Chapter 1: Sword

Uchiha Sasuke approached the main throne room belonging to his father in the village. When he was younger it had been a dingy, dim room smelling of smoke. Now, many years later, electricity had been implemented in the room, and while there were no windows, fans ran to alleviate the stuffy atmosphere.

His father, Uchiha Fugaku, sat at the throne with an embellished desk in front of him bearing the clan's symbol. He reviewed the many files made by his kin—requests for aid from the other nations, prospecting missions, meeting summaries from the Fire Daimyo. To be said that Fugaku enjoyed the volume of paperwork was an understatement. Each piece was a potential threat that if not burned away and addressed would only result in the end of his small village applying to be recognized officially by the world.

"Father," Sasuke said. He announced his presence, even though Fugaku was well aware of him being there.

Sighing, Fugaku blocked his face with more papers. "Please schedule an appointment instead of barging in, and address me as Lord Fugaku."

Sasuke gulped. A visceral fear overcame him, the kind of fear he only ever knew from his father and the occasional raiders from when he was a young child. He shivered, but if anyone were to call him out on his reaction, he would blame the fans blowing cold air.

"Lord Fugaku… I want to be part of the squad that enters the chunin exams." Sasuke bowed deeply.

At this, Fugaku lowered his papers. He studied his son, his nervous, always lagging behind his elder brother, son. If Fugaku did not believe Sasuke to be so serious about his request, he would have burst into laughter. "Do not waste my time with childish requests. I have already selected the team. If you wish to have been considered, you should be training instead of wasting my time here."

Sasuke's bangs hid his shame. He had taken a risk, an embarrassing one, just to hope for his father's acknowledgment. Of course, this had been a waste of time.

"Lord Fugaku," Tekka said and entered the room. "The leader from Otogakure has arrived for your appointment."

Fugaku rose from his desk. "Assure all the arrangements have been made. I will meet with him."

Fugaku did not deign Sasuke with any further response as he walked past him. Sasuke could only lower his head further. The door closed, leaving Uchiha Sasuke alone with the aching in his heart that no matter what he did, he would never be enough for his father.

. . .

Uchiha Itachi was a kind boy who knew the tragedy of war and betrayal. He sat at the only Dango shop in the village ran by one of his many aunts. The Dango, he recalled, tasted differently when they were in Konoha. Now that they were posted somewhere to the north in a territory long abandoned by their ancestors, everything he tasted had a hint of regret.

"Yo, Itachi!" Shisui waved his hand as he approached the bench. "It's been a while."

"Shisui, you're back from your mission." Itachi instantly relaxed at the sight of his best friend. Shisui had been gone for months with no word of his return. Itachi was beginning to wonder if his mission had become dire.

"Sure am. Not a scratch, see?" He pointed at his tattered clothes, strings frayed at the edges from overuse, but indeed there were no wounds Itachi could see. "The escort mission from Otogakure to here only had a few peddlers and bandits. Nothing too hard."

"I see. I'm glad you made it back safely."

Shisui sat down and ruffled Itachi's ponytail. "I guess it makes sense that we would form an alliance with a newly recognized shinobi village."

Itachi offered a stick of Dango to Shisui who happily took it. "I have heard that Otogakure is filled with shinobi with troubled histories."

"So not that different from our own. Yum!" Shisui snickered.

Itachi sighed, a slight smile on his face. "You know that is not what I mean."

"I don't know, Itachi. Up until recently, we were considered criminals by the Land of Fire, and I think," Shisui began to whisper, "You think so too, right?"

Itachi stiffened, his final green dumpling hanging on his stick. "That's rather bold of you to say when you feel the same."

At this, Shisui belted out in laughter. "You know it. But that's a conversation we've had time and time again. That being said, I also did not come back empty handed. I got your request."

Itachi shook his head, grinning. "I knew you would have. You wouldn't be able to face me if you came back empty-handed."

Shisui handed him a long, slender box wrapped in parchment. "Well, it was a request I did not have a lot of time to act on, but I followed your instructions. Speaking of which, why didn't you get it since it's your gift?"

"Lord Fugaku forbade me from leaving the village until after his meeting with the leader of Otogakure."

"Really?" Shisui tilted his head. "I don't get how a meeting between him and another leader prevents you from completing missions."

Itachi shrugged. He was not entirely certain either as to the reasoning of his father. "Do you think he'll like it?

"Itachi, when I eyed this beauty, I loved it. So I'm sure Sasuke is going to be thrilled beyond bits."

"Thanks, Shisui. I owe you."

"I'll be more than happy to train him with it, too, y'know." Shisui stood up. "Anyway, let me know how it goes. We both need to prepare for the ceremony tonight."

"Right."

Itachi stared down at the wrapped gift. His fingers tugged at the red string tying it together. At first, worry flickered in his deep, dark eyes before he pushed it away.

. . .

With hands tucked into his pockets, Sasuke walked throughout the village. Mismatched tiles greeted his eyes from the older buildings. New construction was in progress. There were not many children his age, but there had been a boom of younger kids over the past few years. Many of them were kicking a ball around and some were throwing shuriken at training booths.

"Oh, Sasuke-dear there you are!" Uruchi beckoned him over. "Would you like a snack?"

"Hey Auntie. Thank you, but I don't have money on me."

Uruchi placed her hands on her hips. "Well, that certainly won't do, will it? Why, I believe a certain brooding prodigy stopped by and paid with very specific instructions: My little brother's favorite, please."

At this, Sasuke lit up. He knew exactly who Aunt Uruchi was speaking of. "Big brother really did that?"

She winked at him. "He knows just how much you love senbei, Sasuke-dear. Would you like your favorite?"

Sasuke could dance with glee with how touched he was at the thoughtfulness of Itachi. This was exactly what he needed when his father's words had put him in such a gloomy mood. "Yes, please."

"One tomato senbei." She handed him the crackers wrapped gingerly in plastic.

"Thank you, Auntie!" At this Sasuke scurried off home. If Itachi had paid for a snack for him then certainly that means he would likely already be back from his afternoon errands.

On the path back home, Sasuke came across an entourage of shinobi he presumed to be from Otogakure. They were all dressed the same in facially obscuring uniforms. At the center was a most flamboyant of personalities. He had long, dark locks of hair, skin paler than the moon, and, as fear washed over Sasuke's body, golden snake eyes pierced right into his entire being.

At this, the man's hand raises up. The shinobi stop in their tracks and break away to allow the strange snake-like man to be fully visible.

"My, you must be Lord Fugaku's son, Sasuke Uchiha, hm?" His voice came out like a smooth purr brimming with sadism.

Sasuke furrowed his brows. He could not find it in himself to answer.

Orochimaru licked his lips. "I have heard a lot about you. You sound most promising indeed."

At this Sasuke shuddered, but his chest ached at the admittance of praise. His father had spoken highly of him to what he can only presume is the leader of Otogakure? Perhaps his father was only being tough on him because he knew Sasuke had it in him.

Sasuke felt foolish for feeling so lousy today. He could have taken what his father said more seriously and trained harder.

"Sasuke, please do well. I look forward to seeing your performance." With this, the man and his shinobi guards continued walking.

. . .

Itachi studied himself in the mirror. He had always been a fan of less form-fitting clothing, but the traditional yukata always made him feel at odds. That being said, the black and red garment did suit him well.

"I'm home!"

Itachi nearly lost his balance at the happy and loud greeting of his brother. "Welcome home!" He hollered back. He turned to his bed where the present for Sasuke rested. Itachi would be lying if he said he wasn't excited to give the gift to his baby brother.

Sasuke's loud footsteps clambered down the hallway and stopped at Itachi's door. "May I come in?"

"Sure."

Sasuke peeked his head into his brother's room. "You're getting ready for the chunin announcement ceremony."

Itachi worked on adjusting the height of his yukata. "Mother sat yours in your room. You should get ready too."

"I heard you were part of the first Uchiha squad to go."

"Well, there are not many candidates who meet the criteria." Many of the Uchiha around Itachi and Sasuke's age had perished when the clan cut ties with Konoha. Whether it were from retaliation to food supply shortages to the elements, many elderly and children did not weather the consequences well during the dark years.

Sasuke rocked back and forth on his feet. "Do you think there's any chance that father could change his mind?"

Itachi turned to him, his entire focus on him. "You spoke with him today, didn't you?"

Sasuke sheepishly nodded.

"Sasuke, I would not concern yourself with his opinion of you. Respect him as he is our leader, but when it comes to your skill and potential, you're a lot like me. If I had my way," Itachi said, he approached Sasuke and poked his forehead. "I'd have you on my team."

"Ow…" Sasuke mumbled. "You're just saying that to be nice."

"And what reason do I have to be nice?"

"Because it's my birthday today… that's why."

"It's already today?" Itachi feigned surprise. "I completely forgot."

"Big brother you never forget!"

"I did this year, Sasuke. See, I haven't even finished wrapping your present—" He gestured to the gift in parchment. "It certainly could do with more embellishing, but as you know, there is a shortage of non-essentials."

Sasuke pushed past him and hurried to the bed. He eyed the long, wrapped box. Giddiness filled him to the brim. "Big brother, is this really for me?"

Itachi smiled. "It sure is. You're twelve today, which means you deserve a proper gift. Go ahead, open it."

Sasuke had no hesitation at ripping away the ribbon and tearing the paper. He saw what he could only presume was a hilt and a sheath. Eyes widening and his grin growing larger, Sasuke pulled the smooth black piece from the paper and held it with both hands.

"Big brother, is this?"

Itachi leaned against the doorway, arms crossed with a relaxed smile. "Go on."

Sasuke pulled the hilt from the sheath. Emerging from the darkness was a chokuto with a slightly curved blade. "You got me a sword…"

"Not just any sword, baby brother. It's the sword of Kusanagi."

Sasuke stared at his reflection in the polished metal. He then looked up at Itachi. "The sword of Kusanagi?"

Itachi nodded. "It's a sword that can cut through anything."

Sasuke sat the sword down. He ran to Itachi, enveloping him in a hug. "Thank you, big brother! This is the best gift in the whole world."

Itachi wrapped his arms around Sasuke. "You're a skilled shinobi deserving of a fine sword, Sasuke. I've seen the way you've been working with Shisui's."

Sasuke looked up at Itachi. "You also bought me senbei."

"Was it good?"

"The best. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Itachi ruffled his hair. "Now go get ready. After the ceremony, if there's time, Shisui and I have agreed to start your training with the sword. We'll have a few weeks before we need to head out, so that should be enough time to get you started."

"Really?!"

Sasuke left Itachi's room in haste only for Itachi to hear a slight thud followed by a grunt of pain. Itachi chuckled to himself. Some things do not change even with age.

. . .

Lord Fugaku stood at the front center of the ceremony room. His wife was behind him and his two sons next to her. He began the historical rites of the Uchiha, explaining their history and legacy for the future.

"It is because our ancestors did not follow Madara that the Uchiha's situation became such a sorry state. Now that Madara has returned and shared with us his grace, our clan is prospering like never before."

The crowd of clansmen, all sitting cross-legged in the room, nodded in agreement.

"Madara has given me a message to share with you all. To turn one's back on the clan for selfish gain is unforgivable. As such, Madara has identified traitors who have conspired against us. Please summon Kagen."

Tekka and Inabi brought two men bound in chains from the back. They were covered in wounds, bruises, and their clothes were stained with blood. Tekka and Inabi pushed the two identical men down to their knees before Fugaku.

"Uchiha Kagen had been murdered by these impersonators for the sole purpose of spying on our activities to report to Konoha. For years they split responsibility in sharing intel and maintaining Kagen's lifestyle, deceiving friends and family."

The crowd filled with gasps and outrage. Verbal attacks such as "Traitor!" "Murderer" and "Konoha scum!" echoed throughout.

"Do you have any words to say to the clan you've robbed?" Fugaku asked.

Neither of the two men acknowledged Fugaku's question. At this, he beckoned to Yashiro who rose up from the shadows. In his hands was a straight sword. The ceremonial sword of reconciliation, where the clan was only whole once the traitor was purged.

"Which of you would like the honor of leaving this world first?"

One of the men looked up. "You're a vile man, wicked eye Fugaku."

A scream from the bound man erupted and a wave of blood showered the crowd. Fugaku had not hesitated to slice the insolent man's head clean off. Screams and raucous cheers boomed throughout. The other, his twin, watched with horror at the fate of his brother.

Itachi gripped Sasuke's wrist. The younger Uchiha looked up at his brother who appeared calm on the outside, but Sasuke knew better. Any death was a painful sight to Itachi. His big brother had told him the horrors of growing up, all his peers dying, the raiders who spared no one, how the only thing that kept him okay at the end of the day was Sasuke and Shisui.

Sasuke shifted Itachi's grip so that he was holding Itachi's hand. The sight made Sasuke uncomfortable as well. He could feel the burning in his throat.

After the next decapitation, Fugaku dropped the sword and walked deeper inside, out of view, to wash up, unfazed at the lives he ended. Mikoto followed after him, a white cloth in her hands.

Itachi and Sasuke stood still, obedient as they had been told all these years, as Tekka and Inabi cleaned the blood and disposed of the bodies belonging to the two spies. Spies that, for years, the Uchiha higher-ups likely already knew about, but decided to toy with and give hope to that they would have had a decent shred of intel to share.

Fugaku returned with Mikoto, Tekka, Inabi, Yashiro, Shisui, and Izumi trailing behind him. At this, Itachi knew to get in line behind Izumi, leaving Sasuke to stand by himself.

Itachi's gaze softened at his baby brother. Sasuke did his best to keep the hurt out of his eyes and gave a nod. He mothed "Congratulations" to Itachi, who only paused before turning away.

"Now that we have cleaned up our ranks with shinobi deserving to hear our next announcement, I would like announce that the Fire Daimyo has granted Uchihagakure the opportunity to establish our ninja village—"

Cheers rang out among the crowd.

"If an up and coming shinobi from our village can prove to meet the qualifications of chunin, then we will be recognized as a village worthy of representing the Land of Fire as equally as Konoha."

Fugaku stepped aside to reveal Shisui, Itachi, and Izumi.

"The first young shinobi to be recognized as a candidate for the chunin exams is none other than Uchiha Shisui. As proof of his skill, he was entrusted with the escort of our new ally, Otogakure. Shisui's skills as part of this team will ensure our clan's success."

Fugaku patted the boy's shoulders and nodded. Shisui bowed and then followed Mikoto to the back.

"Next is Uchiha Itachi. A prodigy in his own right, Itachi's skill has ensured our border's protection from raiders and spies alike. He is well-known to our clan especially in procuring the medicine that ended a plague. Itachi will be an instrumental member in this three man squad."

Fugaku eyed Itachi, furrowing his brows when Itachi eventually did bow before him. Without another word, he walked off to join Shisui.

"Our final representative is Uchiha Izumi. Awakening the sharingan at a young age, Izumi has trained and dedicated herself to the Uchiha cause. A master at medicinal herbs and combat, Izumi's diverse skillset will only aid the team toward our clan's vision for the future."

Izumi approached Fugaku only to immediately bow. "Lord Fugaku, I thank you for your gracious praise, but I must refuse this appointment."

Fugaku shook his head. "Rise. Explain yourself to the clan."

Izumi, hesitant, stood. "I will be shadowing an Otogakure shinobi in the art of medical ninjutsu for the benefit of the clan. This ninjutsu not only can be of great use in healing, but also serves offensively. As part of the newly forged alliance, I am to leave at once."

Fugaku nodded. "My apologies for not alerting everyone sooner. I had informed Izumi of this opportunity where she would make her decision tonight. Either choice would be a great benefit to the clan. I can now say she has chosen correctly as her skills make her the only viable candidate."

Izumi nodded, and with a worried expression, she was escorted by Tekka. She met Shisui and Itachi's eyes, but hastily looked away.

"This now means that we are in need of another talented young ninja to represent our clan. This leaves me to my next decision in enlisting Uchiha Sasuke to complete the three-man squad."

Sasuke's stopped breathing. He was not sure if he heard his father correctly in recommending him. Earlier today he had given every indication that he was not ready to partake in the chunin exams. So now, he was curious if he were dreaming this up.

"Sasuke shows promise and dedication to this clan. He is the only of his generational year to have survived the darkest years of our clan's history. This will be the opportunity he needs to prove himself as a formidable member of our clan and for our enemies to not judge the Uchiha lightly."

Sasuke felt dizzy. One foot trailed after the other. He was looking right at his father who had turned to him to officially recognize him before the clan. He could not believe this.

Firm arms placed themselves on his shoulders. His father's stern glare was piercing and anxiety-inducing. In the quietest voice, Fugaku muttered, "Do not disappoint me, boy."

Sasuke nodded, beads of sweat trailing down from his forehead. He felt sick. He had the recognition from his father, and yet something felt off. Was this the mounting pressure of worrying he would not meet his father's expectations?

Fugaku let him go and Sasuke departed with an almost inelegant haste to his brother's side. Itachi and Shisui exchanged concerned looks while Sasuke felt as though he had been chastised worse than this morning.

"Is is with great hope that our representatives become chunin so that our clan can continue the next steps of our recognition in the Land of Fire, and the larger shinobi world."

Welcome to the Uchihagakure Chronicles.

I hope you enjoyed it, and please be on the lookout for more chapters soon.