During their first escort mission ambush three months ago, Mirei had successfully awakened her Sharingan under extreme pressure.
Although it was only a One Tomoe Sharingan, it was already good enough to copy basic hand movements.
"Our next test is the Combat Test. We will be deployed in the Forest of Death," Kaito explained to his team.
He looked at Hiashi and Mirei.
"You two need to be fully prepared for it. Otherwise, we will be eliminated or worse."
"How do you know these things, Uchiha?" Hiashi asked, crossing his arms.
"Don't worry about it, Hiashi. Just make sure you are ready for the next round, alright?"
Hiashi sighed softly.
"It's Hyuga... Yeah, I will trust your judgment."
Since they had been together for a few dangerous missions, Hiashi had grown much more respectful toward Kaito.
Kaito had often saved him in critical situations and had proven to be a highly capable leader.
The next exam would be held in three days.
Until that day, Kaito had free time to wander around and rest.
As they walked through the village streets, Kaito checked his system.
'The system hasn't been giving me any new missions since I received Infinity. Is it broken?'
Or maybe missions only triggered during major canon events?
Kaito dismissed his thoughts and immediately headed toward the Senju Compound.
"I'm going home, Mirei," Kaito said.
Mirei smiled brightly and replied, "Okay~ I'll come with you!"
After passing several blocks, they arrived at the massive estate.
Kaito hadn't realized this before, but there were really only a handful of Senju members left.
They were like a fading shadow of their former glorious selves.
"Where is Lady Tsunade?" Kaito asked a nearby aide who was sweeping the porch.
She looked around before answering.
"Lord Hokage called her in earlier. You too must go to the Hokage Tower, Master Kaito."
Kaito nodded before walking to his room to change. Mirei followed closely behind him.
"Why would the Hokage call you, Kaito?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I have no idea. Maybe they have an important mission for us?"
"But then they should have called for Dan Teacher instead."
"You're right. Whatever it is, we will be fine. I'll make sure of it."
After eating a quick lunch, they arrived at the Hokage Office.
Mirei looked around nervously as there were a lot of elite Jōnin and Anbu wandering the halls.
"Are you Kaito Uchiha?" a passing Jōnin asked, stopping them.
"That's me."
"Then you must come with me immediately. Lord Hokage is waiting to see you."
"Very well. Lead the way!"
When the heavy wooden doors opened, Kaito stepped inside the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his massive desk.
Tsunade was standing in front of him, along with another person standing to his right.
When Kaito entered the room, all of them switched their focus to him.
"Kaito, you're here!" Tsunade said, though her expression was slightly tense.
Kaito's eyes were immediately dragged toward the stranger.
He easily recognized the man from the crossed scar on his chin and his cold aura.
'Danzo Shimura?!'
Kaito was initially worried.
Had Root picked up his trace?
Did Danzo notice his anomaly and want to take him in for his experiment?
Should he just leave Konoha right now?
Kaito didn't know any better, but he kept his face completely blank.
"Have a seat," Hiruzen gestured toward the chairs in front of the desk.
With a polite nod, Kaito walked toward the nearest chair.
Mirei initially came along with him, ready to sit down as well.
However, Danzo's harsh voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Anyone who is not directly related to this matter may leave the room," Danzo ordered.
He stared at Mirei with an incredibly cold and dismissive look.
After all, it was common knowledge that many people hated the Uchiha Clan.
Especially those deeply rooted in the village's Higher-Ups.
Kaito stopped moving.
"If she must leave, then so am I," Kaito said firmly.
The air in the office grew instantly tense as he stared down at Danzo with his bright, glowing blue eyes.
The Six Eyes effortlessly analyzed Danzo's dark chakra flow.
"Enough, you two!" Hiruzen intervened, rubbing his temples.
He looked at the nervous girl.
"Young one, you can seat yourself next to Kaito. It is fine."
Mirei bowed quickly.
"T-Thank you, Lord Hokage," she said, taking the seat beside Kaito and gripping his sleeve.
Once everyone was seated, Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe.
He looked at Kaito seriously and asked, "Kaito, do you know how to mold Chakra and forcefully create a Kekkei Genkai, despite the user lacking the natural talent?"
Kaito's eyes slightly widened.
He initially suspected Tsunade had been blabbering about his secret training with her Wood Release.
But he immediately backed down from that thought.
He looked at Tsunade's frustrated face; she was not that kind of person to break a promise.
Someone else must have noticed her sudden progress with Wood Jutsu.
Hiruzen sighed, blowing a cloud of smoke.
"Tsunade's recent breakthrough with Wood Release has caught the village's attention. However, that is not the main reason I called you here today."
Hiruzen leaned forward, his expression turning grave.
"My initial purpose is to inform you about a severe security threat."
"There are highly credible rumors that among the Genin who participated in the Chūnin Exam, there is an assassin."
Kaito frowned. "An assassin?"
"Yes. Sent by one of the rivaling Great Nations," Hiruzen explained.
"They are using the exam as a cover to infiltrate the village and eliminate our most promising young talents."
"Given your outstanding performance and unique appearance, Kaito, you are likely one of their primary targets in the upcoming test."
Danzo added coldly, "You are an anomaly, Uchiha. The other villages fear anomalies."
Kaito smirked slightly.
If they wanted to assassinate him in the Forest of Death, they were more than welcome to try and bypass his Infinity.
"I understand the risk, Lord Hokage. I will be careful," Kaito said confidently.
After concluding the tense chat and receiving a few more warnings about the Forest of Death, Kaito and Mirei stood up.
They bowed respectfully to the Hokage and left the office.