Yuji and Sagato never slowed their pace.
The gates of the Uchiha Clan compound had long disappeared behind them. Their destination now was the Hokage Building.
With every step toward the Hokage’s office, the atmosphere seemed to grow heavier. Not because Yuji was tired—he had fully recovered—but because of the countless stares following him from every direction.
The whispers spread through the streets faster than a Fire Release technique.
"That’s him... the kid who defeated two Sunagakure Chunin."
"He’s only six years old, but they say his chakra rivals a Jonin’s."
"The Uchiha Clan really has a talent for producing monsters... I mean, geniuses."
"Wait... why were two Suna shinobi sneaking into Konoha through the Forest of Death?"
"Yeah, weren’t we supposed to be at peace with them for the past few years?"
Yuji pretended not to hear any of it.
Listening to village gossip was free entertainment, but today he wasn’t in the mood to subscribe.
Sagato walked beside him with a calm expression, though his clenched jaw betrayed his thoughts. He understood exactly what those looks meant.
Admiration.
Jealousy.
Curiosity.
And uncertainty.
After nearly thirty minutes of walking, they finally arrived before the towering Hokage Building.
They entered without delay, climbing staircase after staircase and passing through quiet hallways lined with ANBU guards. Eventually, they stopped before a large wooden door.
Without warning, an ANBU operative appeared beside them.
"Uchiha Sagato. Uchiha Yuji."
"Hokage-sama has been expecting you."
The masked shinobi opened the door with practiced efficiency.
Apparently, teleporting dramatically and opening doors was part of the ANBU job description.
Yuji wasn’t sure if they trained for that.
Inside, the office looked surprisingly different from what Yuji had imagined.
There were no mountains of paperwork threatening to collapse.
No clouds of pipe smoke filling the room.
Just an elderly man wearing the white Hokage robes and the traditional hat marked with the kanji "Fire (火)."
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His sharp yet gentle eyes rested on Yuji the moment the boy stepped inside.
There was no welcoming smile.
Only the calm gaze of a leader carefully evaluating someone standing before him.
"Uchiha Yuji," Hiruzen said in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Please, have a seat."
Yuji and Sagato bowed respectfully before taking their seats across from the Hokage’s desk.
Hiruzen folded his hands on the table.
The room fell silent.
"I’ve already heard the ANBU’s report," he began.
"But I also need to hear everything directly from you."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You do realize... what you accomplished today goes far beyond what is expected of a Genin."
"In fact... it exceeds the capabilities of most Chunin."
Yuji met his gaze without hesitation.
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
"Good."
Hiruzen gave a slow nod.
"Then tell me everything. Leave out no important detail."
Yuji nodded.
He began recounting everything from the beginning.
The Academy.
His boredom.
Skipping class.
Training alone.
The surprise attack.
The battle.
And finally...
...ending up in the Hokage’s office.
As Yuji spoke, the atmosphere in the room gradually became heavier.
Sagato remained silent throughout, though one hand resting on his lap had quietly tightened into a fist.
Hiruzen listened without interrupting.
When Yuji finished, the Third Hokage finally spoke.
"We’ve already extracted the information from that infiltrator’s corpse using the Yamanaka Clan’s Mind Reading Technique"
"We obtained valuable intelligence regarding Sunagakure."
He opened one of his desk drawers and carefully placed a scroll before Yuji.
"Because of that..."
"...your contribution to Konoha today is extraordinary."
"I have two things for you."
"One is a reward."
"The other..."
"...is a responsibility."
Yuji lowered his eyes toward the scroll.
His heartbeat quickened.
"Hokage-sama..."
"Before you open it," Hiruzen interrupted quietly, "answer one question."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Uchiha Yuji."
"What is your reason for becoming a shinobi?"
The question lingered in the silence.
There was no pressure.
No trick.
Only a sincere question demanding an honest answer.
Yuji took a slow breath.
His dark eyes met those of the Third Hokage without wavering.
"To become strong..."
"So I can protect the people I care about..."
"...and this village as well."
Yuji knew a little about Hiruzen’s ideals.
The Third Hokage deeply cherished one thing above all else—
the Will of Fire.
For several long seconds, Hiruzen remained silent.
Then...
For the first time since the meeting had begun...
He smiled.
It was only a faint smile.
But it carried genuine approval.
"...Very well."
"Then open the scroll, my child."
Yuji slowly reached forward.
The scroll felt cool beneath his fingertips.
He had no idea what awaited him inside.
But one thing was certain.
From this day onward...
His life as the Uchiha Clan’s child prodigy would never be the same again.