"The moment the match began, I released Lightning Release: Fierce Flash. In daylight, this technique is hard to notice. You tried to seize the initiative by casting a genjutsu through eye contact—
But that only put you at a disadvantage."
The light at Kiyoshi's fingertips grew brighter,
Like a magnifying glass focusing sunlight into a burning point.
Watching the flickering glow in his hand,
Asuma felt a faint dizziness.
He quickly shook his head to clear it.
"Asuma Sarutobi, you're strong.
Unfortunately… I'm an Uchiha."
Kiyoshi stopped channeling the genjutsu through his fingertips and spoke calmly.
"Asuma! You lost just like that?"
Obito shouted from behind.
Asuma's already flushed face turned even redder.
"I… this counts as losing? If we were competing in something else, I definitely wouldn't lose like this!"
At this moment,
Asuma was filled with regret.
Acting on impulse,
Trying to show off in front of Kurenai—
He had chosen to challenge an Uchiha in genjutsu.
If it had been a Fire Release battle,
There was no way he would have been defeated instantly.
But in genjutsu—
His performance had been utterly miserable.
Kiyoshi was already this strong without the Sharingan…
If he used it—
Just how terrifying would his genjutsu become?
"The Sarutobi clan and the Uchiha clan are both great clans.
It's just that the Uchiha specialize more in genjutsu."
Kiyoshi patted Asuma's shoulder,
Giving him a way to save face.
"…That's right."
Asuma nodded.
It wasn't that he was weak—
It was that Kiyoshi's genjutsu was simply exceptional, even without the Sharingan.
"Asuma, don't be discouraged."
Kurenai comforted him softly.
She understood how he felt.
After all,
She herself had been defeated by Kiyoshi in a single move before.
Fortunately,
She had been smart enough to pay Kiyoshi for guidance.
Her genjutsu had improved significantly since then.
"…Alright."
Faced with Kurenai's concern,
Asuma could only nod silently.
Saying anything more
Would only make him seem petty.
In the end—
He bore everything alone.
Pretending nothing had happened,
Asuma stood up and returned to the crowd.
"Got any chips? Give me some."
His voice carried a hint of melancholy.
Akimichi Domaru took out a bag and handed it to him.
"Uchiha Kiyoshi… interesting."
Genma Shiranui said with a toothpick in his mouth.
Ebisu nodded in agreement, adjusting his round black glasses.
"I wonder if he'll graduate early. His progress is completely different from ours."
"Probably."
Genma glanced at Obito.
A clan as powerful as the Uchiha
Would never lack ninjutsu or early training.
Kiyoshi had likely received plenty of private instruction within the clan.
"Alright, everyone—gather up."
The chunin instructor, Umino Uru, blew his whistle,
Calling all students to assemble.
He had watched the entire battle between Kiyoshi and Asuma.
"Impressive."
He thought to himself.
In just half a month of special training,
Asuma's genjutsu had improved significantly.
As expected of the Third Hokage's son.
"But what's truly surprising is Uchiha Kiyoshi…
He suppressed Asuma without even using the Sharingan."
This was what shocked him the most.
The fame of the Sharingan
Was known throughout the ninja world.
If Kiyoshi had won using it,
Everyone would have found it natural.
Just like how the Uchiha were widely regarded as an elite clan—
Even mission requests often specified Uchiha ninjas by name.
But Kiyoshi hadn't relied on the Sharingan.
He had relied on his own genjutsu ability.
And that—
Revealed his terrifying learning capability.
Whether in taijutsu or genjutsu—
He was a genius.
"If he masters the Three Basic Techniques in a short time…
This child might become a true all-round genius."
Umino Uru felt a chill in his heart.
Even Kakashi, the White Fang's son who had already graduated—
Couldn't necessarily be called well-rounded.
At the very least,
In genjutsu,
He couldn't compare to an Uchiha like Kiyoshi.
After all the students had gathered,
Umino Uru gave a brief talk,
Then dismissed them back to class.
Meanwhile,
He took out a performance evaluation sheet
Already marked with symbols.
In the genjutsu column—
He drew a "○".
"Uchiha Kiyoshi: Ninjutsu △, Taijutsu ○, Genjutsu ○, Class Attitude ○, Initiative △, Social Adaptability △."
A "○" meant excellent,
A "△" meant average,
And the worst was marked with "×".
Since he wasn't sure about Kiyoshi's current ninjutsu level,
He based it on last month's Clone Technique performance and marked it as "△".
He then added detailed notes beneath the sheet,
Recording the entire genjutsu test.
After finishing Kiyoshi's evaluation,
He continued marking the rest of the class.
Final exams were approaching—
This was a necessary assessment.
All records were confidential,
And would ultimately be sealed in the Hokage building archives.
Upon graduation,
A final evaluation would be conducted,
Combining exam results and years of performance records
Into an official ninja profile.
These files—
Were permanent.
Unchangeable.
Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi finished processing a batch of documents,
Then looked at a stack of yellow-wrapped files handed over by an ANBU ninja.
"Hokage-sama, please review."
The ANBU spoke respectfully,
Then disappeared—
Returning to the shadows to guard him.
Hiruzen replaced the burnt-out tobacco in his pipe,
Lit a fresh one,
And took a slow puff before opening the file.
"Uchiha… Kiyoshi."
He found Kiyoshi's evaluation sheet.
"He defeated Asuma?"
Hiruzen tapped his pipe,
Knocking off a bit of ash.
No wonder that boy had recently been pestering veteran clan members
To train him in genjutsu.
Hiruzen pulled out the next evaluation sheet.
He possessed the technique Ninjutsu: Telescope Technique,
Which allowed long-distance surveillance through a crystal ball.
However,
It had many limitations—
One needed to know the target's chakra signature.
That requirement alone made it troublesome.
And it was impossible for him to monitor all of Konoha alone.
Thus,
He rarely used it.
"…A storm is coming."
After a long pause,
Hiruzen sighed.
Uchiha Kiyoshi's background was clean.
Tests showed he hadn't learned any ninjutsu before.
Ever since bringing him back,
He had sent people to investigate the Land of Lightning.
To this day—
There had been no second case like Kiyoshi.
And given the nature of that nation,
They would never do something as foolish as sending an Uchiha as a spy.
But what worried Hiruzen the most—
Was something else.
The ninja world…
Was no longer at peace.
— End of Chapter —