He had handed Root over to Danzo to manage
The result? Root had become nothing more than Danzo's personal fiefdom.
If even Konoha's Uchiha policies were left solely in Danzo's hands, who knew what kind of catastrophic consequences might follow?
"Hmph. Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
With a flick of his robe, Shimura Danzo stormed out.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had clearly forgotten the teachings of the Second Hokage. This soft approach toward the Uchiha... it would be the village's undoing.
"Sigh..."
Hiruzen turned to the window. In the distance, his own face stared back at him from the Hokage Rock.
Moments later, he summoned an ANBU operative and was handed a report.
It was a full intelligence file on Uchiha Keiji—detailing his every performance at the Ninja Academy.
The Next Day — Ninja Academy
"Next match: Kakashi vs. Might Guy."
With Iruka Umino's voice echoing through the yard, a silver-haired boy and a green jumpsuit-clad youth stepped into the arena.
They clasped hands in the seal of confrontation. The match began.
Below the platform, Obito clenched his fists with anticipation.
He had trained relentlessly these past few days, sacrificing sleep and comfort, all for this moment—to redeem himself.
"Obito, don't go losing to that new guy—Uchiha Keiji,"
Genma Shiranui teased, a toothpick dangling from his lips.
"Hmph! I'm here to prove myself! From now on, I'm no longer the class dunce!"
Obito gave a confident thumbs-up, grinning wide.
"Whoa, really now?"
Genma raised an eyebrow, but deep down, he was already half-convinced.
Sure, both Obito and Keiji were from the Uchiha clan—but Keiji was a transfer student. Their training time and resources weren't even close.
Even if Obito was the class underdog, surely he could handle a rookie like Keiji… right?
"Just don't embarrass yourself."
"Watch me shine."
Obito turned his head, searching the crowd—for Rin Nohara.
All he wanted… was for her to notice him.
"Next up: Keiji vs. Obito! Hey! Obito, are you even listening?"
Iruka Umino's voice rose sharply.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Obito jolted and shoved through the crowd, stepping into the center of the training ground.
"Don't say I didn't warn you—I won't hold back!"
As he formed the seal of confrontation, Obito smirked.
"This is a fair match. I wouldn't expect anything less."
Keiji returned the seal, expression calm and composed.
Without waiting, Obito charged forward
A straight punch!
Keiji tilted slightly and dodged with ease.
Obito twisted mid-air into a spinning kick
Keiji shifted his stance, dropped low, caught the leg with his left hand, and reached with his right to slam Obito into the ground.
Mid-throw, Obito drew a kunai from his tool pouch.
Clang!
Sparks flew as their kunai clashed with a dull ring.
Back and forth they went—neither dominating, both exchanging blow for blow.
It was Keiji's first real sparring match.
His movements were raw and unpolished, yet even in battle, he didn't feel pressured.
No wonder people called Obito the class dunce—he was weak, and it showed.
According to the Ninja Battle Record, Obito's total score was only 36—across all eight core ninja skills.
It was the same score Haruno Sakura had during her early Genin days.
Sure, stats didn't tell the whole story, but Obito's current level was… average at best.
He would only start to grow stronger once the battlefield tempered him and awakened his Sharingan.
"Who do you think'll win?"
The match between two Uchiha students had drawn everyone's attention.
"My money's on Obito. He is an Uchiha, after all."
"Yeah, same here."
Whispers buzzed across the classroom.
"Who do you think will win, Kakashi?"
Rin turned to him.
"Hard to say. Keiji has the edge."
Kakashi tugged at his disheveled scarf, still messy from his match with Guy.
"Huh? Why?"
Rin blinked, surprised by his answer.
Like most of the class, she had assumed Obito would win.
After all, he had been training far longer than Keiji, who had only recently transferred in.
"The truth is, most of the students here can't even perform the three basic jutsu needed to graduate," Kakashi said plainly.
"I get it now. That's why everyone relies on taijutsu or throwing weapons like shuriken," Rin replied thoughtfully.
She turned toward Keiji, studying him more closely.
"Wait… he looks… stronger than before?"
Rin frowned slightly.
He used to be on the thin side, but now his physique had filled out—lean, balanced, and composed.
"You're not wrong. His talent in taijutsu is exceptional. It compensates for his lack of experience."
Kakashi nodded.
And sure enough, the battle shifted just moments after he said so.
Obito was panting heavily, backing away as he hurled three shuriken.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Keiji deflected them all with pinpoint accuracy using his kunai.
Even without activating his Sharingan, the power of his ocular bloodline had already begun enhancing his body.
The pupil force flowed through his limbs, boosting his natural reflexes and strength.
His eyesight, too, was sharper than before.
To Keiji, Obito's exhausted shuriken throws looked… agonizingly slow.
"No more tricks left, Obito?"
Keiji said calmly.
He hadn't even activated his Sharingan yet.
"Hmph! I was just going easy on you earlier!"
Obito wiped sweat from his brow, trying to save face.
But inside, he was reeling.
How is Keiji so fit? Doesn't he get tired?
Obito glanced at him—barely any sweat at all.
Is this what people from the Land of Lightning are like…?
Obito clicked his tongue in frustration.
But he had no time to rest.
Keiji charged again, kunai in hand.
Obito rushed to block with his own.
But in the next instant
BAM!
Keiji pivoted, planted his left foot, and delivered a powerful kick with his right.
Obito flew backward and crashed to the ground.
"Ow—ow ow ow!"
He clutched his waist, wincing in pain.
"You've lost."
Keiji's kunai was now at Obito's throat.
"Winner—Uchiha Keiji!"
Iruka Umino hesitated for a moment, then made the call.
Even he hadn't expected this outcome.
How strong was this kid's kick?
Just one hit had left Obito crying out in pain.
"Thanks for the match."
Keiji calmly returned his kunai to his tool pouch and stepped back into the crowd.
[Runner's Endurance (White Grade)]
→ Leg strength increased by 5%.
Already blessed with the Yagetsu Clan's physical gifts, Keiji's kick had become even more explosive.
As the results sank in, the noisy crowd suddenly quieted.
The development was… unexpected.
Could this transfer student, Uchiha Keiji, be a genius like Kakashi?
That thought echoed through the minds of more than a few classmates.