"Winner Hayashi Yuto!"
The head judge's booming announcement sent the entire audience into a frenzy.
For a ninja academy student to witness a showdown between ninjutsu and genjutsu was already an extraordinary event. Even most academy graduates only mastered the basic "Three Essential Techniques."
"How… how could Sasuke lose?" Haruno Sakura muttered in disbelief, her expression blank.
"Yuto… that guy's really something else," Yamanaka Ino murmured, far more composed. "At this point, he's probably not far off from a full-fledged ninja."
"Mirage of the Blossoming Moon?" Nara Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and sighed. "This guy must've been training in secret. Damn it, he always acted like such a slacker before."
Compared to his classmates, Naruto's reaction was much simpler. He whooped at the top of his lungs, "He won! Yuto actually won! HAHAHAHA! That stuck-up Sasuke finally got what was coming to him!"
Up on the high platform, the Leaf's ruling council—the so-called "F4"—also found the battle noteworthy.
"To think this child actually created his own genjutsu… He's on par with the geniuses in Konoha's history," Koharu Utatane remarked, sipping her tea delicately.
"It seems the young shoots of our village are growing strong," Homura Mitokado said with a pleased smile. "Hiruzen, what are your plans for this boy's future?"
"Plans?" Sarutobi Hiruzen side-eyed Danzō beside him, his tone loaded. "Originally, I intended for him to complete the full six-year curriculum. But now, it's clear his talent shouldn't be wasted in the academy."
Homura blinked. "You mean…?"
"Next year's Chunin Exams. Yuto will participate," Hiruzen stated calmly.
"The Chunin Exams?" Danzō narrowed his eyes at his old friend.
He could see right through this—Hiruzen was trying to poach someone from Root. But why bring up the Chunin Exams now?
"Two days ago, the Tsuchikage sent us a formal request to jointly host this year's Chunin Exams with Konoha," Hiruzen explained, exhaling a slow puff of smoke.
"Two days ago?" Danzō's brow furrowed. "And why was I not informed?"
His gaze shifted to the other two advisors, who suddenly found the floor very interesting.
"We… thought you might object," Koharu admitted with a cough. "So we decided to keep it from you until it was finalized."
"Konoha can't afford any more turmoil, Danzō," Homura added with a sigh. "The Hidden Stone is extending an olive branch. We should seize this opportunity."
"You—" Danzō's hands clenched, veins bulging.
He was a Konoha elder, a trusted advisor—yet they had excluded him from such a critical decision?
'Was there no justice left in this world?!'
"Danzō, don't take it personally," Hiruzen said soothingly, tapping his pipe against the table. "We acted in Konoha's best interest. In these times, fostering goodwill with other villages is the only way to ensure our prosperity."
Danzō remained silent, his gaze lowered.
Just as Koharu was about to break the tension with some conciliatory remark, Danzō suddenly smiled.
"Understood, Hiruzen."
"You're… not angry?" Hiruzen ventured cautiously.
"Do you truly see me as so petty?" Danzō replied coolly. "A joint Chunin Exam is indeed an excellent opportunity to showcase Konoha's strength."
Hiruzen exhaled in relief. "I'm glad you understand."
"However, I propose we extend invitations to all major villages, not just Hidden Stone Village," Danzō continued. "As hosts, we should welcome any who wish to participate."
"Wha—"
Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura exchanged uneasy glances.
"Wouldn't that pose a security risk?" Homura finally asked.
"And inviting only the Stone village doesn't?" Danzō countered flatly. "If we seek stronger ties, this is the perfect chance."
"Hiruzen, Danzō's suggestion has merit," Koharu conceded, setting down her teacup. "If we can collaborate with Iwa, why not others?"
"I agree," Homura chimed in.
"…I'll consider it," Hiruzen muttered around his pipe, though an uneasy feeling gnawed at him.
The source of his unease sat right beside him.
Danzō, a notorious hardliner, wasn't just accepting the joint exams—he was pushing to expand them. 'What is he plotting?'
Hiruzen's eyes flicked toward Danzō, but the man sat perfectly composed, his expression unreadable.
"Ah! What's that boy doing now?" Koharu's sudden exclamation snapped Hiruzen from his thoughts.
All eyes followed her gaze to the arena, where Yuto—still basking in victory—had casually slung an arm over Sasuke's shoulder.
"You guessed wrong, Sasuke," Yuto said softly, though the arena's amplified acoustics carried his words clearly. "Mirage of the Blossoming Moon wasn't my real trump card."
"What?"
Not just Sasuke—the entire audience perked up with curiosity.
"Want to see it?" Yuto grinned.
"What kind of technique is it?"
"Show us!"
"Yeah, let's see it!"
Before Sasuke could respond, the crowd erupted in eager shouts—Naruto's voice loudest of all, his face flushed with excitement.
"Oh no, not another curse!" Kushina groaned, immediately recognizing the signs.
"Will Sasuke be in danger?" Mikoto fretted.
"Physically? Probably not," Kushina assessed.
"Good." Mikoto exhaled in relief.
She knew Yuto's curses were irreversible once triggered—but as long as her youngest son wasn't harmed, it was fine.
Sasuke, meanwhile, was sweating bullets.
Part of him did want to see Yuto's ultimate move. But his instincts screamed that something terrible was about to happen.
Yet, under the weight of countless expectant stares, backing down wasn't an option. For the Uchiha's pride, he forced out, "A trump card should stay hidden. Are you sure you want to reveal it now?"
"No need to worry, Sasuke," Yuto said, smile widening.
'Something's wrong.' Sasuke's gut screamed louder. He subtly shuffled backward. Just as he opened his mouth to refuse—
"Super Outfit Change!"
*BZZT!*
A flash of black light engulfed Sasuke, blinding the audience momentarily.
When the glare faded—
Silence.
Deafening, absolute silence.
Gone was the blue cat-pajama-clad Sasuke. In his place stood a black gothic lolita dress, his spiky hair now twin tails tied with ribbons. He knelt in a seiza-like pose, hands braced on the ground, his delicate face a picture of horrified disbelief.
Utterly "moe".
[Mission Complete]
[Congratulations! You have acquired Yin Release chakra nature.]
The system notification eased Yuto's tension. He raised a hand to revert Sasuke's outfit—
"Take a picture." Mikoto's voice cut through the air.
"…Huh?" Yuto blinked, wondering if he'd hallucinated.
"Hurry, take a photo of Sasuke like this. I'm making it my wallpaper," Mikoto urged.
'Are… you are truly his mother.'
Yuto's eye twitched as he pulled out a camera and snapped a shot of the lolita-fied Sasuke.