both paths had their advantages and disadvantages. Neither could be called better. Compared to the clan's training, Hikaru hoped the Third Hokage would value him more. He did not want to become a second Uchiha Shisui or a second Itachi Uchiha!!!

"Alright, today's assessment is over. Children, you performed very well."

Hikaru's performance had deeply shocked the Third Hokage, and he took the opportunity to end the day's assessment. At this point, the assessment no longer had any meaning. Was he supposed to separate Hikaru and assess Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya again?

To be honest, this assessment had merely been a formality. Its greater purpose was to foster unity and trust within the team. But with the unexpected presence of Hikaru, it had now lost its meaning.

"Children, come to the Hokage Office Building tomorrow to collect your Headbands. You may go home and rest now."