The theory exams were over and the students were allotted some free time to rest, have lunch, and get ready for an afternoon of physical exertion in the upcoming practical tests.
This period of time also gave the higher ups the opportunity to review the exams of some of the more promising applicants.
More specifically, the Hokage and on certain occasions, his advisors as well, reviewed the prospective elite genin's Will of Fire exam.
This was one such special occasion when not only the Hokage, but his three advisers were also present but even though Hiruzen did go through the Will of Fire Exam of all prospective elite genin, it was no secret that they were all only there for one.
All but one of the current graduates had already been thoroughly evaluated during their time in the Shinobi academy, the only exception was Shiki, the anomaly they had gathered to discuss.
"His answers seem rather exemplary. What are your thoughts?" Hiruzen started the discussion.
"Despite the apparent wavering of Mito-sama's support of your leadership, her loyalty to Konoha is unquestionable and it seems to have been instilled into this child as well." Koharu spoke up.
"Hmm, his Will of Fire burns bright indeed." Hiruzen nodded.
Danzo internally scoffed at his spiel.
"Considering the boy was adopted by Mito-sama at a young age and taught seemingly exclusively by her, it is not a stretch to say his current views are an expression of her attitude." Homura added.
"The first two questions are of no concern, they show the brat has been taught right and to be loyal to the village. The last question is the one with real importance." Danzo cut in, driving the conversation forward to the real matter at hand with an impatient expression.
"Indeed. The boy' answer should be what he believes, as well as Mito-sama's vision, of what a Hokage should be." Hiruzen continued with a pondering look.
"I find no issue with the brat's answer. Based on it, it not only seems like he has the right idea of what the Hokage should be like, from the way he wrote, it is very likely he holds no aspirations towards the position himself." Danzo offered the rare praise.
The view that a Hokage should be strong, uncompromising with his ideals and convictions and able to make all the hard decisions not just to protect, but to actually make the village grow and prosper further, was a view Danzo very much agreed with.
If the boy could be persuaded, ideally along with Mito, to support his candidacy, it would be the best case scenario as he believed himself to embody those very traits.
'It is your weakness and hesitation that shook that old woman's faith that you could continue the legacy of sensei and Lord First, Hiruzen.' The bandaged man thought.
'You should start thinking about handing over that seat to a worthier candidate.' He venomously clamored, but only in his mind.
Currently, Hiruzen was still in his prime and, while not as formidable as his two predecessors, he was still a force to be reckoned with.
"Is there a chance Mito-sama intends on taking the seat herself and is starting by training up a capable supporter?" Homura questioned though he was just being an alarmist.
"Unlikely."
"I do not believe that to be the case." Koharu, followed by Hiruzen at the same time, replied with certainty.
"As the representative of Uzushio in Konoha she cannot take the position, her age is also a problem. It would be more reasonable to believe she is training a right hand for her grandson." Danzo added with some disdain at Homura's take on the situation.
"Not Tsunade?" Koharu questioned.
Danzo just scoffed.
"I think Mito realises that girl is not really suitable for that kind of role." Hiruzen, more diplomatic, gave an actual answer.
Koharu just internal grumbled about Danzo's unsociable attitude, though all three of them were used to it by now.
"Regardless of Mito-sama's current intentions, I strongly believe we may yet be able to sway her back to our side and this child might be the key, as well as a future protector of the village if Mito-sama's eye for talent is as great as it used to be." Hiruzen spoke.
Danzo just nodded with an indecipherable expression.
'Yes Hiruzen, but I think swaying the brat and the old woman to MY side would be the best for Konoha. That Shiki should be a talented subordinate, if raised to be uninterested in the Hokage position it would be perfect.' The bandaged man schemed.
"Then shall we proceed as planned?" Hiruzen seemed ready to close out the conversation.
But it seemed Danzo was not quite done with the matter.
"I still have doubts about putting an Uchiha, the clan leader's daughter no less, in the boy's squad. It is just giving the opportunity for them to pull in support from Mito-sama.' He argued.
"On the contrary, I think it provides the perfect attitude to test both the boy's and Mito-sama's attitude." Hiruzen countered.
Danzo's eyebrow on the unbandaged side of his face rose.
'I see your angle Hiruzen . . . A crafty fox as usual, I underestimated you.' He argued no further.
'With a loyal Yamanka jonin as a supervisor, reading the boy will be a simple matter and thus, that old lady's intentions can be grasped easily and if a problem occurs, with Aburame Shinka beside him, he can be dealt with at will . . . There is also my insurance.'
With Danzo sinking into the schemes in his head, the meeting came to a close and the perfect marks Shiki was going for, were achieved without issue.
*
Back to the students' side, it was lunch time and since he only knew one person there, Shiki was going to try and talk with her some more.
If the Konoha elder saw that kind of attitude, their opinions on Shiki might have changed a little but unfortunately, while they were discussing the tests, the Hokage was not his peeping Telescope Jutsu with that crystal ball to scrutinize his actions.
Only later would they figure out their deductions and plans might have been slightly off mark and would quite possibly come back to bite them.
The Academy had a common area where students could come to hang out but it only got any real use in such occasions as the exams when students could not simply hang around in their classroom until the teacher came back for the next class.
Even lunch was usually eaten in the classroom but now, bento in hand, Shiki approached Uchiha Mei who was sitting alone once again with a dark expression on her delicate young face, the communal area was larger than a classroom so she was even more isolated.
'Is it because she is an Uchiha?' Shiki wondered.
But there was another Uchiha in their class who felt far more irritating and he had quite a few people around him, even younger Uchiha from non graduating classes seemed to be leaving her alone, it only aroused the boy's interest further.
"Hello again. May I sit?" Shiki approached.
Mei seemed to be caught off guard with a foolish look and a mouth stuffed with food.
She quickly looked away to hide her face, rapidly chewing her food so she could speak but gestured that the boy could go ahead and sit anyway.
And so, Shiki did and opened up his own bento, simple dishes, rice, egg rolls and stir fried cow meat that he himself had cooked that very morning.
Noting that his silent companion had finished eating, the white haired boy decided to reinitiate the conversation.
"So how did your exams go?"
+++++
Hey, Author here!
Just a reminder that you can read up to a FULL MONTH ahead of this site on pa-treon.
I'm trying to become a full time Author now and I'm not going to be starting any new novels just so I can make sure this one is properly completed.
Find those sweet advanced chapters on pa-treon.com/lusoba without the -