Early morning.
An early-rising tuxedo cat stopped Obito, who was also up early to buy gifts.
Motomu pulled his gaze back from his little brother.
"Wow!"
A purple-haired girl jumped in front of Motomu, just like the black cat had stopped Obito.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"Don't you guys have the morning off?"
Motomu kept his hands in his pockets, looking helplessly at the grinning Anko.
"I got up early to pick out gifts for you and Kakashi!"
"A gift for me?"
Motomu's brow twitched. Looking at Anko, whose face practically screamed that she was a little rich girl, he couldn't help but reach out and flick her forehead.
"Where did you get the money?"
"Ouch!"
Anko covered her forehead with her small hands, puffing out her cheeks as she glared at Motomu.
"Lord Orochimaru has been in a good mood lately and gave me thirty thousand ryo for living expenses, hehe!"
Hmm?
Orochimaru is in a good mood?
Hiss!
Could that guy have actually refined something?
'Judging by Anko's expression, she probably doesn't know. I should find a chance to ask Orochimaru...'
"Motomu, what are you saying?"
"Hmph! Are you jealous?"
Anko proudly tilted her round face, her purple ponytail swaying with the movement.
"Alright, little rich girl. My gift just needs to be practical."
Motomu stopped and pushed open the closed mahogany doors of the Ninja Academy.
"Good luck, Motomu!"
"Yeah."
Waving his hand, Motomu walked inside.
After turning a corner in the hallway.
A classroom door was standing open in front of him.
Bright light spilled out, shining on Kakashi, who had just stepped in.
"Yo, you're here."
"Just in time."
Motomu and Kakashi entered together.
The scene inside came into view.
Five figures sat behind a C-shaped podium.
In the very center, a bearded old man wearing a Hokage hat and the white robes of the Third Hokage nodded kindly at the two of them.
"Kakashi, Motomu."
"Now that everyone is here, let the exam begin."
Teacher Oki spoke to them and immediately started the test.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was personally supervising.
This scene was the same as in the original story, so Motomu wasn't surprised.
But why was this squinty-eyed old man here too!
Motomu's gaze imperceptibly flicked to Danzo, who was sitting next to the Hokage.
'Why is this guy staring at me?'
'Look at Kakashi too!'
'Don't tell me Root needs me.'
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal was no joke.
Just as Motomu grew wary, Teacher Oki announced the topic.
"The exam topic: Transformation Jutsu."
"Begin!"
Oh no, why is it this jutsu?
Wasn't it the Clone Jutsu?
For the exam, Motomu had specifically practiced the Clone Jutsu, and for survival, he had practiced the Substitution Jutsu, but he had no interest in the Transformation Jutsu.
He could use the Sharingan to copy Kakashi.
Being noticed by the Third wasn't a big deal; as his grand-student, he'd likely just get some surface-level praise.
But Motomu hadn't expected Danzo to be there.
If he was targeted by that eyeball collector, Motomu felt his Big Eyeballs would be in danger.
Seeing that Kakashi had already raised his hand.
'I can only hope the partnership between Orochimaru and Danzo is harmonious.'
Motomu had no more time to think; he immediately activated his Sharingan to copy Kakashi's movements.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
Kakashi and Motomu completed the seals simultaneously, both transforming into the likeness of Teacher Oki.
Danzo's squinted eyes widened slightly.
"So this is the Sharingan."
"Even a child can use it; truly extraordinary."
Clearly, Danzo had seen through Motomu's little move.
Ever since his fallout with Orochimaru.
The Hashirama cells project had ground to a halt.
He had no way to deal with Orochimaru, who had suddenly become strange for some unknown reason.
With the scientific power of his Root subordinates greatly reduced.
The research plan had to pivot to the Uchiha, who were slightly inferior to the Hashirama lineage.
However, to Danzo's relief, while the highly anticipated Hashirama cells had yielded no results, the compatibility of the Sharingan delighted him.
"You passed."
After a surprised glance at Danzo, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, spoke in a vigorous voice, still in his prime.
"Congratulations. You are now Genin."
"The Will of Fire..."
The lecture, which lasted half an hour, finally ended.
Motomu and Kakashi finally received their headbands.
Like a regular ninja, Motomu tied the leaf-crested headband around his forehead, tightening the ribbon.
Feeling the headband pressed against his brow, a slight sense of pride rose in his heart.
No little assistant, no Deep Blue system—this was a headband earned by his own merit, learning ninjutsu bit by bit.
"I'm a ninja!"
"A pretty good one, too."
He glanced at the silver-haired Kakashi beside him.
Motomu rested a hand on the other's shoulder.
"Kakashi, what kind of gifts do you think they'll send?"
With a creak, the academy gates opened.
Obito, Rin, Guy, Anko, and others were waiting outside.
"Brother Motomu, and stuck-up Kakashi!"
Seeing the headbands on their foreheads, Obito's envy was palpable.
"These are gifts for Kakashi and Motomu."
"Congratulations on graduating early."
Rin was the first to step forward and hand over a gift box.
The friends stepped forward one by one.
Taking Anko's gift, Motomu was slightly taken aback.
He lifted the cloth bag embroidered with a fan pattern and asked curiously.
"What's this?"
"New clothes."
"Try them on quickly and see if they fit."
"I spent a long time picking them out at the Uchiha clothing store."
Unwrapping the package, a dark blue, high-collared top appeared before Motomu.
It had that very familiar Uchiha flavor, looking much like what the academy Sasuke wore in the original story.
Under Anko's expectant gaze, her large eyes sparkling.
Motomu took off his casual clothes.
His lean upper body was exposed; under his fair child-like skin, the faint outlines of muscles were already beginning to show.
Taking off his clothes in front of so many people...
He felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing Anko's hopeful eyes, Motomu braced himself and changed into the new clothes.
During the wardrobe change.
The moment the necklace Anko had given him, which hung around his neck, was revealed.
Instantly, the girls from Class 1 and Class 2 recognized it.
"Wait, isn't that the protective charm Anko-chan was wearing before?"
"Why is it on Motomu-kun?"
"Could it be..."
"Ah, I'm dying."
"Hehe, what a steal! Seeing someone else's boyfriend's physique is totally worth it."
...
Amidst the whispers.
Little Anko's face turned beet red.
Overwhelmed with shyness, she circled Motomu once, her bright eyes shimmering.
"I told you this color would suit you!"
"Uchihas always look good in high-collared clothes."
Motomu stretched his sleeves; the smooth texture of the fabric brushed against his arms like silk.
"I bet that's what the shop assistant told you."
"That's why you bought this one."
"Hehe!"
Obito's eyes were full of envy.
He turned his head to look at Rin, who was staring at Motomu and Anko with a motherly smile.
'When will Rin pick out clothes for me?'
"Hey, where's yours?"
Kakashi's familiar voice rang in Obito's ear.
He turned to look; on the other side, amidst the group of girls, Kakashi was holding out his hand towards him.
Oops!
I only thought about buying a gift for my big brother and forgot about stuck-up Kakashi.
The guilt that had just started to sprout in Obito's heart was immediately snuffed out by him.
"Hmph! Who'd want to give you a gift?"
"Idiot Kakashi."