Naruto: Uchiha Survivor Forced to Save the Shinobi World

Why does he look a little smug?

Uchiha Shinji showed a confused expression.

From the look on Sasuke's face, it seemed like he really believed that he was the one who subdued the rampaging Nine-Tails.

This left Shinji utterly bewildered.

He remembered that while Sasuke was terrified at the time, he hadn't passed out. Logically, Sasuke should have sensed someone behind him.

Forget it.

Shaking his head, Uchiha Shinji didn't dwell on it.

No matter what, the misunderstanding had already happened. Sasuke had attracted all the attention, so even if Shinji did something out of the ordinary now, it probably wouldn't attract much attention from the higher-ups in the village.

After all, nothing could be more attention-grabbing than awakening the Sharingan at the age of seven and subduing the rampaging Nine-Tails.

Haku asked again, "Shinji-kun, are you close with Uchiha Sasuke?"

Uchiha Shinji shook his head.

Before the massacre:

Sasuke was not only the second son of the clan leader, but he was also deeply cared for by Uchiha Shisui, the number one expert in the clan, essentially born with a silver spoon.

As for the original Shinji, he was just an ordinary member of the Uchiha clan. His father died in the Third Great Shinobi War, and his mother passed away when he was about two or three years old due to illness.

So, although they were both part of the Uchiha clan, they had little interaction.

Seeing Shinji lost in thought, Haku mistakenly believed that Shinji was envious of Sasuke for awakening the Sharingan at such a young age, and quickly tried to comfort him: "Shinji-kun, I believe that with your hard work, you will definitely awaken the Sharingan one day!"

Uchiha Shinji was startled for a moment, then said: "I hope so."

"Shinji! Shinji!"

At that moment, a voice called out from not too far away.

Uchiha Shinji felt a headache coming on as he turned to see that it was, indeed, Shion waving at him.

In no time, Shion managed to shake off her guards and ran over to sit next to Uchiha Shinji, squeezing herself into the seat.

Uchiha Shinji scooted closer to Haku while saying: "You should stay away from me; otherwise, I'll bring misfortune upon you!"

Shion covered her mouth and giggled.

Both Uchiha Shinji and Haku were confused as to why she was laughing so foolishly.

Shion waved her hand dismissively: "Don't worry. I often bring misfortune to the people around me too! So, we're destined to be friends!"

"What is this, negative times negative equals positive?"

Uchiha Shinji sighed inwardly, unable to help but mock her in his heart.

Afterward, he quietly observed Shion and had the Lamp scan her for any contamination.

The result left him relieved.

There was no contamination on Shion.

Apparently:

As long as memories of demons were sealed, the contamination could also be temporarily suppressed.

Shion suddenly pointed at Sasuke across the way: "Who's that guy over there? Why is everyone talking about him?"

Seeing that Uchiha Shinji had no intention of speaking, Haku explained: "He's Shinji-kun's clansman, Uchiha Sasuke. It was him who subdued the Nine-Tails during its rampage."

"Is he really strong?" Shion asked.

Haku hesitated for a moment, glancing at Uchiha Shinji to ensure his expression was normal, and then carefully chose his words: "He's very strong. There's probably no one in the shinobi academy who can match him."

Shion tilted her head, sizing up Uchiha Shinji: "Why do I feel like you're much stronger than him?"

Uchiha Shinji was startled: Shion's power is too strong. If I stay too close to her, my genjutsu seal on her memories might not hold for long. I should avoid her in the future.

Next to them, Haku noticed that Shion's simple comment had affected Shinji and thought to himself: "As expected, girls really know how to comfort people."

This Chunin Exam didn't have much to attract Uchiha Shinji's attention.

The villages weren't really focused on the Chunin Exam, so while the afternoon matches might have been thrilling to the general audience, to Uchiha Shinji, they were somewhat dull.

The only highlight was probably Kabuto Yakushi's performance.

"He's likely participating in all these Chunin Exams to scout for excellent vessels for Orochimaru, huh."

Uchiha Shinji mused, though his mind had already drifted away from the matches.

After this day of adjustment, a lot of his stress had been released, and his mood was no longer as heavy.

He gradually realized something:

Although the current situation seemed filled with crises, as long as he grew strong enough, all these crises could be easily resolved.

So instead of worrying and hesitating, it was better to throw caution to the wind and move forward boldly.

After the Chunin Exam ended, Uchiha Shinji bid farewell to Haku, ditched Shion, and made his way alone to the ninja academy.

In the office, he found Iruka, who was still dealing with administrative work. "Iruka-sensei."

Iruka looked up and asked: "Shinji, didn't you go watch the Chunin Exam?"

"It just ended."

"I see." Iruka glanced out the window, then asked Uchiha Shinji: "Why aren't you heading home? What brings you to the academy?"

Uchiha Shinji got straight to the point: "Iruka-sensei, I want to learn some jutsu."

Iruka was a little surprised: "Learn jutsu?"

Uchiha Shinji nodded: "Yes, I want to learn the 'Shadow Clone Jutsu' and the Uchiha clan's 'Great Fire Annihilation'."

His upcoming plan required the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but asking to learn just that would seem odd, so he added a Fire Release technique as well.

Iruka sighed lightly.

Seeing this, Uchiha Shinji was about to give his prepared explanation.

But before he could say anything, Iruka patted him on the shoulder: "I know, I know everything!"

"!?"

Looking at Uchiha Shinji earnestly, Iruka said, "Uchiha Sasuke may be younger than you, but he's not like ordinary people. He… he's the most talented shinobi I've ever seen. Shinji, you're you. Don't compare yourself to him."

"I—"

Uchiha Shinji opened his mouth, ready to say something.

Iruka stopped him: "You don't have to explain. From the time we went to the Cat Fortress to contract the ninnekos, I knew you were a determined kid. I know I can't persuade you."

Uchiha Shinji gave up entirely.

Iruka paused, then said: "The 'Shadow Clone Jutsu' and 'Great Fire Annihilation' are both advanced jutsu. I can't guide you through them, but I can apply to the Hokage for permission to teach you."

Uchiha Shinji bowed deeply: "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."

Iruka waved it off: "Don't mention it. Now go on home."

Just as Uchiha Shinji was about to leave, his eyes caught sight of the fruit baskets piled up on Mizuki's desk. He asked: "Iruka-sensei, what's with these?"

Iruka explained casually: "Oh, during the Nine-Tails rampage, someone tried to attack Karin. Mizuki ran into them and got injured protecting her. He's still in the hospital. These fruit baskets are from the teachers who were too busy with the Chunin Exams today to visit him, so I'm going to take them to the hospital later."

Mizuki and Karin… Could that attack on Naruto also be related to them?

Uchiha Shinji's expression shifted subtly, but he said nothing more as he quietly left the office.