An instant kill! A total, absolute instant kill!
The students who had been gasping at Kiba's "Fang Over Fang" just moments ago were now standing with their mouths agape. Uchiha Yao hadn't even moved from his spot, yet he had broken the secret technique of the Inuzuka Clan?
"He... he won?" "Yao-kun is way too strong!" "Is he... is he really a student like us?"
Stars practically appeared in the eyes of Ino, Sakura, and the other girls. Their previous worry had transformed into pure adoration. Yao was just too cool! He was cool enough to make their hearts skip a beat. If they could be his girlfriend, they felt they could die happy!
Naruto was even more excited, jumping up and down while waving his arms and yelling.
Sasuke bit his lip; he saw things more clearly than the others. Yao's movements just now looked simple, but they contained an absolute mastery of timing, angles, and power.
This guy... has his Taijutsu reached this level? His rate of improvement is terrifying! Sasuke felt a wave of discouragement.
A year ago, he could have easily beaten this older brother of his. But starting from a year ago, it was as if Yao had activated a cheat code. His mastery of the Three Basic Techniques, Taijutsu, Shuriken, and Kunai throwing—everything was progressing at an absurd speed.
Sasuke had been quickly overtaken and then left far behind. After multiple clashes over the past year, Sasuke had been pummeled time and time again. After being beaten so often, Sasuke had become somewhat numb to it; now, he only hoped the gap wouldn't widen too much further.
Iruka-sensei snapped out of his shock and quickly announced, "The winner... Uchiha Yao!"
The look in Iruka's eyes as he watched Yao was full of praise. This kind of effortless performance far exceeded the average level of a Ninja Academy student. In fact, it exceeded the level a normal Genin should have.
But considering the boy was an Uchiha, Iruka felt it was somewhat expected. After all, the Uchiha clan was once Konoha's premier noble family, famous throughout the Shinobi world for producing genius ninjas. And Uchiha Yao was the most talented ninja Iruka had ever seen!
Yao walked forward and extended a hand to Kiba, who was just scrambling to his feet. Kiba still looked a bit unwilling to accept it, but he grabbed Yao's hand to stand up. "You're a total monster, man!"
"Good match."
"Continue the sparring! Next match: Uzumaki Naruto vs. Shikamaru Nara!"
...
"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Everyone, remember to review as much as possible when you get home!" Iruka reminded them. "The graduation exam is only a week away. I hope everyone in this class can graduate smoothly!"
"I don't want to see anyone sent back to the Academy!" "Class dismissed!"
The students cheered instantly, packing their things to head out.
"Yao-kun! Want to walk together?" "Yao-kun! I made these rice balls last night, want to share?" "Yao..."
Children in the Shinobi world generally matured early; these kids were barely twelve, yet their courage was bolder than the next. Facing these enthusiastic girls, Yao actually felt like "taking care" of them, but they were simply too young. Better let them grow a bit more, he thought. Maybe when they're eighteen.
Sasuke, expressionless with his hands in his pockets, walked past Yao's side.
As he drew level with Yao, he came to a halt and asked with his signature cool detachment:
"What's for dinner tonight?"
Yao, long accustomed to this manner of communication, replied casually, "It's our birthday today. Let's have Korean BBQ!"
As the last remaining orphans of the Uchiha clan, they had inherited the vast, accumulated wealth of the Uchiha family.
They had money to burn.
Literally more than they could ever spend.
In this regard, they were worlds apart from Uzumaki Naruto, who barely scraped by on expired milk and cup ramen. Consequently, Yao never deprived himself when it came to his lifestyle; he ate well and lived well, never hesitating to spend where it mattered.
The brothers had a clear division of labor:
Sasuke was responsible for grocery shopping and cleaning the dishes after meals.
Yao was the chef, so when it came to the menu, Yao had the final say.
At the mention of BBQ, Sasuke's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, though his face remained a mask of indifference. He merely let out a faint "Hmph" through his nose before shoving his hands into his pockets and walking away with his usual cool air.
"Yao! Yao!"
Naruto rushed over, his blue eyes shimmering with excitement and admiration. He chirped loudly, "You're so strong! You totally crushed Kiba! When will I finally be able to beat you?"
Looking at the hyperactive Naruto, Yao couldn't help but smile.
"Your chakra reserves are massive. Once you learn how to tap into that potential, beating me shouldn't be much of a problem."
That was, of course, a polite formality.
Since a year ago, Yao had decided to stop hiding his light under a bushel and let his genius shine openly. He possessed absolute confidence in his own strength.
Naruto beating him now? That was nothing short of a pipe dream.
"Alright, let's go! It's Sasuke's and my birthday today. Come over to my place for dinner—my treat, we're having BBQ!"
Naruto swallowed hard and scratched his head, looking conflicted.
"Eh? Again? No... I probably shouldn't. It's embarrassing to eat at your place every single day."
His voice grew smaller as he spoke, his eyes darting around shiftily.
"Stop pretending!"
Yao knew Naruto too well and immediately punctured his little act. "I've been craving fish lately. When you have some free time, just help me catch a few big ones to make up for it."
Asking for help with fishing was, of course, just a way for Yao to give Naruto a graceful out.
The reason Yao maintained such a good relationship with Naruto was due to his own intentional kindness. It wasn't about sucking up to him; Yao simply felt that befriending Naruto was a low-cost investment with an incredibly high future return.
It was a move he made in passing.
After all, Naruto was profoundly lonely and desperate for recognition. As such, even a small gesture of goodwill was enough to earn his unwavering loyalty. Just like Iruka in the original story—simply by acknowledging Naruto, he effectively became Naruto's... father figure.
Sure enough, as soon as he heard this, the hesitation on Naruto's face vanished instantly. He slapped his chest hard and shouted, "Leave it to me! I'll definitely catch you the biggest, fattest fish ever!"
"Let's go."
Night fell.
The hour was late.
Moonlight filtered through the glass window, spilling over two side-by-side beds. Beside him, Sasuke had long since fallen into a deep sleep, and the room was deathly quiet.
With a flick of his mind, Yao summoned his interface.
Shua! A pale blue light screen, visible only to him, expanded in mid-air.
Host: Yao Uchiha
Age: 12 years old
Chakra Reserves: Chunin-level
Chakra Nature: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Yin
Mode: None
Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Unawakened)
Physique: None
Jutsu: Basic Three (Clone, Transformation, Substitution), Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God (Hiraishin), Fire Style Jutsu (108 types)
As a member of the "Transmigrator Army," Yao had his own "Golden Finger":
The God of Shinobi System.
The name was a bit abstract, but the system's function was blunt and powerful:
Every year on his birthday, Yao could perform one lucky draw.
The prizes included any item from the Naruto world, including but not limited to: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Kekkei Genkai, Tailed Beasts, Weapons, Chakra Natures/Reserves, and Special Physiques.
The God of Shinobi System had officially awakened on his 10th birthday.
Yao's first draw resulted in the [Uchiha Fire Style Grand Bundle].
The Uchiha clan excelled in Fire Style, and this bundle encompassed 108 types of Fire Style Jutsu collected by the clan throughout history. From C-rank to A-rank... it had everything.
Because it was a system reward, the knowledge was "downloaded" directly into his mind. Yao didn't need to study; he instantly mastered all 108 techniques.
And not just mastered—he was an expert.
Unfortunately, due to his chakra limitations, he couldn't cast many of them. Even a few Great Fireball Jutsus would drain his reserves dry.
Chakra capacity was currently Yao's biggest weakness. It couldn't be helped; the Uchiha were not the Uzumaki or the Senju.
On his 11th birthday, Yao's second draw was incredibly lucky: the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Hiraishin!
The S-rank space-time ninjutsu invented by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
The power of the Flying Thunder God needed no explanation. The Fourth Hokage's fame as the "Yellow Flash" was almost entirely credited to this technique.