Danzō's words were merciless and left no room for negotiation.
Watching the Hyuga clan finally compromise and leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a breath of relief—yet his heart felt even colder.
"Danzō…"
"I still have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave first," Shimura Danzō said,不给猿飞日斩任何开口的机会.
His cane tapped heavily against the floor as he turned and left.
Hiruzen's expression changed again and again, as if Danzō's cane wasn't striking the ground—but striking his own aged face!
Yet in the end, he still said nothing…
"My old friend…"
With a quiet sigh, Hiruzen stood up and looked toward the Hokage Rock outside the window.
The First Hokage and his teacher, the Second Hokage, seemed to be watching him…
His old companion had once again thrown him into a difficult situation.
In front of the Hyuga clan, Danzō had openly gained the authority to suppress the Uchiha, while he himself became the "hidden will" behind it.
The Hyuga had no choice but to swallow their anger and head to the battlefield— and even had to rush there unwillingly.
Because if they delayed the so-called "battle opportunity," the Hyuga would have to answer to him, the Hokage…
Danzō's words still echoed in his ears:
"Hiruzen, you're too soft!"
He took another deep puff of smoke, his gaze heavy and deep.
But after clouds of smoke filled the room, everything became shrouded in white, impossible to see clearly…
...
That morning.
At the entrance of the Konoha Ninja Academy, besides students entering one after another, three boys stood there.
They were students too.
But unlike the others…
They weren't carrying schoolbags.
"Don't be nervous, Obito," Hatake Kakashi said, glancing at Obito who was quietly psyching himself up, sounding kind as he comforted him.
This made Obito freeze for a moment.
But the simple Obito still nodded.
"Thanks."
"No problem… The early-graduation examiners are usually chūnin. Anyway, you'll be eliminated in five minutes, so don't worry about pressure."
"Just relax."
Kakashi spoke in the calmest tone—while delivering the most mocking words.
Obito's face instantly darkened.
Damn, careless…
"Worry about yourself first. With your half-baked sword skills, I can beat you with one hand," Obito shot back quickly.
But Jingyan could tell—
This time, Obito was truly nervous.
No wonder.
Half a month ago, he was still one of the class's eternal bottom-rankers.
He had never even dreamed of early graduation.
In the original story, after Kakashi graduated early because of his father, Obito just stayed in school step by step.
And it was during that period—without Kakashi—that Obito's humble personality of chasing Rin was truly formed.
Jingyan didn't want to force his own will onto Obito, but he knew one truth:
Women only slow down hand speed.
They make seals slower—and lower survival chances on the battlefield!
The exam venue prepared for the three was an open area near the school playground.
Their homeroom teacher, Heishou Nian, looked worried.
Beside him stood three different figures—clearly their respective examiners.
However, the eyes of all three boys landed on the same examiner.
Those signature pale-white pupils instantly revealed his identity—
Hyuga clan!
"What are you standing around for?"
"Didn't you want to graduate? Didn't you say school can't make you improve?"
"Come on!"
Heishou Nian looked at them with a "disappointed teacher" expression.
To be precise, he was looking at the two Uchiha brothers…
He knew the White Fang's son's strength. Even if the class's top student graduated, he'd still feel reluctant.
But these two bottom-rankers…
He had already classified them as "just joining for fun."
He could only hope this failure would make them recognize reality…
"Jingyan, what do we do?" Obito whispered.
He wasn't nervous anymore…
Beating Hyuga twice in a row, and even crippling an enemy under Jingyan's lead, strangely gave him some confidence.
Only a little though…
More of it came from the word "Uchiha" making him forget how to retreat.
"It's fine."
"That Hyuga is mine."
Jingyan's voice was as calm as ever.
Because of Orochimaru, he knew more than Obito.
So this was the result after the Hyuga went to the Hokage…
Changing the graduation examiner to a Hyuga chūnin?
How boring.
At the same time…
In another corner of Konoha, two figures faced each other under their guards' watch.
"The people who injured Hizashi are still being investigated. They're Uchiha. I need time," Danzō said, no longer as aggressive as last night, but still firm.
"One of those brats has already been handed to you. Don't go too far."
Hyuga Hiashi nodded.
"Don't worry. Even the Hokage won't be able to tell…"
"But what about the other one?" Hiashi asked again.
"The other one will graduate and become a ninja."
"And once he becomes a ninja…"
"You can just wait at home for the news."
T/N (Translator's Note):
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