"An early assessnt? That Uchiha who failed his cultural studies can actually graduate early?"
Zoro's teacher stood frozen in place, his expression stiff as disbelief crept across his face.
He had been preparing to make things difficult for that brat.
The plan was already in place—he simply hadn't found the right mont to carry it out.
And now?
The boy was about to leave just like that?
"Could there be so mistake? How could Zoro possibly qualify for an early assessnt?"
The teacher forced himself to speak, his tone cautious as he addressed the Anbu in front of him.
A student who failed cultural studies… whose attitude clearly didn't align with the Will of Fire… could actually graduate early?
Those who qualified for early graduation were all recognized geniuses of Konoha.
"What? Are you questioning Lord Hokage's decision? If there's any delay, will you take responsibility?"
The Anbu squad captain wearing a cat mask spoke coldly, his voice like a blade pressing against the teacher's throat.
The Anbu were the Hokage's most loyal instrunts.
Anything that obstructed or interfered with his will… could be erased.
"H-how could that be? I wouldn't dare question Lord Hokage. I'm just concerned about my student."
The teacher imdiately panicked, forcing out an awkward smile. Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead.
Inside, he was already cursing himself.
Having once served in the Anbu, he knew better than anyone how ruthless they were.
Calling them killers who didn't blink wasn't an exaggeration.
"Hmph."
The captain gave a cold snort and said nothing more, turning and leading Zoro out of the classroom toward the Ninja Academy plaza.
Inside the classroom, the students craned their necks, watching as the masked figures escorted Zoro away.
The mont he disappeared from sight, the room erupted into noise.
Shock.
Jealousy.
Confusion.
So Uchiha Zoro—the boy who always sat at the back like a dead-last student—was actually a hidden genius?
So of the students who had looked down on him felt their faces flush hot with embarrassnt.
Now they understood.
It wasn't that Zoro couldn't be bothered to compete with them—
He had simply never seen them as worth his attention.
He had already been walking a different path.
It was like they were still grinding away for an exam, while soone else had already secured admission into the top academy from the very beginning.
---
At that mont, the Ninja Academy plaza was already filled with people.
A dense crowd of ninja gathered, murmuring among themselves in confusion.
Why had the Third Hokage co here personally?
What was going on?
"Everyone, quiet down."
A steady voice rang out across the plaza.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood atop a raised platform, dressed in the Hokage's robes, his presence calm yet authoritative.
"I have gathered you all here today to witness the early graduation of one of Konoha's geniuses."
His words imdiately stirred the crowd.
In the shadows nearby, Shimura Danzō watched in silence, his single visible eye flickering with undisguised displeasure.
That old fool…
Since when did Hiruzen start valuing talent this much?
And of all people, it had to be an Uchiha.
Even if the boy was a genius, in Danzō's eyes, that only ant greater risk in the future.
A weapon that could not be controlled—
Was better eliminated early.
A trace of cold disdain surfaced in his gaze.
In the end, it seed he would have to rely on his own thods.
Hiruzen… you're still too soft.
"A genius?"
"I don't rember Hatake Kakashi being treated like this."
"Who's that?"
"Keep it down—I'll tell you. He's the son of Hatake Sakumo… the White Fang. The one who died recently."
The murmurs spread quietly through the crowd.
Under the countless gazes of Konoha's ninja, Uchiha Zoro was escorted to the center of the assessnt grounds.
"Uchiha Zoro."
From the platform, Hiruzen looked down at him with a faint smile.
"I have approved your request for early graduation. I hope that after succeeding, your bond with Konoha will deepen."
The aning behind those words was clear.
After graduation, he hoped Zoro would devote himself to the village.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Uchiha Zoro responded calmly, neither servile nor defiant.
His path had already been decided.
These expectations ant nothing to him.
What he sought was far simpler—
To carve his na across the entire shinobi world.
And this mont—
Was the first step.
Seeing his respectful attitude, Hiruzen's smile deepened slightly.
He had already begun considering bringing this boy into the Anbu.
"In that case, the assessnt will begin."
"Your opponent will be a chūnin. Defeat him, or endure for one minute, and you will pass."
As his voice fell, a figure wearing a striped mask stepped forward from the crowd and stood opposite Zoro.
"It's an examiner directly assigned by Lord Hokage?"
"It seems he really values this Uchiha boy."
So of the onlookers whispered among themselves, instinctively associating the masked figure with the Anbu.
Beside Hiruzen, an Anbu captain's expression shifted slightly.
He recognized that person.
He was about to step forward and intervene—but Hiruzen raised a hand, stopping him.
If they exposed him now, it would only create suspicion among the crowd.
"Danzō… you'd better not cross the line."
Without turning, Hiruzen spoke quietly.
"Hmph. Hiruzen, I'm not as soft as you. If that boy's reputation is exaggerated… he'll regret ever being born."
Danzō's voice carried a chilling indifference.
"What? You replaced the examiner with a special jōnin? This is absurd!"
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"How is a six-year-old supposed to last a minute against a special jōnin?"
What angered him wasn't concern for Zoro's safety.
It was the fact that Danzō had once again acted without permission.
He had no regard for the Hokage's authority.
Just as Hiruzen was about to order the Anbu to stop the assessnt—
His eyes suddenly narrowed.
Sothing was off.
The masked ninja below… hadn't moved.
A faint glint of blade light flashed past.
"…Wait. No need to intervene. The assessnt is already over."
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
In the shadows, Danzō stepped forward slightly, following his gaze.
The next mont—
His eyes sharpened.
Below, the Root elite who had stood motionless suddenly erupted in a spray of blood from his throat.
A crimson arc shot into the air.
Only then did his body begin to collapse.
There had been no clash.
No exchange.
No reaction.
Before he could even comprehend what had happened—
It was already over.
An instant kill.
"He… he killed him instantly?"
In the crowd, Uchiha Obito, who had just returned from a mission, stared at the scene in disbelief, his voice trembling.
He had only recently beco a chūnin himself.
Yet Zoro—
This rising star of the clan—
Had already reached such a level.
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