The most genuine decision… was there even a need to think about it?

Naruto shot to his feet, pounding his chest as he shouted, "I don't care who they are or how high up they are! No one bullies my family and friends! I'll fight them to the very end!"

"Heh… how naive," Hyuga Neji sneered from across the room. "Sometimes, in the name of the so-called greater good, sacrifices are inevitable. If sacrificing you or your entire family could save the village, would your defiance still matter? Your tough talk would be meaningless. You cannot defeat them. That… is reality. An unavoidable truth." As Neji spoke, his fists clenched, the bitter memories of his own clan's sacrifice rising unbidden to his mind.

"It doesn't matter," Gaara said slowly, his voice a low, gravelly whisper. "I care nothing for reality, for family, or for leaders. I only know one thing: anyone who gets in my way… must die."

Hearing this, Temari and Kankuro's faces twitched. They opened their mouths as if to speak, but the words died on their lips, unspoken.

At that moment, Sakura raised her hand, standing with a look of firm conviction. "If the village leaders were to do such a thing," she declared, her voice clear and confident, "they must have had their reasons. It would undoubtedly be for the greater good and the development of the village. If it were me, I think… I would try to understand."

It was the standard "correct answer," tailored perfectly for the ears of those in power. After speaking, she sat down, a self-satisfied smile on her face, her chest puffed out with pride. She was certain her answer was the most correct, the most rational. From a young age, she had always known how to navigate tests. Sakura looked at Ibiki, expecting a nod of approval, a sign that she had passed.

But Morino Ibiki didn't even glance in her direction.

Dosu, the Sound ninja, tilted his head. "Examiner, could you change the question? I have been without a family since I was a child, so I don't really understand such emotions. As for friends… heh, if they die, it is only due to my own lack of strength. Besides, there is only one leader in my village, and I approve of everything he does."

"…"

One by one, the other candidates gave their answers. The more experienced ones gave responses similar to Sakura's. The more individualistic ones gave answers that were varied but mostly self-centered. Only a few, those with true conviction and a fearless nature, chose the path of resistance.

In the end, only the Uchiha trio remained silent.

"Genin from Madara-gakure," Ibiki said, his gaze falling on Sasuke. "Don't you have anything to say?"

Sasuke understood the moment Ibiki had asked the question. So this was what Shiro had meant by "doing something big." He had used his genjutsu to control the examiner, to use this very topic to make their truth public.

"Hmph…" A humorless chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips. He stood, his movements slow and deliberate.

"My choice? I would betray the village," he declared, his voice ringing with a cold certainty. "And then, one day, I would return to seek my revenge. My clan has more right to speak on this issue than anyone here. After all, we have lived it. We are living it now."

"Betray… the village?"

A wave of shock rippled through the room. Most of the Genin were stunned. How could he say something so outrageous?

Feeling the strange looks and hushed whispers from everyone, Sasuke met their gazes without flinching. "What? You think that's wrong? Forget it. None of you could possibly understand. You have never felt what it is to be driven to despair by your own village, to be treated as less than human."

"This… this is the truth of why the Uchiha clan left Konoha!"