SWNOVELXO Chapter 49: Sharingan.
The days passed normally. Kakashi, Guy, and I continued our training under Minato. In the mornings, I focused on mastering my Wood Release techniques. By now, I had completed every jutsu of A-rank and below within the Senju compound. Now I had started working on the S-rank techniques.
In the evenings, I joined the others for fuinjutsu training and some light sparring. It was a steady rhythm of progress, with each day feeling like another step forward.
But during this time, a major event occurred.
In preparation for the upcoming war, Danzo took a drastic step—he implanted Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan into his right eye socket and bandaged it afterward. Of course, Hiruzen was already aware.
Kagami Uchiha had once been a trusted member of the Second Hokage's team alongside Hiruzen and Danzo. Danzo had always admired Kagami. When Kagami died during the First Great Ninja War, Danzo preserved his eye, claiming it would be a waste to let such a power die unused. He told Hiruzen he'd carry out Kagami's will of promoting peace. Typical Danzo reasoning.
Now, Danzo was seated in the Hokage's office along with the two elders. What they didn't know was that my clone was carefully observing everything from the shadows.
Danzo, with his right eye now hidden beneath fresh bandages, spoke with his usual cold authority. "Sarutobi, the war is inevitable. Iwa and Kumo will be our primary threats."
"The Sand and Kiri?" Hiruzen asked calmly.
"They won't be a problem," Danzo replied. "I haven't yet acted, but my root operatives are already in place. Many are disguised as Cloud shinobi—skilled in kenjutsu and lightning-style—and causing destruction in Iwa's territories. Likewise, others are posing as Iwa shinobi—physically strong, with Earth Release mastery—and attacking Cloud outposts."
Hiruzen seemed pleased with the strategy. After a few more discussions, they moved on to other matters—namely the upcoming Chunin Exams scheduled for tomorrow.
Homura adjusted his robes and said, "This year's exams should be entertaining. So many young geniuses are participating."
Koharu nodded thoughtfully. "Especially the Senju and Hatake boys. I'll be attending the exams as well."
Eventually, the meeting ended, and everyone left except Danzo, Hiruzen, and—of course—my hidden clone.
Hiruzen turned to Danzo, his tone shifting. "Did you really have to use it?"
Danzo reached up and lightly touched his bandaged right eye. "It was just sitting in storage. Drying out in a corner."
Hiruzen sighed. But then he released a sharp wave of killing intent that filled the room and locked eyes with Danzo.
"I expect you not to make a move on Ren during the exams," he said firmly.
Only a few individuals knew about my Wood Release abilities. Hiruzen had made sure it wasn't public knowledge. But Danzo, being the rat he is, found out through his Root operatives.
Still, Hiruzen's concern was unnecessary. Danzo wouldn't dare make a move on me. Not under my manipulation.
"I won't," Danzo replied, adjusting his cloak. "I won't do anything to Ren. He's too valuable to the village. I'll even protect him if necessary."
Hiruzen blinked. He looked like he'd just heard the moon say it wanted to live on the sun.
But in his mind, he likely interpreted it as Danzo finally turning over a new leaf. I chuckled while listening through my clone. If only he knew the truth. I wasn't going to kill Danzo—not yet. He still had uses during the Third Great Ninja War. After that, though? I'd erase him.
The two continued a brief discussion about the Sharingan and how to conceal it from the Uchiha clan. Only Hiruzen knew the eye once belonged to Kagami.
Afterward, Danzo returned to Root Headquarters. I dispersed my clone and leaned back against a tree in the Senju training grounds, letting out a light laugh. "Danzo, you snake. You really think I've forgotten what you tried to do to me?"
With a focused breath, I formed hand seals and slammed my palms onto the earth. "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence."
The ground trembled violently as massive roots and towering trees erupted around me, consuming the entire field in thick vegetation. It was like nature itself was answering my call.
I smiled. I'd finally mastered Deep Forest Emergence with complete hand seals. Now, I just needed to work on reducing the number of seals for faster execution.
By afternoon, I made my way to the training ground where Minato usually met us. I knew Minato, Kakashi, and Guy would be there—I'd timed it intentionally.
On the way, I bumped into Guy. He trained with his father in the mornings and joined us in the evenings. We exchanged a few words before reaching the ground where Kakashi was already waiting.
We began chatting casually about the upcoming exams when Minato-sensei suddenly flashed in via Flying Raijin.
As usual, he called me over. I created a wooden table and chair on the spot, and we began our fuinjutsu training. I'd already moved on to intermediate sealing scrolls, though I was still learning the basics of this level.
Later, we rejoined Kakashi and Guy for group training. Minato helped each of us with our techniques. I quietly nudged Kakashi in the right direction, guiding him to focus his lightning chakra into something… sharper. Something that would soon become the Chidori.
As for Guy, I considered beginning his introduction to nature energy, but I held back. It wasn't time yet—and I wasn't ready for others to know I could use it.
At the end of the session, Minato gathered us all together.
"Tomorrow is the Chunin Exams," he announced. "Be ready."
I wasn't worried. Kakashi was as calm as ever. Guy looked a little nervous, but I had confidence in him. After all, sparring with me and Kakashi had toughened him far beyond what he was supposed to be at this age.
We waved each other goodbye and headed home. The exams where tomorrow ,but I was ready.
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Author's Note:
In the next chapter, don't expect a huge number of character appearances during the Chunin Exams. Kakashi's classmates—like Obito, Rin, Anko, Ebisu, Genma , etc—are still in the Academy at this point in the timeline.
So the first phase of the exams will move quickly, and things will really start to get interesting in the one-on-one final battles. Expect to see Kakashi, Guy, and me shine.
Also, for the Anime-aware readers: yes, Kakashi was promoted early in canon, but later retook the exams with the others. That version of events is still respected here.
Thanks for reading!
—Dreaming_dragon97