Mizutani Ze swiftly moved onto the arena floor, his voice ringing out with the official pronouncement. "Miyazaki Hayato and Matsumoto Shuichi are unable to continue! Uchiha Renzou and Uchiha Kai are victorious! They have passed their early graduation exam and are now officially Genin!"
"Easy," Renzou Uchiha retrieved his kunai, a small smile playing on his lips as he turned to Kai.
"Take it." The two exchanged a quick fist-bump, a silent acknowledgment of their teamwork, before turning to face the audience stands.
"Win… they won?" Murayama Shigeru murmured to himself, watching the two approach, a momentary sense of being overwhelmed.
"So… so strong!" Asuma and Obito stood at the railing, their eyes practically popping out of their heads. The Genin assessment had showcased ninjutsu that seemed more fitting for a Chūnin-level encounter.
"They… they actually won?" A voice echoed from the stunned audience.
"They won!" The initial shock gave way to excited chatter. Following Kakashi, another student had successfully graduated early, and now two had done it simultaneously! It was incredible!
"Teacher, we won," Renzou Uchiha said, as he and Kai reached Murayama Shigeru, bowing respectfully.
"Good, good, good, good!" Murayama Shigeru, finally snapping out of his daze, stood up abruptly, clapping both hands on their shoulders, four emphatic "goods" in a row underscoring his elation.
"Congratulations, Murayama-sensei! You've nurtured two more prodigies. Becoming ninjas at such a young age, their futures are bright. You are indeed an exceptional teacher. Congratulations!" A few fellow teachers approached, offering their accolades.
"It's all their own hard work. I had little to do with it. You flatter me," Murayama Shigeru replied, a proud "uncle smile" gracing his features. His students' remarkable achievement was a source of immense pride.
Suddenly, two figures materialized in the audience. Those who noticed them first widened their eyes, nudging those around them to look. Within moments, the entire dueling ground fell silent, all eyes fixed on the newcomers. Clad in white undergarments beneath black tactical tights, their appearance was standard for a certain group of ninjas. One had a sheathed blade strapped to his back, the other wore a stark white, animalistic mask. Anbu? Renzou Uchiha stared in surprise. What would Anbu be doing here?
Anbu, the elite assassination and covert operations force established by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was directly under the Hokage's command. They were the pioneering underground intelligence organization among the five great nations, later emulated by other ninja villages. Anbu members were exceptional talents selected from within the village, their primary missions including protecting the Hokage, preventing foreign enemy infiltration, assassinations, and reconnaissance. During operations, they wore distinctive animal masks, and the nature of their missions and all related information remained strictly confidential. Anbu was structured into multiple teams, each led by a captain who relayed orders and oversaw mission execution. The current Anbu commander was Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
"Uchiha Renzou, Uchiha Kai," one of the Anbu, the one wearing a monkey mask, spoke, his gaze unwavering. "The Third Hokage has summoned you to bestow your forehead protectors."
The Third Hokage wants to see us?Renzou Uchiha thought. He must have witnessed the duel. After a brief consideration, Renzou Uchiha looked at Kai and then towards the Anbu. "Then let's go. We shouldn't keep Hokage-sama waiting."
The Anbu nodded. In the blink of an eye, the four of them vanished from the arena floor.
"Hokage-sama wants to see Renzou and Kai personally, to grant their forehead protectors himself!"
"Hey, if you can graduate early, you get to meet the Hokage and have him give you your forehead protector!" Once the Anbu were gone, the students erupted into excited chatter, the consensus being that Renzou Uchiha and Kai were destined for great things.
…
Hokage's Office:
Knock knock.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing by the window, turned as he heard the knock. "Enter."
The door opened, and the two Anbu entered, followed closely by Renzou Uchiha and Kai. "Lord Hokage, we have brought Uchiha Renzou and Uchiha Kai as ordered," one of the Anbu reported, kneeling respectfully.
"Very well, thank you for your service. You may step back," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"Yes, sir." The two Anbu stood and instantly used the Body Flicker Technique, leaving only the Hokage and the two newly minted Genin in the office.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama," Renzou Uchiha said, gently nudging Kai beside him. They both stepped forward and bowed.
"Hahaha, you two young ones needn't be so formal. I summoned you for a simple reason: to personally bestow upon you the Konoha forehead protectors," Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled warmly. In his prime, his strength was formidable, his decisiveness far sharper than in his later years. He was still the "ninja hero" who instilled fear in his enemies.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for granting us the forehead protectors," they both said, bowing again. When they looked up, Sarutobi Hiruzen held two forehead protectors in his hands, walking around his desk to stand before them.
"Uchiha Renzou, Uchiha Kai, from this day forward, you are Konoha Genin. You must always remember the Will of Fire and pass it on!" Sarutobi Hiruzen presented the forehead protectors with a serious expression.
"Yes! Where the leaves dance, the fire will blaze! The fire will continue to illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout!" they both declared in unison.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, hearing their fervent response, nodded with satisfaction, his expression softening. "As a reward for your early graduation, I will grant each of you a small request. You have three minutes to decide."
"Hmm?" Surprise flickered across their faces, quickly replaced by excitement. This was an unexpected opportunity. If they played their cards right, their strength could significantly increase in a short time.
Renzou Uchiha considered for a moment, then looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his voice firm. "Lord Hokage, I wish to join Anbu!"
"Huh? You wish to join Anbu?" Not only Sarutobi Hiruzen but also Kai beside him looked at Renzou Uchiha in astonishment.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"No. You are too young, and exposure to Anbu at this stage would be detrimental to your future. Perhaps in two years, I might consider it," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied without hesitation. While he had been impressed by Renzou Uchiha's abilities during the duel, he was still a mere seven-year-old child. Premature immersion in the darkness of Anbu could consume him.
"No way…" Renzou Uchiha scratched his head, then made another request. "Then, Hokage-sama, could you teach me a ninjutsu?"
"Hmm…" Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered briefly before agreeing. "Very well. What ninjutsu do you wish to learn?"
"I read in a scroll that the Second Hokage created a very powerful illusion technique, the bringer of darkness technique ." Renzou Uchiha's eyes held a burning intensity as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Might as well aim high. If it works, great. If not, I can always ask for something else!
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End of Chapter 37