Naruto: Godly Career System

"It was quite impressive. To be able to fight against my shadow clone for this long, both Haku and Kimimaro have grown significantly compared to before. And you, Itachi, did well too. Your choice of jutsu and timing were impeccable," came a voice from the edge of the training ground. The speaker, Kai Mitarashi, stepped forward with a calm demeanor.

From beginning to end, the one battling the three was merely one of Kai's shadow clones. Even if Kai had suppressed his strength to the level of an elite Chunin, his vast combat experience would still allow him to easily overwhelm the trio.

"Just a shadow clone?" Kimimaro couldn't hide the frustration on his face, but it quickly transformed into a look of determination. No matter what, he vowed to catch up to his lord's pace—to protect him at all costs!

"No wonder they call you the strongest in the ninja world," Itachi Uchiha muttered, his tone devoid of envy, filled instead with genuine admiration for Kai's strength.

Kimimaro walked forward, picked up the two bells on the ground, and turned to Kai. "My lord, have we passed the test?"

Both Haku and Itachi also directed their gazes toward Kai, anticipation evident in their eyes.

Kai wore a playful smile as he responded, "Of course. Snatching the bells means you've passed. However, there are only two bells. You might want to think about how to divide them."

With that said, Kai's gaze shifted toward Itachi Uchiha. Originally, he had only intended to test the trio's abilities, but suddenly, he was struck by a whimsical idea—reminiscent of Kakashi's bell test for Naruto and his team. This little twist added a layer of mischief to the exercise.

Now, Kai was curious to see what choice Itachi would make.

Without hesitation, Kimimaro handed one bell to Haku and the other to Itachi, saying, "My lord praised your performance during the battle. This bell is yours."

Afterward, Kimimaro silently stood behind Kai. To him, whether he officially became a Genin or not was irrelevant. As long as he could stay by Kai's side, that was all that mattered.

Itachi stared at the bell in his hand, a hint of struggle flickering in his eyes. As the son of the Uchiha clan leader and a prodigy hailed as the most outstanding talent of the Uchiha in decades, failing a Genin test would not only disgrace his father but also invite ridicule upon the entire Uchiha clan from other families.

Clenching the bell tightly in his hand, Itachi bit his lip and glanced at Kai and the silent Kimimaro standing behind him. After a moment of hesitation, he made his decision.

Raising his hand, Itachi tossed the bell back to Kimimaro and said, "Among the three of us, I am the weakest. So, for this test, I failed."

Then, turning to Kai, Itachi added, "Kai-sensei... my lord, I will take my leave now." His voice carried a tinge of melancholy as he prepared to walk away.

"Hmm... Did I not make myself clear?" Kai's amused voice stopped Itachi in his tracks. "Snatching the bells means you've passed. So, you've all passed. I just wanted you to figure out how to divide the bells. After all, there are only two. What if all of you wanted one? That could've been a problem."

Itachi froze mid-step, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned back to Kai. "Kai-sensei, are you saying... I passed the test?"

His eyes lit up with hope, though tinged with fear—fear that this hope might be crushed.

"Of course," Kai replied with a smile.

"That's... wonderful!" A genuine smile finally broke across Itachi's face.

Kai continued, "Alright, now that that's settled, why don't you all introduce yourselves to each other? Itachi already did earlier, so Kimimaro, you're next."

Without hesitation, Kimimaro stepped forward and said, "Kaguya Kimimaro. Likes: training. Dislikes: enemies of Lord Kai. Dream: to become strong enough to protect my lord and Haku."

"Yuki Haku. Likes: being with my lord. Dislikes: nothing. Dream: the same as Kimimaro's—to become strong enough to protect Lord Kai and Kimimaro," Haku said with a serene smile.

Once the introductions were complete, Kai clapped his hands and announced, "Alright, I hereby declare the formation of Team Kai. You're dismissed for now. Tomorrow morning at nine, meet at the Hokage's office."

Noticing the doubtful expression on Itachi's face, Kai scratched his head awkwardly and added, "Uh, don't worry. There shouldn't be any black cats crossing my path tomorrow. Haha…"

Uchiha Residence, Clan Leader's Hall

In the main hall of the Uchiha residence, Fugaku Uchiha sat solemnly across from his son, Itachi. His sharp eyes scrutinized the boy as he asked, "Itachi, did you meet your instructor today? Who is it?"

Fugaku was immensely proud of his son. Whether it was his intelligence or strength, Itachi was a rare genius among his peers—no, among the Uchiha in decades.

"Father, it's Lord Kai Mitarashi," Itachi answered respectfully.

"Kai Mitarashi!" Fugaku exclaimed, his pupils contracting in shock. The name of this man—a shinobi whose strength surpassed even Kage-level—was not one he expected to hear. The idea that someone of Kai's caliber would serve as a Genin instructor was almost unbelievable.

A complex expression flickered across Fugaku's face. Toward Kai, he felt a mix of admiration and deep-seated hatred.

During the Third Great Ninja War, in the infamous battle in the Land of Water, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans' conspiracy had failed spectacularly. Kai's retaliation had resulted in the deaths of nearly forty Uchiha clan members—all of whom were elite Chunin or higher.

As the clan leader, Fugaku had every reason to loathe Kai.

After a long silence, Fugaku spoke, his tone grim. "Kai Mitarashi is indeed powerful. Staying by his side, you will grow greatly. But remember this, Itachi—you are a member of the Uchiha clan. Never forget where your loyalties lie."

The conflict between the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Kai was an open secret within Konoha. Itachi understood the implications of his father's words all too well.

"Yes, Father," Itachi replied after a brief pause.

Fugaku waved his hand dismissively. "That's all, Itachi. You may leave."

"Yes, Father." Itachi stood, bowed deeply to Fugaku, and left the room.

As he watched his son leave, Fugaku's Sharingan activated, the three tomoe slowly spinning before merging into a single intricate pattern.

The Mangekyō Sharingan!

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