The graduation assessment that morning was unlike any Konoha had seen before. Ever since the founding of the academy, no single exam had drawn this much attention. For a village built on shinobi, the appearance of a true prodigy was a cause for both celebration and caution.
And today, there wasn't just one prodigy—there were two.
"Seriously, old man, do you have nothing better to do? It's just an academy exam. Do we really need to make such a big deal out of it?"
Jiraiya, tall and broad-shouldered, his wild white hair framing the kanji for oil on his forehead protector, muttered lazily behind the Hokage.
Before the Third could answer, Tsunade cut in, golden eyes flashing. "Then leave, idiot. No one forced you to come. It's not too late to turn around."
Jiraiya puffed his chest out. "Hey, hey—don't talk like that just because you're in love with me, Tsunade."
Her fist clenched, bones cracking audibly. "Oh? In love with you? Want me to rearrange your face right here and now, pervert?"
Jiraiya shrank back at once. He'd traveled with her long enough to know the danger lurking behind that smile.
"Hmph."
On the other side, a chuckle slipped from Orochimaru's lips.
"Oi, Orochimaru, what's so funny?" Jiraiya barked, trying to redirect his frustration.
"Do you want to die that badly?" Orochimaru's voice was smooth as silk, but the venom beneath it was unmistakable. His pale features were sharp, his golden, snake-like eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
Jiraiya clenched his fists. "Fine then—come on! Let's see what you've got!"
Watching the three of them bicker, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, smoke drifting from his pipe. Gratification and exasperation warred in his eyes. His three disciples—brilliant beyond compare, the foundation of his own strength as Hokage—and yet, whenever they were together, peace was impossible.
They were Sannin: geniuses in their own right, but each as volatile as fire, sake, and venom.
"Enough," Hiruzen finally said, raising his hand. "All three of you—settle down. You are not the main event today."
The bickering stilled. Even the Sannin knew when to listen.
Hiruzen's eyes softened, but his words carried weight. "I asked you here for a reason. Not only because of Kakashi. Another child is taking the exam today—one with talent no less extraordinary. And unlike Kakashi, he's from a civilian family."
That got their attention.
"Not weaker than the White Fang's son… and a civilian?" Tsunade muttered, frowning.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Interesting."
Even Jiraiya straightened, skepticism giving way to intrigue. "Come on, old man. Kakashi's talent is the real deal. He's only five and already moving like a full shinobi. We weren't anywhere near that level at his age. And now you're saying there's another one?"
Hiruzen only smiled, puffing his pipe. "Why do you think so many have gathered today? Not everyone came to see Sakumo's son. Most came for the boy who had already matched him."
That left the Sannin quiet. With their current status, they didn't trouble themselves with academy gossip. This was the first time they were hearing of such a name.
Orochimaru tilted his head, his voice smooth and sharp. "You want us here to measure his potential, don't you?"
Hiruzen's eyes crinkled with pride. "You've always been quick to catch on, Orochimaru."
Jiraiya frowned. "So who is this kid, anyway? What's he to you?"
"You'll see for yourselves soon enough." Hiruzen's tone carried quiet certainty. "Watch carefully. This might be the first step toward something greater."
At that moment, movement stirred at the edge of the training ground.
Yagyu Murichi entered, leading two boys at his side. The crowd hushed almost instantly.
Hatake Kakashi walked with a cool, unreadable expression, silver hair shining in the sunlight. At his side, Fujiwara Lock moved with the same calm composure, though his sharp eyes darted across the sea of spectators, wary.
"Is that him? The one beside the White Fang's son?" someone whispered.
"That's the boy they say even defeated Kakashi once."
Murmurs rippled outward as Lock drew more attention than even Kakashi himself. Everyone knew Sakumo's son. Almost no one knew the name Lock.
And yet, today, they would.
Yagyu led the boys to the center of the wide training ground. Though the stands were crowded with shinobi, none interfered. Today, they were witnesses, nothing more.
Because, unlike the usual genin exams, today's would not be a simple display of basic jutsu. By order of the Hokage, the test would be a live combat evaluation—one on one, against real shinobi.
Lock glanced around, jaw tightening. The sheer weight of eyes on him made his skin prickle. Hokage, Sannin, countless jōnin—if he'd known it would be this grand, he might never have agreed to stand beside Kakashi here. Too much attention was dangerous. Especially for someone with no clan to shield him.
Still, it was too late now.
His gaze shifted to the old man in the Hokage's robes at the high platform. It wasn't hard to tell who he was. After all, in Konoha, there was hardly a soul—noble or civilian—who didn't know Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
The Third Hokage's eyes, calm and steady, rested on him for just a moment.
And Lock realized: today, no matter what happened, he would no longer be invisible.
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