"We must conduct the year-end test!"
As Cangjing Taro finished speaking, the students in the class felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Everyone rushed out of the classroom immediately.
Baiye thought for a moment.
'A test, huh?'
"Let us go. I want to see this!"
Soon, everyone arrived at the training ground. Besides the students from this class, a special guest was also present.
"Look!" (It is the Hokage!)
"Ahhh!" (It really is the Hokage!)
"Is the Third Hokage here to see us?!"
"Shut up! He is clearly here to see Young Master Baiye!"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy when they saw Sarutobi Hiruzen. As the class teacher, Cangjing Taro hurried over to Sarutobi Hiruzen and bowed respectfully.
"Ho ho ho, do not mind me."
"I am just here to see the talent of this year's children."
"Begin!"
Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had spoken, Cangjing Taro quickly began directing the students to prepare for the test.
The first person called to test was Baiye.
"Baiye, you will start first!"
"You just need to hit the target accurately with the kunai."
Cangjing Taro finished his instructions. Every eye in the crowd fell upon Baiye. Sarutobi Hiruzen watched with a sharp, burning gaze.
"Hmph." (How boring.)
Baiye threw the weapon with a casual flick of his wrist. The kunai shot out like a bolt of lightning.
*CRACK!*
The wooden target shattered instantly upon impact. As for the kunai, it disappeared to an unknown location.
This scene stunned everyone present. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen showed a clear expression of joy on his face.
The power was impressive, but the accuracy was lacking. Cangjing Taro looked at the destroyed target and announced the score.
"Sarutobi Baiye, 8 points!"
This score was neither good nor bad. It was far behind the scores of the true geniuses.
Next, the other students stepped forward for their turns. The results were unexpected. Under the gaze of Baiye, every student felt as if something was watching them from behind.
"Muxu Baichi, 6 points!"
"Morita Kojiro, 6 points!"
"Inoue Nohana, 6.5 points!"
As the students finished their tests, Cangjing Taro felt like he was sitting on needles. Even the best students in the class failed to score higher than a seven.
The final result was a surprise. Baiye had become the top student in the class.
The Third Hokage stood nearby. His face was as dark as the bottom of a cooking pot. Cangjing Taro could only brace himself and announce the results.
"The first place in the class is Sarutobi Baiye!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not say a single word. He turned and walked away as if he had made a firm decision.
Chapter 3: Preparing to Stir Up Trouble!
`[System Notification: You have 'Suppressed' the entire class to become number one.]`
`[Integration +1%]`
After returning from the Ninja Academy, the pleasant sound of the System echoed in his mind. Baiye did not expect the reward to be so high. Usually, it only increased by 0.01 percent. This time, it increased by a full 1 percent.
'It looks like my guess was correct.'
Baiye now knew exactly what he needed to do next. His mood improved instantly. He strolled toward the clan grounds in a relaxed manner.
The servants of the Sarutobi Clan followed him faithfully. Baiye did not worry about his safety. The servants were at the Chunin level. Furthermore, many members of the Anbu and Root were hiding in the shadows.
Anyone who tried to attack him in Konoha Village would be looking for death. This was the foundation of his life as a profligate young master. As long as he stayed inside Konoha Village, he was invincible.
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his desk. He was fuming with rage.
"That brat!"
"He is trying to kill me with anger!"
What angered Sarutobi Hiruzen the most was how the students had acted. Several students could have easily scored ten points. Instead, they purposefully scored sevens.
He had intended to give a speech about the Will of Fire after the test. Now, he felt that the Will of Fire was useless.
While Sarutobi Hiruzen was still angry, Iruka pushed the door open and entered.
"Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly regained his composure. He took a puff from his pipe.
"Oh, it is Iruka. Has something happened?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen valued Iruka. Iruka managed a class filled with the heirs of various clans. He also looked after the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto.
"Lord Hokage, I wish to discuss the issue regarding Sarutobi Baiye!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood immediately. He knew what Iruka wanted to say.
"Ho ho, it is good that you are here, Iruka."
"I was just considering the matter of that brat, Baiye."
"He did not attend school at all last year."
"I am not comfortable letting him enter the second year. Why do we not let him repeat the year in your class?"
Iruka was stunned. He had come to complain about the bad personality and profligate behavior of Sarutobi Baiye. He did not expect the boy to be assigned to his class.
Sarutobi Hiruzen made the decision before Iruka could refuse. Iruka walked out of the Hokage building in a daze. He looked at the file of Sarutobi Baiye in his hand and felt lost.
'What did I come here for?'
...
The events at the Ninja Academy spread quickly through the clans of Konoha Village. Many people watched Baiye because he was the Young Master of the Sarutobi Clan and the grandson of the Third Hokage.
Inside the barbecue restaurant of the Akimichi Clan.
The current Ino-Shika-Cho trio sat together. They were the backbone of the Hokage faction. They looked at the intelligence report and then at each other.
"Shikaku, you are the smartest. What do you think?"
"Yes, tell us!"
Nara Shikaku did not seem to care. He poked the meat on the grill. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"It is best to just know about these things."
"Do not discuss it too much."
"Do not forget who his grandfather is."
Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi understood immediately. they did not dare to speak of the topic again.
The smaller clans of Konoha Village did not even dare to mention it.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Clan grounds.
Inside the Naka Shrine.
"Hahaha! I did not expect the grandson of Sarutobi Hiruzen to be such trash!"
"He is not a threat!"
"Exactly! He is just a profligate second-generation heir. If the Sarutobi Clan falls into his hands, the Uchiha Clan will have a bright future!"
A large group of Uchiha members gathered together. The radical faction led by the Great Elder was full of joy. Uchiha Fugaku sat as the Clan Head and remained silent.
In his heart, Fugaku compared Sasuke to Sarutobi Baiye. He believed Sasuke would crush Baiye easily. He looked at his clansmen who were losing their composure and spoke up.
"Enough. He is still the grandson of the Lord Hokage!"
"Do not be too arrogant!"
The clansmen understood and became quiet.
However, the Great Elder spoke.
"Fugaku, we must prepare early."
"The Hokage faction is now full of useless people!"
"This is the best opportunity for our Uchiha Clan!"
"Do not lose this chance!"
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent. The family was like a small boat in a vast ocean. One mistake would lead to destruction. As the Clan Head, he had to be careful. He constantly negotiated with the Hokage faction to find a peaceful solution instead of a coup.
"I will consider it!"
"But remember! I am the Clan Head!"
"Do not take any extra actions!"
Fugaku finished speaking. His scarlet Sharingan swept across everyone in the shrine. Everyone, including the Great Elder, closed their mouths.
Fugaku, the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, had a famous nickname.
Wicked Eye.
He had earned that name through slaughter. Even the elders did not dare to say more. The clan meeting ended on a bad note.
After the meeting, several figures rushed out from the Uchiha Clan grounds. They disappeared into the dark night.