Boom!
A sharp explosion rang out as countless droplets burst outward.
Uchiha Yuan swung his blade, cleaving through Senju Gen's Hard Whirlpool Water Blade.
Steel met the spinning torrent with a rapid succession of thunderous impacts.
The two locked eyes—
Yuan smiled.
"Gen, your attack has improved again. I nearly slipped up."
Senju Gen grinned.
"Yuan, my attack isn't over yet."
The moment his voice fell, the swirling waters around them surged—
a water dragon shot forth, lunging at Yuan.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet.
A cold gleam flashed—
Gen's Hard Whirlpool Water Blade shattered into mist.
Yuan retreated with a flicker, the blade vibrating sharply in his grip—dispelling the technique entirely.
The water dragon roared toward him.
Yuan's form blurred, shifting positions in rapid succession before his blade descended.
Crash!
The dragon burst apart, collapsing into a rain of scattered currents.
Yuan sheathed his blade with a soft click—
then turned his eyes to the side.
Almost simultaneously, a masked figure materialized before him—
A fox-masked ANBU operative.
Not far away, two Uchiha Police Force members flickered into view, glaring sharply at the ANBU intruder.
The ANBU spoke coldly:
"Chūnin Uchiha Yuan. The Third Hokage summons you."
"I understand."
Yuan nodded, then turned toward Gen.
"Looks like we'll have to finish this match another time."
Senju Gen studied the ANBU for a moment before asking,
"Yuan, why would the Third Hokage be looking for you?"
"No idea."
Yuan shook his head, then joined the ANBU operative.
The two vanished together in a blur of motion.
Once Yuan had left, Gen prepared to depart as well—
when five Uchiha youths suddenly landed in front of him.
"You need something?"
Gen narrowed his eyes warily.
Given the ancient grudge between Senju and Uchiha, he wasn't ruling out the possibility of a group beating.
One of the Uchiha stepped forward.
"I'm Uchiha Kawa. I challenge you."
Another youth stepped up.
"I am Uchiha Kirin. I also challenge you."
Gen blinked—then smiled with interest.
"…Interesting. I accept."
Hokage's Office – Third Floor, Administrative Wing
Smoke coiled heavily through the air.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, chewing on his pipe, two advisors—Homura and Koharu—at his sides.
Shimura Danzō stood before the desk, face twisted with fury.
"Hiruzen, I disagree.
That brat should be handed to my Root."
Danzō's voice darkened.
"A child so arrogant—just like the rest of the Uchiha—must be properly disciplined by Root."
Hiruzen exhaled a thin plume of smoke, saying nothing at first.
Koharu gently tapped the table.
"Hiruzen, I agree with Danzō.
Based on everything we know of Uchiha Yuan's behavior, he is nothing like Shisui.
He is not suited for ANBU."
Hiruzen set down his pipe.
"I trust Shisui.
If he recommended Uchiha Yuan, that means this boy is different from the others."
Danzō's single eye flashed with killing intent.
"Shisui is naïve.
Just look at how that brat assaulted Yoshihara Yuutō—clearly, he has no respect for village law!"
Hiruzen frowned.
Yuan had made no effort to hide that he beat Yuutō because of the tragedy surrounding Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
And Sakumo's death was still a wound deep inside Hiruzen's heart.
Shff–
A soft sound as an ANBU appeared in the office, kneeling.
"Lord Third. Uchiha Yuan has arrived."
"Send him in," Hiruzen said, exhaling smoke.
Yuan stepped into the office—
four sharp gazes immediately focused on him.
He also sensed several hidden signatures around the room—ANBU guards, watching silently.
"Greetings, Lord Third."
He bowed slightly.
Hiruzen observed him closely, then smiled warmly.
"Excellent. Truly an exceptional youth.
Yuan, you are a hero of the village.
It is thanks to you that the Cloud front has stabilized—your defeat of the Fourth Raikage played no small part."
Yuan's voice was calm.
"Lord Third, that is simply my duty.
For the sake of the village, I will slay any enemy who dares invade our land."
The murderous conviction in his tone pleased Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.
Only Danzō glared at him coldly.
Hiruzen spoke again:
"Your performance on the battlefield has been outstanding.
Both Jiraiya and Mitokado Shijō have written glowing reports about you.
"The village intends to cultivate you carefully.
So I ask you—
Yuan, would you be willing to join the ANBU?"
Join ANBU?
Yuan's eyes widened slightly.
Then he hesitated, as though conflicted.
After several seconds of silent contemplation, he lifted his head.
"Thank you, Lord Third, for your kindness and trust—"
Hiruzen's face brightened.
He had been deeply wary of Yuan after reading his battlefield reports.
He could not allow a second Uchiha prodigy—another threat like Madara or even Shisui—to rise unchecked.
Pulling Yuan toward the village instead of the clan was the ideal solution.
But Yuan continued:
"—however, I must respectfully decline.
As a member of the Uchiha, I intend to join the Police Force."
Hiruzen's smile froze.
His brow twitched, displeasure flashing across his face.
"…Is that so?
How unfortunate.
But joining the Police Force is also a way to serve the village."
He raised his pipe again—
his expression now shadowed behind a veil of smoke.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Yuan bowed, stepped back, and exited the office.
The door slid shut.
Danzō snorted harshly.
"Hiruzen, I told you.
That brat is the same as every other Uchiha—loyal only to their clan, never to the village.
"Hiruzen—
give that boy to me.
Root will mold him properly."
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