In the shinobi world, strength always comes first.
If Uchiha Seiji wanted attention, he had to display his power at the right moment. And if he wanted a shortcut into Konoha's higher ranks, then nothing worked faster than waving the banner of the Will of Fire.
Sure, if someone asked Seiji to write a groundbreaking essay on Konoha's civic policies, he'd have to sit down and think for a while.But if it was just about hammering together a piece around "Uchiha" and the "Will of Fire" that would make Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura perk up? Please. That was child's play.
After all, he only needed to channel a little of original-history Itachi and Shisui's mindset. It wasn't like he'd never read Naruto before.
"Compared to waving the clan's flag as a genius Uchiha, slipping into Konoha's upper circles will pay off way more."
Seiji narrowed his eyes, running the calculations in his head.
"This way, I can quiet the Uchiha's suspicion while making it natural to approach Minato and Kushina, the Legendary Sannin, Hiruzen, and even Danzo…"
"But I can't just pick a fight with these Kage-level monsters and make them resent me. That's a shortcut to suicide. Look at Tobirama—resentment turns to paranoia real quick."
"No, it's safer to start with other emotions. If I can catch them at a weak moment, I'll have an opening."
"So the key point… is tomorrow's final exams."
"Practical combat and a Will of Fire essay. That'll pull every pair of eyes in the room."
Seiji poured himself a cup of hot milk, drank it slowly, then—just like he'd told Tobirama during their first meeting—started his nightly stretch routine.
Tobirama watched in silence.
Seiji had borrowed the creepy self-introduction of Yoshikage Kira, a hand-obsessed serial killer, which made Tobirama believe he was one of those unhinged, fanatical Uchiha.But then Seiji had backpedaled, inventing some righteous excuse like, "I only summoned you to solve the Uchiha problem."
Now, he was swinging back again—showing normal habits, keeping Tobirama off balance. Push and pull. Blur the edges.
The sharp-eyed Senju had already started building thresholds and predictions for Seiji's behavior.That wouldn't do.
The next day.
With black contacts hiding his Sharingan, Seiji walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Shisui toward the academy.
The two brothers munched on steaming buns as they quietly dissected yesterday's spar.
"You did great, Shisui. For a six-year-old, you couldn't have been more perfect. You'll definitely surpass me one day."
"Remember, don't flash your Sharingan unless you have to. People will just see a monster genius and start pushing you away…"
Shisui rolled his eyes and muttered, "Honestly, compared to my Sharingan, your fighting style is what scares people, Brother."
Seiji smirked. "Sure, a prodigy Uchiha might make some folks nervous. But a Tobirama-level genius in a Uchiha without awakened eyes? Konoha's higher-ups wouldn't see that coming."
He promptly ruffled Shisui's hair until it looked like a bird's nest. "Anyway, just remember what you promised. Play the role of an ordinary genius. Leave the politics and family drama to your reliable big brother."
Shisui grumbled, but he didn't pull away. He even looked a little happy, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
"Seiji-kun!"
A booming voice shattered the peaceful sibling moment.
Here came Might Guy, dripping sweat in his trademark green spandex, his watermelon haircut shining in the sun, and his blinding white teeth flashing as he thrust up a thumbs-up.
"YOUTH STARTS BURNING THE MOMENT YOU WAKE UP! Seiji-kun, let's have a passionate handstand race to warm up for today's exams!"
Shisui froze at the sight of Guy flipping upside-down, ass in the air, jogging forward on his hands. As an Uchiha, he prided himself on adaptability—but this? This was beyond his tolerance.
Seiji, on the other hand, smiled gently and returned the thumbs-up."Guy, you're always giving it your all. I'm sure you'll become an incredible taijutsu master someday."
"Thank you for believing in me, Seiji-kun!" Guy's eyes overflowed with tears. He sprinted over and shouted, "Seiji-kun, good luck on today's graduation exam! Let's both become splendid shinobi together!"
"YOSH! With your encouragement, I'll add fifty more laps tonight! And if I fail, I'll challenge Kakashi himself!"
He roared and bolted off, handstanding at full speed.
"…This guy."
Shisui narrowed his eyes at Guy's retreating figure. "What does he mean, 'let's become splendid shinobi together'? Is he mocking you for not graduating yet, Brother?"
Seiji chuckled, flicking his brother's forehead. "Don't be so sensitive. He's just worried about me. After all, I am an eleven-year-old Uchiha who still hasn't graduated—unlike you, the true prodigy."
In this era, with war hanging over Konoha, the academy's graduation system was flexible. Anyone who thought they were ready could apply for early graduation. Not like Naruto's time, when it was locked at twelve.
Currently, the record belonged to Kakashi Hatake—five years old at enrollment, six at graduation, seven as a chunin. A certified Konoha prodigy.
That's why Shisui, at six, aimed to graduate and jump straight to chunin—to surpass Kakashi and make both the village and the clan take notice.
"Kakashi Hatake, son of Sakumo, the White Fang… he's practically the poster boy of our generation," Shisui murmured.
"Don't joke, Brother. Compared to you, I'm nothing special. If you stopped hiding your strength, you could be promoted to jōnin already."
Seiji only chuckled. He would show some of his power today—but not enough to graduate. Not yet.
No, today's exam was the perfect excuse to secure his ties with Obito Uchiha and Guy.As long as those two golden crops stayed in the academy, Seiji would stick around too, harvesting them for all they were worth.
By the time they reached the academy's wide training grounds, Seiji's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Not bad luck today…"
Because standing among the proctor team—already a chunin, book in hand, indifferent as ever—was none other than Kakashi Hatake.