Due to Fugaku's attack, the Chunin Exams came to an abrupt end.
However, that did not mean none of the Genin were promoted.
Afterward, the village held a small supplementary evaluation for the finalists to determine which candidates were qualified to become Chunin.
In the end, Kakashi claimed first place with ease.
His reputation as a genius once again spread throughout the Land of Fire, and he enjoyed every moment of the attention.
Yet the biggest winner of these Chunin Exams was not Kakashi.
It was Obito.
During Fugaku's attack, Obito had initially evacuated with the rest of the Uchiha Clan. However, worried about Rin's safety, he secretly slipped away midway through the evacuation to search for her.
Honestly, did his mother know he was this hopelessly devoted?
Of course, it wouldn't be Obito if something didn't go wrong.
While searching for Rin, he was struck by a massive chunk of stone that had broken off from the Third Hokage's monument. The falling debris crushed his leg on the spot.
When sheer determination could no longer stop Obito from chasing after a girl, fate apparently decided to use a rock instead.
No one knew what kind of emotional revelation he experienced while pinned beneath that stone, but at that critical moment, he awakened the Sharingan.
Not long afterward, the Uchiha search and rescue team found him. A missing Genin from the clan was impossible to ignore.
Perhaps the stimulus wasn't strong enough, or perhaps he was simply too young.
Unlike the original timeline, Obito did not awaken a two-tomoe Sharingan immediately. He only awakened a single-tomoe Sharingan.
Even so, he was incredibly pleased with himself.
Awakening the Sharingan meant a significant increase in strength.
Unfortunately, that did not erase the fact that he had been knocked unconscious by Guy's kick during the exams.
As a result, he missed the opportunity to become a Chunin.
There was nothing unfair about it.
This time, all three members of Team One were promoted.
Kakashi's promotion was a given. As the champion of the exams, his qualification was unquestionable.
Asuma had received elite training since childhood, and with Hayashi's additional guidance, he had more than enough ability to earn the rank.
Guy's situation was a little different.
Only specializing in taijutsu was indeed a significant weakness.
Furthermore, Chunin evaluations tested not only combat ability but also leadership and command skills. While Guy was somewhat lacking in those areas, his contract with the snakes helped compensate for many of his shortcomings.
Since all three had successfully become Chunin, Hayashi naturally prepared gifts for them.
The gifts for Asuma and Guy were ordinary enough.
Kakashi's was not.
To compensate for certain deficiencies in the young genius's life experience, Hayashi personally gifted him a copy of Icha Icha Paradise signed by Jiraiya himself.
Kakashi looked utterly disgusted.
Hayashi, however, knew better.
Beneath that cold exterior was the heart of a hidden pervert.
He was confident that it would not be long before Kakashi became one of Jiraiya's most loyal readers, carrying the book everywhere with his trademark dead-fish eyes and occasionally suspicious smile.
From a certain perspective, Rin was the real victim.
She had fallen for a boy who went from a cool and talented prodigy to someone whose hobbies became increasingly questionable.
Then again, who had not made questionable romantic choices during their youth?
Many childhood crushes faded with age.
Just like Ino's obsession with Sasuke eventually disappeared as she matured.
Compared to Sakura, Ino's future would likely turn out much better.
Which only meant that Obito still had a very long road ahead of him.
Of course, Guy did too.
Putting aside the complicated relationship issues of the next generation, Hayashi brought Minato and Nawaki to the Uchiha Clan Compound that evening.
More specifically, to Naka Shrine.
Naka Shrine served as the gathering place of the Uchiha Clan.
Ordinarily, outsiders were forbidden from entering.
But Hayashi was the clan head.
He could bring whoever he wished.
The three descended deep beneath the shrine.
As candles were lit one after another, an ancient stone tablet emerged from the darkness before Minato and Nawaki.
"I didn't expect something like this to exist beneath your shrine," Nawaki said, curiously examining the underground chamber.
"The Third Hokage and the other village leaders know this place exists," Hayashi explained.
The four senior leaders of Konoha were aware of it.
The Uchiha gathered here frequently, and that alone was enough to keep them cautious.
Of course, their concern focused on what the Uchiha discussed during those meetings rather than the location itself.
To them, this was merely an underground chamber.
If they knew a stone tablet left behind by the Sage of Six Paths was hidden here, containing secrets that could shake the entire ninja world, they would view it very differently.
Someone like Danzō might even find an excuse to relocate it to Root and reward the clan with a commemorative banner afterward.
"You two are probably only the second and third non-Uchiha to enter this place."
The candlelight flickered across the chamber as Hayashi gestured for them to sit.
Before bringing them here, he had already established a barrier and used Sage Mode to carefully survey the surroundings.
No one was listening.
"Who was the first?" Minato asked.
"The first was Nawaki's grandfather, the First Hokage."
"My grandfather?"
"That's right."
Hayashi nodded.
"Before Madara left Konoha, he met with the First Hokage here."
Because the village leadership had deliberately suppressed much of that history, Madara's name had gradually faded from public memory.
Very few people knew that Hashirama and Madara had once been close friends.
Most assumed they had always been enemies.
Hayashi only gave a brief summary of that era.
The clan's Grand Elder had personally lived through the Warring States Period, so using him as a source avoided unnecessary questions.
"Madara brought the First Hokage here because of this stone tablet."
Hayashi looked toward the ancient monument.
"It was left behind by the Sage of Six Paths."
"The Sage of Six Paths?"
Compared to Minato's astonishment, Nawaki accepted the revelation more easily.
The Senju Clan had existed for over a thousand years. Although much of their history had been lost, fragments remained.
As a result, Nawaki possessed a deeper understanding of the Sage of Six Paths than most shinobi born outside the great clans.
"This stone tablet does not merely record information about the Sharingan."
Hayashi's expression became serious.
"It also contains a path toward peace."
Silence filled the chamber.
Minato and Nawaki were both stunned.
After a long pause, Hayashi continued.
"There are inscriptions written upon the tablet. Uchiha clan members can only read portions of it after awakening the Sharingan."
"The amount visible depends on the number of tomoe."
"Those who awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan can read even more. What it reveals is a shocking history, one that contains secrets about the very origins of shinobi."
Using genjutsu, Hayashi projected Kaguya's story directly into their minds.
The tale unfolded before them.
The Ten-Tails.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
When the vision ended, Nawaki remained frozen in place.
"Are the Ten-Tails and the Infinite Tsukuyomi really real?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Minato had already focused on another issue.
"The path to peace mentioned on the tablet..."
"Most of the history is true," Hayashi replied. "But the Infinite Tsukuyomi itself is false. It is merely a dream."
Disappointment flashed across Minato's face.
For a moment, he had believed there truly existed a method capable of ending all conflict.
Then Hayashi smiled.
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi cannot create genuine peace."
"But it can help us achieve the peace we seek."
Minato immediately leaned forward.
"How?"
"It's simple."
Hayashi spoke calmly.
"Once everyone in the ninja world is trapped within the Infinite Tsukuyomi, we use another genjutsu through the God Tree and cast it upon every shinobi."
"This genjutsu will plant the seeds of peace within their hearts."
Minato and Nawaki stared at him.
Hayashi's smile widened slightly.
"I call this technique..."
"Infinite Tsukuyomi: Kotoamatsukami: Inception: Peace!"
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