In the Ninja World, power was always first and foremost.
If Aomizu wanted to draw attention, he had to demonstrate his strength at the right moment.
The Will of Fire was his fastest shortcut to getting in touch with Konoha’s upper echelon.
If he were asked to write a grand treatise on governance and livelihood, he might need time to think it through carefully.
But if it was just a matter of locking onto the two key points—the Will of Fire and the Uchiha Clan—to craft an essay that would catch the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, that was simple enough.
After all, he only needed to channel the mindset of Itachi and Shisui from the original timeline.
It wasn’t as if Aomizu hadn’t watched *Naruto*…
“Rather than being a genius who waves the banner for the Uchiha, infiltrating the inner circle of Konoha’s leadership yields far greater benefits for me.” Aomizu narrowed his eyes, calculating slowly: “That way, not only can I dispel any doubts about me within the Uchiha Clan, but I can also naturally make contact with Minato Namikaze and his wife, the Sannin, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo Shimura…” “Confronting these Kage-level shinobi of the Hokage faction while they harbor resentment and dread toward me is too dangerous.
Besides, once resentment takes root—much like with Tobirama Senju now—they’ll be on their guard against me.” “It’s much safer to start with other emotions.
That way, it’ll be easier to find openings when their hearts are vulnerable.” “So, the crucial turning point lies in tomorrow’s final exams.” “With both practical combat and a test on the Will of Fire, it’s more than enough to draw everyone’s eyes…” Aomizu poured himself a glass of warm milk.
After drinking it down slowly, he began doing his pre-bedtime stretches—just as he had described in his self-introduction to Tobirama Senju.
Tobirama Senju watched this scene in silence.
Earlier, Aomizu had borrowed Yoshikage Kira’s hand-fetishist, serial-killer self-introduction, leading Tobirama Senju to mistakenly believe his personality was twisted—that he was the most insane kind of Uchiha.
Yet afterward, to criticize Tobirama Senju from a moral high ground, Aomizu had spun a lie claiming he had developed a Secret Technique to summon him in order to solve the Uchiha’s problems.
Now, all Aomizu needed to do was return his behavior to how it was at the very start, constantly pulling back and forth to cloud Tobirama Senju’s judgment.
That wise Senju had already built up a threshold and formed predictions regarding the emotional fluctuations Aomizu caused.
That wouldn’t do.
*** The next day.
Wearing black contact lenses, Aomizu walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Shisui toward the Academy.
The two brothers ate steaming hot buns while quietly reviewing yesterday’s battle.
“You did great, Shisui.
For a six-year-old, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
In the future, you’ll definitely be stronger than your brother.” “Remember, don’t reveal your Sharingan easily.
People will see you as a monster genius and ostracize you…” Shisui rolled his eyes, nodding, and mumbled under his breath, “Brother, compared to my Sharingan, your fighting style is what actually terrifies and unnerves people…” “Well, a young Uchiha genius might make certain people nervous.
But what if a genius akin to Tobirama Senju happens to be an unawakened Uchiha?
That’s a sight Konoha’s leadership surely never expected, right?” Aomizu thoroughly ruffled Shisui’s hair and said with a beam, “Anyway, remember what you promised me just now.
Be good and just act like an ordinary genius.” “Leave the affairs of the village and the clan to me—the adult.” Shisui grunted, seemingly enjoying the moment, though who knew what thoughts were running through his mind.
“Aomizu-kun!” A voice full of vigor intruded upon the Uchiha brothers’ harmonious moment.
Clad in his trademark green jumpsuit, sweat dripping from his bowl cut, Might Guy flashed a gleaming white smile and gave Aomizu a thumbs-up.
“Youth burns from the moment you wake up!
Aomizu-kun, join me for a passionate handstand race!
A magnificent warm-up for the upcoming exams!” Looking at Might Guy’s bizarre posture—head to the ground and rear in the air—Shisui showed a hint of embarrassment.
As an Uchiha genius, even though he was adaptable, he was still reserved at his core.
This kind of socially painful training method was something Shisui truly couldn’t handle…
Aomizu, however, offered a gentle smile and slowly returned the thumbs-up to Might Guy.
“Guy, you’re always working so hard.” “I believe you’ll definitely become a fantastic Taijutsu ninja.” “Thank you for your constant support, Aomizu-kun!” Tears burst from Might Guy’s eyes as he rushed over to Aomizu’s side, bellowing: “Aomizu-kun, do your best on today’s graduation exam!
Let’s become outstanding ninja together!” “Yosh!
With Aomizu-kun’s encouragement, I’ll add another fifty laps to tonight’s training!
If I can’t finish, I’ll challenge Kakashi!” With a roar, Might Guy accelerated instantly, handstand-running as if no one else existed.
“That guy…” Shisui narrowed his eyes in displeasure as he watched Might Guy’s retreating figure.
“What does he mean?
‘Work together to become outstanding ninja’?
Is he mocking you for not having graduated yet, Brother?” Aomizu chuckled softly and flicked Shisui’s forehead.
Looking at his wincing younger brother, he said leisurely, “Don’t be so sensitive.
Might Guy is just worried about me.” “After all, I really am an eleven-year-old Uchiha who hasn’t graduated.
I’m not a genius like you, Shisui.” In an era where the shadow of war had yet to dissipate, the Academy’s graduation system was remarkably flexible.
As long as students felt confident that their skills met the standard, anyone could apply for early graduation.
It wasn’t like Naruto’s era, where everyone graduated together at twelve.
Up to now, the record for the youngest graduate was held by Kakashi.
He entered the Academy at five, graduated at six, and became a Chunin at seven—hailed as the strongest genius of Konoha’s current generation.
Which was why six-year-old Shisui wanted to graduate and rank up to Chunin in one go, drawing the attention of both village and clan by surpassing Kakashi.
Kakashi Hatake, son of Sakumo Hatake, was indisputably Konoha’s star pupil and local celebrity.
“Stop joking, Brother…” Shisui shook his head sheepishly.
“Compared to you, how can I be called a genius?” “If you stopped hiding your true strength, it wouldn’t even be impossible for you to be promoted directly to Jonin…” Aomizu gave a quiet chuckle and didn’t take the bait.
Though he prepared to showcase his strength, he had no intention of becoming a Jonin—in fact, he didn’t even want to graduate…
Today, Aomizu planned to use the exam as an opportunity to bind Obito Uchiha and Might Guy to him.
As long as these two precious chives hadn’t graduated, Aomizu would stay at the Academy to keep them company and repeatedly harvest value from them…
While chatting, Aomizu and Shisui arrived at the Academy and stepped onto the spacious training field.
Aomizu glanced across the grounds, the corners of his lips curving up slightly.
“Talk about good luck…” For some reason, Kakashi Hatake, already a Chunin, stood among the teaching staff dressed in examiner robes, reading a book in his hand as if nobody else existed.