"Are you sure? Do you really want to give up the opportunity to be promoted to Genin to others?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was serious, no longer as gentle as before.
Almost instantly, Tsunade and Orochimaru felt the oppressive pressure brought by Hiruzen Sarutobi, even though they were not the primary targets of this pressure.
Uchiha Su, who was facing the pressure head-on, appeared quite calm and was not frightened by Hiruzen Sarutobi's sudden change in demeanor.
"There is no one in this world who can take back words that have already been spoken."
Uchiha Su said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep look at Uchiha Su, then changed the subject: "Now I announce... the three of you have all successfully promoted and officially become registered Genin of Konoha!"
After saying this, Tsunade and Orochimaru both breathed a sigh of relief, then cheered, feeling happy that Uchiha Su had successfully become a Genin.
Uchiha Su also put on a relieved expression.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but nod. That's more like it; what six or seven-year-old child who just graduated would act nonchalant upon hearing they had to go back to the drawing board?
"I have one more question: your battle plan just now seems a bit different from what you discussed?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Uchiha Su and asked curiously.
"We guessed early on that Teacher Sarutobi would definitely eavesdrop on our plan, and we couldn't detect Teacher Sarutobi, but fortunately, the three of us have good chemistry."
Uchiha Su shrugged and said.
They had indeed followed the plan, but he had just kept an extra trick up his sleeve, and this extra precaution had become the deciding factor.
"I see..."
"Since we have formed a team, I have a mission on hand now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted and smiled.
"Teacher, what rank is this mission? Is it an A-rank mission?"
Tsunade said, eager to try.
She still had some self-awareness and knew that an S-rank mission was still too far away for their newly formed team.
"Of course it's not an A-rank mission; you are still far from that. This is a c-rank mission. Normally, we should only be doing D-rank missions to gain experience, but considering you are all geniuses from the Ninja Academy..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a hint of appreciation. Among the three, even Uchiha Su, who performed the worst in school, was a well-deserved top student at their age.
And after the bell-snatching test, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that Uchiha Su should definitely not be underestimated; his strength was definitely higher than what he had shown in the Ninja Academy.
"Then what are we going to do?" Orochimaru asked calmly.
"I'll tell you later. For now, go back and prepare what you need. We'll meet at the Village gate in half an hour."
Hiruzen Sarutobi checked the sky, estimated the time, and confirmed there was enough. He waved his hand, letting the three little ones go home to prepare what they needed.
...
Uchiha Clan Compound.
Uchiha Su returned to the courtyard and happened to run into Uchiha Setsuna, who was walking out of the main hall.
Uchiha Setsuna, who usually appeared somewhat sinister and ruthless, was now full of smiles, and his pace seemed much faster.
"Young Clan Head."
Uchiha Setsuna greeted Uchiha Su, his face full of smiles.
"Jonin Setsuna."
Uchiha Su nodded slightly and probed: "How did your talk with my uncle go, Jonin Setsuna?"
"Very well, better than ever before!"
Uchiha Setsuna swung his fist excitedly. At the same time, he was surprised by Uchiha Su; from the Clan Head, he had learned that Uchiha Su was the first person to know about the Uchiha Clan's plan to defect.
Yet, the other party still acted as if nothing had happened today, calmly going out to train and then meeting his Jonin instructor.
At such a young age, his scheming is so deep...
Uchiha Setsuna not only didn't feel fear, but was extremely happy. If the future Clan Head of the Uchiha has such depth, that is a huge blessing for the Uchiha.
"Young Clan Head, I won't chat with you anymore. I need to go back and have a good talk with some people."
Uchiha Setsuna bowed to Uchiha Su and then strode away.
Uchiha Su looked at the person's back, then entered the main hall carrying his kusanagi sword.
At this time, Uchiha Madara was sitting in the main seat of the hall, and that dark red armor had returned to the mannequin.
"Back?" Uchiha Madara looked at Uchiha Su as he entered, forced a smile, and said.
"Yes, Uncle. I'm going to the Village gate to assemble in a while. We need to go on a c-rank mission."
Uchiha Su said.
"A c-rank mission? That's not bad for someone who just became a Genin." Uchiha Madara thought for a moment and continued: "I thought you would be doing a D-rank mission!"
"Hmph, at least Hashirama has some conscience and didn't let you do those time-wasting, useless D-rank missions!"
Uchiha Madara crossed his arms. Although he had a domineering air of looking down on everything, Uchiha Su always felt that when mentioning Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara had a tsundere vibe.
"It's all Senju Tobirama's fault. If it weren't for him, why would my Uchiha Clan defect?"
When Uchiha Madara spoke of Senju Tobirama, he gritted his teeth, wishing he could immediately chop Senju Tobirama into eight or ten pieces.
It wasn't because Izuna died at the hands of Senju Tobirama that Uchiha Madara hated him so much. The moment Konoha was established, the grudges between the Senju and Uchiha were ostensibly settled.
The grudges between the two clans simply couldn't be explained in just a few words.
But the key point was that the moment Konoha Village was established, both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had a tacit understanding that the first Hokage would be Senju Hashirama, and the second Hokage would inevitably be Uchiha Madara.
This tacit understanding was unspoken between two good friends, but Senju Tobirama broke this understanding and targeted the Uchiha everywhere.
This targeting was not visible on the surface, and no one could find fault with it. Facing such silent losses, the Uchiha could only swallow their teeth and stomach them. Who told them they had no one in power above them?
"c-rank missions are usually escorts or intelligence gathering, and they don't take too long. Three days should be enough."
Uchiha Madara's voice was gentle: "Go prepare what you need for the mission, and say goodbye to your friends."
Under the influence of Uchiha Su's cheap father, Uchiha Taiga, Uchiha Madara at this time was not as extreme as in the original work, and he was also skeptical about the myriad of things recorded on the so-called Uchiha Stone Tablet.
"Yes, Uncle."
Uchiha Su nodded and then returned to his room.
"Military rations, explosive tags, shuriken..."
After putting all these things into his ninja tool pouch, Uchiha Su adjusted the Genin headband worn on his forehead.
Then, timing it carefully, he arrived at the Village gate.
Not long after he arrived, Tsunade and Orochimaru also arrived, both with some excitement in their eyes.
For those who have never stepped out of the Village, going out on a mission is indeed exciting, even if Uchiha Su was still curious about the outside world.
Even though he had seen it in the anime in his previous life, that was just anime, and this is reality.