--- "Big Brother Itachi seems to be graduating, right? Heard he already applied to graduate early~" Karin said while poking the coals in the
"Big Brother Itachi seems to be graduating, right? Heard he already applied to graduate early~" Karin said while poking the coals in the stove.
"Yeah. Didn't expect it's still one year graduation," Shinji looked up at the window. Although with Itachi's aptitude, graduating in half a year would be normal. But unexpectedly, following the previous script, Itachi still prepared to graduate in one year. Today was Itachi's graduation assessment, participating together with those sixth-grade students. Izumi, however, chose to continue studying at the school.
"Then are we going to watch his graduation assessment?" Karin asked with some interest.
"Want to watch?"
"Want!"
"Let's give Itachi a surprise for his graduation ceremony!" Deidara suddenly rushed down from upstairs like a wisp of smoke, the mischievous smile on his face seeming to indicate he had some strange ideas.
"Then let's go together," Shinji stood up. Jūgo immediately took a hand warmer from behind and handed it to Shinji. Holding the hand warmer, carrying the thrush in his hand, Shinji resembled an old grandpa going out for a walk, heading towards Konoha Academy.
Along the way, some interested villagers also began walking towards the Ninja Academy. After the Konoha Military Police Force underwent a period of reform and under Fugaku Uchiha's restraint, the Konoha villagers now had some changed perception of the Uchiha clan. Especially those small merchants doing business in the Uchiha clan's residential area.
The Uchiha clan's eldest young master's graduation exam, and every time they saw Itachi Uchiha, he was very polite. This made them spontaneously come to watch Itachi's graduation assessment. Instantly, the number of people exploded. This forced the principal of Konoha Academy to set Itachi's graduation assessment in the training ground outside the school.
"Is it the Uchiha clan's eldest young master's graduation assessment today?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just finished the first year and already applying for graduation. Heard he got full marks in every subject at school, and his overall score is first in the entire grade."
"But he's from the Uchiha clan..."
"Young Master Itachi is different. Young Master Itachi is the most approachable Uchiha clan member I've ever met. He's also very gentle towards us."
"Really? Really?"
"I can testify. The Uchiha clan's eldest young master, Itachi Uchiha, is really a person with a very good personality. Even in many situations, he's very approachable."
"Then I must go take a look~"
...
...
Instantly, various discussions arose. Basically, rarely could a member of the Uchiha clan gain the recognition of so many Konoha villagers. Kagami Uchiha before counted as one, Shisui Uchiha also counted as one. These were the few examples within the Uchiha clan known for their gentle personality and calm demeanor towards others. So this was also why Itachi Uchiha's graduation assessment attracted so many people to come watch. For a time, even the training ground near the Ninja Academy became overcrowded. Surrounded by a large number of villagers, it could be said there wasn't an empty seat, and some people were even standing.
In the training ground, about twenty people stood. Their relationships could be clearly seen from their distribution. Only Itachi Uchiha stood alone, while the others were in circles, seemingly isolating him specifically. However, Itachi Uchiha didn't care about this matter at all. Instead, he crossed his arms, closed his eyes tightly, leaning against a tree, seemingly not putting anyone else in his eyes at all.
In the middle of the training ground, Shimura Danzō already sat in the main seat. He had also been paying attention to Itachi Uchiha for a long time. And this time, he planned to recruit Itachi Uchiha into Root. This was a ninja very suitable to become a member of Root. Danzō looked at Itachi Uchiha, a trace of fanaticism in his eyes. Moreover, this was a golden opportunity. Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't around; this way, no one could compete with him.
"Lord Danzō, could we sit together? There are no seats outside," Just as Danzō eagerly watched Itachi Uchiha, a voice suddenly came from beside him.
"Insolence! Who are you?" Before Danzō could speak, the Root ninja beside him couldn't stand it anymore. Nowadays, any cat or dog wanted to talk to Lord Danzō?
"Shut up!" Danzō turned his head puzzledly. Seeing Shinji's smiling expression, he couldn't help but pause, then reprimanded the Root ninja beside him. This person, he couldn't afford to provoke at this stage. Danzō decided these matters still needed long-term planning. But now wasn't the time to completely fall out with Shinji.
"Lord Danzō, long time no see," Shinji saw Danzō's reaction and didn't have any other meaning, directly sitting down beside Danzō.
"Hmph, why does Boss Shinji have time to come over today?" Danzō snorted coldly. He really didn't want to see this person Shinji.
"Lying at home for too long, naturally need to come out and move the muscles and bones. Otherwise, the body will rust, right?" Shinji chuckled lightly, not expecting this.
"Hehe," Danzō just smiled perfunctorily. Muscles and bones rusting? Who are you kidding? When you smashed me with a meteorite, I didn't see your body rusting.
...
"Ah, Boss Shinji, you came too? Really thank you for coming to attend Itachi's graduation assessment," Shinji turned his head. Mikoto Uchiha held Sasuke, with Izumi Uchiha beside her. Fortunately, Danzō's reputation in Konoha still held weight. His entire row was empty. So Mikoto Uchiha also directly sat down.
"Mikoto, you arrived a bit late," Shinji looked at the time. The assessment was about to start, yet Mikoto Uchiha only arrived at this point.
"Can't help it. Itachi left too early this morning. I was still making his lunch bento for today. Boss Shinji, how about eating together after it ends?" Mikoto Uchiha said with a smile.
"That sounds good. Mikoto's cooking skills are quite good," Shinji didn't refuse, directly agreeing. Danzō beside felt somewhat uncomfortable. Why didn't anyone invite me? Really, being discriminated against.
...
...
Soon, following the order from the teacher in charge of the assessment, all students began preparing to take the stage. The graduation assessment was divided into two parts. The first part was the conventional Three Basic Techniques assessment. The second part was the practical combat assessment. Of course, those who came to this kind of assessment were generally confident in their Three Basic Techniques. After all, dead-lasts produce cheats. And in Itachi's era, there weren't any real dead-lasts yet.
"Transformation Technique! Body Replacement Technique! Clone Technique!" Instantly, various kinds of smoke appeared in the assessment. These looked like magic tricks to ordinary villagers, but to Danzō and others, these contained significant flaws. Looking at the varied Three Basic Techniques, even Danzō couldn't help frowning. This batch wasn't as good as the previous one.
The students in front finished performing one by one. Finally, it was Itachi Uchiha's turn. When Itachi Uchiha took the stage, discussions began softly below.
"Itachi Uchiha, please begin your assessment," The teacher in charge looked seriously at Itachi Uchiha. He was the eldest young master of the Uchiha clan; did he need to go easy? Otherwise, what if he faced retaliation from the Uchiha clan later?
Just as the assessing teacher was somewhat stunned, three 'bang bang bang' sounds echoed. Itachi Uchiha directly used... uh... directly used the Shadow Clone Technique to split out three clones. The three clones glanced at each other, then respectively formed hand seals.
Poof poof poof! Instantly, as the white smoke cleared, three figures appeared before everyone. Yes, Transformation Technique. In the field, the three clones respectively transformed into the appearances of Shinji, Deidara, and Shisui. Not only that, Itachi Uchiha's control over the expressions of these three people was quite accurate. Even Deidara here stuck out a section of his tongue to express his wildness.
"Transformed into you, Boss Shinji," Mikoto Uchiha covered her mouth and laughed. Hearing Mikoto's teasing, Shinji also somewhat helplessly covered his face. What was this?
"Damn Itachi Uchiha!!! Where do I look like that! Clearly I'm much more handsome, okay!!!" Just as Itachi Uchiha completed the Transformation Technique, Deidara stood up directly to object.
Following Deidara's accusation, everyone's gaze was attracted to him. After careful comparison. Everyone nodded. Looked alike. Really looked alike. Practically identical. Instantly, gasps of exclamation filled the entire training ground. Even Danzō couldn't help nodding. Only 7 years old, yet Itachi could have such proficiency in ninjutsu. This level of mastery, Danzō asked himself, he couldn't reach this level back then. Thinking of this, Danzō's opinion of Itachi rose several points higher.
"Full marks!" Following the order from the assessing teacher, everyone gave Itachi Uchiha a perfect score of ten. The eyes of those prospective ninjas who had just undergone 6 years of education flashed with astonishment. Remember, the highest score among them just now was only 7 points, while Itachi directly got a perfect 10! This made their hearts even more resentful. They actually lost to this Itachi Uchiha who looked just like a child!
However, Itachi looked at his perfect score without any surprise, not even a ripple of joy in his eyes. It seemed getting full marks was a very normal thing for him.
"Very good!" Danzō suddenly stood up from his chair, unable to help clapping his hands. A strange light flickered in his eyes. Although he detested people from the Uchiha clan, seeing Itachi's performance, if he could 'recruit' him into Root, then given time, after Itachi grew up. His Root could definitely grasp the entire Konoha firmly in hand. The son of Kagami, Shisui Uchiha, was already missed by him. Today, he definitely couldn't miss Itachi again!
Watching Danzō's actions, a trace of worry flashed in Mikoto Uchiha's eyes. She knew Danzō had taken a liking to her son. If Danzō really wanted to forcibly snatch Itachi Uchiha away, then their Uchiha clan...
"The next assessment content is one-on-one challenges. Based on the final results, the ninjas who pass the assessment will be decided," Looking at the list in hand, the assessing teacher prepared to explain the rules. The gazes of all the candidates involuntarily turned towards Itachi Uchiha, who stood with his arms crossed. They knew in their hearts, although they were slightly older than Itachi Uchiha, if it came to real combat, this matter would be really difficult to contend with. And once they drew Itachi Uchiha, then really... it would be very difficult to obtain a promotion spot.
Seeing this scene, Danzō sat back down in his seat. Indeed, this still needed further observation. If Itachi Uchiha was really so strong in combat talent too...
"Hello, I have a proposal," Just as the assessing teacher prepared the schedule, Itachi Uchiha suddenly stepped forward.
"What's wrong?" The assessing teacher frowned. Could it be Itachi Uchiha actually wasn't very good at fighting?
"I want to challenge all of them," Itachi Uchiha glanced at the group of seniors beside him, speaking astonishingly.
Hearing Itachi Uchiha's words, everyone present was stunned. What was this situation? Shinji, however, smiled knowingly. Presumably, Itachi Uchiha only said this proactively after seeing Danzō's performance just now. If he really shone brightly, Danzō's personality would definitely want to recruit him. But Itachi knew if he made a big splash, then another result might occur. That was attracting the attention of others.
...
"What!?" Hearing Itachi Uchiha's words, the twenty-odd prospective graduates became unhappy. You, a child, although you got full marks in the first round of Three Basic Techniques, actually want to defeat everyone over our heads? Itachi Uchiha's arrogant words made this group of proud youths unable to help getting angry.
"Itachi Uchiha, are your words true?" Not just others, even the assessing teacher couldn't help asking. This really had no precedent from anyone else.
"Yes, I'm sure," Itachi Uchiha stated calmly, a kunai already grasped不知何时 (unknown when) in his hand.
"This..." Itachi Uchiha's words left the teacher unsure how to respond.
"Just do as he says," Just then, Danzō's voice came slowly. Since the Hokage Aide had already spoken, the assessing teacher now had no other opinions.
"Then from now on, the assessment content changes. It will be a duel between Itachi Uchiha and twenty-four graduates. The content of the duel is whether Itachi Uchiha can withstand the attacks of these twenty-four graduates for the duration of one incense stick." The teacher said after thinking for a moment. In his view, this was simply an impossible task.
Following the assessing teacher's order, the twenty-four prospective graduates instantly surrounded Itachi Uchiha, seemingly intending to swarm him directly and finish him off the moment the test began!
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