"Keep a low profile?"
"That's right."
Fugaku Uchiha nodded. "I know it would be easy for you to crush those your age, but he who stands tall in the forest invites the storm."
"Your talent might provoke the village's fear toward our clan."
"So… during tomorrow's exam, hold yourself back a little."
After hearing Fugaku Uchiha's words, Mirai Uchiha understood his intentions.
Although he had already known that beneath Fugaku's seemingly steady exterior lay a weak heart, Mirai never expected him to be this cowardly.
He was actually being told to deliberately appear weak during the graduation exam.
He who stands tall in the forest invites the storm?
How ridiculous!
"Weakness won't earn mercy from the strong; it only invites harsher oppression."
"If you want to escape a predicament, never forget to throw a punch."
Mirai replied coolly.
They were in the Uchiha District, so he didn't have to worry about being spied on by the Hokage faction, so he spoke more freely.
He openly mocked Fugaku's suggestion.
If retreating could solve anything, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have been wiped out in the original story.
On the contrary,
Only by displaying sufficient strength can one make schemers wary.
"Do you even know what you're saying?"
Fugaku asked in disbelief.
He couldn't believe that a mere teenager could utter such words.
If these words spread outside, the entire Uchiha Clan might be implicated!
"I absolutely understand what I'm saying. These eyes of mine are also sharp enough to see clearly what lies ahead."
In the darkness, Mirai's crimson Sharingan slowly whirled, exuding a cold and cruel aura. "[The pride of the Uchiha] will never be broken."
After finishing his words, Mirai closed the door.
Constant retreats will only invite further oppression until there's nowhere left to go — and then you fall into an abyss.
The fate of the Uchiha Clan in the original story was solid proof of this.
Staring at the tightly shut door, Fugaku's expression flickered between anger and frustration.
Never had he imagined being lectured by a child.
"Hahaha… Fugaku, I've told you all along that this kid is extraordinary."
"Now do you believe me?"
A cheerful laugh echoed from the shadows.
"Father!"
Seeing Tajima Uchiha, Fugaku quickly bowed respectfully.
"Fugaku, even a child sees more clearly than you do."
"Remember, constant retreat is no wise move."
Hearing Tajima Uchiha's words, Fugaku Uchiha felt a twinge of bitterness. "But… ever since The Second, the village has always kept a close watch on our clan."
"Won't someone like Mirai Uchiha only make the village even more wary of us?"
"Hmph!" Tajima Uchiha wiped the smile off his face. "Fugaku, remember this—you must never feel that we owe the village anything."
After saying that, Tajima sighed and changed his tone slightly.
"My body won't last much longer. When I'm gone, you'll take my place as the head of the Uchiha Clan."
"You're far too soft by nature—always hesitating and overthinking. You must learn to be more decisive."
"Mirai Uchiha can be a valuable asset. Be sure to maintain good relations with him."
Upon hearing Tajima's instructions, Fugaku immediately replied respectfully, "Yes, Father."
However,
a flicker of disdain flickered through his thoughts.
In Fugaku's eyes, Mirai Uchiha was like a ticking time bomb destined to bring disaster upon the Uchiha Clan.
Such a person should be kept at arm's length as soon as possible.
...
Ninja Academy.
Classroom.
"Today is graduation exam day. Once we pass, we can officially become real Ninja."
"That's right. Soon I'll have my very own forehead protector."
"Hahahaha… Once we become Ninja, we'll start taking missions. Just thinking about it gets me excited."
"Just you wait—the world will soon come to know my name!"
"Don't boast so much. First, just try passing the graduation exam."
"I hope I don't end up in the same team as Mirai Uchiha. That'd be a real headache."
"Yeah, fighting alongside that guy? Pure bad luck."
As the graduation exam approached, most students wore expressions brimming with excitement and anticipation.
Becoming a Ninja, inheriting the Will of Fire...
This was a moment of true honor!
Just then, Mirai Uchiha entered the classroom.
Upon seeing his figure, the room instantly fell silent.
Everyone silently watched Mirai Uchiha until he sat at his desk, then the murmurs resumed—this time much quieter.
"Tch~"
"It's because of guys like him that the Uchiha Clan's reputation is in ruins."
Obito Uchiha couldn't help muttering under his breath.
Who the heck does he think he's impressing with that cold act all the time?
"Obito!" Rin Nohara frowned lightly. "Don't talk about classmates behind their backs."
Hearing Rin speak, Obito Uchiha reluctantly nodded but turned around and made a face at Mirai Uchiha. "You better not end up facing me in this graduation exam, or you might not even graduate."
Unlike the original story when the Twelve Shinobi Genin took their graduation exams,
this time's graduation exam wasn't testing basic ninjutsu like Clone Jutsu or Transformation Jutsu, but instead adopted a one-on-one battle format through random draw.
The examiners would decide whether candidates could successfully graduate based on their performance in combat.
Facing Obito's provocation, Mirai Uchiha calmly replied with three words: "Dead Last."
"What did you say?!"
Obito immediately became furious.
He had always dreamed of becoming Hokage, and despised being called "Dead Last" more than anything else.
"Obito!"
"Calm down a bit."
Seeing Obito stomp onto the table, Rin let out a resigned sigh.
"Rin, let go of me! Today I'm definitely giving this guy a lesson!"
Obito shouted loudly.
"Hmph!"
"Obito, do you really think you can take on Mirai?" sitting beside Mirai Uchiha, Kurenai Yuhi looked at Obito disapprovingly. "If you ended up paired against Mirai, you probably wouldn't even get a chance to fight back."
"Nonsense!" Obito snapped. "I've been preparing a secret technique recently! There's no way Mirai Uchiha is my match."
"A secret technique?"
"You better be scared! You should pray we don't end up in the same group, or I won't hold back at all."
Just as Obito was gloating, Instructor Kunayama walked into the classroom.
"Quiet, everyone! Follow me to the playground now—the exam is about to begin!"
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