Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to press forward, step by step, his gaze fixed steadily on Uchiha Zoro as if he intended to draw out his true stance no matter what. The faint curl of smoke from his pipe drifted upward, but the atmosphere in the room only grew heavier.
"Forgive , Lord Hokage, but I don't quite understand what you an."
Uchiha Zoro showed a trace of confusion on his face, his tone asured, clearly attempting to sidestep the question without giving a direct answer. It was a sensitive matter—one that could not be answered carelessly.
Unfortunately, Hiruzen had no intention of letting him avoid it.
"It's very simple," Hiruzen said calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If it were you, would you choose the mission… or your comrades?"
The question was direct now, leaving no room for evasion.
Zoro could feel the weight hidden behind those words. This was not just a casual inquiry—it was a test. A single answer might influence how Hiruzen judged him from this point forward. It might even alter the path of events in the future.
"If it were … I would choose the mission."
Zoro's voice was calm and steady, without hesitation.
Hidden in the shadows, Kakashi Hatake's eyes flickered.
Confusion surfaced within them.
Not long ago, hadn't Zoro called his father a hero?
Then how could soone who abandoned a mission still be considered worthy of that title?
As Zoro had expected, Kakashi was indeed present, concealed sowhere within the room. This arrangent had been made by Hiruzen Sarutobi under the pretense of helping Kakashi move past the shadow of his father's death.
"The mission, hm… So that is your answer."
Hiruzen gave a slight nod. A trace of approval appeared in his eyes before he continued, shifting the topic as if nothing unusual had happened.
"Tell —how much do you know about the ANBU?"
Zoro's answer had satisfied him, at least on the surface. Choosing the mission ant prioritizing the village's interests. And for Hiruzen, that was the most important point.
Through Minato's earlier mission report, Hiruzen had already learned that Zoro's strength had most likely reached the level of a special jōnin.
Among jōnin, there were distinctions—elite jōnin, special jōnin, and those capable of leading teams.
Team-leading jōnin, like Namikaze Minato, stood near the peak. They were not just powerful individually, but also capable of commanding others effectively on the battlefield.
"As for the ANBU, I only know that it is a force directly under the Hokage's command."
Zoro answered plainly, keeping his tone neutral.
"Mm. Then… are you interested in joining the ANBU?"
Hiruzen took another slow draw from his pipe, watching Zoro carefully.
After learning that Danzō had begun to take interest in Zoro, Hiruzen knew he could not afford to be slow. If such a rare talent were taken by Danzō, it would be a considerable loss.
What he did not know, however, was that compared to recruiting Zoro, Danzō was far more inclined to eliminate him entirely.
In Danzō's eyes, the Uchiha were a clan tainted by danger—one that should never be trusted with real authority.
"ANBU? Lord Hokage… I'm only seven years old."
Zoro deliberately showed a hint of hesitation, as if unsure how to respond.
Though only seven, his height had already surpassed one ter sixty, making him appear far more mature than his age suggested. Standing beside soone like Obito, he even seed noticeably taller.
"That is indeed an issue."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, as if acknowledging the point, though his thoughts had already moved ahead.
"In a few months, the Chūnin Exams will begin. Once you pass and beco a chūnin, I expect you to join the ANBU."
He spoke casually, but there was no room for refusal.
This was not a suggestion.
It was an order.
"I will follow Lord Hokage's arrangents."
Zoro lowered his head slightly in response, his expression respectful.
But within his heart, a coldness spread.
For the first ti, he felt a sharp, undeniable desire for strength.
Without strength, he had no control over his own fate. He could only remain under soone else's authority, manipulated at will—just like now, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's quiet but absolute control.
"Do your best, Zoro. The village has high expectations for you."
Hiruzen's voice carried faint satisfaction as he watched Zoro leave.
The door closed softly behind him.
—
"Kakashi, you can co out now."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his tone returning to its usual gentleness as he spoke toward the shadows.
"You understand now… don't you? Why your father chose that path."
After a brief pause, a figure stepped forward.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Hatake Kakashi erged, his expression cold and composed, the earlier confusion now buried deep within his eyes.
From this mont onward—
he would place the mission above all else.
Before Zoro had even arrived, Hiruzen had already spoken with Kakashi, asking why Zoro had sought him out.
If Zoro had shown even a trace of hatred toward Sakumo Hatake's end, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have imdiately begun to question his motives—why he had deliberately approached Kakashi, what he had intended to say, and whether there was sothing deeper hidden behind that seemingly simple visit.
Several months later, within the quiet courtyard of the Uchiha clan compound, cherry blossoms drifted gently through the air, their pale petals carried by a soft breeze. Uchiha Zoro stood beneath the tree, dressed in a clean white kendō uniform. His posture was steady, his breathing slow and controlled as he watched the falling petals in silence. One hand rested lightly on Wado Ichimonji, his fingers brushing along the hilt with familiarity and care, as if the blade itself were an extension of his body.
Tomorrow would be the Chūnin Exams.
Yet there was no trace of nervousness on his face.
To him, training with the sword was as natural as breathing—sothing that had long since beco part of his daily life. Whether before a battle or after, his rhythm never changed.
"Zoro!!"
A familiar voice called out from beyond the courtyard gate, breaking the quiet stillness.
It was his grandfather, Uchiha Muneyoshi.
Zoro turned slightly, lifting Wado Ichimonji and fastening it at his waist before looking toward the entrance. Muneyoshi stepped inside, accompanied by two figures whose presence carried considerable weight within the clan.
"I told you—my grandson is practicing his sword."
A hint of pride showed on Muneyoshi's aged face as he spoke, his tone carrying an unmistakable satisfaction. Behind him stood the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, and the great elder, Uchiha Setsuna.
"Hmph. Of course I know that. Zoro's strength cos from his perseverance."
Uchiha Setsuna snorted lightly, though there was an unmistakable trace of envy buried beneath his words.
Ever since Zoro revealed his astonishing talent, the balance within the clan had begun to shift. So who had once remained neutral were gradually leaning toward the moderate faction.
Why?
Why didn't he have such an outstanding descendant?
Still… while he lacked a grandson, he did have a granddaughter.
She was only two years old, but if Zoro could be brought into their branch of the family, then in a sense, wouldn't he still belong to them?
"Greetings, Clan Head. Greetings, Great Elder."
Zoro inclined his head politely, his tone respectful and composed.
His attitude caused Muneyoshi to nod in quiet satisfaction.
The more he observed this grandson of his, the more pleased he beca.
Talented, yet not arrogant.
Calm, yet not lacking in edge.
A person with the makings of greatness.
"Shizuka, co. This is Brother Zoro. You must learn from him in the future. He is the pride of our Uchiha clan."
Setsuna smiled as he beckoned gently to the small figure hiding behind him.
A little girl peeked out timidly, clutching the edge of his clothing.
At only two years old, Uchiha Shizuka was still untouched by the harsh realities of the shinobi world. Her eyes were clear, her expression innocent—like a blank canvas waiting to be shaped.
"H-Hello, Brother Zoro…"
She leaned forward slightly, revealing just her head as she peeked out, her large eyes blinking with a mix of curiosity and shyness.
"Mm."
Zoro gave a faint smile in return.
She was a cute child.
Over the past few months, Zoro had beco increasingly active within Konoha's upper circles. His performance had not gone unnoticed by the clan. Completing two A-rank missions alone at such a young age had already set him apart.
At only seven years old, his strength had reached the level of a special jōnin.
Calling him Konoha's number one genius was no exaggeration.
The synchronization rate within his mind had risen to eighteen percent, and his strength had advanced significantly compared to before.
To outsiders, it was all talent.
But none of them saw the weight he carried.
Even now, while standing still and speaking calmly, Zoro was training.
Through a refined breathing technique, he maintained his body in peak condition at all tis, squeezing strength out of every mont.
"Zoro, how are your preparations for tomorrow's Chūnin Exam? I've heard this one won't be simple. It seems all Five Great Ninja Villages will be participating."
Uchiha Fugaku's tone carried a hint of concern.
Zoro now represented the face of the Uchiha clan.
If he could shine during the Chūnin Exams, it might give the clan an opportunity to regain influence within Konoha's core.
At least… that was what Fugaku believed.
Truthfully, with his limited grasp of the deeper political currents, he might genuinely think it was that simple.
"All Five Great Ninja Villages…"
Zoro's eyes flickered slightly as he fell into brief thought.
Would this exam bring in participants from Kakashi's generation?
From Kirigakure, it could be figures like Momochi Zabuza, Hoshigaki Kisa, or even Terumī i.
From Kumogakure, perhaps Darui, C, or even Killer B—who was slightly older than Kakashi and would later beco the Fourth Raikage's right-hand man.
As for Iwagakure and Sunagakure… fewer nas ca to mind.
The only one truly worth noting was Sasori—the future Akatsuki mber.
At this point, he likely had not yet defected.
As for Akatsuki itself, Nagato was probably only a few years older than Kakashi now and had not yet begun forming the organization.
"Zoro, I'll speak frankly. The Chūnin Exams are held twice a year, but in reality, they serve as a stage for allied nations to observe each other's strength. Since the Hokage specifically designated you to participate, you should understand what that ans."
Setsuna spoke from the side, his tone more serious now, a trace of concern surfacing in his eyes.
Zoro would not be facing only Konoha's genin.
He might beco the focus of attention for the entire shinobi world.
No village would tolerate the rise of a monstrous genius from a rival.
"Don't put too much pressure on him. We should trust Zoro."
Muneyoshi's gaze remained steady as he looked at his grandson.
He believed Zoro understood everything.
"Hmph. Of course I know that. The Uchiha have never been inferior to anyone!"
Setsuna responded, though his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Fortunately, based on the mission reports, Zoro did not exhibit the hesitation toward enemies that was often associated with the moderate faction.
"In any case, Zoro, you must give it your all tomorrow. This exam concerns not only the clan, but also the direction Konoha will take in the future. Do not lose to anyone from the other villages."
Fugaku spoke with rare seriousness.
In recent years, he could vaguely sense the shifting currents beneath the surface.
War…
seed to be approaching once more.
This Chūnin Exam might very well serve as a testing ground between nations.
And when that ti ca, the weaker villages would inevitably suffer heavy losses.
Fortunately—
the Uchiha clan now had Zoro.
Fugaku studied him again, satisfaction evident in his eyes.
The boy already carried himself with the composure of soone capable of standing on his own.
Behind Setsuna, little Shizuka peeked out once more, watching the admiration her grandfather showed toward Zoro. Her eyes blinked quietly, and without realizing it, a trace of envy appeared within them.
And so, the Chūnin exams began.
**
Advance chapters available on P@trè0n (Aki_sensei). Appreciate the support!
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