Uchiha Aozora formed the standard hand seal. Moments later, a "poof" sounded as white smoke engulfed him.
When the smoke cleared, a wooden log lay beside Uchiha Aozora.
Deputy examiner Taiseki noticed examiner Yamanaka Qingyue staring intently at this handsome young genin's face. He couldn't help shaking his head with a bitter smile and asked, "Uchiha Aozora, where are your Clone and Transformation Jutsu?"
Before Uchiha Aozora could explain, Yamanaka Qingyue had already waved her hand dismissively, saying, "No need. He's already passed the exam."
Hearing this, Uchiha Aozora gave Yamanaka Qingyue a slight smile before ending his ninjutsu. White smoke swirled around him once more before dissipating.
Stepping forward from the smoke, he thanked both examiners and then slowly exited the classroom.
Only after Uchiha Aozora left the room did Yamanaka Qingyue finally stop watching his retreating figure. She marked ten points under the "ninjutsu" section on the score sheet.
Taiseki hurriedly tried to stop her, saying, "Lady Qingyue, that won't do! Even though you're the lead examiner, you can't just act so recklessly! The passing standard for this exam is relatively low—I had no objection letting him pass, but giving full marks is going too far!"
"Among the Three Basic Jutsu, Uchiha Aozora only completely performed the Substitution Technique. And even that was a failure since he summoned the wooden substitute without swapping places himself."
"Giving him a passing grade based on demonstrated ability is already being generous. Think about it—earlier, Hyuga Clan member Hyuga Rong perfectly performed Transformation and Substitution Jutsu, and created ten clones. Even then, you only gave him nine points!"
Yamanaka Qingyue shot him a scornful glare and said sarcastically, "Do you think I'm grading based on looks?"
Taiseki didn't respond with words, but firmly nodded to show his position.
Yamanaka Qingyue explained impatiently, "How shallow and ignorant!"
"The moment the smoke started rising, Uchiha Aozora had already completed all Three Basic Jutsu in sequence. First, he created a clone. Then the real body switched positions with the clone, using the clone as a decoy. Finally, his real body transformed into the wooden substitute."
"What I value most is the control and creativity he displayed over ninjutsu."
She had to admit he was pretty cute too—but that wasn't the point.
Stunned by Yamanaka Qingyue's explanation, Taiseki gaped at her, muttering in disbelief, "How could that be? Lady, I don't have much education—you better not be making this up!"
Yamanaka Qingyue sighed deeply, wearing an expression of a lone genius bearing the weight of knowledge.
Seeing this, Taiseki decided not to keep opposing his superior directly and simply called out, "Next candidate!"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Aozora walked leisurely out of the examination venue with his forehead protector in hand. He met the second group of ten candidates waiting outside who were about to be summoned for testing.
Spotting the forehead protector in his hand, Inuzuka Aya exclaimed in surprise, "Uchiha Aozora, you actually passed?"
Uchiha Aozora didn't even need to identify her voice pattern—only Inuzuka Aya in their class would speak without thinking like that.
He gave her flat chest a quick glance, silently questioning whether the saying "boobs don't equal brains" was actually true.
Inuzuka Aya quickly crossed her arms protectively over her chest while exclaiming, "What exactly are you looking at?"
Shisui Uchiha looked slightly disappointed, but quickly regained his composure and followed Uchiha Aozora.
"Aozora, was today's ninja arts exam difficult? How did you do?"
Uchiha Aozora didn't answer his question. Instead, he sarcastically remarked, "Oh, busy as you are, Shisui, you actually have the time to pay attention to something concerning a regular genin like me?"
Shisui Uchiha smiled bitterly and explained, "Aozora, today is an important day for you. I should have been with you, but the mission was urgent. The village is in a period of recovery and renewal; ninjas are needed everywhere."
"I get it! The sky is big, the earth is big, but the village is the biggest!" he continued sarcastically. "You're so amazing! The Leaf can't go a single day without you! Do you think you're the Hokage?"
"Check your vest, big shot! You're just a Special Jounin!"
Shisui Uchiha was left speechless and after a while he said, "The village belongs to everyone, and each person should contribute as much strength as they can."
Uchiha Aozora exaggeratedly praised, "With great power comes great responsibility - what a noble realization!"
"With such great abilities, why don't you become the Hokage?"
"I really don't know how you managed to get by. Both of you stood out during the Third Great Ninja War, but Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage. What about you? You're still a Special Jounin!"
"Where is your credit? Eaten by a dog?"
Shisui Uchiha's expression became complicated when he heard those words. After a brief pause, he murmured indistinctly, "I'm sorry, we're not the same."
"Excuse me? Who have you wronged?"
" We're different?"
" What did we do wrong? You leave early every day and return late at night, constantly taking missions all year round, spilling blood and sacrificing for the village. But what was the result?"
" Unloved by our own kin, unwanted even by strangers. Our own clansmen despise us, and the village watches us with suspicion."
" Do you really want to keep living like this?"
Uchiha Aozora fired off his words, locking eyes with Shisui Uchiha, hoping to find something in his gaze.
But he was disappointed. Shisui's expression remained resolute.
After a moment, Shisui patted his shoulder and said, "Aozora, don't complain."
" Where leaves dance, fire never dies. That flame will keep the village lit and help new leaves sprout anew."
" We are all part of this village. Not what the village has given us, but what we can give it — that should be our question."
" Only when the village thrives can we live in peace and prosperity. If it falls into ruin, war awaits — and I know you wouldn't wish to see that."
Seeing a radiant light seeming to glow behind his older brother's head, Aozora angrily turned away, finally giving up on trying to change his brother's mindset.
" Oh my foolish brother, didn't you ever read a book? Can a simple metaphor truly fool you to your dying day?"
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