Kazuku sized up Uchiha Setsuna, nearly as tall as Sarutobi, a reminder.
Though the Uchiha had village-loyal ninja like Kagami, Shisui, and Itachi, hawks like Setsuna existed.
They inherited Madara's will, arrogant.
By Sarutobi's era, the Uchiha were mostly hawks, plotting a coup for power.
"Naruto's no longer just anime—it's a real world."
"Everyone has their own agenda."
"Especially the Uchiha. To guide them, hawks must be removed."
"The village needs Uchiha like Shisui."
To avoid clan-village conflict, Shisui leapt from a waterfall.
His life was tragic, but only such Uchiha could stabilize the village.
"Tobirama-sama values this exam, so I'm an examiner," Sarutobi answered truthfully.
No need to hide.
With over two hundred genin, the first phase was one-on-one knockouts.
Sequential matches would take too long.
Tobirama designated an ANBU base, dividing it into multiple arenas for simultaneous matches.
This required many examiners.
Setsuna nodded, noticing Kazuku, a seven-year-old barely 1.2 meters tall.
With his pride, Setsuna usually ignored other competitors.
But Kazuku's sleeve bore the Senju crest!
"You're Senju?" Setsuna blurted.
"Yes."
"You're here for the chunin exam?" Surprise flashed in Setsuna's eyes.
To him, Kazuku was a child!
But he soon relaxed.
Chunin promotion judged performance, not victory.
Passing the first phase was Tobirama's call.
As for the first phase, it was "random" draws, but was it truly fair?
Pair Kazuku with slightly weaker opponents, and he'd win.
"Damn Senju."
Setsuna vowed inwardly to one day create a transparent Konohagakure.
But for now, he smiled. "I've heard tales of the Senju of the Forest. I hope we clash in this exam."
After pleasantries, Setsuna left.
Kazuku was clueless about Setsuna's thoughts.
"From one angle, the Uchiha are pitiable. Suppressed by Konohagakure's elite, ostracized."
"They resolve to coup, but their top three—one suicides, one defects, one slacks."
"Oh, and one gets manipulated."
"No, two get manipulated."
Kazuku mused, chuckling.
Soon, his second grandpa Tobirama appeared, signaling the exam's start.
Tobirama was concise, announcing rules.
One-on-one random draw battles.
Winners advanced.
Until sixteen slots were decided.
Kazuku and Sakumo parted.
Per the draw, Kazuku faced an Iwagakure genin in Arena 6.
Perhaps Tobirama arranged it…
After a few rounds, Kazuku found his opponents shockingly weak.
No need for Eight Gates, Monster Strength, or Water Release.
Pure taijutsu crushed them.
And their strongest jutsu were Clone or Substitution.
"Overkill," Kazuku shook his head.
He hadn't expected Tobirama to be this doting.
Sure, he was Konohagakure's top connection, but backdoors…
Felt great.
"Fine, as long as I pass."
One more win, and Kazuku would advance to the main exam.
He approached the examiner, awaiting his final opponent's name.
Though Kazuku steamrolled, he had to wait for all matches to finish for the next round.
Random draws, after all.
Fair, just, open.
By the final round, only thirty-two genin remained.
Shockingly…
Sakumo was still in!
On the viewing platform…
Tobirama, arms crossed, watched Kazuku, pondering, then instructed an examiner, "Arrange Kazuku versus Uchiha Setsuna."
The Uchiha's bloodline limit was potent.
Without Hashirama, no one could've suppressed Madara.
Not even Tobirama.
Fearing another Madara…
Tobirama monitored the Uchiha closely.
"I promised the Uchiha a guaranteed slot, but if Setsuna can't pass the first phase, don't blame me."
"More importantly, this lets the Uchiha see Kazuku's terrifying talent."
Tobirama's gaze sharpened, pulling strings.
The examiner, used to such orders, nodded and arranged it.
Predictably…
In the final draw, Kazuku "randomly" got Uchiha Setsuna!
With over thirty genin left, the odds weren't high or low.
Kazuku didn't buy zero rigging.
At the examiner's signal, Kazuku stood at Arena 6's center.
Uchiha Setsuna approached.
Seeing Kazuku, he froze, confused.
Due to the Senju crest, Setsuna had watched Kazuku.
His taijutsu was decent but not standout.
His opponents were all weak.
Clearly Tobirama's doing, easing Kazuku's first-phase pass.
But…
To face Setsuna in the final round?
"Maybe the remaining genin are too strong for Kazuku, so they want me to eliminate him?"
Setsuna considered, calming.
He didn't grasp the situation's gravity.
Others, seeing the draw, weren't as calm.
As Konohagakure's founding clans, Senju versus Uchiha was legendary.
This match felt fated.
Watching Setsuna approach, Kazuku's lips curved into a smile.
(End of Chapter)