.
They stood on the dock before the lake, the noon sun glistening the waters, and highlighting his father's figure, making him look almost god-like.
In a way, Sasuke did see his father- and mother- as something divine and perfect, in the same category he placed Itachi.
No matter how much Itachi denied being perfect, Sasuke appreciated everything Itachi did. He would even thank Itachi for giving carbon dioxide to the Earth, if it didn't make him look creepy.
Tiger → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger were the hand signs Fugaku weaved, before he breathed, "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" And massive fireball flew over the lake, enveloping a large section of the water surface and lighting the already bright sky.
Sasuke watched, lost in his memories. He remembered being in this exact position a lifetime ago, and he could almost cry.
'That's my boy.'
I want to hear you say that to me again.
The tiny sun of fire danced aerially before fading out into black ash that drifted down to float in the lake, and Sasuke looked at his father with wide childish eyes of admiration and hope.
Fugaku appeared unfazed. "You try it."
Sasuke walked to the edge of the wooden dock, and moved his hands, about to form into the Tiger and Ram seals. Ever since he'd gained that Rinnegan in his past life, he could read chakra and understand it better than with the Mangekyou Sharingan- no matter how small his reserves were, he surely surpassed Sakura in chakra control. He had had the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. Not now, however, but the memories were still there.
So, Sasuke dropped his hands to his sides, not bothering to do hand seals. He could move his chakra without twitching a muscle- it was all in his tenketsu.
You always said it to Itachi and you finally said it to me when I finally impressed you with the great fireball technique.
I wonder...was it true that I was the only one you talked about when you were alone with mother?
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
A fireball, nearly double the size of his father's, blew over the lake. It reached past the circumference of the massive kilometer of water, burning into the trees, setting a forest fire.
Fugaku gaped.
Sasuke panted, dropping to his knees. He suddenly felt leftover bile from his stomach threatening to be vomited, and he was completely out of energy. Dammit, I overexerted myself! I haven't trained this body enough- and it's fucking female! Does this mean I'll have less chakra reserves and stamina, like Sakura?! Tch. I can't allow that. It doesn't matter. Besides Naruto, I'm the strongest man in the world, I won't disappoint...
Instantly, he whipped his head around to gauge Fugaku's reaction, holding his breath. Surely, he'd demonstrated something Itachi wasn't skilled enough to do- A fireball without hand seals- Was father finally as proud of him like he was with Itachi?
Fugaku's hands clenched and unclenched, his breathing ragged. He stumbled a bit, before sitting himself to the ground. "Ah...Forest...Fire...Hn."
Sasuke looked at his father. Did he make a good impression? What if father decided to place emphasis on him instead, and cut Itachi some slack? Sasuke wanted his acknowledgment too.
Fugaku rubbed his temples, and blinked open his Sharingan, turning his head to gaze at Sasuke. After narrowing his eyes to analyze Sasuke's chakra network, Fugaku blinked them back to normal. Apparently, he'd seen what he needed to.
After a few minutes of silent staring from Sasuke waiting for a response, Fugaku took his eyes off the dead fish beginning to float around on the lake, and picked himself up onto his feet. He turned to leave, and Sasuke hopped to his feet and stared at his father's retreating Uchiwa-crested back.
This feels...like last time...
He'll acknowledge me, right?
And then Fugaku paused. "Keep this up and you'll become just like Itachi."
Sasuke sucked in a breath. It felt familiar but it wasn't what he wanted to hear. There was something Father had said in his past lifetime that he wasn't saying now. Sasuke remained quiet, waiting for more.
"I'm signing you up for the Shinobi Academy."
That wasn't it...there was something else he wanted...
But Fugaku resumed his walking, leaving Sasuke alone in the forest.
I did...the same things as last time...
So why...?
...
Itachi's Chuunin Exam was in a year. In 2 years, Itachi would be in ANBU. In 4 years, he would be promoted to ANBU Captain, and slaughter everyone.
Sasuke had 4 years to stop Danzo, "Tobi," and the Hokage. The rest he could deal with later.
But as for "Tobi," there was no doubt the Madara-fake and Itachi made contact much sooner than that. Sasuke had to make sure the two didn't meet in this timeline. He had to keep an eye on Itachi to be sure.
The only plausible solution would be to meet Tobi first before Itachi does, maybe deceive the imposter into thinking Sasuke would be the better candidate to end the Uchiha...but was it even possible to surpass Itachi in ranks and make Uchiha Itachi into the 'little brother'?
That's impossible. I'm trapped inside my four-year-old female body. No matter how power I am, they'll see me as...
...
Henge.
The Transformation Technique he never bothered to use.
Heheheheh.
I know what to do.
Sasuke had forgotten something important.
Naruto was also getting a 3-year head start at the Academy.