Uchiha Mikoto

As soon as you leave the ninja academy, you can see a huge crowd of parents waiting outside, which looks quite similar to the grand scene at the entrance of the college entrance examination in my previous life.

There are actually quite a few students at the Ninja Academy, at least several hundred per class, and even more parents waiting outside.

In the original timeline, Kakashi told Naruto that each class of students only had twenty or thirty people, and two-thirds of them would be sent back.

In reality, if it were just this many people each year, Konoha would only have a few hundred or a thousand people at most, and would have been wiped out by other ninja villages long ago. Just Iwagakure alone could muster 10,000 people to kill the Third Raikage. As the leader of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha's number of ninjas could not be much different from other ninja villages, and might even be more.

These twenty or thirty people are basically members of the elite class, with some from other classes as well. Regardless of their background, these people are either the best of the best or top-tier second-generation ninjas, and they will all be led by Jonin after graduation.

Because of their talent or family background, their future prospects are bound to be much brighter than other ninjas. They are all potential Jonin, and only such people would be chosen by Konoha to have a few Jonin serve as their instructors each year.

Jonin are extremely valuable and powerful combat forces. Even the election of Hokage requires voting among Jonin, who hold a high political status. Not every ninja student is worthy of being led by a Jonin as soon as they graduate.

If these supervising Jonin think you're capable, then follow their lead; if they think you're not, then you'll be demoted one rank and replaced with another Special Jonin or Chunin.

The latter is the norm for most ninja trainees after graduation. Some of the better ones are guided by a special jonin. These people who can become special jonins have at least one special skill and have reached the jonin standard in some aspects. However, if the instructor ninja leading the team is only a chunin, then they will mostly be cannon fodder on the battlefield.

Uchiha Inahisa and Uchiha Gen were walking toward their clan's territory as usual when a tall, thin, middle-aged man with long hair appeared in front of them.

His name is Uchiha Nobuyuki, a Konoha Jonin, the vice-captain of the police force squad, and also Inahisa's father.

"It seems your graduation exam results weren't very good this time."

Inahisa, who had always been arrogant at the ninja academy, lowered her head.

Who is number one?

Dao Huo looked towards Yuan beside him.

"Congratulations, Gen. Taki would be very happy if he knew how outstanding you are now."

Shinji's expression softened somewhat when he looked at Yuan, though he still appeared quite serious.

Uchiha Taki was the father of this body, who had died in battle during a mission to capture spies from an enemy village before he transmigrated into this body.

"Thank you for your praise, Uncle Shin-yu. However, Inahisa's performance was also excellent. In the future, he will surely become a powerful Uchiha just like you, Uncle."

Uchiha Gen said politely to Shinji.

"That's not enough. If he wants to become a stronger Uchiha than his father, he needs to do more."

Uchiha Nobuyuki shook his head and continued to ask Inahisa:

"So, are you second or third this time?"

Inahisa, Sarutobi Enjun, and Gen—during their years at the Ninja Academy, their grades consistently remained in the top three.

"Third, Sarutobi Enjun put a mouthful of oil in his mouth before the match to increase the power of his Fire Release technique, so..."

"Losing is losing, there's nothing to say. However, losing to the Hokage's son and a clansman who performed better is understandable and doesn't disgrace the clan's reputation. This afternoon, come with me to the clan storehouse to select ninjutsu."

The Uchiha clan, as a top-tier clan in the ninja world, has been powerful for over a thousand years. Clan members generally have no shortage of good ninjutsu to learn. As long as they reach a certain ninja level, such as being promoted from genin to chunin, or advancing from two-tomoe Sharingan to three-tomoe Sharingan, they are qualified to enter the clan's ninjutsu library to select some ninjutsu.

"Yes, Father!"

"Yuan, I was going to ask you to come with me to the clan storehouse to give you some advice on choosing ninjutsu, but I saw the eldest elder's granddaughter on the way here. She must be here to see you, so I won't presume to do it for you."

Uchiha Nobuyuki turned to look at the intersection.

A pretty, black-haired girl walked briskly from there, her eyes smiling.

A bright red ribbon was tied around her long, high ponytail. She wore a green Konoha ninja vest over a light blue short shirt embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest. Her beautiful legs were snow-white, slender, and straight, yet healthy and strong. Clean white leggings were wrapped around her calves, and her figure appeared even taller thanks to her blue combat boots.

This girl is... Uchiha Mikoto?

Gen Uchiha recognized the girl's identity at a glance.

As they were from the same clan, he naturally knew Mikoto. Back then, Mikoto was his senior at the Ninja Academy, three years his senior.

"Misaka-nee."

Yuan and Daohuo said in unison.

"Hello, Uncle Xinzhi, Cousin Daohuo, and Yuan."

The girl smiled gently at the three of them and bowed slightly.

Uchiha Shinji began:

"Mikoto, you must be here on behalf of Elder Daigen, right?"

"Yes, Grandpa had long heard of the new genius in the clan. Today happens to be the graduation day of the Ninja Academy, so he specially asked me to invite Brother Yuan to our home for a chat."

Uchiha Gen is the current Grand Elder of the Uchiha clan, second only to the clan head Uchiha Hisasu. He is in charge of enforcing clan rules and managing the overall planning and distribution of clan public resources, as well as education and inheritance.

In other words, he manages the clan's archives and academy. As a newly born genius of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Gen naturally cannot avoid the role of the Grand Elder.

"Then I'll take my leave with Dao Huo. Yuan, if you need any help, just let me know. There's no need to be so polite with the Grand Elder."

Uchiha Shinji waved to Mikoto and Gen, then led Inahisa away.

"Xiao Yuan, shall we go?"

Mikoto Uchiha smiled, her clear gaze naturally falling on the boy in front of her.

His face was clean, his skin was fair, and he still had a bit of baby fat. He was young, obviously just starting to develop, but his features were handsome and well-proportioned, exuding a vigorous and spirited air.

This is the expression of someone with a positive mindset and confidence in their future.

Having a pendant on your body will naturally give you more confidence than others.

At first glance, it exudes a youthful vibe.

"Ah, okay, Mikoto-nee."

Gen Uchiha and Mikoto walked side by side on the streets of Konoha. The faint fragrance of the girl's hair wafted into their noses, and her eyes were somewhat vacant, as if she were lost in thought.

However, in reality, he devoted some of his energy to the system.

Originally, Yuan planned to go home, bathe, burn incense, and pay respects to Buddha, Guanyin, the Three Pure Ones, and the Six Immortals before participating in the lottery.