Bonus Chapters at 100 power stones.
The following morning, Yami had barely finished resting when a knock sounded at his door.
"Uchiha Yami-kun? I'm Yamashiro Aoba. I've brought your appointment letter and equipment."
Standing at the entrance was a Special Jōnin with dark sunglasses and a slightly stiff posture. He handed over a sealed envelope, a flak vest, new clothing, and a fresh Konoha forehead protector.
Yami accepted everything politely. He skimmed the appointment letter first. Hokage's signature and seal were authentic. Satisfied, he folded it away.
Aoba lingered awkwardly.
"…Is there anything else?" Yami asked.
"Yes! Lord Hokage asked me to bring you to the Jōnin meeting for the Chūnin Exams. You don't know the location yet."
"Alright. Give me a moment."
Yami returned inside. He changed quickly into a dark, fitted coat, fastened his familiar armguards, and slipped into his combat boots. The new forehead protector he tied casually around his waist. The way he'd always worn it.
He emerged within minutes.
Aoba blinked. "Uh… are you not wearing the vest?"
Yami shrugged. "This is enough."
Plenty of Jōnin and Special Jōnin wore civilian-style gear, but Yami didn't seem to even acknowledge the vest. The forehead protector tied loosely to his waist only added to the unconventional look.
Aoba sighed internally. 'Hokage asked me to escort him. Not judge his fashion choices.'
On the way to the meeting hall, Aoba felt the sudden attention from civilians and shinobi alike. Murmurs spread quickly.
"That symbol—"
"Is that… an Uchiha?"
Yami didn't react to the stares. He kept walking with a steady, almost indifferent pace.
Aoba picked up his pace. "We're almost there. This way."
. . .
Inside the meeting room, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of the table, addressing the assembled Jōnin and Special Jōnin.
"You already understand why I summoned you," Hiruzen began.
A kunoichi with red eyes, Yūhi Kurenai, nodded. "The Chūnin Exams. It's about time."
"One week from today," Hiruzen confirmed, taking a slow drag from his pipe.
A silver-haired Jōnin, Kakashi, sighed. "That's cutting it close."
"Konoha will be hosting nobles, dignitaries, and the Fourth Kazekage," Hiruzen continued. "The village's security depends on all of us."
Kakashi, only half listening, felt someone jab his back.
"Kakashi," whispered Guy, "look at the kid in the corner. Isn't that crest—"
Several Jōnin heard the whisper and glanced toward Yami.
Black hair. Black eyes. Uchiha crest. No mistake.
A rare silence settled over the room.
Hiruzen finally stood. "For the Second Exam, Mitarashi Anko will serve as the examiner… and Special Jōnin Uchiha Yami will assist her."
Dozens of eyes snapped to Yami instantly. Curiosity. Confusion. Doubt. Discomfort. Even resentment.
Hiruzen raised his voice. "Quiet. If you have questions, speak."
One Jōnin raised a hand. "Hokage-sama… an Uchiha? We thought—"
"He was on a long-term mission and only just returned," Hiruzen cut in. "There is nothing unusual about it."
His tone carried an unspoken message: This is not a topic for gossip.
But many Jōnin still exchanged unsure glances.
Meanwhile, Yami stood motionless, ignoring all of them.
A hand suddenly clapped his shoulder.
"So you're the new guy! Didn't expect an Uchiha to look this… approachable." The woman grinned broadly.
Yami glanced sideways at her. Earth-coloured coat, pineapple ponytail, youthful confidence.
"Mitarashi Anko. I look forward to working with you," Yami said calmly.
Anko blinked. "Oh! You're polite. I thought you'd be the brooding type. I'll treat you to dango later."
Yami did not comment, but she seemed pleased anyway.
Hiruzen continued, "Team leaders, announce your recommended Genin."
One by one, the Jōnin listed their teams. Kakashi announced Team 7: Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura.
Yami noted Sasuke's name the moment it was spoken.
Everything proceeded normally until a voice interrupted.
It was Iruka.
"Lord Hokage, forgive me for speaking out of turn. But those students… I've taught them. Even with their potential, I don't believe they're ready yet. They need more missions."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Iruka, when I became Chūnin, I was—"
"Naruto is not you!" Iruka snapped back.
The room broke into hushed tension.
Yami ignored the argument and turned to Anko. "Anything important I should know about the second exam?"
Anko waved it off. "Relax. We'll plan the details in the Forest of Death. Mostly, we just watch for cheating. The kids usually make enough trouble by themselves."
Yami nodded. "Understood."
Hiruzen, weary of the bickering, raised a hand. "Enough. Iruka's concern is noted. Very well. We'll arrange a readiness assessment before the exams. A final test to evaluate if they're prepared."
Iruka bowed gratefully.
Before he could straighten, footsteps approached.
Yami stepped forward.
"Hokage-sama," he said evenly, "if there will be a readiness test… then allow me to oversee Uchiha Sasuke's evaluation."
The room fell silent again.
Hiruzen studied him carefully.
Yami's expression was calm, but his eyes carried a silent conviction. He wasn't asking just for formality. He needed to see Sasuke's strength for himself. And understand the boy who survived the night the clan fell.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"…Very well."
- End of Chapter 4 -
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