Uchiha: Starting as Tobirama's Jinchuriki

If the Uchiha clan could truly understand the Will of Fire, then they wouldn't be the Uchiha!

Even if Qing Shui currently resembles him somewhat, it's only superficial, based on water-style techniques and swordsmanship...

Even though Aokiji's current performance does indeed have a hint of the Will of Fire, Tobirama Senju doesn't believe that the Uchiha, who have always been practical geniuses but weak in theoretical thinking, can handle this level of problem.

But as Aoshui answered, Tobirama Senju's smile gradually faded, and his expression changed from mockery to seriousness as he looked at the answers on the test paper with great focus.

No, you're really good at answering questions, aren't you? Are you from the Hokage faction or am I?

Oh, Qingshui is a descendant of Jing. That's alright then. He truly is worthy of being a descendant of my disciple. Good!

"...Where leaves dance in the air, fire is ever-burning; where leaves flutter, the flame of hope burns, its light illuminates the village, and new leaves sprout..."

Aozuki readily used Hiruzen Sarutobi's heartfelt words before his death as a summary of the final major question, which made Tobirama Senju's eyes light up and his heart hesitate.

This emotion is too intense... Is Qing Shui kid serious? Could he really be a genius born to study the Will of Fire?

"Fallen petals are not heartless things, they turn into spring mud to nourish the flowers..." Qingshui said to Senju Tobirama with great emotion as he checked the exam papers:

"Autumn has arrived. The fluttering leaves transform into nutrients on the earth, nourishing the tender buds of next spring. The Will of Fire truly embodies the principles of the universe, leaving one with endless aftertaste..."

Senju Tobirama savored the poem that Aomine had improvised, finding it increasingly delightful with each passing thought.

He had originally wanted to argue back and put Qingshui down, but now he was speechless.

That damn brat, he's quite the writer...

His expression became even more complicated when he saw Aokiji's answer to the question of "discipline".

"...Discipline is absolutely essential for ninjas. Ninjas need to suppress unnecessary emotions, and the village establishes strict and effective rules, which are then followed from top to bottom, thus avoiding most unnecessary conflicts..."

These words were almost identical to his answer when he was a child and discussed with Hashirama how to achieve peace!

Apart from Hashirama Senju and his brothers who were present at the time, Tobirama Senju never spoke of this conversation to anyone else, not even his students.

But thirty years after his death, Tobirama Senju saw a brat from the Uchiha clan who spoke words almost identical to those he had spoken in his childhood!

This Uchiha's name is Uchiha Aoshui.

This strange feeling enveloped Tobirama Senju's heart, and he recalled how similar Aokiji was to him in water-style techniques and swordsmanship. Even in terms of personality, he imagined similarities between them.

This was a feeling that none of Tobirama Senju's previous disciples had ever given him...

This feeling, called "being like oneself," is considered the highest praise in the master-disciple relationship, and is also the standard for "graduating from the master's apprenticeship"... If it were in the feudal imperial era, this could be considered the standard for succession.

[From your lane opponent, Tobirama Senju, you have gained a special talent: The Power of Tobirama Senju!]

[Tobirama Senju's Power]: You can borrow the power of Tobirama Senju's soul within you; the strength depends on the target's subjective will.

Qing Shui blinked as he looked at this strange talent.

What kind of strange ability is this? Did the ancestor possess you?

No, I'm from the Uchiha clan, system! At least let me possess Indra, or even Madara Uchiha if you can…

Oh well, I'll just have to make do. It's better than nothing.

Unaware that Aokiji greatly disliked him, Tobirama Senju feigned reluctance and coughed affectedly, saying, "Kid, your answer was alright..."

"However, there is still a big gap between them and me."

"Alright, you think of a way to get me to take one too, and I'll show you the perfect answer sheet. Consider it a lesson..."

Perfect Saturday! Wuhu!

Chapter 30: Tobirama Senju diligently answers the questions, while Sarutobi awaits the grading.

Hiruzen

"Oh, isn't this the Second Hokage? ... Haven't seen you for a few days, why are you trying to answer children's questions again?"

Aokiji looked at Tobirama Senju with a grin, then shook his head: "Let's forget it, Tobirama. What if your score is lower than mine? Wouldn't that be embarrassing for you?"

"You might blame your beloved student then. If I indulge your willful ideas, wouldn't that be considered sowing discord?"

"You've been dead for so many years, and the ninja academy you founded didn't even have written exams back then. You probably didn't even come up with a template..."

"Sigh, forget it, there's really no need. If you really can't stand it, just give me a scathing critique..."

In his words, Qing Shui emphasized objectivity and fairness, thoughtfully mentioning the different backgrounds of the Warring States period and the era of war, thus giving Senju Tobirama a way out in a very reasonable manner.

But his tone was provocative, making Tobirama Senju's temples throb. The strange feeling he had just had for Aoshui was temporarily forgotten, and he ground his teeth in anger.

"Don't look down on me. I am the Second Hokage. If I couldn't even pass the Will of Fire test as well as you, you Uchiha brat, then that would be utterly ridiculous..."

"Templates are never the key to the Will of Fire; the core and logic are the most important."

"Stop talking nonsense, can't you make me answer the questions? If you can't, just say so!"

Hey, why are you resorting to reverse psychology...? Did you see that my answer was pretty good and, seeing an opportunity, decided to try it yourself?

Tobirama, I warned you, times have changed. You lack both the Will of Fire and the mindset for exams…

Aokiji shook his head with amusement, offering no judgment on Tobirama Senju's provocation or his attempt to have his disciple grade his papers. He spoke as if an adult were comforting a child:

"Okay, okay, I can't do anything with you, I'll agree."

"What kind of strange tone is that? Do you think I'm being unreasonable?"

Qing Shui shrugged: "I didn't say that. You're quite old, yet so sensitive, really..."

"..." Tobirama Senju's face darkened. Why did everything this brat said seem so strange?

Evil little green water devil!

Qingshui slowly looked around at the students in the examination room; many of the younger students were fast asleep.

There was no way around it; this exam paper, created by Hiruzen Sarutobi and intended to assess Aoshui's skill level, was simply too difficult for them.

Rather than writing carelessly on such a sensitive exam question, it's better to just hand in a blank paper; that way, you're safe.

"In a way, this is the wisdom of a slacker..." Qing Shui thought to himself as he watched Uchiha Obito writing furiously beside him.

Given the mind of Obito Uchiha after he was taken away by Setsuna Uchiha, what earth-shattering answers he would write would be of great interest to even Aokiji, who was curious to see the reaction of the examiner.

That would definitely be interesting.

Qingshui got up and, as he passed a sleeping classmate, bent down and patted him on the shoulder: "Excuse me, did you drop this pen?"

The student, still half-asleep, woke up with a start: "Teacher, I...I really don't know! It's not that I don't want to answer!"

The entire exam hall burst into laughter, but there was a hint of resentment in the laughter. Which teacher set this question? It was way too difficult! Wasn't this just making things hard for people?

Even Umino Ichikazu, standing on the podium, smiled helplessly, thinking to himself:

"Children, your teacher doesn't blame you. This was a test that the three generations of adults were giving Qing Shui Jun... For the sake of the village's future, please bear with it for now. I will give you a few more lessons later to make it up to you..."

"Qingshui-kun, this isn't my pen, thank you..." The classmate scratched his head awkwardly when he saw Qingshui's kind smile, with a look of admiration on his face.

Aokiji, who had defeated Obito with two tomoe in a real battle during the Ninja Academy's entrance exam and was also kind and gentle, had become a legendary figure at the Ninja Academy. His words of encouragement to Might Guy inspired many insecure Ninja Academy students to work hard in secret.

"Inada-kun, try answering these questions. You can do it. Don't be afraid of getting them wrong. This is a precious opportunity to learn the Will of Fire. This test is excellent; it would be a shame to miss it..."

Qingshui took out a pen bearing the Uchiha clan crest, which looked expensive, and handed it to him with an encouraging smile.

Kojiro Inada took the pen with trembling hands. He hadn't expected that Aomizu would remember his name, the name of a loser.

In the instant their eyes met, the magatama under Aoshui's Water Release Eyes slowly rotated, just like the fate of Konoha.

"Qingshui-kun...please rest assured, I will do my best!"

“Okay…” Qingshui nodded to him, walked to the front of the stage and handed the test paper to Haiye Ikkaku: “Haiye-sensei, I’ll hand in my paper now.”

With a sense of satisfaction, Umino handed in Aomine's test paper. Seeing many classmates who had given up on answering the questions hesitantly picked up their pens, a feeling of pride welled up from the depths of his heart.

Who says being a teacher has no future?

Look, these are the good children of the Uchiha clan, the ones I taught! These are my students!

I, Umino Ikkaku, possess the teaching skills of the Second Hokage!

In this classroom, the gazes directed at Qing Shui's retreating figure were complex.

Obito Uchiha pursed his lips, pondering the clan supremacy ideology that Setsuna Uchiha had instilled in him. He snorted coldly, combining what he considered the Will of Fire with the Uchiha clan, and began writing on the exam paper even faster.

Sarutobi Asuma's expression was complicated. If they weren't in the classroom, he would have taken out the stolen cigarette from his pocket and lit one.

Nohara Rin chuckled softly, thinking about visiting Aozumi's house over the weekend, and hummed a pleasant tune to herself.

Matt Kai, with tears streaming down his face, exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "This is youth!"

Only after Umino gestured for him to be quiet did Might Guy turn his attention to the exam paper, quickly scribbling things like "youth" on all the questions...

[From your lane opponent Might Guy, you have gained the taijutsu Konoha Whirlwind!]

"He's really sentimental, Kai..." Qingshui listened helplessly to the electronic voice, sat down on a chair outside the classroom, and waited for Shisui to finish his exam.

"Come on, Your Excellency Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, just tell me what you want to answer. I've already controlled Inada-kun with genjutsu, and he'll write your answers on the test paper..."

"Write carefully, so that they don't fail you..."

Tobirama Senju snorted coldly, but instead of arguing with Aoshui, he closed his eyes and began to think.

After a long while, he slowly gave the answer to the first question, looking very serious.

No one could have imagined that one of the exam papers from an ordinary final exam would be answered by the late Second Hokage…

#

That night.

Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the exam papers from the Seisui Examination Hall on the table, lit his pipe with anticipation, and began to smoke with relish.

"Let me see how the children in the village did on the exam..."

Chapter 31: A Glimpse into the World of Exam Papers, and the Third Hokage's Reflections

Hiruzen Sarutobi deftly opened the sealed bag of exam papers.

He started looking at the first test paper, smoking as he carefully corrected the students' work with a red pen.

This set of test papers was carefully prepared by Hiruzen Sarutobi.