[Ding! "Overpowered" the entire class and took first place.]
[Synchronization +1%]
After returning from the Academy—
A pleasant notification sounded in Sarutobi Hakuto's mind once again.
What surprised him was—
This time, it wasn't a measly 0.0-something increase.
It jumped by a full 1% in one go.
"Looks like my guess was right."
With this confirmation—
Sarutobi Hakuto now clearly understood what he needed to do next.
Thinking of this, his mood instantly improved as he leisurely strolled back toward the clan compound.
Several family attendants followed obediently behind him.
As for safety—
At this stage, Sarutobi Hakuto had nothing to worry about.
Not to mention the attendants he brought along were all at least Chūnin level—
There were also countless ANBU and Root operatives hidden in the shadows.
Who would dare make a move against him inside Konoha?
That would truly be someone asking for death.
This was the very foundation that allowed Sarutobi Hakuto to act like a carefree playboy every day.
As long as he didn't leave Konoha—
He was essentially untouchable.
—
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
After returning, Hiruzen Sarutobi was fuming.
"That damn brat!"
"He's infuriating me to death!"
What angered him the most—
Was that right under his nose, the students in that class had clearly held back.
Several of them could have easily scored full marks—
Yet they deliberately settled for around seven.
Originally, he had planned to use the occasion to preach about the Will of Fire—
But after witnessing that scene—
Hiruzen only had one thought:
Will of Fire? What nonsense!
At that moment, just as his anger peaked—
Iruka suddenly pushed the door open and entered.
"Lord Hokage—"
Seeing him, Hiruzen quickly composed himself.
Taking a puff from his pipe, he spoke calmly:
"Oh, Iruka. What is it? Something wrong?"
Hiruzen valued Iruka highly.
After all, the class he managed included heirs of major clans—
As well as Naruto, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Any one of these was enough to warrant attention.
"Lord Hokage, I'd like to talk about Sarutobi Sarutobi Hakuto."
Hearing this, Hiruzen immediately understood Iruka's intention.
He quickly spoke first:
"Hehe, perfect timing, Iruka."
"I was just thinking about that brat Sarutobi Hakuto myself."
"You know he didn't attend school at all last year."
"I'm not very comfortable letting him stay in the second year."
"How about this—let him repeat a year and join your class instead?"
Iruka froze.
He had come here to report Sarutobi Hakuto's terrible personality and unruly behavior—
So how did this suddenly turn into assigning Sarutobi Hakuto to his class?
Before Iruka could refuse—
The decision was already made.
Just like that, Iruka walked out of the Hokage building in a daze.
Looking at Sarutobi Hakuto's file in his hand—
He couldn't help but fall into confusion.
…
At the same time—
What had happened at the Academy quickly spread throughout Konoha's major clans.
After all, as the young master of the Sarutobi clan and the grandson of the Third Hokage—
There were plenty of eyes on him.
—
Inside the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant—
The current generation of Ino–Shika–Chō, pillars of the Hokage faction, sat together.
Looking at the information in their hands—
The three exchanged glances.
"Shikaku, you're the smartest. What do you think?"
"Yeah, exactly!"
Faced with their questions—
Nara Shikaku casually flipped the meat on the grill, seemingly unconcerned.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke:
"Some things… are better just known."
"Don't discuss them too much."
"Don't forget who his maternal grandfather is."
Hearing this—
Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi immediately understood.
They didn't dare continue the topic.
As for the smaller clans of Konoha—
They wouldn't even dare mention it, let alone discuss it.
—
Meanwhile, within the Uchiha clan—
At the Naka Shrine—
"Hahaha! Who would've thought Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandson would turn out like this!"
"Nothing to worry about!"
"Exactly! Just a useless rich brat. If the Sarutobi clan falls into his hands, it looks like our Uchiha clan's good days are coming!"
A large number of Uchiha clan members had gathered.
The radical faction, led by the Great Elder, was overjoyed.
As for Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head—
He remained silent.
In his heart, however, he had already compared Sasuke to Sarutobi Hakuto.
In Fugaku's view—
Sasuke could easily crush Sarutobi Hakuto.
But seeing the clan members growing overly arrogant—
Fugaku finally spoke to stop them:
"That's enough. He is still the Hokage's grandson."
"Don't get carried away."
At his words—
The clan members quickly quieted down.
However, the Great Elder spoke again:
"Fugaku, preparations must still be made in advance."
"The Hokage faction is full of incompetents now."
"This is the perfect opportunity for the Uchiha clan!"
"Don't let it slip away!"
Faced with these words—
Fugaku fell silent once more.
The current state of the clan was like a lone boat on the ocean—
One wrong move, and it would be destroyed.
As clan head, he had always acted with extreme caution—
Constantly maintaining balance with the Hokage faction.
All in hopes of a peaceful resolution—
Not a coup.
"I will consider it."
"But remember—"
"I am the clan head."
"Do not make unnecessary moves."
As his words fell—
His scarlet Sharingan swept across everyone in the shrine.
Including the elders—
All fell silent.
After all—
Uchiha Fugaku was known as the "Wicked Eye."
A name earned through real bloodshed.
Even the elders didn't dare say another word.
The clan meeting ended on a sour note.
—
Shortly after the meeting concluded—
Several figures slipped out of the Uchiha compound—
Disappearing into the night.