Blood was still flowing on the ground.
The corpse of the Jonin from the Grass Ninja lying on the ground was a stark reminder to everyone that this boy from the Konoha had mercilessly decapitated someone.
"I have killed a man, and you're still not afraid of me…"
Uchiha Sasuke's ninja sword was drawn halfway from its sheath, and his gaze held a dangerous glint as he looked at the group of Jonin: "Do you think my sword isn't sharp enough?"
"…"
The Jonin couldn't help but take a few steps back.
Other Genin who had just finished the exam were also pale-faced; they hadn't expected such a madman among their ranks.
Killing…
Ninjas should be used to it by now.
However, it's usually done on the battlefield. Few, like Uchiha Sasuke, would kill someone in the middle of the Konoha streets!
"This boy…"
"He's caused big trouble!"
The faces of Konoha's Jonin instructors were grim. After a brief shock, they finally realized what had happened.
"Enough."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, walked over, smoking his pipe.
Following him were Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, the Hokage's advisors, along with an old man with bandages wrapped around his face.
It was the retired Shimura Danzo.
As a rarely seen retired elder, Danzo had come out at the invitation of the Hokage's advisors to observe the Chunin exams and particularly to assess Uchiha Sasuke.
There was no one in Konoha who knew more about the Uchiha than Danzo.
Everyone had witnessed Sasuke's act of killing on the spot, without regard for the other party's status or the occasion, slaying the Jonin from the Grass Village.
"This…this…is lawlessness!"
Homura Mitokado, looking at the headless corpse on the ground, trembled with anger, already foreseeing the trouble Konoha was about to face.
"This is going too far!"
Koharu Utatane frowned and glanced at the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Hiruzen, you've seen it too. This boy is reckless. Killing a messenger from another ninja village right in our village will bring trouble to Konoha…"
"…"
Danzo leaned on his cane, a mocking smile on his lips, seemingly ridiculing the powerlessness of the Hokage's advisors.
"Sasuke."
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Sasuke: "Why did you harm the messenger from the Grass Village without any reason?"
This was a troublesome matter.
The Grass Village was weak but an ally of the Konoha.
If it were just the Grass Village, the Konoha could ignore it. But the Konoha had other allies, including the Sand Village, one of the Five Great Nations. Mishandling this could lead to diplomatic outrage.
"This wasn't without reason."
Uchiha Sasuke sheathed his sword and reached for his ninja headband, ripping away a piece of cloth: "The people from the Grass Village insulted the descendants of the Uzumaki clan. Isn't it natural for me to kill him? Isn't the headband on our heads a symbol of the Uzumaki clan? I can't stand by and do nothing when the Uzumaki clan is insulted because one of my companions is also a descendant of the Uzumaki clan…"
His argument was reasonable and convincing.
At least on the surface, Uchiha Sasuke's words made sense, even convincing Uzumaki Naruto in that instant.
"Yeah, right…"
Uzumaki Naruto immediately jumped up to support Uchiha Sasuke.
Although Naruto couldn't understand why Sasuke was so quick to kill, he had always longed for more family, and at least Karin, like him, was a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. They had a blood connection.
"Grandpa Hokage!"
"That guy wanted to hurt Karin!"
Naruto stood in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face determined and unafraid: "Karin is my clan! I will protect her too!"
"…"
The Konoha higher-ups all twitched their foreheads.
As the leaders of the Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Hokage's advisors had to consider more. The long-destroyed Uzumaki clan was just a symbol now, almost completely forgotten by the world, no longer able to bring any benefit to the Konoha…
Ninja from the Konoha would occasionally commemorate the past alliance as a part of learning Konoha's history. How could these young ones take it seriously?
But…
You two kids…
Do you really want to stand up for the long-destroyed Uzumaki clan?
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath of smoke. This matter was indeed tricky because Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were both taking a righteous stance…
As the village Hokage, in front of everyone, even if everyone knew this matter hurt Konoha's interests, he couldn't just punish Sasuke because Sasuke held the moral high ground…
"Hmph…"
"The Uzumaki clan is long dead…"
The Rain Jonin stood aside, grumbling discontentedly: "The Whirlpool Village has long been destroyed, and there are people all over the ninja world who have killed members of the Uzumaki clan. I even killed a red-haired guy myself. Are you going to seek justice for all of them?"
"Hey!"
"Third Hokage!"
"We came to Konoha for the Chunin exams. If the Konoha can't ensure our safety, we might not honor our alliance with the Konoha…"
"…"
Karin's face turned pale.
"…"
Naruto's expression also became grim.
"…"
Noticing Karin and Naruto's expressions, Sasuke's eyes lowered, and an intense killing intent suddenly emanated from him!
In the next moment!
Sasuke's figure vanished from sight!
"Stop him!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen urgently shouted!
The other Konoha Jonin, hearing Hiruzen's command, instantly lunged towards Sasuke and the Rain Jonin, finally restraining Sasuke at the last moment!
"Sasuke, calm down…"
Hatake Kakashi sighed.
"…"
Sarutobi Asuma looked troubled.
Although the Rain Jonin's taunts also annoyed them, they knew he was right; Konoha couldn't start a conflict over such a minor issue…
"Phew…"
The Rain Jonin took a deep breath, his heart almost stopping in that instant. Seeing the black-haired boy emitting such intense killing intent restrained by the Konoha Ninja, he sneered again: "Hmph, just a kid…"
"Do you think…"
Uchiha Sasuke lifted his eyes, which instantly turned crimson red. A sinister and eerie smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "They can stop me from killing you, but can they stop you from committing suicide?"
"!!!"
The Jonin from the Rain Village was struck with sudden darkness in front of his eyes!
The next moment!
His consciousness plunged into an abyss of darkness!
A pair of crimson Sharingan appeared in his mental world!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Jonin from the Rain Village, controlled by Uchiha Sasuke's genjutsu, suddenly drew his kunai and stabbed it into his own heart!
"Everyone saw that, this guy committed suicide."
Uchiha Sasuke spread his hands, his smile turning contemptuous: "The psychological resilience of the ninja from the Rain Village is really weak. I just wanted to teach him a lesson, not actually kill him. Did he choose to commit suicide to frame me?"
"..."
Everyone's eyes twitched.
No...
How can you twist the truth like this!
"Kakashi, take Sasuke..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned extremely ugly. He waved his hand towards Uchiha Sasuke, intending to issue an order for his punishment. However, Uchiha Sasuke, who had been through years of training in the root division of the real world, was very familiar with the tricks of political struggles. Sometimes, saying a word first is equivalent to gaining the upper hand!
If he speaks up...
He makes his stance clear!
And his opponent needs more time to reconsider their words!
This way...
His opponent would have to think more carefully before making a move, especially an indecisive person like Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"I still need to participate in the upcoming exam!"
Uchiha Sasuke decisively interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen, looking at the other ninjas from the different villages: "Everyone, pray that your village's Genin encounters me, Jonin are not my opponents, they can't protect your village's students..."
"Of course."
Uchiha Sasuke spread his hands, a cold and intimidating smile on his face: "I know the upcoming exam does not allow killing... but if my opponents commit suicide after being caught in a genjutsu, it shouldn't be blamed on me, right?"
"The level of Jonin's genjutsu..."
"Isn't qualified to determine whether my genjutsu caused the death..."
This attitude...
Was precisely what Uchiha Sasuke wanted to show!
He will do whatever he wants, and the Jonin of Konoha cannot stop his actions. This madman might not necessarily obey Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders!
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words were choked back.
This kid...
His actions and words are outrageously arrogant!
Sarutobi Hiruzen had to consider that if he issued an order to deal with Uchiha Sasuke and provoked his displeasure, would the latter still obey his commands? The Uchiha clan's bloodline is the least inclined to obey orders...
In comparison...
Defiance is the true nature of the Uchiha!
If Uchiha Sasuke refused to obey his orders on the spot, would he have to order Anbu and Jonin to arrest him together?
This kid's strength...
Isn't something a Jonin could easily handle!
The power of the Mangekyo Sharingan and Susanoo alone means that no Jonin in the village could be his match. A tragic incident might occur, and Sarutobi Hiruzen might have to deal with it personally...
Moreover...
Standing beside Uchiha Sasuke is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto. If the situation becomes dire, who knows if Sasuke would use the Mangekyo Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails and stir up a new Nine-Tails incident in Konoha!
In that case...
Konoha would indeed cause a huge ruckus during the Chunin Exams!
Also...
The examiner of the second test, Mitarashi Anko, reported a few days ago that she discovered traces of Orochimaru sneaking in, forcing Sarutobi Hiruzen to consider Konoha's future more carefully...
At this time...
It's not the right moment to deal with Uchiha Sasuke!
Or rather...
Konoha currently can't deal with Uchiha Sasuke. They can't cause greater chaos during the Chunin Exams just to appease their so-called allies, as this would only make these allies less fearful of Konoha's deterrence!
However...
Letting him off lightly...
Where would the face of the Hokage go?
"Sasuke."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, squinted his eyes, and smiled gently: "Are you still willing to listen to an old man's nagging for a moment? If a ninja does not respect life and acts too extremely, they are likely to tread a dark path in the future..."
"I understand."
Uchiha Sasuke looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, frowning slightly as if in thought, then nodded: "If the Third Hokage wants me to spare their lives in the upcoming exam, I will follow your instructions..."
"It's just an exam."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, exhaling a puff of smoke and speaking softly: "Alright, focus on the upcoming exam!"
At least...
This kid is still willing to listen.
Though extreme in his actions, he is still somewhat persuadable.
After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Hatake Kakashi, who was standing beside Uchiha Sasuke: "Kakashi, come with us..."
"Yes."
Hatake Kakashi followed reluctantly.
"..."
Shimura Danzo half-closed his eyes, took a look at Uchiha Sasuke, then turned to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen. The one he most wanted to deal with was such a defiant Uchiha.
"What do you think, Danzo?"
Homura Mitokado asked Danzo softly.
"Hmph..."
"Just a typical Uchiha..."
Shimura Danzo walked slowly behind, speaking slowly to Homura Mitokado: "This kid is not an anomaly of the Uchiha clan. If it were four years ago, he should have died with the Uchiha clan that night..."
Unfortunately...
Uchiha Sasuke was the only condition Uchiha Itachi demanded in assisting to kill the Uchiha clan. As long as Uchiha Itachi is alive, Shimura Danzo dared not break his pact with Uchiha Itachi.
But...
Times have changed.
Shimura Danzo was also reluctant to kill Uchiha Sasuke. He had more convenient methods to deal with Sasuke. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but raise his hand to touch his eyes.
"As long as you hand him over to me..."
Shimura Danzo looked confidently at Homura Mitokado and said coldly, "That kid will become the sharpest blade in Konoha in my hands! Just like his brother Uchiha Itachi, he will become our most qualified tool!"
"Hmm..."
Homura Mitokado nodded thoughtfully.
After the Konoha higher-ups left, a group of genin consciously stayed far away from Team 7, fearing that Uchiha Sasuke might kill someone at the slightest provocation. Only the new generation of ninjas dared to stand with Team 7, though their expressions were somewhat strange.
"..."
Nara Shikamaru looked at Uchiha Sasuke with complete confusion.
Given Shikamaru's political understanding, Uchiha Sasuke should at least have been disqualified from participating in the Chunin Exams and spent some time in Konoha's jail.
Could it be that the Third Hokage just let him off so easily?
Uchiha Sasuke's brows occasionally furrowed. He was also pondering his own shortcomings and the significant gap between him and Akihara Kagura.
Akihara Kagura, that guy...
How did he manage it?
After all, in the real world, Akihara Kagura was extremely arrogant and seldom respected anyone. He often slandered the Anbu...
Apart from his friend Hatake Kakashi, almost no one in Konoha didn't fear and dislike Akihara Kagura. Even the two Hokage advisors always spoke with resentment when mentioning him. So how did Akihara Kagura gain the approval of Konoha's higher-ups?
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't understand it. To avoid direct conflict with the Third Hokage, he needed to use some verbal tricks to ensure his future in Konoha. Akihara Kagura didn't need to do anything, yet his domineering actions always earned the Third Hokage's trust and tolerance. Sasuke just couldn't comprehend it. Could it be that the Hokages of the two worlds were different?
"Uchiha..."
"They're all so arrogant..."
The murmuring voice of a chunin examiner reached Uchiha Sasuke's ears.
"!!!"
Sasuke's eyes changed, and he sharply looked at the chunin examiner who spoke!
"What do you want to do..."
The chunin examiner was startled by Sasuke's gaze!
As an examiner, he was scared by a candidate, which made him feel a bit humiliated. He resolutely refused to back down but was somewhat afraid that Sasuke might kill him, knowing this kid was a ruthless killer!
"Killing a comrade is a serious crime in the village!"
This chunin examiner from Konoha gritted his teeth and finally couldn't help but back down, "Uchiha Sasuke, you're still young, don't go down the path of crime!"
"Pfft..."
A group of genin couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Thank you..."
Uchiha Sasuke squinted his eyes, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, showing he didn't care about the examiner's disrespectful words.
"Huh?"
The chunin examiner was shocked by Sasuke's politeness.
What's going on?
Why is he thanking me?
"..."
Sasuke extended his hand to touch his eye socket, his gaze slowly sweeping over the ninjas present.
Every ninja he looked at subconsciously avoided his gaze, their eyes filled with fear and unease.
Such eyes...
Such fearful eyes...
It's not because of him, but because of his surname!
His surname is Uchiha!
Most of Konoha's ninjas feared the Uchiha!
Sasuke quickly figured everything out. Akihara Kagura gained the trust of Konoha's higher-ups because his power was derived from the First Hokage's Wood Release, never using the Uchiha clan's Sharingan!
Moreover...
Kagura's Sharingan was higher in level, yet he never used it in public in Konoha before his true identity was exposed...
One reason was that Kagura's power was already sufficient; the other was that Kagura knew Konoha's attitude towards the Uchiha. He must have considered this!
The Uchiha bloodline...
In the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, it was an original sin!
When Sasuke thought of this, his eyes turned cold, and his heart became as frozen as ice. If he couldn't gain the trust of Konoha's higher-ups like Kagura, he would have to use other means...
After all...
Leaving Konoha was impossible.
Would he leave just because he was uncomfortable? Konoha still had his comrades Uzumaki Naruto and Hatake Kakashi! Sasuke thought of what Kagura had done. If the environment was uncomfortable, then make it comfortable for himself!
If these Konoha higher-ups didn't trust him...
Then replace them with new higher-ups in the future, wouldn't that solve the problem?
Kagura, who excelled in political struggles, had set an example by eliminating all the higher-ups in Konoha. First, he killed the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, then he incited a conflict between the Root and the Hokage, leading to the downfall of the two Hokage advisors, and finally made the Fifth Hokage a puppet under his control...
However...
The situation in this world was different...
When Kagura dealt with the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, he was already the leader of the Root. Before Sasuke could deal with them, he needed to become the leader of the Root, which was a challenging task.
As Yakushi Kabuto said...
Shimura Danzo would never relinquish his position as leader of the Root. Even killing him wouldn't help; using genjutsu to control him wouldn't gain Konoha's recognition...
Sasuke's actions today would surely attract Danzo's recruitment, but joining the Root and then usurping Danzo's position required careful planning...
"!!!"
An idea popped into Sasuke's mind.
Wait...
It might be possible...
Akihara Kagura once spread rumors in Konoha, claiming that his brother Uchiha Itachi and he were competing for the future leader position of the Root, leading many to believe that Danzo planned to retire...
Indeed...
One could always find a solution from Kagura!
Akihara Kagura's existence was a treasure trove, with much for Sasuke to learn!
"Sasuke, thank you just now..."
As Sasuke was contemplating how to learn more from Kagura, Karin's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Karin looked up at Sasuke, her face blushing with shyness, "But, if you had killed him, I might not have been able to return to the Grass Village..."
"Settle down in Konoha first..."
Sasuke wasn't short of funds, having recently robbed the wealthy businessman Gato in the Land of Waves. It was more than enough to prepare a house for Karin. As for the procedures for Karin to enter the village, Yakushi Kabuto could handle it.
"After the matters in Konoha are settled..."
"I will take you back to the Grass Village."
Sasuke recalled the scene he saw in a Grass ninja's memory and, seeing the fear on Karin's face, gently comforted her, "However, when I take you back, it will be with death and pain…"