This is all Danzo's fault!

In the Uchiha household, Fugaku and his son, Itachi, sat across from each other in silence.

"I'm sorry, Father. I've let you down," Itachi said softly, his head bowed.

Fugaku had always been strict with Itachi. Even as a young boy, he was brought to the battlefield at the age of four to witness firsthand the harsh realities of the ninja world. Knowing his father's high expectations, Itachi had pushed himself hard in his training, striving to meet those demands. But today, he had been defeated in a single strike.

Dennji's speed was overwhelming. Though Itachi's eyes could follow the movements, his body couldn't react in time.

And there was something else that gnawed at him—a lingering doubt he couldn't ignore.

Fugaku's deep voice broke the heavy silence. "There's no need to apologize. You've already achieved much at your age. Mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu and attending school all day is impressive."

Despite his normally stern demeanor, Fugaku's tone held a hint of pride. Itachi's abilities had exceeded his father's initial expectations.

"The Hokage has requested another match against Denji tomorrow. If you perform well, you may be allowed to graduate early," Fugaku explained.

"Don't worry, Father," Itachi said firmly. "I'll give it my all to win."

"Tell me what happened today. I'll help you analyze it," Fugaku prompted.

"Yes, Father."

Although the fight had ended in a single exchange, Itachi shared his observations and concerns. Fugaku's brows furrowed as he considered the details.

"Uchiha throwing techniques combined with Body Flicker Technique…" he mused. "It's likely that Shisui is serving as Denji's instructor."

"Then why didn't Shisui tell me about this?" Itachi asked, unable to hide his confusion.

"This is a mission, Itachi. Denji is Danzo's grandson. Do you think information about him can be shared freely? If Shisui spoke of it, he'd be creating serious trouble for himself and everyone involved."

"I understand, Father," Itachi replied, lowering his head further.

"Ninjas must always be cautious in their words and actions," Fugaku said sternly. "Think before you speak."

With that, he waved a hand, signaling that the matter was settled. "As for tomorrow's fight, the chances of winning are slim, but you mustn't be discouraged. Remember, the true strength of the Uchiha doesn't lie in ordinary ninjutsu or taijutsu. It lies in the Sharingan. Once you awaken your eyes, you'll soon surpass Shimura Denji."

Fugaku's insight told him that the gap between Itachi and Shimura was significant—too great to close overnight. But he believed in his son's potential, knowing that awakening the Sharingan would elevate Itachi's abilities to new heights.

"Go to your room and rest. Conserve your strength. Even if you lose tomorrow, make sure the village sees your talent. That alone will pave the way for your early graduation."

"Yes, Father."

Itachi returned to his room and lay on his bed, replaying the memories from his Shadow Clone. Sleep eluded him as he analyzed every detail, preparing himself for what was to come.

...

Hokage's Office.

"Hokage-sama, these are the test papers of Uchiha Itachi and Shimura Denji," said Kazama Shuichi as he placed the two documents on the desk, his expression complicated.

Hiruzen, busy reviewing other documents, acknowledged the delivery without looking up. He gestured for Shuichi to leave and continued with his work.

Half an hour later, having finished the paperwork, Hiruzen turned his attention to the test papers, curious to see how Denji and Itachi fared academically.

He started with Itachi's paper. As expected, it was flawless. Itachi had scored full marks, demonstrating knowledge and skill far above the average first-year student.

Then he picked up Denji's paper—and froze.

What in the world is this?

The initial multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions were perfectly answered, earning Denji full marks. But when Hiruzen reached the essay portion, he found himself staring at answers so absurd they could've been jokes.

One answer, in particular, made him slam the table in exasperation.

"Is he serious? I've been Hokage for twenty years, and the only achievement he can name is closing the casino?" Hiruzen exclaimed. "Danzo must have taught him this nonsense! That old schemer—what's he done to this poor child?"

Meanwhile, Danzo, who was arranging a new round of conspiracy and assassination missions, suddenly sneezed twice. His face darkened as he muttered, "That old Hiruzen must be badmouthing me behind my back. He's just jealous of my brilliant grandson."

...

The next morning.

With the exams complete, the academy was set to begin a month-long break. The once-bustling campus had grown quiet—except for the training grounds, which remained active after yesterday's tests.

A row of tables had been placed along the training ground's edge. Sitting behind them were Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, and the two elder advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Surrounding them were a handful of Anbu and other high-ranking ninjas, including Uchiha Fugaku.

A few civilians and lower-ranked ninjas who had heard about the spectacle had also gathered to watch. The hype surrounding this match was undeniable.

It wasn't just any sparring session—this was a duel between two of the most talked-about prodigies in the village. One bore the prestigious Uchiha name, and the other was Shimura Danzo's grandson. Their clash had become the topic of the week, and everyone was eager to witness it.

By nine o'clock, Shimura Denji and Uchiha Itachi were standing ten meters apart. The referee, no longer the inexperienced Kazama Shuichi, was now an Anbu with a cat-patterned mask.

"The rules are simple," the Anbu began in a cool, detached tone. "The match ends when one fighter is unable to continue or if I determine the fight can't safely proceed. Now, the conclusion..." 

"No need," Denji cut him off.

The Anbu's masked face tilted slightly in irritation, but before he could respond, he felt several killing intents lock onto him. Clearly, Denji's words were not to be dismissed lightly.

"This is just a continuation of yesterday's fight," Denji continued calmly. "We've already exchanged the seal of opposition. There's no need to make a fuss over formalities."

"Understood," the Anbu replied, retreating slightly.

At the judges' table, Hiruzen turned to Danzo with an amused smile. "Your grandson certainly has his own way of doing things."

Danzo smirked, not taking his eyes off the match. "Perhaps, but he's no Asuma."

Hiruzen's smile faltered. He had been dealing with his rebellious youngest son's antics at home, and hearing Danzo bring him up struck a nerve. Koharu and Homura exchanged amused glances, suppressing their chuckles as the old rivals continued their verbal sparring.