Uchiha Aozora crossed his arms, forming the standard hand seals. A moment later, with a sharp "pop", a cloud of white smoke enveloped him.
When the smoke cleared, a wooden figure appeared beside him.
The assistant examiner, Oishi, noticed Chief Examiner Yamanaka Kiyotsuki staring intently at the boy's handsome face and let out a wry smile, saying, "Uchiha Aozora… where are your Shadow Clone and Transformation Techniques?"
Before Aozora could respond, Yamanaka Kiyotsuki waved dismissively. "No need. He's already passed the exam."
Hearing this, Aozora gave a slight smile to Yamanaka Kiyotsuki, then released the jutsu, letting the smoke dissipate beside him.
He stepped out from the smoke, thanked the two examiners, and slowly left the classroom.
Only after Aozora had exited did Yamanaka Kiyotsuki retract her gaze from the boy and mark a perfect ten in the blank space below the "Ninja" section on the exam sheet.
Oishi quickly protested, "Lady Kiyotsuki, this is unacceptable! Even as the examiner, you cannot act so arbitrarily! I don't mind that he passed, since the standards are low this year, but giving ten points is too much!"
"In the Three Body Techniques, Uchiha Aozora only fully executed the Substitution Technique, and even that failed. He merely summoned a substitute wooden figure but did not switch places with it."
"Given what he demonstrated, passing him is already generous. Just think about Hyuga Minato from the Hyuga clan. His Transformation Technique and Substitution Technique were flawless, and he even created ten clones. And you only gave him nine points!"
Yamanaka Kiyotsuki rolled her eyes at him and replied, exasperated: "Do you think I grade based on looks?"
Oishi remained silent but nodded firmly, expressing his disapproval.
Yamanaka Kiyotsuki sighed in annoyance. "So shallow and ignorant! Just at the moment the smoke rose, Uchiha Aozora executed the full Three Body Techniques. First, he created a clone; then his main body switched places with the clone, using the clone as a decoy; finally, his main body used the Transformation Technique to become the substitute wooden figure."
"What I value is his control and creativity in ninjutsu."
Of course, the younger brother was undeniably handsome, but that wasn't the point.
Oishi was stunned by her explanation, his jaw practically dropping. "How is that possible? Lady Kiyotsuki, I'm not well-read, don't deceive me!"
Yamanaka Kiyotsuki exhaled deeply, carrying the aura of a master isolated in understanding.
Seeing this, Oishi didn't push further and simply said, "Next!"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Aozora, holding his headband, strolled out of the examination hall and encountered the second batch of ten students waiting outside.
Seeing the headband in Aozora's hand, Inuzuka Aya exclaimed in surprise, "Uchiha Aozora, you actually passed the exam?"
Aozora didn't even need to discern her voice; only Inuzuka Aya in their class could speak so brazenly.
He glanced at her unremarkable chest and couldn't help but doubt the phrase "big chest, no brains."
Aya hurriedly covered her chest with her hands and shouted, "What are you staring at?"
Aozora chuckled softly, teasing, "You've got nothing, what am I supposed to see?"
Aya was furious at his condescension. She straightened her chest, glaring at him. "Who says I have nothing? Open your eyes and take a good look! Hmph, Uchiha's bottom of the class, if you think you can leave, wait until I finish my exam. Then I'll teach you a lesson in the school's small forest!"
Feeling his master's anger, her little white dog bared its teeth and growled softly.
Uchiha Aozora had no interest in the brat. Flicking his headband, he said, "Little sister, no deal!"
Ignoring Aya's shouts, he walked home in a cheerful mood.
Though graduating had been expected, it was still a happy occasion. At least he could now be independent and no longer have to endure his older brother's scolding.
At the entrance to the ninja academy, parents and children experienced a mixture of joy and sorrow, crowded together. Aozora slipped through a small gap and stepped out.
Just as he emerged, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
In the next instant, the figure solidified, and a young ninja stood before him.
The young ninja's features were remarkably similar to Aozora's, though an unfortunate round nose spoiled his otherwise handsome face.
Noticing the headband in Aozora's hand, his tired eyes brightened instantly. He smiled, "Aozora, congratulations on becoming a ninja!"
He reached out his right hand, intending to pat his younger brother's head.
His hand was only halfway out when Aozora blocked it.
"I've already graduated. Here in Konoha, I can stand on my own."
Stepping aside, Aozora walked past his brother and headed straight home.
Uchiha Shisui looked slightly disappointed but quickly regained his composure and followed Aozora.
"Aozora, was the ninjutsu exam difficult today? How did it go?"
Instead of answering, Aozora responded sarcastically, "Oh? Busy Shisui actually has the leisure to worry about a mere genin like me?"
Shisui gave a wry smile. "Aozora, today is an important day for you. I should have been with you, but the mission is urgent. The village is in need everywhere; there is work for every ninja."
"I understand, the village comes first, naturally," Aozora continued sarcastically. "So great are you that Konoha can't survive a single day without you! Do you think you're the Hokage?"
"Look at your vest, boss! You're just a Special Jonin!"
Shisui was left speechless. After a pause, he said, "The village belongs to everyone. Everyone should contribute what they can."
Aozora exaggeratedly praised him, "With great power comes great responsibility. What a high level of awareness!"
"Then why don't you become Hokage?" he asked.
"I don't know how you've survived. We both shone in the Third Shinobi World War, yet Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage. And you? You're still only a Special Jonin!"
"What happened to your achievements? Did they vanish?"
Shisui's expression became complex. After a pause, he said vaguely, "I'm sorry… we are not the same."
"Sorry? Who did you wrong?"
"We are not the same?"
"What have we done wrong? You leave early, return late every day, constantly risking your life for the village… and for what?"
"Our uncle does not care, our elders do not love us. The clan resents us, the village remains wary of us."
"Do you plan to continue like this?"
Aozora fired a barrage of words, staring directly into Shisui's eyes, hoping to see something—any crack in his resolve.
But he was disappointed; Shisui's gaze remained resolute.
After a while, Shisui patted Aozora's shoulder. "Aozora, don't complain."
"Where leaves dance, the fire burns unceasingly. The light of the flames will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
"We are all part of the village. Don't ask what the village has given us; ask what you can give to the village."
"Only when the village prospers can we live in peace. If it declines, we face war—and I am sure that is not something you wish to see."
Seeing his older brother radiating this almost holy light, Aozora angrily shook his head and completely abandoned any thought of correcting him.
"My foolish brother… have you never read a book? A simple metaphor has deceived you completely!"