The fleeting unnatural expression on Sasuke's face didn't escape Kakashi's notice. He sighed inwardly, So it's true…
It could be said that, aside from Shinji, no one else in the shinobi world knew that the Sharingan in Kakashi's eye socket was a rare Mangekyō Sharingan imbued with a unique space-time dojutsu.
No one would expect a transplanted Sharingan to awaken the Mangekyō in someone like Kakashi, who lacked Uchiha blood.
After realizing his left eye's Sharingan was a Mangekyō, Kakashi secretly explored its abilities while requesting access to the village's classified records on the Sharingan.
As Sasuke's mentor, his request was quickly approved.
He thus gained access to confidential documents dating back to the Second Hokage's era, detailing research on the Sharingan and Mangekyō Sharingan.
With these records, Kakashi not only mastered his Mangekyō's dojutsu but also uncovered many of its traits.
The most critical discovery was that the Mangekyō Sharingan gradually lost its light with use!
This revelation shocked Kakashi, but it also gave him a way to test if Sasuke was the Akatsuki's "E." He could probe Sasuke's vision.
If Sasuke wasn't "E," having stayed in the village, he likely hadn't used his Mangekyō much, so his vision should be fine.
But if Sasuke was indeed "E," as accused by the Fourth Raikage, he would have used his Mangekyō extensively, meaning his vision would likely be impaired to some degree.
With his answer, Kakashi was deeply conflicted.
Sasuke and Shinji were the last Uchiha in the village. If Sasuke's identity as "E" were exposed, both he and Shinji would face the village's wrath—imprisonment at best, extermination at worst!
To Kakashi, this was too cruel for the two boys. For the sake of his late friend, he didn't want the Uchiha clan completely wiped out in the village.
There might still be a chance to fix this…
Watching Sasuke's retreating figure, Kakashi resolved to keep this quiet for now and guide Sasuke back to the right path.
At the same time, he planned to investigate covertly, using Sasuke as a lead to uncover the Akatsuki member active in the village!
Elsewhere,
Fleeing the training ground as if escaping, Sasuke instinctively covered his eyes, his calm facade crumbling. Damn it, how did Kakashi know my vision's declining?
As Kakashi suspected, after numerous intense battles, even as the reincarnation of Indra Ōtsutsuki, Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan had inevitably suffered pupil power loss and vision deterioration.
At its worst, he even saw double!
But Sasuke wasn't lost. He had learned the Mangekyō's secrets from his leader and knew the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could resolve the issue.
The key to that lay with Itachi Uchiha.
As long as I take down that guy, everything will be fine!
Sasuke knew Itachi was likely after the same thing, which was why he devoted himself to serving the leader and the organization.
His goal was to ensure that, when the time came to face Itachi, the organization would clear the other obstacles.
After all, Itachi's "Dark Dawn" was a group of S-rank criminals as formidable as their "Break of Dawn." Without the organization's help, Sasuke doubted he'd even get a fair fight with Itachi.
Then he thought of the upcoming end-of-term exams.
If I can't even beat my peers at the academy, how will I get my revenge? I have to take first place in these exams!
His declining vision gave Sasuke a sense of urgency.
He had to hone his skills to defeat Itachi before his eyesight failed completely. There was no turning back!
In the Hidden Leaf Hospital's underground research lab,
Tsunade called Yakumo to her side and asked, "What are your thoughts on this ninja academy end-of-term exam?"
"Thoughts?"
Yakumo was taken aback.
Tsunade explained, "Academy students typically become genin and receive their Leaf headbands after graduation. Don't you find it odd that this exam includes combat?"
"Now that you mention it, it is a bit strange."
Yakumo grew thoughtful.
Tsunade continued, "The village's leadership is using this exam to screen for elites worth investing in. You understand what that means, right?"
Yakumo smiled shyly. "Tsunade-sensei, I haven't even graduated from the academy yet. There's no rush."
She knew what it meant. The Kurama clan had been pushing for her to secure a position in the village since her rise, but she felt she was too young to worry about such things.
Tsunade shook her head helplessly.
She didn't know what to say to these kids raised in peacetime.
During wartime, seven- or eight-year-olds could be sent to the battlefield. If needed, academy students could be granted genin status en masse and deployed.
Geniuses like Kakashi were promoted to jōnin at eleven or twelve, given command of squads.
Seniority and rank?
Those didn't hold much weight in the shinobi world!
With enough strength and merit, even a young rookie could outshine the legendary Sannin and claim the Hokage's seat.
The decade-plus of peace after the Third Shinobi World War had allowed older generations to monopolize power, fostering a culture of seniority.
But the rise of the Akatsuki had made the shinobi world's peace fragile.
Anyone with foresight knew that a new wave of turmoil was coming, and that would be the time for the new generation to shine!
As Yakumo's teacher, Tsunade had to teach her not only ninjutsu but also how to be a commander and leader!
With rare firmness, Tsunade ordered, "No matter what, you must win this exam!"
At the Hyūga main branch estate,
Hiashi asked Neji, "How's your recent training going?"
Neji bowed respectfully. "Everything is going well."
"Good." Hiashi nodded slightly, then paused before saying, "This academy exam is significant for both you and the clan. Please give it your all!"
Neji quickly replied, "I'll do my best, and Lady Hinata—"
Hiashi cut him off with a sigh. "She's not someone we can rely on!"