Naruto: Evolution

Hehehe... Old Hiruzen, your dear son is now my good brother. I wonder how you'll treat me when you find out.

Gen concealed his smile while Asuma continued speaking enthusiastically. Forming a bond with him not only provided an additional guarantee but also gave him a strategic advantage.

Humans are emotional creatures. No matter how much they try to be rational, no matter how many conflicts they face or barriers they set up, they cannot ignore family ties.

If there were ever a confrontation with the Hokage, this connection with Asuma would be a factor that could not be overlooked.

Even so, Gen had no intention of lowering his guard.

Dealing with people like Hiruzen and, above all, Danzo required extreme caution. He could not afford to trust anything he could not control.

Especially after having intentionally displayed an even more outstanding talent just a moment ago… Now, more than ever, he had to move carefully.

...

Hokage Mansion.

The Hokage's office, the heart of power in Konoha, was in complete silence, illuminated only by the dim candlelight.

!

Suddenly, a shadow appeared in front of the desk without making the slightest noise.

A masked ANBU knelt respectfully before Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat behind his desk, surrounded by scrolls and documents.

"Hokage-sama, the results of the Academy's evaluation have arrived. In addition to the list of graduates, there is also detailed information on the top students of each grade," he reported.

Wasting no time, he stepped forward to the desk and placed the documents in front of the Hokage with reverence.

Hiruzen, who was still in the prime of his life, set aside the scroll he had been reviewing and took the report with interest.

"Very well, thank you for your work," he nodded slightly before focusing his attention on the papers.

Although the village's administration encompassed countless matters, the Ninja Academy always had his attention. After all, it was the pillar in training the new generation, the foundation of Konoha's future.

What interested him most was not simply the list of graduates but the names that stood out in each grade.

The Academy was divided into six levels, from the first to the sixth year, and the report contained detailed descriptions of the most promising students in each one.

Name: Shisui Uchiha

Age: Six years old (enrolled at five)

Strength evaluation: Genin

Hiruzen turned the page, and his gaze settled on the first name on the list of outstanding students.

"Shisui Uchiha..."

His expression remained impassive as he read it. It was not unusual for the top student of a grade to belong to the Uchiha clan. Over the years, they had produced numerous geniuses, and seeing their surname at the top of the list was no surprise.

However, when his eyes moved down to the strength evaluation, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Genin"

For an instant, he narrowed his eyes, his mind racing at a thousand miles per hour.

Not only was it unusual for a first-year student to receive a formal strength evaluation—the Academy did not include the youngest students in the early graduation criteria—but the evaluation itself carried more weight than the simple graduation test this year, which had been more lenient due to the impending war.

If it weren't for the need for more ninjas on the battlefield, many students wouldn't even have received their forehead protectors.

But this child, Shisui, at six years old, had been evaluated at the level of a Genin.

Hiruzen couldn't help but feel somewhat shocked.

Although Kakashi had managed to become a Genin at five, which was even more impressive, Shisui's situation at six was still extraordinary.

But this case was different.

"A descendant of Kagami...?" he murmured softly, leaning his back against the chair.

A complex feeling stirred in his heart.

Of course, he knew about Shisui. His lineage came from Kagami Uchiha, one of the few Uchihas he had truly trusted.

His talent was comparable to that of a young Kakashi.

Any other child with such qualities would have been a source of pride and satisfaction.

But the fact that he belonged to the Uchiha clan made Hiruzen feel something more than simple admiration.

Adjusting his mood, he continued reviewing the reports.

Second grade…

Third grade…

When he reached the top student of the third grade, his gaze hardened, and his heart began to beat faster.

Name: Gen Uchiha

Age: Nine years old (enrolled at six)

Strength evaluation: Chūnin

"Another Uchiha… and with a Chūnin-level strength evaluation?!"

He frowned and reviewed the description even more attentively.

The report detailed the combat between Gen Uchiha and Yuta Hyūga, highlighting how one-sided the fight had been.

Yuta, considered a genuine Genin by Academy standards, had been effortlessly defeated. The difference between them had been overwhelming.

The evaluators' conclusion was clear: Gen possessed the strength of a Chūnin.

Nine years old and already at that level…

The parallel with Kakashi was inevitable.

Kakashi had become a Genin at five and a Chūnin at six, an exceptional case even in ninja history. Not even his father, Sakumo Hatake, had demonstrated such accelerated growth at that age.

But setting Kakashi aside, when compared to the rest of Konoha's history, Gen Uchiha positioned himself among the top prodigies.

First, an Uchiha leading the first grade, and now another dominating the third. Both with a talent that could not be ignored.

"..."

Hiruzen remained silent.

After a moment, he spoke in a low tone:

"Go to the Academy immediately. Gather more detailed information on Shisui Uchiha and Gen Uchiha… Bring it to me personally."

The ANBU, who had been waiting patiently across the desk, nodded at once.

"Understood!"

Without another word, he vanished in an instant with a Shunshin no Jutsu.

Hiruzen was left alone in the office, holding the report in his hands. His gaze turned thoughtful as he slowly stood up and walked toward the window.

From there, he could see much of the village—the lights in the night, the streets filled with people going about their daily lives.

But his mind was elsewhere.

"After so long in peace… the Uchiha clan is finally showing signs of resurgence."

…

By the time his gathering with his friends ended, the sun was already beginning to set.

After saying goodbye to Kurenai and the others, Gen took the path back to the Uchiha district.

Upon reaching the entrance of his house, he reached into his pocket to take out the key, ready to unlock the door.

Swoosh

!

But the sudden sound of something cutting through the air made his senses ignite instantly.

Without thinking, he leaped to the side.

As soon as he landed, he turned cautiously, his gaze searching for the source of the sound.

And then he saw it.

A silhouette had materialized a short distance away with a fleeting flash.

"Who's there?!"