Hi, I'm slightly a bit early than expected but hey, 20 followers are worth that much, right?
Anyway, here's the new chapter. Expect tense inconsistencies and slight grammatical errors.
What exactly comes to mind when a person hears the word prodigy? I've recently found myself pondering this question. And to no one's surprise, the answer to what a prodigy is led to me thinking of an intellectual. In my own understanding, a prodigy is a natural intellectual.
Ah, but this answer also leads to another question as it doesn't really provide an understandable answer to the initial question, thus the current question: What is a natural intellectual?
An intellectual is someone who takes to things easily. A deciphering mind that allows easy understanding of even the toughest of concepts and problems.
Yes, the answer came to me that easily. Was I surprised by this, well not necessarily. Call me arrogant but I have always been a philosophical genius. No, I'm not joking, I mean I was the guy who finally gave the answer to the world's difficult question: What is the meaning of life?
But, I digress.
Now back to the topic, you might be wondering what sparked my philosophical pondering of such a pedestrian concept? Simple, I found myself attending the Academy with Konoha's second greatest prodigy; Itachi Uchiha.
And let me say this, the kid is a fucking genius if I have ever seen one. A frickin' A-student through-and-through. And catch this, I've never even seen the kid do his thing.
Again, you might be wondering, how was I able to tell that the kid is a genius? I mean I know from the series that the boy was a genius, but the problem about the series is that it only stated the fact the kid was a genius but failed to show us how intellectual he actually was. Yes, there had been instances where the kid's brightness had been shown but those moments failed to show the full significance of his capabilities.
But, the real question is how was I able to measure the full extent of the kid's capabilities with just a single glance? Again, the answer came to me easily.
For the past month I've made it my goal to visit the library every day. And throughout the month I've become privy to all things prodigy — which is in this case, all things Minato. So by comparing Itachi's demeanour to Minato's I was able to determine the extent of his intelligence.
Itachi is the spitting image of Minato, demeanour wise if a little different. It was sad really to have the entire weight of the village on your shoulders at such a young age.
His similarity to the late Yondaime must have been apparent to him if his look of comprehension was anything to go by. This was another effect brought by the passing of Minato.
Though not intentional, his death has robbed Itachi of his childhood. And there is his clan, more specifically, his father. Sometimes you have to ask yourself if some people deserve to be parents.
I was eight when my mother taught me the effects of child boasting. The words of a parent carry more weight than the words of strangers. More than anyone, kids want more to impress their parents, as for the parents, they should know when to offer praise and congratulations so as not to burden or pressure their youngs.
I remember questioning my mother about who came up with this theory? She answered it was both a paternal and maternal instinct engraved in those worthy of having youngs.
"As parents, we shouldn't live through our kids. There's a difference between coercion and guidance. Another difference lies between discipline and abuse."
My butt was aching back then, but her words stuck with me, and it wasn't until I was an adult that I truly understood what she meant about the significance of a parent's words on a child.
Despite my boasting about my genius brain, I've never once looked to see if my mother's words were actually true. I simply took what she said at face value and deemed it as truth. And even now with my brain urging me to verify her words' validity, I know deep in my heart that I will refuse any study that denounces her wisdom.
Such was the power of a parent's words.
Giving in to my curiosity back then, I asked her what happened if such power was abused.
"Resentment!"
That was her answer.
"Be it conscious or subconscious, either way, the seeds of resentment will be sown."
Remember how Itachi chose to slaughter his entire clan, when two possibilities presented themselves? I know we all glorified his act as a sacrifice for the greater good but I always credited his actions to the failure of his upbringing.
I mean Fukagu is a pretty awful parent.
So what am I really saying? Well, just because things are similar doesn't mean that their destination will be identical.
Despite their similarities, Itachi and Minato were different. Where Minato succeeded, Itachi failed.
Well, I guess it's all about perspective. In a way they both failed. Minato's faith in the village led to his kid being a retard, and Itachi's sacrifice turned the only person he ever cared about into a psychopath.
But, that's the funny part. My dissection of their successes and failures is based on an alternate reality written and narrated by a Japanese dude.
Like I previously said, my existence in this reality makes this reality no longer the reality written by Masashi Kishimoto. My presence has already started a butterfly effect, and even though I'm unaware of those effects, their effects had made the workings of fate mysterious to me thus giving me the ability to tread as I see fit with total obliviousness of what extent of the consequences my actions might invoke.
Unless for events set in stone, other events are completely oblivious to me. So, what are the events set in stone? None. So, what does this mean? It means I'm living the meaning of life with certain advantages.
While my presence has interrupted certain events, my considerable knowledge of individuals, powers, and lore still gives me a considerable edge.
So, no, I don't count my blindness of future events a disadvantage, it is how life is led anyhow. I will not exchange my freedom for fore-knowledge.
Now back to Itachi.
The boy looks miserable. I was already in my class when he made his entrance. Despite his want to conceal his presence and actions, I found myself noticing the critical way his eyes traveled through the class.
It seemed he had already started his way to becoming a splendid 'shinobi'. I use the term 'shinobi' loosely as I still have yet to see these people as actual ninjas.
Yes, such a word should be reserved for the sobs who actually put the work into concealing themselves. In other words, Root agents and ANBU operatives.
As for the official Genin, Chunin and Jonin, I think the term soldiers is more fitting. I will not let the concept of ninja be ruined by these wannabes.
I once again turn my focus to Itachi. The boy's eyes were still studying, and so far he doesn't seem to be impressed with the results.
Understandable.
Seeing how the Kyuubi's had just attacked not a month ago, he no doubt expected the experience of such an event to rid his classmates of their childish outlook on life, just like it did him. It was a last ditch effort to see if he was truly different...truly alone?
I ponder pensively and arrive at a likely possibility.
'This is when he will finally embrace his genius and become a once in a generation talent. The self-imposed outcast.'
Not a completely void scenario.
I wait patiently to see if my being here will change him from being a kin-slaying badass we all love and adore.
My stand on the Uchiha Massacre? I'm pretty indifferent to it, whether it happens or not doesn't really matter to me. Though I do plan on performing an investigation to see if the killing of everyone in the Uchiha district will truly make Sasuke the only loyal Uchiha.
My doing this is to see if all Uchiha are incest maniacs. I mean I already know that incest is bloody encouraged in this world. And for some reason, it has no visible negative effects on them.
I should also perform a study that will clear the difference between this world's humans and my previous world's. It's funny how I'm giving myself all this work even though scientific research is well above my area of expertise, not to mention biological dissection.
If only Orochimaru knew of the humans of my previous world then I would have dictated the experiment to him.
This is the part where I should be smiling maniacally. Should I further corrupt the corrupted genius? If so, can Orochimaru succeed in dimensional travel?
There's still another two years until his research gets discovered by Sarutobi. I wonder if I should make contact?
Sadly, I don't think dimensional travel could be achieved without anchors. In other words, it would be impossible for me to return to my dimension, much less my galaxy. My limited knowledge of my universe makes the whole possibility impossible for me.
But what if I find a way to navigate?
'You woke up in the Naru-Verse, not the Marvel Universe nor the DC Universe. Despite its outrageousness, there's far fewer asspullings in this world.'
I shake my head at my 'crazy' muses.
Back to the plot-hole.
Still, I suspect one or two Uchihas mingled with non-Uchihas. And from what I've gathered, a union between a person without a bloodline Kekkei Genkai and one with, shouldn't significantly affect the offspring of their union acquiring the bloodline.
My judging of their inbreeding practice is oddly lacking. Though the notion still leaves me disgusted, I can't find it in me to actually care.
Well, let's put a pin on that. Itachi is about to reach my section. Seriously though, I feel like I'm an omnipotent spectator observing the effects of my intervention. But I'm neither a spectator nor omnipotent, my lack of fear of death doesn't make me any different from normal people.
Itachi's eyes reach me and I can see his interest. I see no reason to hide my intelligence nor comprehension. Like I said, I'll not sacrifice my freedom for fore-knowledge.
And besides, I too have an interest in the young Uchiha.
So, can he find a kindred spirit within me? Well, that decision will be entirely his as my interest in him is rather fleeting.
Let's rewind the clock a little bit so that I might explain my newly found uniqueness. I noticed it immediately after I decided that I shall become a splendid 'shinobi'. Remember, I set two goals for myself which were increasing my minuscule chakra reserves to that of an adult Uzumaki and having fine tune chakra over my own.
While I'm still working on the former goal, even though it's hard and excruciating. See, in order to increase my reserves I have to empty my reserves continuously while also hurting my coils. The coils act like muscles as in the fact that the more they get hurt the stronger they become. But that's not the problem, the real problem is chakra exhaustion.
Normally, it would be hard or difficult for me to explain to people the experience of losing something that's completely foreign to them but in this case it's pretty easy. Chakra exhaustion feels like dehydration, severe dehydration. No, it's really that simple to explain.
This is why it's ill advised to try and awaken one's chakra without supervision, or to deplete one's chakra when in a fight or in the middle of nowhere.
It's not that chakra exhaustion kills, but it's its way of leaving you unconscious for a week that will lead to your inevitable death.
But that's the problem, this rule doesn't necessarily apply to me. Which brings us to the latter goal. Unlike all other people in this world, I have a highly abnormal awareness of chakra. And not just my own chakra but all chakra in general. I know this doesn't really sound like much, but believe me, it's a fucking lot.
I know I've been saying that I can sense chakra. Well, that's not necessarily true. You see, the word sensing implies that I'm able to feel or detect, which in this case, grossly underestimates my awareness of chakra.
So, when I say I'm able to sense chakra, what I mean is that I'm able to see, hear, taste, smell and feel all together. And I'm not achieving this with my five other sensory organs, but with a different organ.
But get this, that's not all I'm able to do, I also have an inherent ability to control and manipulate chakra perfectly. The keywords here are perfect control.
You might have lost the full picture of what I'm trying to convey so let me remind you. I have an abnormal awareness of all chakra and the ability to perfectly control chakra.
Now, guess what potential that gives me?
Some of you might not get it, so I'll list my capabilities. I can replenish my chakra super fast. I'm able to replicate any and all abilities that are chakra based. I can disrupt and control others' chakra.
Naturally, you might ask why I need to increase my reserves if I already have all these advantages? Simple, chakra still needs to pass through my pathways in order to produce jutsu. And it's even less difficult to use my chakra instead of the ambient chakra.
And by ambient chakra, I don't mean natural chakra. I would need to see the usage of senjutsu in order to start using sage mode.
I know I make it sound easy, but that's the funny part, it's actually that easy for me.
Well, enough about my cheat-like ability and back to my interest in Itachi.
Simple, you see, because of what happened, I'm certain that the boy has awakened his sharingan. According to my hypothesis, there are three ways in which an Uchiha might awaken their sharingan: stress, desperation or trauma.
In Itachi's case, the stress must've done the trick.
But why my interest in the sharingan? You see, despite the advantages that my ability grants me, I lack the necessary capabilities to use it to its full potential. Fortunately, one of the sharingan's abilities can help me in this department.
While the sharingan is infamous for its great utilisation in combat, I find myself fascinated by its ability to grant its user perfect recollection.
Shocker, right? Big brain dude doesn't have a photographic memory, what an insult to all geniuses. Meh, I never claimed to be a certified genius, only a philosophical one. And even that title is self-proclaimed.
Yeah, I have no humble bone in my body, and my superiority complex is pretty crippling.
Ah, but how am I going to ensure that Itachi uses his sharingan in order for me to replicate its capabilities and gain that sweet mutation? Simple, manipulation! Despite his genius, the boy was still a kid, and all kids are curious.
So, guess what young-old Sosuke is doing? I'm playing Mr. Super Mysterious so to pique Itachi's interest thus activating his sharingan to get a better read on my person.
'Kids are so stupid.'
And low and behold, the kid activates his sharingan. But he does it discreetly and quickly so that no one notices the change of his eye colour.
But I have already noticed and comprehended the workings of the sharingan. I saw the pattern in which the chakra has to flow, the type of chakra needed for it, the temporary mutations it has on the optic nerve and the section of the brain that focuses on recollections.
And all I want are those mutations, but in my case I want them to be permanent and preferably without reliance on chakra.
Acquisition of the infamous sharingan was oddly easy.
Had the chakra needed to be unique, shall we say bjiuu chakra, or natural chakra, I wouldn't be able to replicate the sharingan since it would first require the acquisition of said chakra. Fortunately, Uchiha still use the same old chakra that all people used, and manipulating my chakra to match the one needed for the sharingan was pretty simple.
It's a real shame that Uchiha need to go through hardships to acquire their famed eyes.
The only unfortunate part is that I don't really want the sharingan, just its abilities. That means I will need to do modifications, which was way more difficult….and risky.
But who really cares about risks at this point? So…..
…ping! You have successfully acquired the ability: Sharingan. Current progress: 50%— ERROR— 100%
…ping! You have fully matured your Sharingan.
Who said you can't make a game out of your less than desirable situation. Unfortunately, I didn't end up with one of those game-like systems. Then again, if I had one then I would be pondering how to escape the simulation, and probably steal the device capable of such realistic VR.
Back to Itachi.
The boy seems to have liked what he saw as he started making his way towards my direction. I turn my head and look at him, the indifferent expression on his face a bit eerie.
It doesn't escape me that his steps make no sound. It isn't unusual for a clan kid to already know water walking or tree walking, but to utilise those skills on basic walking?
'Someone's taking his ninja career very seriously.'
And what am I currently doing outside trying to figure out the sharingan mutations? Well, I am doing exactly what Itachi is doing except I'm currently trying it out on my butt.
I have yet to come up with a name for it, but for now I'm calling it 'butt floating'. I don't really need to be doing this since I usually have a layer of chakra surrounding me but we all are familiar with boredom.
Itachi stands beside me, his back straight and clothes flawless. Even so, he lacks the arrogant air that oozed from his father. Good!
I regard him with an inquisitive look.
"Something I can help you with, Itachi?"
The slight widening of his eyes suggest that he didn't expect me to use such a casual tone.
Yeah, screw that formality crap, I'm a dude from Earth, respect doesn't come naturally for me.
———
Current list of respected individuals.
- Minato Namikaze
- Kabuto Yakushi
- Itachi Uchiha
Reviews please!!!!!!!!!!
