Chapter 2
KONOHA HOSPITAL
Naruto opened his eyes, feeling a throbbing pain in his head. He had been unconscious for an hour after his encounter with the villagers and his awakening of a new power. He was now in a hospital bed. Upon fully opening his eyes, he found himself bombarded with information. He could now see, feel, and hear everything around him, but it was unfocused and overwhelming. He could see the light rays from the lamp above him, hear the Hokage talking with the doctors in his room, and even feel the individual fabrics in his bed sheets. It was too much for him. All this information pumped into his brain caused immense weariness and fatigue. He tried to sit up in his bed but felt dizzy and weak.
"Ahh, my head," Naruto groaned.
"Naruto, my boy. How are you feeling?" the Hokage asked, with a face full of concern and regret. He had failed to protect Naruto from the villagers' hatred once again. "I'm glad the Anbu got there in time. They found you in a terrible condition," he said.
"Physically, I feel fine, but my head is killing me. My brain feels like it's melting and will drip from my ears," Naruto said, rubbing the bridge between his eyes.
Hiruzen looked into Naruto's eyes, noticing the change in them; they were still blue, but they now had a peculiar glow. It felt as if they were staring into his soul, reading his thoughts and feelings. He wondered what happened to them, what potential power, if any, they possessed, and what it meant for the boy's future.
"You said your brain feels as if it's going to fry?" Hiruzen asked. "Could you elaborate?"
Naruto looked at Hiruzen. "I've always had good eyesight, hearing, and perception, but this is completely different. It's like everything has been cranked up to eleven. I can even see chakra flow now... it's too much. It feels like everything is flooding my brain, Jiji." He looked sheepishly at Hiruzen. "Does that make sense?"
I wonder if this is a new dōjutsu... this isn't like anything I've ever seen. Is it similar to the Sharingan or even the Byakugan? Hmm, we'll have to wait and see. Hiruzen thought for a moment before turning to the doctor.
"Is there anything that can help limit the amount of information he's receiving through his eyes?" Hiruzen asked.
"Maybe," one of the doctors answered. "I think I have something that can help. Excuse me as I go retrieve it." He said before leaving the room.
"What happened to those who attacked me?" Naruto asked.
"The civilians were arrested and jailed for attacking a minor and talking about classified information. As for the shinobi who attacked you, you will not see them again," Hiruzen said.
"Good," Naruto said. "I hate those cowards. Don't even have the guts to take me head on."
Hiruzen sighed and made a mental note to address Naruto's hate later.
The doctor returned a few minutes later with round, blacked-out glasses. "Here, try these on," he said, handing the glasses to Naruto.
Naruto inspected the glasses before putting them on, surprised he could still see through them.
"How do you feel, Naruto?" Hiruzen asked, curious and hopeful.
"Great. I feel not as tired as I did without them," Naruto replied, smiling in relief.
"But can you see?" Hiruzen asked. "They are completely pitch dark after all."
Naruto looked at the old man. He could see the charka flowing throughout his body, it was large in quantity, and he could see his tenketsu points as well. Naruto could also vaguely make out five different types of chakras flowing through the old man.
"I can't really see you, but I can see your chakra flow. I can also make out five different chakras flowing through your body. You've got a lot of chakra too." Naruto smiled. "You really are strong Jiji."
"I see," Hiruzen said. So, even though his eyes are covered he can still see chakra similar to the Byakugan and also see the amount of chakra someone possesses. He could also make out my elemental affinities. These eyes of his are truly fascinating. "Thank you," Hiruzen said to the doctor before signaling them to leave. "Get some rest Naruto; we'll talk in the morning." He said before leaving.
Naruto removed his glasses, placing them on the nearby counter before surrendering to sleep.
Naruto awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. He changed into his clean clothes and grabbed his glasses before heading out. He walked to the hospital entrance to see Hiruzen waiting for him. He wondered what this talk would be about.
"Good morning, Naruto. Let's go on a little walk, shall we?" Hiruzen said before leading the way.
"Where are we going, Jiji?" Naruto asked as they walked out of the hospital. "If it's to the report to the council, then you can forget it," he said, getting slightly agitated.
Hiruzen laughed. "I know how much you enjoy those meetings, but no. I was going to walk with you back to your apartment. I don't plan on telling the council of your recent developments. I wanted to talk with you on a more serious matter." He said sternly.
That piqued Naruto's interest – a serious conversation with the old man; that was something new.
"Ok, but if we are going to have this talk, we should probably do something about the guy who's been following me," Naruto said.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed as he continued walking, avoiding any actions that might raise suspicions of the stalker. "How long has this been going on?" he asked.
"Since I was 4. I started to sense this weird chakra trailing me. It was cold and empty, but I never knew who it was." Naruto replied nonchalantly. "I assumed it was someone assigned by the council to spy on me."
"Do you know where he is?" Hiruzen.
"Uhhh." Naruto lowered his glasses below his eyes. He scanned the area, looking for the familiar chakra signature. "He's about 10-15 meters away, wearing one of those Anbu masks with a black cloak. I can't tell, but this feels like the same person."
"Understood," Hiruzen said. He signaled for two of his Anbu, watching in the shadows, to take care of it. They received the signal and disappeared.
After a few moments, the threat was neutralized; they reported to the Hokage that the man had been taken in for interrogation."
"Now that's taken care of, what did you want to tell me?" Naruto asked as they continued walking.
"I'm sure you are aware of the attack of the Nine-Tailed Fox six years ago on your birthday," Hiruzen said.
"Yes, how could I not? The villagers remind me every day." Naruto said bitterly.
"Yes, regrettably... but regardless of that, you know that the Fox is made of pure chakra and cannot die. If killed, it would eventually reform after some time. So, the only other option is to seal the beast inside someone, making them a―," Hiruzen stated.
"A jinchūrik, yes, I know the Fox is sealed inside of me if you were getting to that." Naruto interrupted.
Hiruzen eyes widen, showing a shocked and curious expression. "How did you―?"
"I've been trying to find the Fox's chakra signature since I was 4. I gave up after a year of searching, but last night, I met him in his cage." Naruto said carelessly.
"Are you sure that it was him?" Hiruzen asked skeptically.
"A giant fox with nine tails is pretty rare, so yeah, I'm sure it was him," Naruto replied sarcastically.
"Did he say or want anything?" Hiruzen asked anxiously.
"No, he said I was strong and looked forward to seeing my progress, and that was it," Naruto replied causally.
Hiruzen nodded his head, still processing the information. He wondered if there was something more to the Fox than what they knew.
"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Naruto asked.
Hiruzen nodded his head, feeling a mix of emotions. He hoped Naruto would take what he said next well.
"Yes," Hiruzen said. "Now, Naruto, you must promise me to keep this a secret until the appropriate time. The knowledge I am about to tell you must remain between us. This is an S-rank secret," he said.
"Okay, jiji. What is it?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Hiruzen took a deep breath before saying, "You are the son of the Fourth Hokage, Naruto."
Naruto's grin widened even more; he couldn't believe what he heard. The Fourth Hokage, considered one of the strongest shinobi ever, was now his father. "What about my mother?" he asked.
"She was an excellent and strong kunoichi. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki. She was from the Uzumaki clan; they were known for their large chakra reserves, healing ability, and specialty in fūinjutsu," Hiruzen stated. "Sadly, there aren't a lot of them out there anymore. But she was also the previous jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox before you."
"Hmph... she must've been really strong," Naruto said with pride.
"Yes, she was," Hiruzen said sadly. "On the day of your birth, the Nine-Tailed Fox was taken out of your mother, causing massive destruction to the village. Your father left with no other option, decided to seal the beast inside you to protect the village. I hope you don't hate your parents, Naruto. They truly loved you and died for you. They wanted you to be a hero, not seen as a demon." He stated.
"Why would I hate them?" Naruto replied. "They were strong. Thanks to them, I have the power to be better." He turned his gaze towards Hiruzen, expressing gratitude and respect. "The only people I hate are the villagers. Their pathetic insects, clinging to life. Why should we protect them?" he said losing his composure. Naruto took a deep breath before saying, "I can't wait to see their faces when they find out that the child they've hated, is the son of their beloved Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen sighed, understanding Naruto's anger and resentment toward the villagers. He pondered what his late sensei would think of the village's current state. The Will of Fire was dimming by the encroaching darkness. However, his concerns extended beyond the village's condition to Naruto's safety, both from internal and external threats.
"No, Naruto, this revelation must remain a secret until the time is right. Disclosing this information would only make you a bigger target. Especially now, with the recent development of your eyes. You'd face endless pursuit if your true heritage were to be exposed," he cautioned. "You need to be careful."
"You're no fun, jiji," Naruto pouted. "So, what's the plan then?" he asked.
"As you continue to grow and develop, hide your abilities from the public eye, fellow shinobi, and superiors... even me. From what I can see there is a breach in security, so anything you tell me may be at risk. So do so at your discretion until I resolve these matters," Hiruzen said.
"So, what, become the dead last?" Naruto said.
"That may be a good idea, but you do not have to do so." Hiruzen chuckled. "Keep your true power secret until you are strong enough to protect yourself from these potential threats."
Naruto took one hand out of his pocket before looking at it. He felt a surge of excitement.
"Things have gotten a lot more interesting." He looked at Hiruzen. "Thanks, Jiji. I appreciate you telling me all this, even though you didn't have to. I mean it." he said sincerely.
"Of course, I want you to feel comfortable to come and talk to me. Even though we are not blood-related, I view you as my grandson." Hirzuen said softly.
"Thanks," Naruto responded.
"Also, Naruto don't let the hate in your heart consume you. I've seen too many talented shinobi fail to conquer the darkness in their hearts. I would ask that you reconsider your deposition towards the villagers. Not all of them are bad," Hiruzen said.
"Yeah, sure," Naruto said, brushing off the old Kage's comments.
Hiruzen simply sighed.
When they finally arrived, the sun had risen over the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange. The rays of light pierced through the clouds, signifying the start of a new day.
"You've got a little while before the academy starts," Hiruzen said as they arrived at Naruto's front door. "Let me know if you need anything Naruto."
"Yep, see ya, Jiji," Naruto said.
"Goodbye, Naruto." He responded before 'poof'-ing in a cloud of smoke.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
Naruto jolted awake, realizing that he had overslept. Exhausted from his conversation with Hiruzen, he had opted for a nap before the academy but forgot to set his alarm. He quickly put on a black long-sleeved shirt and grey shorts, grabbed his glasses, and left his apartment. He was about to start running, then realized that it would be a waste to do so. Naruto chose to take the scenic route to the academy and did so at his own pace.
He walked through the academy gates whistling, indifferent to his tardiness, strolling through the corridors, occasionally stopping to chat with kids in the hall. Upon reaching his classroom, he slid the door open.
As soon as he entered, he felt all eyes on him. He looked around and saw the shocked and curious expressions of his classmates. He wondered what was wrong until he remembered that he was wearing his new glasses. They completely hid his eyes, giving him a mysterious and cool look. He also looked more mature and handsome as the glasses heightened his facial features and snow-white hair.
The girls in the class were especially stunned by his new look. They felt their hearts skip a beat, and their cheeks flushed. They couldn't believe this was the same Naruto they had ignored and mocked since entering the academy. They suddenly felt a new attraction and interest in him, wondering if he had a girlfriend.
Naruto decided to have some fun with this. He slightly lowered his glasses, revealing his stunning blue eyes.
"Naruto-kun!" The girls squealed in delight, captivated by his stunning looks. "Sit next to me, Naruto-kun! No, sit next to me!" they chorused.
"NARUTO!" Iruka's voice thundered across the room. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? AND WHY ARE YOU AN HOUR LATE?"
Naruto casually lifted his glasses, meeting his sensei's stern gaze. "Take it easy, sensei. I'm just catching up on some beauty sleep. No big deal," he replied, waving his hands in a carefree manner.
Iruka sighed, this kid, he thought as his eyelids twitched. "Just take an open seat, Naruto."
As Naruto scanned the classroom, he couldn't help but notice the boys sharing surprised glances, their envy visible as he basked in the attention.
Amused by their reactions, Naruto burst into laughter, finding the situation utterly hilarious. He got even more looks with some of the students thinking he'd lost his mind. His eyes darted across the room, searching for an available seat, until they landed on someone in particular.
"Oh, Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed, striding purposefully toward the Uchiha.
Inwardly, Sasuke groaned a silent plea for relief echoing in his thoughts.
Naruto reached Sasuke and slapped him on the shoulder. "Fate has conspired to bring us together once more. It is destined for us to be best friends," Naruto declared with a grin.
Sasuke shot him a glare, rubbing his shoulder where Naruto's hand had made contact. He chose to ignore him and focus on the board, hoping that Naruto would find another seat if left unbothered. He had hoped for this to be a peaceful day, but much to his dismay, Naruto sat beside him.
"C'mon, Sasuke, is this how you treat your 'besto friendo'?" Naruto teased, playfully poking Sasuke's cheek with a mischievous grin.
Sasuke's eye twitched, his patience wearing thin. He swatted Naruto's hand away. "Stop it, dobe. You're not my friend; you're a nuisance."
A feminine voice chimed in, "Who's your new friend, Sasuke-san?"
Naruto turned around and saw a girl sitting behind Sasuke. She looked like Sasuke, with the same features as him. Her hair was long and silky, reaching her waist. She wore a black short-sleeved dress with brown shorts underneath. She had a confident and graceful posture, her eyes beaming with curiosity. She had a friendly and cheerful smile on her face. She waved at Naruto.
Naruto slightly lowered his glasses and looked at her. "You're Kiyomi Uchiha, twin sister of Sasuke Uchiha and younger sister of Itachi Uchiha," he said.
How does he know this? Sasuke thought, first with Itachi and now with her.
"You're strong, just like your brothers. I can see it," Naruto said, getting excited.
Kiyomi laughed. "Itachi was right when he described you. It's nice to meet you. I heard that you tricked my brother the other day. Well, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I'm the only one who can mess with him," she said, pulling on her brother's cheek.
"No, he's mine," Naruto said, playful as he pulled Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke was caught in a tug of war between his sister and Naruto as they laughed at him, having the time of their lives. Things were not looking good; he already had to deal with Kiyomi's antics, but now adding on Naruto, it was going to get a lot worse.
After the class ended, Naruto turned towards Kiyomi.
"How about the three of us get some ramen," he said.
"Ramen, that would be awesome! I love ramen," she replied enthusiastically.
"Have you ever had Ichiraku's miso ramen with pork; it's amazing," Naruto said.
Kiyomi and Naruto continued to go back and forth about the different kinds of ramen until Sasuke interrupted.
"No, we can't go. Kaasan said to be home early," he said.
"Please, Sasuke, pretty please. Can you do it for your onee-chan?" Kiyomi said with puppy dog eyes.
"No!" he shouted, irritated. "Also, you're barely older than me."
"Come on, Sasuke. Let's get some ramen! Pretty please," Naruto chimed in with the same puppy dog eyes.
Kiyomi and Naruto sat on their knees, begging Sasuke. They were there for 5 minutes before Sasuke finally caved in.
He sighed. "Tch, we can get ramen. Just make it quick. If we get in trouble, I'm blaming you," he said, annoyed that they succeeded.
"Yes! RAMEN, RAMEN, RAMEN!" Naruto and Kiyomi shouted while walking in a circle around Sasuke.
"Let's go," they said as they grabbed Sasuke by his shirt collar and dragged him to Ichiraku Ramen.
From a distance rooftop, Itachi watched them. Happy to see his siblings and Naruto getting along, he knew they would need his cheerfulness in the coming time. Sooner rather than later, Itachi thought sadly. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought about the future.
ONE YEAR LATER OCT 9TH, UCHIHA COMPOUND
Sasuke was in utter darkness; everywhere he turned and stepped was pitch black. He walked for an eternity until he heard a growl in the distance. Turning his head towards the growl, he found two wolves staring at him—one with black fur and the other with white fur. They had these strange seals on their foreheads. They growled at him, baring their fangs, ready to attack him at any moment.
Sasuke tried to run away from them, but they followed after. He ran in the darkness until he stumbled across an enormous cocoon. The cocoon was suspended in the air by string and contained some massive creature within it. Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine as pure horror and dread filled his heart at this sight.
What is this? he thought as he turned around to see the two wolves and other creatures staring at him. He saw a giant snake, a monstrous toad, and an owl with a white mask, to name a few. They surrounded him. As they approached, the cocoon started to burst open, revealing an ungodly sight. A creature with no eyes, instead having four wings protruding from its eye sockets and a tail-like appendage extending from the back of its head. It had an eight-handled wheel, a dharma chakra above it.
The creature grabbed Sasuke by the throat, squeezing hard. Sasuke's consciousness was fading; he tried to fight, trying to cry out for someone to save him, but no one came.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Sasuke!" a voice cried out, echoing through the darkness as he sank into unconsciousness as everything went black.
Sasuke awoke to see his sister shaking him. "Sasuke!" She shouted. "It's time to get ready for school. I've been trying to wake you for the past five minutes. Are you fine?" she asked with concern in her eyes.
Sasuke sat up in bed, putting a hand on his head. "It's nothing, just a bad dream," he said.
"We're leaving in a few minutes; just letting you know that okāsan made breakfast," she said.
Sasuke nodded. He got dressed, still processing the nightmare, wondering what it meant. He headed downstairs, running into Itachi, who was about to head out.
"Nii-san, I thought you'd be gone by now," Sasuke said.
Itachi turned to face his younger brother. "I was about to leave. I have a busy day ahead." Itachi responded coldly.
"Can you help me with shuriken training after school today?" Sasuke asked.
Itachi got up and walked towards Sasuke. He poked his brother's forehead, a gesture he commonly did. "Sorry, Sasuke. Maybe another time," he said before leaving their home.
Sasuke, a little irritated at Itachi, walked into the kitchen, where he saw his sister and father eating breakfast while his mother was washing the dishes.
He sat down at the table and grabbed a plate of food. He ate as he listened to his sister talk with their father.
"Hey, tousan, when do you think Sasuke and I will unlock the sharingan? Nii-san unlocked his at 8, but we haven't done so yet?" Kiyomi asked.
Fugaku sipped his tea before responding, "If you train hard enough, you can unlock it faster than your brother. But remember, Itachi is extraordinary—a prodigy among prodigies." He paused. "He became a genin at 6, a chūnin at 10, a jonin at 12, and recently got promoted to Anbu captain."
"Wow, nii-san is amazing!" Kiyomi said.
Sasuke just nodded his head. "Tousan, can you help me with shuriken training after school?" he asked.
Fugaku closed his eyes. "No, Sasuke. I have important matters to attend to. As Clan Head, there is a heavy burden on my shoulders, especially regarding our current relationship with the Leaf," he said as he got up and left the room.
"Why don't you ask Naruto to help you? He's been helping me a bunch," Kiyomi said.
"Naruto... Uzumaki?" their mother, Mikoto, asked curiously.
"Yeah, Naruto Uzumaki, snow-white hair, black glasses. You know him, okāsan?" Sasuke asked.
"No, I never personally met him, but I knew his mother," Mikoto said with a smile. "She was kindhearted and loyal to those who called her friend."
"Can we meet her?" Kiyomi asked innocently.
Mikoto saddened. "No, it wouldn't be possible."
There was a long silence in the room.
"But it's nice that you all seem to be getting along," Mikoto said, breaking the silence. "I think it's time for you to head out so you're not late."
She grabbed two bags and handed them to her children. "Here's your lunch," she said, kissing them on their foreheads. "And Sasuke-kun, I can help you with your training after school. Kiyo-chan, make sure to watch over him. I love you both," she said.
"Love you too, okāsan," Kiyomi replied, hugging her mother.
Sasuke said nothing as he held his lunch.
"So, you don't love me, Sasuke-kun," she said, teasing her son before going up to him and tickling him. "Say you love your okāsan," she said playfully.
Sasuke eventually gave in. "I love you, okāsan," he said tenderly.
"Oh, look at Sasuke-chan holding his sweet okāsan," Kiyomi said, teasing her brother.
Sasuke ignored her as he hugged his mother, still thinking of the nightmare he had. The two headed out the door, waving to their mother as they journeyed to the academy.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
"Alright everyone, it's time to settle down!" Iruka shouted from the front of the classroom. "Today, we have a math test. You'll have an hour to complete it. You may start once you receive a test from Instructor Mizuki."
Mizuki handed out the exams to the students.
"Where's Naruto?" Kiyomi asked as she looked around for her friend.
"Probably slept in again; he's always late to class," Sasuke replied.
They received their exams and got started.
With 10 minutes left of the exam, Naruto finally showed up. Iruka promptly yelled at him as Naruto ignored his words. He then grabbed a test and went to take a seat.
This idiot, Sasuke thought as he watched Naruto sit down. This exam was difficult; it took him the entire time to finish 13/15 questions. He had to hurry if he wanted to finish.
However, what Sasuke did not prepare for, or anyone else in the class, was for Naruto to fill out his test in two minutes, get up, hand the test back to Iruka, and leave the room.
HUH?! Was the collective thought of everyone in the class as they watched Naruto walk out. He didn't look stressed at all it was as if the test was a joke to him.
There's no way he got any of them right. These problems are too long; he must've given up. Sasuke thought. He pushed these thoughts away and continued with his remaining time.
"Alright, pencils down. The exam is over." Iruka said as Mizuki collected the exams. "You'll have a short break as we grade these exams. We'll resume class after we finish grading."
Everyone proceeded to head outside to decompress after the exam. Kiyomi ran up to her brother to talk with him about it.
"How do you think you did?" she asked. "It was tough and pretty long. I don't remember learning about the stuff on the exam. I'm lucky if I got a 70 on it."
"It was rough, but I think I did fine," Sasuke replied.
"You thought that was hard?" A voice called out from above.
The twins looked up to see Naruto lying on a tree branch with his hands behind his head.
"That was easy," Naruto said as he got up and jumped down to face the siblings. "I honestly should've showed up later," he yawned.
Sasuke glared at Naruto as he stood before them. He wondered how someone so lazy and irresponsible could be so arrogant and brashful. He had spent the whole hour struggling while Naruto had breezed through it in minutes. How was that possible?
"There's no way you passed that test, Naruto," Sasuke snapped. "You probably did terrible. You couldn't have finished that quickly. We didn't even learn most of the stuff on there."
Naruto laughed a loud and annoying sound that echoed in Sasuke's ears. "We'll see, Sasuke. I am the smartest in the class after all," he responded, mockingly.
Sasuke deadpanned at Naruto's statements. He was delusional as always. Naruto rarely showed up to class; the only times he did was if homework was due, an exam, or a class trip.
Before their conversation could continue, Mizuki called the students back to class as they had finished grading the exams.
He followed Naruto and Kiyomi back to the class. He was sure that he had done well despite the difficulty of the test. He was confident in his intelligence and skills. He was certain that he had got the highest score in the class.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," Iruka said, holding a stack of papers. "We've graded your tests. The purpose was to see how you would do when confronted with challenging topics. We haven't addressed more than half of the concepts on this exam, but by the time you've graduated from the academy, these questions should be easy. Most of you did poorly, but a few did good," he said.
Mizuki passed the graded exams back to the students. Students of note who did well were Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno, and Ino Yamanaka.
Sasuke looked down at his test as he got 75%, not bad, as the closest score to his was 65%.
Kiyomi looked at her test seeing a 60%. "Ahh, I thought I did better," she said, saddened by her score.
"Cheer up, Kiyomi," Sasuke responded. "We hadn't learned most of this and you got a score in the top ten," he said encouragingly.
Kiyomi brightened up a bit from her brother's words. She turned to Naruto and asked, "What did you get?"
Naruto said with a grin, "I got a 100," loud enough for the entire class to hear. "I told you; I alone am the smartest one."
Everyone in the class started to murmur. "Naruto, a 100? There's no way, he's dead last and never shows up on time," they said. "He must've cheated."
"No, he didn't," Iruka said, dispelling the murmurs. "Congratulations, Naruto. You got a perfect score. You did an amazing job."
Sasuke couldn't believe it. He looked at Naruto, who was grinning from ear to ear, waving his test in the air, celebrating his victory. He looked at Kiyomi, who was clapping and cheering for her friend, proud of his achievement. The whole class was confused; how could this be?
"Alright, that's enough everyone. We still have work to get done today," Iruka said.
Who is he? Sasuke thought as he watched Naruto continue to boast about his achievement.
After the academy ended, Kiyomi, Naruto, and Sasuke headed outside.
"Hey, Sasuke. Do you want to train with us?" Kiyomi asked her brother.
"No, I'm going to go practice by myself," he responded.
"You sure you don't want instruction from the greatest student?" Naruto chimed in.
"I don't want your help, dobe," Sasuke responded.
"See ya, Sasuke-san," Kiyomi said as she waved goodbye to her brother before heading off with Naruto.
Sasuke observed the two engaged in conversation with irritation etched across his face. He disliked how close the two were getting. He couldn't stand Naruto's antics and the sight of him with his sister made his blood boil. Suppressing these thoughts, he headed off in the opposite direction to practice his shuriken jutsu.
Sasuke aimed and threw another shuriken at the wooden target, this time hitting the bullseye. A proud smile crept onto his lips, relishing this small achievement. As he reached for another shuriken from the ground, the silver glow of the moon captured his attention, signaling that night had arrived. Wondering why no one had come to get him, he swiftly packed his shuriken into his bag and dashed toward the Uchiha district. I hope Kiyomi made it safely, he pondered as he sprinted through the village.
As Sasuke neared the entrance of the Uchiha district, an abrupt chill sent shivers down his spine. He glanced upward and caught sight of a mysterious figure perched on a nearby utility pole, staring intently at him. Sasuke blinked, and in an instant, the enigmatic presence vanished into thin air.
What..? I thought I saw someone, he thought. That is when he noticed the corpses of his clan members lying on the streets. He smelled blood and fire, feeling a sudden surge of fear and confusion. What was going on? Was there an attack? Who was attacking his clan?
He ran faster, hoping to find his family safe and sound. He kept coming across bodies that had been burned, stabbed, and even mutilated. He saw familiar faces twisted in pain and terror, but he also saw unfamiliar bodies. There were bodies with animal-like masks and black cloaks scattered around. He didn't know who these people were. Sasuke kept running.
He saw blood splattered on the walls and the ground. He saw flames engulfing the houses and the shops. He saw destruction and death everywhere. He felt his heart sink and his stomach churn. He wanted to vomit. He wanted to cry. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He couldn't understand who would do such a thing and why.
He ran faster towards his home, hoping his parents and siblings were still alive. He reached his house and saw the door was open. He rushed inside and called out for his family.
"Kaa-san, Tou-san, Nii-san, Nee-san! Where are you?! Are you okay?" he shouted, his voice echoing with a mix of worry and desperation.
He heard no answer. He felt a pang of despair. He ran to the living room and opened the door. However, he found a sight that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
He saw his father on one knee, badly beaten, bloodied, and bruised. Sasuke heard footsteps and looked up. A figure was standing in the shadows, a red eye glowing at him through the darkness. The figure moved closer, revealing more features; he was tall with long black hair, wore an orange mask with black swirls covering the face except for a circular opening on the right side, and had a sheathed katana hanging from his belt. In his left hand, he was holding Sasuke's mother by the throat, choking her to death.
"Sasuke, stay back!" Fugaku croaked. He tried to move to protect his son but couldn't from his injuries inflicted by the masked man.
"Kaa-san!" Sasuke screamed in terror. His legs turned to jelly but he wanted to do something to save his mother. But he was frozen in place, watching helplessly as the intruder held his mother.
"Foolish child," the masked man snarled as he twisted his mother's neck with a swift motion.
Sasuke heard a sickening crack, followed by a dull thud, as his mother's lifeless body hit the floor. Blood dripped from her mouth and nose as he watched her body on the ground.
Sasuke gasped and felt tears sting his eyes. He grabbed his head, screaming in agony as he collapsed onto the ground. "No, no, no! Kaa-san! Why would you do this?" he said through sobs.
The masked man chuckled and stepped over his mother's corpse. He looked down at Sasuke with contempt and pity. "You are naive child. Wake up to reality! Nothing ever goes to plan in this accursed world," he spoke, his voice cold and cruel. "The longer you live, the more you realize that the only things that truly exist in this reality are pain, suffering, and futility."
He stared at Sasuke, his red eye burning with rage. "The Uchiha clan was once the most feared and respected in the village, but now they have been regulated to bottom feeders. They have fallen prey to the false peace of Konoha and lost their pride and power. How can you call yourself an Uchiha, when you are nothing but a weak and foolish woman's son? They bring nothing but shame to the Uchiha name, and I will wipe them out."
"Weak...? You... you monster! You'll pay for this, I swear!" Sasuke clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, rising to his feet with a defiant glare.
Sasuke felt a surge of chakra in his eyes, and his vision became sharper and clearer. His eyes burned with a crimson light revealing a two-tomoe Sharingan in his right eye and a one-tomoe in his left eye. He could feel his chakra coursing through his body, he also felt a strange connection to the shadows around him.
"So, you want to dance, no?" the masked man said, mocking him. "Well then, let's dance!"
Without thinking, he brought his hands together, forming a dog-shaped hand seal. "Gyokuken (Divine Dogs)!" he cried out.
He heard a low growl, followed by a howl, as two large shapes emerged from the shadows behind him. They were twin wolves, one with white fur and the other with black fur. They had red eyes and three dots forming a triangle on their forehead of opposite orientations.
"Hmm, now this is getting interesting," the masked man said as he sidestepped the incoming claw swipe from the white one.
Sasuke rushed forward, throwing a punch at the assailant, but nothing happened. It was as if his fist phased right through him.
"You have fire, child, but still don't have what it takes to dance," the masked man said as he kicked Sasuke in the stomach, sending him flying through the wall and crashing onto the pavement outside.
Sasuke rolled on the ground before hitting the compound wall, creating a crater from the impact. He coughed up blood and was severely injured from the attack. The wolves rushed to protect their master, rushing the masked man. But like before, their attacks seemed to phase right through him.
"I've had enough of this," the masked man said as he kicked the black wolf away and jumped to his left avoiding another attack from the white wolf. He unsheathed his katana and with one swift vertical slash, he decapitated it. Its head rolled on the ground, leaving a pool of blood.
He turned his attention towards Sasuke as he walked towards the boy who lay against the compound walls.
Blood trickled down from Sasuke's head, blurring his vision. He felt his chakra fading away, along with his Sharingan. The black wolf whimpered and dissolved into his shadow, leaving him alone and defenseless.
"You are weak, child. You still have much to learn," the man said as raised his katana, the blade glistening in the moonlight, preparing to end Sasuke's life.
Before he could attack, he was surrounded by a squad of Anbu wearing animal-style masks, black clothing covered with a light grey flak jacket over their back and torso, gloves with metal guards, sandals with reinforced toes, and a tanto on their backs.
The captain of the squad, Dog, stood atop the compound wall over Sasuke as he stared down at the masked intruder. Through the left eye hole, a lone Sharingan shined.
"You're under arrest for the destruction of the Uchiha Clan. If you resist, you will be killed," Dog spoke.
"Hmph, you're late as always. I'm finished here... it is not yet time I reveal myself," the man spoke before a swirling vortex appeared in his eye, sucking him into the hole. He vanished into thin air, leaving behind a faint ripple.
They watched as the assailant disappeared.
"Search for survivors! I'll take the kid back to Hokage-sama. Move out!" Dog spoke.
"Hai, Captain!" they responded before dispersing.
Dog grabbed the now unconscious Sasuke and headed towards the village.
KONOHA TRAINING GROUND 11
Naruto trudged through the dark forest, the moonlight barely piercing through the thick canopy. He carried Kiyomi on his back, her chest rising and falling softly. She had fallen asleep after their training, too tired to walk. Naruto felt her breath on his neck as he continued to walk. This was new to him; he didn't know what to think or feel about this.
However, Naruto was pulled out of his thoughts as he sensed someone approaching at a rapid pace. It was a similar chakra to the man who followed him before; it was cold and radiated emptiness. Just before the unknown figure reached Naruto's position he slowed down. It was as if he was toying with him, trying to scare Naruto and induce fear.
Naruto had enough and called out to him, "Hey, you coward! Come out and face me! Or are you too scared?"
A man in a black cloak with an animal-style mask stepped into the moonlight, a kunai in his left hand. "I'm here for the girl. Give her to me and I won't hurt you," he said emotionlessly.
Naruto laughed. "Hurt me? You?" he said before glaring at the man. "How can you hurt me when you're already dead."
The cloaked man barely had time to register Naruto's words before he felt a sharp pain around his neck. He gasped, dropping his kunai and clutching his throat. As he fell to the ground, he saw a tall figure with black hair and blood-stained clothes standing over him. The figure's eyes glowed red.
"I-it's ... y-you..?" he said before choking on his blood.
The figure without turning his head spoke to Naruto, "Protect my sister," before vanishing into the night.
"I will... Itachi," Naruto said.
/END OF CHAPTER/