Both Kakashi and Shisui could not conceal their surprise as they observed the determination blazing in Sasuke and Naruto's eyes during their declarations.
"Surpassing his brother Itachi and restoring the clan's power?" Kakashi mused silently. Compared to the gentle-natured Itachi, Sasuke's personality seemed to mirror their father Fugaku's—proud, ambitious, and intensely focused on the clan's standing.
Over the years, through the combined efforts of Minato-sensei and Uchiha Yoruki, relations between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership had improved significantly. Yet despite these advances, the Uchiha—who served as the village's police force—remained deliberately excluded from Konoha's true power structure by the village elders.
Even though Uchiha Yoruki, Shisui, and Itachi now held key positions within ANBU, their contributions to the village remained classified, unknown to the general public. Given these circumstances, Sasuke's dream of elevating his clan was understandable, if politically sensitive. Such ambitions would need careful guidance, as they touched upon boundaries that Konoha's senior leadership considered inviolable.
"That's quite the ambitious dream," Shisui remarked with a smile, considering Naruto's declaration. The current Fourth Hokage was widely acknowledged as the most powerful shinobi in the world, and each previous Hokage had been a legendary figure who defined their era.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had possessed power that rivaled the mythical Sage of Six Paths. Perhaps Naruto didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of his stated goal, but even a shinobi as gifted as Shisui had never entertained such lofty aspirations for himself.
Yet somehow, looking at Minato's son, Shisui couldn't dismiss the possibility. Minato had revealed to him the secret sealed within Naruto—if the boy could learn to fully control the Nine-Tails' power as Killer B of Kumogakure had mastered the Eight-Tails, Naruto might indeed surpass his father's legendary abilities.
Of course, Shisui was comparing him to Minato during the Third Shinobi World War. More than a decade had passed since that conflict, and Konoha's Yellow Flash hadn't displayed his full power in battle since. Though conventional wisdom suggested a shinobi's growth would eventually plateau, Shisui found it difficult to believe Minato had already reached his limit.
"My name is Namikaze Chiharu," the young kunoichi continued with a gentle smile. "I most enjoy spending time with my family and friends. As for dislikes... I suppose training would be at the top of that list. My dream is simple: to live happily with everyone, every day, forever."
"My name is Shin," the gray-haired boy added. "Drawing is my favorite activity, and what I dislike most are people who believe their perspective is the only correct one."
As the remaining introductions concluded, both newly appointed jōnin instructors reflected on the diverse personalities displayed by their young charges.
The situation didn't affect Shisui as deeply; his own academy graduation had been atypical compared to most students. But for Kakashi, the scene evoked powerful memories of the day Team Minato had first gathered at Training Ground Seven, so many years ago.
Hadn't they been just like this then? Full of dreams and determination?
Back then, Kakashi had aspired to become a powerful shinobi like his father. Now, having nearly achieved that goal, he found himself haunted by the absence of those who should have witnessed his journey.
Though Rin and Obito were gone, their dreams—their will—lived on. The duty to protect the village fell to those who remained.
"I understand your aspirations," Kakashi said, his typically lazy demeanor suddenly sharpening. "Tomorrow, I'll test whether you possess the qualities needed to become true shinobi capable of fulfilling those dreams."
His visible eye narrowed as he added, "If you fail this test, all three of you will return to the Academy to begin your training anew."
"What?" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. Like many new graduates, she hadn't realized that passing the Academy's graduation exam was merely the first hurdle on the path to becoming a ninja.
The Academy assessment evaluated their academic progress and basic techniques, but mastering a few fundamental jutsu didn't qualify anyone as a true shinobi. Both Sasuke and Sai's expressions grew serious as they recognized the gravity of Kakashi's warning.
Across the village, Shisui delivered a similar message with his characteristic gentle smile.
"Although you've already passed one jōnin's assessment," he explained, looking at Shin before shifting his gaze to Naruto and Chiharu, "you're all still untested in my eyes. If you can't pass my evaluation, you'll need to return to the Academy like any other student."
"Understood," Shin responded with a nod. While he had joined Shisui's team with a specific mission assigned by Danzō, he found himself increasingly uncertain about that task. The Uchiha Shisui before him seemed markedly different from the typical Uchiha clan members he'd encountered previously.
"Bring it on!" Naruto leapt to his feet, his face alight with fighting spirit rather than apprehension. He understood instinctively that if he couldn't overcome this challenge, his dream of becoming a Hokage who surpassed all predecessors would remain forever out of reach. He wanted to be remembered for his own accomplishments, not as someone's shadow.
"Sure," Chiharu responded casually. Whether she passed the exam or not wasn't her primary concern. Her happiness depended on remaining close to her brother and friends; everything else was secondary.
Both jōnin's eyes gleamed with approval at their students' responses. "Everyone, gather at Training Ground Seven tomorrow morning at nine o'clock," they instructed their respective teams.
In an instant, both Kakashi and Shisui vanished from sight, leaving their stunned students behind.
The six genin displayed markedly different reactions to this development. From Kakashi's team, Sasuke departed from the rooftop without a word to his teammates.
"Chiharu, please head home first," Naruto told his sister. "There's something I need to do." Then he too disappeared in a blur of movement.
Remarkably, both Naruto and Sasuke found themselves drawn to the same location—the training grounds nestled in the hills behind Konoha. At the entrance to the secluded area, they encountered one another.
For a moment, the rivals stood facing each other before exchanging knowing smiles.
"Don't you dare get eliminated tomorrow," Sasuke said with uncharacteristic warmth.
"Same to you," Naruto replied, grinning.
With that brief exchange, they darted off in different directions, each claiming a separate clearing for their personal training.
The open space Sasuke chose contained several practice targets, their centers marked with countless cuts and punctures from previous sessions. While Sasuke typically trained at the Uchiha compound's facilities, he had established this private area for additional practice away from observing eyes.
Apart from Naruto, who had stumbled upon him here once before, no one—not even his brother Itachi—knew about this training ground. Sasuke withdrew a jet-black shuriken from his equipment pouch, his eyes intensely focused as they identified multiple targets simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Naruto landed in another clearing. After briefly scanning the surrounding forest to ensure his privacy, he brought his hands together to form a familiar seal.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
The quiet training ground suddenly erupted with popping sounds as hundreds of identical shadow clones materialized, filling the formerly empty space with a small army of determined Narutos.