The Third Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was smoking a pipe, looking at Oda Hide, and exhaled a puff of smoke, saying, "Uchiha Izumi was given special permission by a few of us to graduate early. I told you about this already, so how could you fail her?"
Oda Hide said seriously, "Their team lacked teamwork. I asked them to tell each other their shortcomings, but they ended up arguing and even fighting, so I judged them as unqualified."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and said, "But didn't your report say that it wasn't those two who fought? And wasn't Uchiha Izumi trying to break them up? Why did you still fail her?"
Oda Hide said, "They are a team. If someone in the team makes a mistake, then the others must find a way to resolve the conflict. If they can't resolve it, it will cause internal dissatisfaction within the team, which will only lead to greater harm in future missions. I'm doing this for their own good."
"Not everyone can do that, let alone a child."
"Hokage-sama, I did it back then."
"You..."
"Hokage-sama, this is my principle, and I will not change it," Oda Hide immediately said.
"Hmph! Don't think we don't know what you're thinking." Danzo Shimura, standing nearby, said with a gloomy face, "You have a prejudice against the Uchiha Clan because your lover died in the Nine-Tailed incident, due to rumors, isn't that right?"
Uchiha Izumi's early graduation was a result of a joint discussion among their four high-ranking officials, yet someone dared to defy their orders. Whether right or wrong, this was something no one in power could tolerate. Moreover, not letting Izumi pass was a direct slap in their faces.
"No, I don't!" Oda Hide said, "Sir, I..."
"Alright! Stop arguing, all of you." The Third Hokage said, "Oda Hide, you can leave first. It seems the Ninja Academy graduates can't satisfy you. I will consider letting you continue your previous missions. You can go back for now."
"Hokage-sama, I..."
"Alright, no more talk. We still have matters to discuss."
"...Yes!"
Oda Hide walked out of the room despondently, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other three.
After the sound disappeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "You shouldn't have told her about the Uchiha and the Nine-Tailed. Coming from your mouth, it will only make her more certain of the truth of this matter, and will increase her hatred for the Uchiha Clan."
"Hmph." Danzo Shimura said, "I never said such a thing was certain. I said it was a rumor."
Danzo Shimura continued, "I thought this fellow had some insight, which is why I gave her a promotion opportunity, letting her go from teaching civilian classes to teaching clan classes. But she still applied that same approach to clan Ninja.
Did she still think it was like those civilian classes where she could do whatever she wanted? Hmph!
For large clans, reputation is more important than life. Moreover, it hasn't been many years since the war ended, and many Ninja from their large clans have died. For both the Village and the clans, now is the time to replenish Ninja and strengthen their power.
The Genin from the Hyuga, Aburame, and Uchiha three great clans all failed, which will make them doubt the level of our teachers."
Homura Mitokado said, "Our suppression of the Uchiha Clan has been quite severe recently. Even when we're giving them a hard time, we should also give them a chance to breathe. We can't just keep suppressing them, or it will lead to unnecessary thoughts."
"This time, we agreed to Uchiha Izumi's early graduation and personally confirmed her level. Yet, the team leader directly failed her. This will make them even more dissatisfied, believing that we are deliberately suppressing them."
Danzo Shimura said, "But this is also good. It's better to see their true colors early and remove this cancerous growth."
Utatane Koharu said, "Danzo, Konoha is not as powerful as it used to be. The Uchiha Clan is an indispensable companion and fighting force for us. We cannot treat them this way."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "That's right, you're correct, Danzo. You shouldn't have such thoughts. However, Oda Hide is usually quite smart, but she made such a mistake at a crucial moment."
At this moment, a Ninja's voice came from outside: "Hokage-sama! The clan heads of the Hyuga, Aburame, and Uchiha Clans request an audience."
"They've arrived just as expected. They're probably here to ask for favors. Let them in."
The next day, Izumi was called to the Hokage Office.
Izumi changed into a white top and shorts, put on a black outer jacket, and wore black Ninja shoes.
Ninja usually wear special shoes with exposed toes. As for why they all wear such shoes, it's because extensive training leads to sweating, and lack of ventilation can cause foot odor, which might expose their location.
Izumi arrived at the Hokage's office building.
After the messenger Ninja announced her, the voice of the Third Hokage came from inside.
"Come in."
When Izumi walked in, she found Uchiha Fugaku, Danzo Shimura, and the Third Hokage discussing something.
Upon seeing Izumi, the Third Hokage said to her, "Oda Hide was a bit impulsive and caused you a lot of distress, so I want to ask if you have any thoughts?"
"No, no, I really didn't do well enough. It's perfectly fine for the teacher to do that, and I will improve!" Izumi immediately bowed and said to them, "It's all my fault. I will definitely succeed next year!"
Uchiha Fugaku said, "I reported to the Third Hokage that his sense of responsibility was a bit unfair, so he decided to retain your Genin qualification and asked me to inquire about your plans."
"Plans?" Izumi looked at them.
The Third Hokage nodded, "Yes, Uchiha Fugaku originally intended for you to join the Uchiha Clan's Police Force, but you are quite young, so it would be difficult to carry out the work.
Someone suggested you join the Anbu's special organization, Root, to be trained as a newcomer, but it's easy to get in and hard to get out of there, and it requires talented individuals who are willing to make sacrifices to be competent.
And I plan to let you continue to be a Ninja and carry out missions, but currently there are no suitable new members to form a team, so I can only let you join other teams that have lost comrades. Which one do you want to choose?"
Izumi looked at the three of them. She knew in her heart that this was an opportunity to choose a faction. Choosing the Police Force meant being with the Uchiha, and losing ties with the Konoha higher-ups. Choosing Root meant never being able to leave, and there was also the possibility of having her eyes gouged out. Choosing to continue as a Ninja to do missions was the best option.
She said awkwardly, "Ah, I still want to become a Ninja like Hokage-sama, so I want to choose the path Hokage-sama chooses for me."
"Hmph!" Danzo snorted. The Third Hokage, however, smiled and said, "Hmm, very good, then you must work hard!"
"Yes!"
Uchiha Fugaku took Izumi out of the building. On the way, he said to her, "You look very tired. Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Hmm, I couldn't sleep at all last night." Izumi said awkwardly, "I even cried, it's so embarrassing."
"Hehe, that's not embarrassing at all." Uchiha Fugaku said, "Even adults cry sometimes, let alone a child who has suffered such a great injustice. Moreover, crying isn't embarrassing; what's embarrassing is giving up and not thinking about changing. That's what's embarrassing."
"Clan Head-sama, I will work hard!"
"Hmm, you are a part of the Uchiha Clan. If you grow up a bit and want to join the Police Force, you can come in anytime. After all, letting a small child enforce the law would also lack authority."
Izumi smiled and said, "Hmm! Clan Head, for now, I'll focus on missions and see the world, gain experience. The Police Force can wait until I'm older."
"That's right, just grow steadily now. The future of the Uchiha Clan depends on you young people."
"Yes!"
"Alright, hurry home, otherwise your family will worry, and that's not good."
"Okay, goodbye, Clan Head." Izumi said, then immediately went home.
Uchiha Fugaku watched Uchiha Izumi's skipping figure. He also smiled, then left the area.
After Izumi returned home, she told her mother the news. Izumi had finally become a Ninja.
Both of them were very happy, but Izumi quickly came to her senses. I'm supposed to conquer the world, so why am I so happy about becoming a Ninja? Bah!
[ +1, 10 Power Stones (1/5) ]