I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"Shisui, if you can be promoted to Chunin in this exam, make sure to give it your all."

"Clan Leader, I actually think it's better not to be promoted. Sensei once said that a tree growing too tall is easily broken by the wind, and I believe he's right. Besides, the Uchiha don't need something like this just for appearances."

"Is that what you think? Then do as you see fit."

Shisui's mind replayed the conversation he had with Fugaku the night before.

The clan was truly complicated.

He hadn't understood it before.

But...

Ever since Kyoichi taught Yahiko those lessons, Shisui had kept them in mind. After returning to Konoha, he trained while observing, gradually comprehending much of what Kyoichi had said.

Allies, enemies.

That's right!

That was the most important thing.

Many people within the clan were not allies at all; in fact, some were outright obstacles. Their abilities were weak, but their schemes were endless—

Take something as simple as the Chunin Exams, for example. They had turned it into a grand stage to showcase their strength.

But...

What was the point?

Shisui, despite being only five years old, understood that it was meaningless.

Just like the difference between the Land of Rain and the great nations—no matter how many geniuses emerged, it wouldn't change the fundamental decline.

Those old geezers in the clan treated Konoha like an imaginary enemy...

It was only a matter of time before something went wrong.

"Shisui, I heard this exam is different from usual. You need to be extra careful."

"Uh…"

Shisui looked up at Obito, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something but then hesitated, his expression slightly dumbfounded.

Beside them…

Kurenai couldn't hold back her laughter and teased, "Obito, I think you should be more worried about yourself. If you keep charging ahead recklessly, you might embarrass yourself this time."

"Tch, this time Kakashi isn't here. I'm going to prove myself!"

Obito raised his thumb with pure confidence.

And yet…

The moment he saw the exam paper in the first round, he was stunned.

A written test?

Why was there a written test in the Chunin Exams?!

He was completely dumbfounded.

---

Kyoichi wasn't involved in the first round.

There wasn't much to change about the written test.

However…

The one who set the questions was Minato Namikaze.

Outside…

"You made the questions really difficult. Aren't you worried Obito won't pass?"

Kyoichi was curious.

Obito's academic ability was on par with Naruto's, but his taijutsu and ninjutsu were quite strong—a rather unusual case.

"I want him to understand the importance of theory," Minato explained.

"Minato, you're really looking out for him."

Hayama Shirakumo sighed.

Kyoichi thought for a moment, then chuckled. "You think this might stress him out enough to awaken his Sharingan?"

"Huh?"

Minato was momentarily stunned.

Was that possible?

But after thinking about it carefully, Obito was full of surprises both in battle and in daily life. His strength wasn't weak either, so… maybe it really could happen.

Meanwhile, Obito was scratching his head frantically.

He was really anxious!

So many questions, and he didn't know a single one.

Kyoichi sighed inwardly and patted Minato on the shoulder. "It's tough… Maybe we should just break him down and rebuild him from scratch."

A complete overhaul might not be a bad idea.

Obito was a huge wildcard!

And besides…

Madara hadn't even taken notice of Obito yet. At this point, Shisui was probably a higher priority for him.

But…

Wiping him out was out of the question.

Minato assumed Kyoichi was just joking.

As the exam continued, inside the hall, many examinees were sweating bullets. Some were already resorting to various means to cheat—something the Jonin proctors observed silently.

However…

A little bit of cheating was one thing.

But Obito pulling out a full-on cheat sheet was just too much!

"Put him on the waiting list. If the numbers work out, he'll be eliminated. If not, he can join as a reserve."

The Third Hokage chuckled.

Obito…

He had quite an impression of the boy.

In fact, in the Third Hokage's eyes, Obito was a potential second coming of Kagami Uchiha. To him, Obito's importance far outweighed Shisui's, because he believed Obito had the potential to change the Uchiha Clan.

Kyoichi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Obito, huh?

Heh…

Tobirama had been very clear about this—when Uchiha awaken their Sharingan, their personalities might undergo an extreme shift, even becoming the complete opposite of what they once were.

But the Third Hokage hadn't remembered that part.

He had only imitated the surface of Tobirama's methods…

Kyoichi didn't say much.

His ideology was different from the Third Hokage's, but ultimately, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a far better ruler than Danzo.

If that old bastard were in charge, Kyoichi might already be lying on a dissection table "for the good of Konoha."

So in that regard, Hiruzen was at least tolerable.

Time flew by.

The exam ended!

Kyoichi glanced at the results, then picked up the scroll and prepared to head to the second exam site.

"Oh, right, Minato—during the second round, when the Jonin sweep through, take care of 'eliminating' the stragglers who are still visible to everyone."

Kyoichi reminded him.

He had to announce the rules soon and wouldn't have time to micromanage this part.

Minato nodded, indicating he understood.

Then…

Kyoichi walked away.

Not long after…

The exam results were posted.

Even before grading, it was pretty clear who had passed just from observing the test-takers. The only real surprise was Obito.

Hiruzen had personally put him on the reserve list!

A crowd gathered around the results board.

Obito was visibly nervous.

He thought for sure he had failed, but deep down, he still hoped for a miracle.

One by one, he checked the names…

No, no… Not there!

He felt his heart sink.

But then—

"Did you really think you could pass after cheating?"

A familiar voice.

Kyoichi-sensei.

Of course.

Obito's face fell.

Of course, they had caught him.

"Obito, look at the bottom!" Rin suddenly said, full of excitement.

Obito quickly looked down.

Reserve Candidate: Uchiha Obito.

Huh?!

He froze for a moment, then instantly lit up with joy.

"Sensei, I passed!"

"Happy? You might be celebrating too soon. Teams are assigned in groups of three—you'd better check whether the number of official candidates is a multiple of three."

Kyoichi smiled.

"If it is, well… tough luck. You're just a reserve. Unless someone drops out due to injury, you won't be competing."

"...Huh?"

Obito's face fell instantly.

Rin and Kurenai giggled beside him.

They had already noticed it—there was exactly one missing spot.

So clearly…

Obito's so-called "pass" was questionable.

Shisui glanced at Kyoichi, then at the scene before him, deep in thought.

Still…

It was good that Obito had made it.

He didn't dwell on it further.

"Alright, I told you all—you're celebrating too soon. The first round was just a warm-up. In the second round… you're going to regret passing the first."

Kyoichi smiled gently.

But his eyes were deadly serious.

The crowd instantly fell silent.

Everyone understood.

Kyoichi was the examiner for the second round.

And he was here to announce the rules!

"Very well, then..."

Kyoichi unrolled the scroll, revealing a map.

"You have one minute to memorize this map. You are allowed to use any method—except for direct physical contact."

Whoosh!

In an instant, everyone surged forward.

A map!

Every ninja knew how crucial maps were. In war, securing a map could cost numerous lives.

Intelligence gathering!

At this very moment, the exam had already begun.

This was a test of their information-gathering ability—and also a measure of their overall skills.

A moment later…

"Time's up."

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