Chapter 7: The Tall Tree Catches the Wind? Ridiculous!

"Keep a low profile?"

"That's right."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded. "I know. With your skill, crushing the others in your class is easy. But remember, the tallest tree catches the most wind."

"Your talent could make the village wary of our clan."

"So… for tomorrow's evaluation, hold back a bit."

Hearing Fugaku's words, Mirai Uchiha understood his reasoning.

Though he'd known for a while that Fugaku's calm exterior hid a cautious heart, he hadn't expected him to be this cautious—asking him to deliberately underperform in his graduation exam.

The tallest tree catches the wind?

Ridiculous.

"Weakness doesn't bring mercy from the strong, it only invites greater oppression." Mirai replied coolly.

"To break free from our situation, we can't ever stop throwing punches."

Here, in the Uchiha compound, he had no reason to worry about the Hokage faction's prying ears, so he spoke freely. He found Fugaku's proposal contemptible.

If retreating could solve anything, the Uchiha wouldn't have been nearly wiped out in the original story.

On the contrary—only by showing strength would they make those with ambition think twice.

"Do you even understand what you're saying?" Fugaku asked in disbelief, unable to comprehend how a boy his age could speak with such conviction.

Words like these would endanger the entire Uchiha clan if they got out!

"Of course I do," Mirai said. "These eyes see a clear path to the future."

In the darkness, his Sharingan gleamed with a chilling, fierce energy.

"The Uchiha pride will never be broken."

With that, Mirai closed the door behind him.

Constantly retreating only encourages oppression until there's nowhere left to go, just an endless descent into a pit. The Uchiha clan's fate in the original timeline was proof enough.

Staring at the closed door, Fugaku's expression wavered. He hadn't expected to be lectured by a child.

A low chuckle echoed from the shadows.

"Ha ha ha... Fugaku, didn't I tell you this boy was something else?"

"So, do you believe me now?"

"Father!" Fugaku quickly bowed when he saw Tajima Uchiha step forward.

"Fugaku, that child understands better than you do."

"Remember, constant retreat is no wise strategy."

Fugaku, frustrated, protested, "But… ever since the Second Hokage, the village has been wary of us."

"Someone like Mirai could just increase their suspicion!"

"Hmph!" Tajima's smile faded. "Remember, Fugaku, we have never wronged this village."

Then, with a sigh, he continued, "My time is nearly up. When I pass, you'll be the clan leader."

"And as leader, you're too cautious, too hesitant. You need to act decisively."

"Mirai will be a strong ally—you should foster a good relationship with him."

"Yes, Father," Fugaku responded, though a glint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

To him, Mirai was like a ticking time bomb, bound to bring disaster to the clan. Best to keep his distance.

...

Ninja Academy.

Classroom.

"Today's the day of the graduation exam! If we pass, we'll finally be real shinobi."

"Yeah! Soon, I'll have my own headband."

"Ha ha… Imagine! We'll be able to take missions. I'm getting pumped just thinking about it."

"Just you wait! Before long, the entire ninja world will know my name."

"Stop dreaming. You need to pass the exam first."

"Speaking of which, I hope I don't end up in the same group as Mirai. That'd be a nightmare."

"Yeah, with him around, you're just asking to lose."

Most of the students wore excited expressions, eagerly awaiting the graduation exam. Becoming a ninja and inheriting the Will of Fire… it was an honor.

Just then, Mirai Uchiha entered the classroom.

At his arrival, the chatter died down as everyone silently watched him take his seat. Only then did they resume their conversations, though at a noticeably lower volume.

"Tch—"

"It's guys like him that give the Uchiha a bad reputation," Obito muttered under his breath, annoyed by Mirai's distant demeanor.

"Obito!" Rin Nohara gave him a reproachful glance. "Don't badmouth classmates behind their backs."

With a reluctant nod, Obito turned away, only to make a face at Mirai.

"You better hope you don't meet me in the exam, or you might not graduate at all."

This year's graduation test wasn't a simple assessment of basic jutsu like the Clone or Transformation Techniques. Instead, it was a drawn combat exam, where students would face off in pairs.

Their graduation depended on how well they performed in the battle, as determined by the proctors.

In response to Obito's taunt, Mirai calmly muttered two words: "Dead last."

"What did you just say?!"

Obito's face turned red with anger.

"Obito!"

"Calm down," Rin said, exasperated as Obito climbed up onto his desk, fuming.

"Rin, let me go! Today, I'm teaching him a lesson!" he yelled.

"Hmph!"

"You think you're any match for Mirai?" Kurenaichimed in, sitting next to Mirai. "If you were in a team with him, you'd be lucky to even get a chance to fight."

"Shows what you know!" Obito scoffed, indignant. "I've got a secret weapon! Mirai's no match for me."

"Oh, a secret weapon, huh?"

"Afraid yet? Better pray you're not in my group, 'cause I won't hold back!"

While Obito gloated, their instructor strode in.

"Alright, settle down. Follow me to the field—the exam's about to start!"

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