As Kiyoshi rested and contemplated his future path, calmly gazing ahead,
Tomei Meimei in the stands felt increasingly uneasy.
"This guy…"
She clenched her small hands. Ever since she could remember, no one had ever unsettled her mind like this.
She felt an urge to rush down and confront him immediately.
Meimei couldn't understand—Kiyoshi, seemingly strong, handsome, and fair-skinned, would dare to humiliate her in this way.
The combination of old grudges, new resentments, and Kiyoshi's provocative demeanor made her even angrier.
"If I get matched against Kiyoshi, I'll avenge you, Meimei,"
Kaguya Seiya suppressed his excitement. He was growing increasingly impressed with Kiyoshi.
Through his Sharingan, Kiyoshi clearly saw Meimei's expression and Seiya's eagerness to jump in.
He withdrew his gaze and focused back on the ongoing battles.
The third round began at nine in the morning and would conclude by the afternoon.
Only a little over thirty candidates had made it to this round, with only a few set to be promoted.
Kiyoshi only needed to defeat three consecutive opponents to advance.
As time passed, Kiyoshi easily overcame every challenger.
Unfortunately, he didn't face any truly strong opponents, not even matching with Kaguya Seiya.
"Uchiha Kiyoshi, promoted!"
The chief examiner announced loudly, amplifying his voice with chakra so it would reach the entire arena.
"Uchiha Kiyoshi seems invincible among Genin, doesn't he?"
"Not just Genin—I suspect even seasoned Chunin might fall to him."
After the announcement, Kiyoshi left the lower arena and walked to the stands above, where spectators whispered among themselves.
His first match had already stunned them—the unmatched speed, and mastery of Fire Release!
At his age, having grasped the technique of chakra flow, he made many veteran ninja who had trained with ninja swords their entire lives feel ashamed.
Your starting point is his finishing line—how can one compare?
"Misato, earlier you guided Kiyoshi to acquire 'Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique,' right?"
Fugaku asked suddenly. He and Misato were seated in the stands.
Several Uchiha had reached the third round; as a clan elder, Fugaku naturally came to observe.
Being a Chunin meant entry into Konoha's official police force, a stable monthly salary, essentially a secure career.
"Yes."
Misato's dark, clear eyes followed Kiyoshi walking toward Yuuhi Akane and Asuma Sarutobi.
She had indeed guided him to acquire the Great Fireball Technique, yet Kiyoshi's fireball appeared much larger than theirs.
"Perhaps the child has exceptional talent in this area,"
Misato concluded, a logical and self-consistent deduction. Otherwise, she couldn't explain Kiyoshi's genius.
"Also, there were rumors that Kiyoshi had awakened the Sharingan in both eyes," Fugaku added.
"Oh, so that's the Sharingan's ability,"
Misato said slowly, her supple lips parting slightly to reveal a glimpse of white teeth.
The Sharingan possesses abilities such as observation, copying, and hypnosis, far beyond ordinary humans. It can perceive chakra flow, apply and see through illusions.
But as a weapon, its strength depends entirely on the user's skill.
Thus, everyone develops and emphasizes the Sharingan differently.
"Looks like Kiyoshi excels at copying ninjutsu and even understanding it in his own way,"
Misato said softly, her gentle demeanor calming, like a nurturing presence.
"Seems so,"
Fugaku nodded.
Kiyoshi, then, was truly one of their clan.
His Kekkei Genkai was not diminished by mixed blood; in fact, it seemed stronger than ordinary Uchiha.
Over the years, the clan had not opposed intermarriage with outsiders, as not all members possess the aptitude to awaken the Sharingan.
But when two talented members married, the probability of producing a prodigious child was several times higher.
"Make some time to introduce Kiyoshi to the clan's girls."
Fugaku said.
What bond could be stronger than raising a child? This way, he could safely mentor talented members like Kiyoshi in the future.
"Understood."
Misato nodded, already considering which girls might suit Kiyoshi.
...
Elsewhere,
Yuuhi Akane's red eyes were fixed on Kiyoshi, a gentle smile on her face:
"Kiyoshi really is amazing."
She increasingly felt that this young ninja from a distant land was extraordinary.
Completely different from the village's peers.
In conversation, Kiyoshi always came up with ingenious ideas.
Moreover… his body was strong.
She observed his physique filling out the Uchiha robe, sweat slightly indenting the fabric, revealing the outline of his well-defined abs—every part even and aesthetically pleasing.
She considered this a natural talent—something even Asuma Sarutobi could never develop.
Yuuhi glanced at Asuma.
The Sarutobi clan possessed considerable strength among ninja, and could summon apes through contracts with the monkey spirits.
Yet their form lacked Kiyoshi's aesthetic appeal, giving a rough, wild impression.
"Akane, what is it?"
Feeling her gaze, Asuma lowered his voice, maintaining a calm demeanor.
"Mature men are usually so steady,"
"No, it's just that Kiyoshi seems a bit more robust,"
Yuuhi shook her head, a strange thought forming—she imagined Asuma might become a rough, middle-aged man.
"Akane, don't you see I'm built like that too?"
Asuma quickly rolled up his sleeves to show her.
Yuuhi glanced and nodded slightly.
Kiyoshi, watching their interaction, shook his head.
Physical prowess was a matter of talent.
For Kiyoshi of the Yoru clan, in terms of vitality, he couldn't compare to the Senju or Uzumaki.
But in body strength, the Yoru clan ranked among the ninja world's peak in taijutsu talent.
Only the Raikage's clans, like Kin'kaku and Ginkaku, capable of consuming Nine-Tails meat raw, could rival them.
They too descended from the Six Paths, clearly inheriting exceptional physical traits, complete with horns.
(End of Chapter)