Author's Note: I ripped a scene straight from Storm Generations and slightly changed it to fit the narrative (in this story). Sasuke/Itachi/Uchiha Clan-focused chapter. There is a scene (the test scene) in this chapter that isn't the best. I tried to make it better, but it still came out flat. You can tell in certain scenes I lost creativity and the will to continue. Sorry that it's not on par with the surrounding scenes but enjoy my friends and leave some feedback/criticism.
Chapter 2: Forming Shadows
OCTOBER 26TH UCHIHA COMPOUND
Sasuke opened his eyes to find himself in utter darkness. The air was thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Each step he took felt like trudging through a swamp, the ground sticky and unyielding. He walked for an eternity until a low growl rumbled behind him.
He turned his head toward the source of the growl, his heart pounding. Two sets of eyes pierced through the darkness, their yellow irises with red pupils glowing menacingly.
What is that? he thought, instinctively stepping backward.
As if responding to his thoughts, the eyes moved closer, revealing their owners. Two wolves—one with jet-black fur, the other with pure white fur—stood before him. Each had a strange seal on their forehead; the black wolf bore a red triangle pointing upward, while the white wolf's triangle pointed downward, both symbols pulsing with an eerie light.
"What do you want?" Sasuke demanded, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his insides. The wolves' unblinking gaze made his skin crawl.
The wolves howled in unison, their voices echoing eerily in the darkness. They pointed their snouts in another direction.
Sasuke followed their gaze and saw a tan cocoon in the far distance. "What is that?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued despite the situation.
Before he could move, shadows beneath him started to writhe and pull at his legs. Panic surged through him as he fought to free himself, but the shadows ensnared his entire body.
He continued to sink, his fingers clawing at the air, searching for any purchase. The wolves watched him, their expressions unreadable.
"TAME US," they said in unison, their voices a strange blend of growl and whisper.
"What do you mean!?" Sasuke shouted, still struggling. "What are you talking about!?"
The wolves remained silent, their eyes never leaving him.
Sasuke's heart pounded, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The darkness enveloped him, and the last thing he saw was his outstretched arm before it swallowed him whole.
Sasuke gasped and bolted upright, finding himself in his bed, his body drenched in sweat. "Sasuke," a feminine voice called out to him.
He looked to his right to see his mother, Mikoto, sitting on the side of his bed with a concerned expression etched across her face.
"Sasuke," she repeated, "I've been trying to wake you for the past five minutes. You're going to be late for the academy." She moved closer to her son, "Is everything alright?"
Sasuke put a hand on his head. Was that a dream? he thought, his heart still racing. The vividness of it left him shaken.
Mikoto held him tightly, her touch soothing the remnants of fear. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft and comforting. "You can tell me."
Sasuke felt the warmth and love of his mother and felt at ease. "I… I… was in darkness," he managed to get out.
Mikoto held him and rubbed the top of his head. "What else did you see?" she asked.
"I saw these two wolves or dogs but they had yellow eyes with red pupils and these weird symbols on their heads," Sasuke stated, looking up at his mother.
Mikoto perked up from his last statement and lifted her head, "What color were they?" she asked.
"They were black and white," Sasuke responded, looking back at his mother's face.
Her eyes widened briefly before she composed herself, a forced smile on her lips.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
Mikoto blinked a couple of times before speaking. "No, it's nothing," she lied, though the worry in her eyes betrayed her. "I'll… talk to tousan about this, but I want you to keep this within the family."
Sasuke was confused but nodded his head, "Yes, okāsan."
She bent and kissed Sasuke's forehead. "You've got about thirty minutes before the academy starts. I love you, my little Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke said nothing, his mind still on the strange dream and his mother's dismissive attitude. Mikoto noticed this and didn't want her child to think anything was wrong.
"So, you don't love me, Sasuke-kun," she said, tickling him. "Say you love your okāsan," she said playfully.
Sasuke started to squirm and laugh, eventually giving in. "I love you too, okāsan," he said tenderly.
"That's more like it," she said, getting up from his bed and heading out of his room. "There's breakfast on the kitchen table."
"Is niisan still here?" Sasuke asked, springing out the bed and getting ready for the day at the academy.
"Hmm, I believe so. He went to meet with Shisui near the Nakano River," Mikoto responded. "I think you should have enough time. Just make sure you have everything ready because you need to head straight to the academy after you visit him."
"Yes, okāsan," Sasuke quickly responded as he rushed to change clothes so he could catch Itachi before he left.
Mikoto smiled at her son before closing the door, however, she felt as if a storm was coming.
Once the door was closed, she walked down the stairs, then past the living area, and made her way into the kitchen where her husband, Fugaku, was seated, sipping on tea. On the table, in front of him was a plate of two sausages, sunny-side-up eggs, and a piece of toast.
"What was the matter with Sasuke?" Fugaku asked, "he's going to be late if he doesn't hurry up."
Mikoto walked to the kitchen counter and prepared a plate for herself before turning to face her husband. "He said he had a nightmare where he got chased by two wolves," she said calmly, though the concern lingered in her eyes.
Fugaku studied her for a moment before nodding and placing his tea down. "I see," he said, folding his arms. "Did he see anything else?"
"He didn't say," she replied. "Do you think we should contact my father and ask him?"
Fugaku paused before closing his eyes. "Not yet, we need to discover if he possesses the technique. If he does then, things will become more complicated. I'll test him later today to determine the next steps."
Mikoto was about to say more until she heard the fast footsteps of Sasuke rushing down the stairs. He was about to come rushing in before he caught a look from Fugaku.
Sasuke slowed down and entered the kitchen. "Tousan," he said, paying respects to his father before taking an empty seat with food in front of it.
"You are going to be late. As a member of the Uchiha, you must uphold yourself with dignity, respect, and discipline. It does not look good for you to show up late," Fugaku coldly stated.
Fugaku put down his tea with deliberate slowness, his gaze stern. "You are going to be late. As an Uchiha, you must uphold our dignity with discipline," he said, each word a heavy reminder of their family's expectations. "Showing up late disrespects our clan."
Sasuke nodded, feeling the weight of his father's words. He ate quickly, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a kunai.
After a few minutes, he finished, getting ready to leave and find Itachi. However, his father spoke to him once again.
"After the academy ends, come straight home," Fugaku commanded, his voice firm but carrying an undercurrent of concern. "We have training to do. I cannot have a child of mine lacking in anything. We are going to focus on ninjutsu and physical training. Do not be late."
"Yes… tousan," Sasuke replied timidly, feeling the weight of his father's expectations.
He grabbed the bento box prepared by his mother, placed it carefully in his bag, and left the kitchen.
Mikoto waited for Sasuke to exit the front door before speaking to Fugaku. "You don't have to be so hard on him," she said, her voice gentle yet firm, as she scrubbed a dirty dish.
Fugaku took another sip of his tea, his gaze distant. "I have to be… he isn't like Itachi. I need to use the time I have to instill in him the lessons that will make him strong. He needs to be ready to face anything… even without us."
Mikoto paused, her hands stilling in the soapy water. "Have things gotten that bad?"
Fugaku grimly nodded; the weight of an uncertain future pressing on him. "Yes… they have."
Mikoto turned back to the dishes, scrubbing harder, her heart heavy with worry. She hoped it wouldn't come to this, that she'd be able to see her boys grow old together, safe from the looming threats.
Sasuke ran through the dense forest as fast as he could, trying to catch his older brother before he left on his mission. Itachi hadn't told him what it was but said that he would be gone for an undisclosed amount of time.
The sun had just risen, casting a low orange glow that shone through the canopies. Birds chirped, and a soft breeze rustled through the leaves and grass. As journeyed further within, the earthy scent of the forest and the gentle flow of a nearby river filled Sasuke's nose.
He smiled, knowing he was getting closer to where his brother was.
Eventually, Sasuke saw a clearing in the distance that opened into a deep ravine. He could make out two faint figures; one sitting on a rock while the other stood a fair distance away.
He considered running out to greet the two figures, assuming they were Itachi and Shisui. But something within him urged caution. He moved closer, crouching down and seemingly sinking into the shadows beneath him. How did I do that? Sasuke wondered, surprised by his new ability.
He decided to submerge himself only to nose level, unsure if he could breathe fully immersed. His head was now at eye level with the middle of the grass blades. Sasuke crept closer to the two figures until he could see who they were.
His suspicions were confirmed when he saw Itachi, standing in his shinobi attire, and Shisui, with his short and unkempt hair, sitting on the rock near the edge of the ravine cliff. They appeared to be engaged in a conversation.
Sasuke wanted to emerge and go to them, but something in his body told him to stay hidden and listen closely. Before he could decide, he heard Shisui's voice.
"So, I take it didn't go well," Shisui said sarcastically, leaning back on the rock.
Itachi sighed, his eyes trailing the ground beneath his feet. "I'm sorry. I did everything I could, but the only thing I accomplished was delaying the plan."
"You're fine," Shisui replied, trying to sound reassuring. "This is our entire clan after all. Their will to make this happen is much stronger than we anticipated."
What plan are they talking about? Does it have something to do with our clan? Is this a part of Itachi's mission? Sasuke's thoughts raced as he continued to listen, hidden within the grass.
"Were you able to find anyone else willing to oppose this?" Itachi asked a hint of anxiety in his voice.
Shisui sighed, getting up and turning to face Itachi. "I'm afraid not."
Itachi's face darkened, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Hey, come on!" Shisui said, lightly jabbing his best friend's shoulder. "This is you and me we're talking about, Itachi. We'll succeed in our mission," he proclaimed, smiling encouragingly.
Itachi's face lightened up slightly, finding comfort in Shisui's confidence.
"But moving to another topic," Shisui continued, trying to lighten the mood, "I saw Izumi in a clothing store the other day all by herself. I thought you two were still together?"
Itachi shifted uncomfortably, not responding immediately.
"Don't tell me you two broke up," Shisui deadpanned. "I can't believe you fumbled like that. I know romance isn't your strong suit, but come on, Itachi. This one was served on a silver plate."
From his hidden position, Sasuke's eyelids twitched. Should I be hearing this?
"So are you going to tell me what happened or…?" Shisui persisted.
Itachi looked down, speaking in a low tone. "We haven't spoken in ten months. I thought it would be appropriate to end our relationship due to the clan's declining relationship with the Leaf. I hoped it would spare her in the case of… unforeseen events."
Shisui put a hand on his chin, pondering. "Oh, I guess that's why she and her mother moved to the far end of the village."
Itachi nodded in agreement, his expression remaining neutral.
I can't believe they haven't noticed me, Sasuke thought, his mind racing. I don't know what any of this means… Maybe I should leave.
Just as he considered making his escape, Sasuke felt a sudden jolt beneath him. He shot out of the ground like a cannon, soaring a few meters into the air. "AHHH!" he cried out, completely taken by surprise. What just happened?
Shisui and Itachi immediately turned their attention to the noise, shocked to see Sasuke in the air before he crashed back to the ground.
Sasuke braced himself for the fall but felt someone catch him. He opened his eyes to see Shisui's confused face.
"Uh… Sasuke, what are you doing here?" Shisui asked, exchanging a glance with Itachi. "And how long have you been hiding?" He then gently let Sasuke down.
Sasuke regained his footing, looking sheepishly at the two. "I was coming to say goodbye to niisan before you two went on your mission but then I saw you talking and I-I… didn't want to interrupt your conversation, so I listened in. I only heard you talking about some plan and our clan."
Shisui and Itachi exchanged a worried look.
"I also heard about… Izumi, but I'll keep all of it a secret. I promise," Sasuke pleaded. "But what's the plan for? Your mission? You can tell me. I won't say anything to anyone. I heard you need help. Well, I can help you."
Itachi's eyes widened before a gentle smile spread across his face. "I'm sorry, Sasuke," he said, poking his brother's forehead. "Maybe another time when you're older."
"Oww," Sasuke complained, rubbing his forehead. "That's not fair. I can help you two. I'm strong enough!"
Shisui laughed, moving closer to Sasuke. "What a horrible brother he is, leaving you out of everything," he said, crouching down and wrapping an arm around Sasuke. "You know what? I'll give you something that he gave me to make up for all the times he's left you dry."
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Wow, Shisui-san! You would really do that?"
Shisui flashed a wide smile. "You bet!" He slung his bag around and started digging through it. "Ah ha, I found it."
He pulled out a jet-black tanto with a golden guard and a red hilt, then sheathed it into a tan scabbard and handed the weapon to Sasuke.
"Here you go," Shisui said. "It's a nice sword, isn't it? Make sure to take care of it, but from this day forward, you are now part of the Uchiha sword user crew. If you want help, come to me, not Itachi okay? I'm better at kenjutsu than him." He turned his head to Itachi. "Wouldn't you agree, Itachi?"
Itachi looked like he wanted to say something but instead, Sasuke's high-pitched voice came through.
"No, niisan's better," Sasuke refuted, defending his brother.
"Oww, Sasuke," Shisui said, feigning hurt, "I thought after giving you this, you would recognize me as the superior one. Come on, I'm older. That definitely makes me stronger."
"I know you're older, Shisui-san, but niisan is still better," Sasuke insisted. "Right, niisan?"
Itachi could only look at Shisui, who had a wide grin reaching from ear to ear.
"Uh, I… think you should be at the academy right now. It should be starting soon," Itachi said.
Sasuke's eyes widened. "I'm going to be late!" He hurriedly put the sword into his bag and started to head back to the village.
"Make sure to be careful with the sword!" Shisui advised. "I don't want your mom to yell at me if you get hurt using it!"
"I will! Bye, niisan! Bye, Shisui-san! Good luck!" he shouted before disappearing into the foliage.
Itachi could only wave at his brother disappearing into the forest, his heart aching.
When Sasuke was out of sight, he turned back to Itachi, who had a grim expression. "How did he manage to listen to us for so long without being detected? I couldn't feel his presence at all."
"I don't know…" Itachi replied, frowning. "I don't want to get him involved with this. He's just a child."
"He won't Itachi. We'll succeed with our mission," Shisui said, his expression turning serious. "We have to… for him and the future of our clan."
Itachi nodded, and the two set off, dematerializing in an instant.
From a hidden area of the forest, a two-faced creature watched with great interest. Its face was split, one side white, the other black, with piercing yellow eyes gleaming from beneath a mane of green hair.
"Hmm, maybe we should inform Madara of this development," the white side said.
"No, let's wait and see what happens. This may be nothing useful," the black side replied.
The two-faced creature dissolved back into the tree trunk as the wind blew violently.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
Iruka stood at the front of his class, holding a piece of paper. The bell had just rung, signaling the start of the school day, and now he was going over attendance.
He called the students' names one by one, getting a 'here' or 'present' in response. Eventually, he reached two notable names.
"Naruto Uzumaki," Iruka called out.
He was met with silence and the head-turning of many students as they looked around, trying to spot Naruto.
"Naruto Uzumaki!" he said once more.
Silence again.
Iruka sighed and scribbled 'absent' next to Naruto's name. Naruto hadn't shown up for the past couple of weeks, but if he didn't show up today for their first test, then he would break their agreement and fail for the year.
Iruka moved on to the next name. "Sasuke Uchiha."
Students looked around, trying to spot the antisocial Uchiha member. Normally, he would have been here by now.
Iruka was confused as well. It wasn't like him to be late. I wonder where he is, he pondered.
Sasuke was sprinting down the corridor, running his fastest in an attempt to make it before the bell rang. I can make it. I've still got time, he thought.
However, as he got closer to the classroom door, he spotted white hair and a red swirl on the back of a blue sweatshirt, down the hall. Oh no, he thought, already knowing who this was.
"Oh look, it's you," Naruto's nonchalant voice echoed through the empty hallway. He had his back still facing Sasuke.
Sasuke stopped a fair distance away from the white-haired boy as Naruto turned around, peering at him through his pitch-dark shades.
Naruto smiled, hands in pockets. "Who would have thought an Uchiha would be late? Doesn't look good."
Sasuke's clenched fist and his whole attitude changed. He didn't know why this guy kept messing with him; they barely spoke as is.
"I don't have time for you, usuratonkachi," he said, continuing forward. "Now get out of my way."
"You really are no fun," Naruto responded. "I'm just messing around. You should relax a little. It would loosen up the stick in your butt."
Just as Sasuke was about to respond, the bell went off, signifying that he was now late.
Sasuke's heart sank as he thought about his father's message from earlier that morning. Tousan's going to be even more disappointed in me.
Naruto noticed the shift in Sasuke's mood and raised an eyebrow. "What's the big deal? So, what if you're late?"
Sasuke's anger flared. "You wouldn't get it. You don't know what it means to be part of a clan, to live in the shadow of someone who gets endless praise. To never be acknowledged for your strength."
Naruto was about to respond before Iruka slid open the classroom door, spotting Naruto and Sasuke.
"Naruto, you're late," Iruka said sternly.
"Whatever, I'm just here to take the test," Naruto replied nonchalantly.
Iruka turned to say something to Sasuke, but the Uchiha just walked quietly into the classroom and took his seat.
Naruto watched this, his mind turning.
The classroom was silent, filled with the scratching of pencils and the occasional rustle of paper. Sasuke stared at his test paper, the questions blurring before his eyes. His mind was elsewhere—on his father's stern expectations, on Itachi's mysterious mission, on the looming shadows of the Uchiha clan's fate. He glanced at the clock; only one minute left and he had only answered two out of ten questions.
He rubbed his temples, trying to find some way to restart his brain and not fail this exam. It wouldn't be good if he did. He looked at the test once more and realized that he was doomed. Tousan won't be happy.
Naruto, sitting in an elevated position behind Sasuke, noticed his struggle. Sasuke's usually reserved demeanor was replaced by visible anxiety.
His eyes narrowed, underneath the shades, his mind lost in thought. Why's he so worked up? Is it something to do with Itachi?
Iruka's voice cut through the silence. "Time is up. Everyone, stop writing."
Naruto looked once more at Sasuke and made a decision; an uncharacteristic decision.
As Iruka's assistants came around to collect exams, he stretched exaggeratedly, yawned loudly, and then as if on cue, let out an obnoxious sneeze. But this was no ordinary sneeze. It was a diversion. Using his technique, Naruto caused all the tests to scatter into the air.
"Ah-choo!" he exclaimed, making it as dramatic as possible.
Iruka glared at him. "Naruto! Why didn't you hold it in?"
Naruto rubbed his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Iruka-sensei. It was too much."
Iruka sighed, exasperated. "Everyone stay seated. We'll pick up the tests."
Papers floated strangely, almost suspended by an invisible force confusing Iruka and his assistants. While they were preoccupied, Naruto seized the moment.
Using his technique, retrieved Sasuke's test paper amidst the chaos and quickly wrote down, most, of the correct answers. Sweat trickled from his forehead as his hand moved swiftly across the paper in sequence with him using his technique for this long.
Come on, come on, Naruto urged himself. Just a little more… alright got it. Just in time too as he felt close to his limit.
He pushed the test back to Sasuke's desk and released the technique, letting the papers fall naturally to the floor, and breathing a sigh of relief. He hoped no one would notice how tired he was.
An assistant picked up the paper in front of Sasuke's desk, showing it to the boy. "Is this your test?"
Sasuke blinked, looking at his test. Answers were filled in with more work than he remembers doing. I didn't write these. Did I?
He then felt someone looking at him and he glanced to his left to see Naruto smirking at him.
What's wrong with this guy? Sasuke thought utterly perplexed before the assistant's voice brought him back to reality.
"Is there something wrong?" the assistant asked.
Sasuke shook his head. "Sorry… but yes that's my test."
The assistants finished collecting the exams while Iruka addressed the class. "We'll grade these quickly. The purpose of this test was to evaluate your problem-solving skills rather than the correctness of your answers. This isn't an official grade, but we will still put a mark on it."
"Everyone, head outside while we grade your tests," Iruka instructed.
The students filed out of the classroom, buzzing with post-test relief. Sasuke walked slowly, his mind swirling with confusion and apprehension. He glanced back at Naruto, who gave him a casual nod.
What was the deal with that? Sasuke wondered as they stepped into the sunlight.
The students were gathered back in the classroom, waiting anxiously for Iruka to announce the test results. Iruka stood at the front, a list of names in his hands while his assistants held the graded exams.
"Alright, everyone," Iruka began, "the class average was three out of ten, but there were a few students who did exceptionally well, and I would like to acknowledge them."
He glanced briefly at Shikamaru, who had his head down on his desk, seemingly asleep. But we did have someone get a zero, Iruka pondered.
Shikamaru lifted his head just enough to mutter, "Troublesome," before laying his head down.
Iruka continued, "First, Shino Aburame with eight out of ten."
Shino adjusted his glasses, remaining as stoic as ever.
"Hinata Hyuga, seven out of ten."
Hinata blushed slightly and nodded.
"Ino Yamanaka, six out of ten."
Ino flashed a confident smile, exchanging a look with Sakura and sticking her tongue out.
"Sakura Haruno, seven out of ten."
Sakura's inner voice screamed, Cha! Suck it Ino-pig! She couldn't help but smile triumphantly and fist bump the air.
Iruka ignored her gesture and continued reading. "We had one student who scored a perfect ten out of ten."
Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted. I know who got the 100%. It has to be—
"—Naruto Uzumaki."
The class had already guessed as much. As arrogant as Naruto was, they could no deny that he was by far the smartest person in their class. They were now preparing themselves for the antics that followed something like this.
"Don't compare me to these guys, sensei," he shouted, full of his usual bravado. "I alone sit atop as the strongest."
Yeah… whatever. Iruka ignored Naruto's comment and continued, "I almost forgot. One more student deserves recognition. Sasuke Uchiha, nine out of ten."
The room fell silent. Everyone, including Sasuke, was shocked. They all remembered how he had been struggling during the test.
Iruka smiled at Sasuke. "Nice work, Sasuke. Since you did so well, I'll remove your absence for today."
Naruto piped up, "What about me, Iruka-sensei? Can you take off my absence too?"
Iruka's face turned stern. "No, Naruto."
Naruto faked pouted in disappointment.
Sasuke was still in disbelief. How did I get a nine? He then glanced over at Naruto, who lowered his shades slightly, revealing a faint glow from his eyes.
Their eyes met briefly before Naruto looked away and continued his verbal spat with Iruka.
Why did he do that? Sasuke wondered, his mind racing.
The class continued with their usual chatter, but Sasuke still couldn't understand why Naruto, someone who usually didn't care about others, would go out of his way to help him.
What's your game, Naruto? Sasuke thought. Whatever it was, he wouldn't deny this had helped him greatly.
After the academy ended, Sasuke bolted out the classroom door as soon as he could, trying to return home quickly enough to not disappoint his father even more.
Minutes later, Sasuke was darting through the busy Konoha streets. His body was on autopilot, but his mind wandered to thoughts of his father. I wonder why tousan wants to train today.
However, he was soon taken out of his thoughts when he bumped into someone, causing him to fall onto his butt. The sound of plastic ripping and food falling onto the ground was heard as well.
Dang it, Sasuke thought as he got back up and picked up the loose vegetables as well as baby food. Great, I ran into a mother. "Apologies, I'll pick these up."
"Oh, there's no need," a feminine voice said.
That voice sounds familiar, Sasuke pondering before looking up to see the smiling face of a 13-year-old girl with long brown hair flowing past her shoulders. She wore a long-sleeved high-collar purple shirt with black shorts.
"Izumi-san?" Sasuke questioned, doing his best to pick up the dropped groceries.
"Yep, it's me!" she replied cheerfully. "I'm sad to see you've almost forgotten my face. But it's fine, it's been a while since we last saw each other. How's your family doing? How's Itachi?"
"Fine… Itachi just left for a mission with Shisui-san," he replied, picking up the last grocery and placing it inside a new plastic bag. "Here you go," he said, handing the bag to Izumi before bowing. "Apologies, Izumi-san."
"Oh, I was hoping to talk to him before he left." Izumi waved off his apology. "But you're fine. Just be careful where you go, you never know where you might end up."
Sasuke nodded, about to head off, but something in his mind reached out to him. "Hey, Izumi-san."
"Yes?" she questioned.
"What's with the baby food? Did you get a new baby sibling or something?" Sasuke inquired bluntly.
Izumi's eyes widened before she turned slightly red. "Hmm, you're quite perceptive. I'll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret. Promise?"
Sasuke nodded.
Izumi bent down and whispered in his ear. "It's for my one-month-old son," she said, then stood up and began heading away.
Sasuke readjusted his bag, understanding why she wanted to keep this a secret. It's not a good look to have a kid at 13 years old, especially if you're from a high-status clan like theirs. He turned to leave once again but this time, Izumi called out to him.
"Could you tell Itachi that I was looking for him whenever he comes back?" Izumi asked sincerely.
"Yes. I'll make sure to tell him, Izumi-san," he replied before taking off in the direction of home.
Izumi watched him vanish from her view, growing smaller and smaller. She smiled fondly before a nervous expression spread across her face. She quickly regained her composure and headed back home.
UCHIHA COMPOUND
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!"
Fugaku watched closely as his son spewed a stream of fire over the pond by their home. He could feel the intense heat from the fireball and saw steam rising from the evaporating water.
Although the size was nothing compared to what Itachi had achieved at his age, it still impressed him, nonetheless.
After a few seconds, the fire dissipated, and Sasuke panted heavily. His body ached, but pride swelled within him. He had thought it would take a week to learn this jutsu, but he had successfully done it in four days.
He turned to his father, hoping for praise, but Fugaku's expression remained unchanged.
"Come to me. There is something else I want to work on for today," Fugaku stated.
Sasuke only nodded, repressing his sadness before joining his father. "What do you want me to do, tousan?"
Fugaku pulled an old scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Sasuke. "Open it."
Sasuke took the old scroll and did what he was told, opening the seemingly ancient scroll and being shown a name for a technique.
"Tokusa no Kage Bōjutsu (Ten Shadows Technique)? What is it?" he asked, curiously. He had never heard of something like this. But he felt a strange connection to the name.
"It's a kekkei genkai that has been in our clan for a long time, although its appearance is very rare," Fugaku stated.
"I thought the only kekkei genkai we had was the Sharingan?" Sasuke asked.
"It used to be. Shortly after the founding of our clan, one of your ancestors wed a woman from the Nara clan. The Nara are known for their Shadow possession jutsu but this woman possessed superb control over the shadows, far better than her clan members. She could construct small shadow creatures, shikigami, and even hide herself in the shadows," Fugaku stated, bluntly. "But it was a much weaker version of the current technique. It wasn't until their child when the Tokusa no Kage Bojutsu emerged."
Sasuke listened very closely, it wasn't often Fugaku told him important information about their clan, especially something like this.
"What does this have to do with me?" he questioned.
Fugaku closed his eyes. "I wish to determine if you possess the technique. It's been more than 200 years since the technique appeared in our clan. I tested Itachi when he was your age, but he did not show an aptitude for it."
"Oh…" Sasuke said, feeling disappointed that he wasn't the first option.
Fugaku opened his eyes, "Regardless, I want to try to summon the first creatures of the technique; Gyokuken(Divine Dogs)," he instructed.
Sasuke nodded and read through the scroll, finding the hand seal. I wonder if these were the wolves I saw in my dream.
He handed the scroll back to his father and formed his hands into the dog-shaped hand seal, almost as if he were making a shadow puppet.
"Gyokuken," he called out and felt his shadow expand. He could feel something trying to come out; trying to emerge from the darkness but his whole body was screaming out in pain.
Unbeknownst to Sasuke, Fugaku's eyes widened in shock as he saw two sets of yellow eyes, peering at him through the shadowy waves.
Sasuke tried to keep going, to summon the creatures and impress Fugaku. He focused all his chakra, attempting to bring them out but, he couldn't.
He quickly passed out and dropped down, however, Fugaku was there to grab his son before he hit the ground.
Fugaku looked at Sasuke with a mix of pride, joy, and worry. He grabbed the scroll and carried Sasuke back into their home.
Sasuke slowly awoke to find himself lying on his family's couch in the living room. His head was pounding, but he could make out two figures in the room with him – his mother and father.
"Did you send word for my father?" Mikoto asked.
Fugaku nodded. "I sent word as soon as I brought Sasuke inside. To think the technique would return at a time like this."
Who are they… talking about? Sasuke thought, his head still rattled from that experience. He felt extremely fatigued.
He had never met his grandparents on either side. He assumed they were dead.
Sasuke groaned, altering his parents that he was conscious. Mikoto rushed over to hug and hold her son.
"Easy, Sasuke-kun. Rest you were out for a while," she said, applying a warm towel on his head. She placed his head in her lap. "Will he be all right?"
"Yes. He's experiencing symptoms of chakra exhaustion, but he'll be fine within a few hours," he grunted, turning to head out the room. "I'm off to attend the clan meeting."
Sasuke glared at the Uchiha's crest on his father's back. The crest represented the strength and power of the clan. He felt as if he disappointed him again. He had his chance to show his strength, to show he was worthy of being his son, but he failed again. He wasn't Itachi.
Just as Sasuke was about to fall into despair, he heard his father speak to him.
"Sasuke," Fugaku stern voice called out, his back still facing him.
Sasuke sat upright; towel still wrapped around his head. "Yes, tousan?"
"You did well today. I'm proud of you," Fugaku said, his voice betraying a hint of softness as he continued walking away. "Build upon this and continue to get stronger."
Sasuke's entire face and body lit up as he couldn't hold back the smile forming on his lips. "Hai, tousan!"
Mikoto noticed Sasuke's smiling face and teased him about it. "So he can make you smile, but I can't?"
Sasuke tried hiding his smile but was unsuccessful. "Uh, um…"
Mikoto laughed and kissed his forehead. "I'm just messing with my little Sasuke-kun. But you smell awful. Take a shower before you do anything else."
Sasuke nodded and went to go do so. He didn't know why but he felt like everything was about to head for the best.
OCTOBER 31ST UCHIHA COMPOUND
Sasuke found himself enveloped in darkness once more, however, the two wolves were no longer snarling at him. Instead, they waited for him in silence.
"What more do you want?" Sasuke asked, his voice wavering.
The wolves howled softly and began to move forward. Sasuke followed, his heart pounding with unease.
After what felt like an eternity, Sasuke emerged onto a pathway leading to the tan cocoon he had glimpsed before. Eight shikigami were arranged in a diagonal path: four on each side. His eyes widened as he took in the sight— a giant snake, a monstrous toad, an owl with a white mask, a flaming tigress, a sturdy bull, a graceful deer, and... rabbits?
The wolves settled among the shikigami, completing the path.
"What now?" Sasuke asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The shikigami spoke in unison, their voices echoing ominously, "TAME US."
"Why?" Sasuke demanded but received no answer. Instead, the shikigami bowed low, and Sasuke's attention was drawn to the cocoon.
The cracking of silk filled the air. Sasuke's breath caught in his throat as the cocoon burst open, revealing a grotesque creature. It had no eyes, but instead, four wings emerged from its eye sockets. A tail-like appendage protruded from the back of its head. It wore black hakama bottoms, a grey sash, and bandages wrapped around its wrist. Above it hovered a golden eight-handled wheel.
Before Sasuke could react, the creature lunged, seizing him by the throat. Its grin, lined with perfectly white teeth, sent chills down Sasuke's spine.
He struggled futilely, the creature's grip tightening, suffocating him. Panic surged through him as darkness threatened to overtake his senses.
Desperate, Sasuke cried out for help, his voice echoing in the abyss. But there was no one. Only darkness.
Sasuke jolted awake in his room, alone and breathing rapidly. "What was that?" he muttered, the memory of the creature's grip haunting him.
His door then creaked open, revealing his mother. "Sasuke, it's time to—" Mikoto stopped short, upon seeing his distraught expression. "What's wrong?" she asked gently. "Did you have another dream?"
Sasuke took a moment to collect himself. "Y-yes… it was with the Divine Dogs and they led me to a hall with all the other shikigami but… the last one… it attacked me."
"What did it look like?" Mikoto inquired.
"I-I-I can't remember clearly. I saw white teeth and a golden wheel above its head," Sasuke replied, trembling. "Do you know what it is?"
"I'm not sure, but we can look into it together when you get back from the academy," Mikoto assured him, offering comfort.
"Thanks, kaasan," Sasuke said gratefully, embracing her. "I love you."
Mikoto smiled and hugged him back warmly, kissing the top of his head. "I love you too," she whispered.
But then a weird feeling gripped her as she held her child. It felt like this would be the last time she would hold him. She decided to make it last longer and ruffle his hair until, she reluctantly let go, trying to get rid of the bad premonition.
"Your lunch is already in your bag ready to go. You should have enough time to get ready," she stated.
"Wait, kaasan. Has niisan returned yet?" Sasuke asked.
Mikoto turned around, "No, I haven't seen him since he left."
Sasuke nodded and went to get ready for school while Mikoto went downstairs and out the door.
After Sasuke got ready, he started his journey to the academy, feeling a mix of excitement and readiness for whatever challenges awaited him. The Uchiha compound was quiet, the morning mist hanging low over the grounds as he waved to familiar faces.
Suddenly, three figures materialized in front of him. Sasuke stumbled back, startled by their sudden appearance. It was Naka, Yashiro, and Inabi Uchiha, their expressions dark and hostile.
"Where's Itachi?" Inabi demanded, his voice sharp with accusation.
"I don't know," Sasuke replied, his unease growing.
"Stop lying!" Naka snapped, his anger palpable. "You know where he is!"
Sasuke felt scared, "I-I don't…" he stuttered.
"Enough of this," Inabi snarled, advancing but his movement was halted when a kunai near cut his hand, landing in front of him.
"What do you think you three are doing?" a masculine voice called out.
Everyone looked to the right to see a twenty-year-old man with shoulder-length, dull-black hair, dark eyes, and a dot in the center of his forehead, standing on the compound walls. He wore a black, high-collared shirt with the Uchiha crest on the back and dark-colored pants.
Inabi growled, but Yashiro stepped forward, his tone more measured. "We just need to know where Itachi is. That's all Tekka," he explained.
"Doesn't look like that's all. Your two friends over there look like they are going to attack any minute," Tekka responded.
"Move out of the way. We're not going to harm the brat, we just need to know what happened Shisui," Naka pleaded, moving forward.
Wait Shisui? What happened to him? Sasuke pondered.
"Harassing a kid won't get you answers. But if you take one more step towards him, I'll have arrested you for attempted assault on a minor," Tekka stated. "Don't think you can harass children, especially Fugaku-sama's son."
The air was tense as the four activated their Sharingan, getting ready for a fight until Sasuke's small voice broke the tension.
The standoff escalated until Sasuke's small voice broke the tension.
"What happened to Shisui-san? Is he okay?" Sasuke asked, his voice trembling.
The three Uchiha turned to him, seeing the genuine confusion and concern in Sasuke's eyes.
"You don't know?" Yashiro said softly. "Shisui's body was found in the Nakano River with a suicide note."
Sasuke's world shattered. Shisui, gone? It couldn't be true.
His knees buckled, a wave of nausea sweeping over him. Tekka watched, his concern evident.
Naka, Inabi, and Yashiro felt guilty and a hint of shame for their actions.
"…if you see your brother, please let us know. We just want to talk with him to get some answers," Yashiro said. "Everyone just wants to understand what happened to Shisui."
He then looked at Naka and Inabi before the group left.
Sasuke remained silent, still trying to process that Shisui was dead.
"Sasuke… are you going to be alright?" Tekka asked gently.
Sasuke could only nod weakly as he began to walk through the Uchiha District, his heart heavy with sorrow and disbelief.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
The academy's courtyard buzzed with the sounds of lunchtime chatter and laughter. Sasuke, however, sat under a tree with his bento untouched. He stared blankly at the ground, his mind swirling with thoughts.
First, there was the nightmare, then Shisui's death. A heavy, uneasy feeling settled in his chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Yo! Sasuke," Naruto's annoying voice called out, snapping him back to reality. "What do you think?"
Sasuke blinked a couple of times before looking to see the eyes of Naruto, Kiba, Choji, and Shino looking at him. Shikamaru was resting his head and acting like he wasn't paying attention.
"Huh?" he said.
Naruto made an annoyed expression, almost as if he was offended. "Come on, don't tell me you weren't listening!"
Sasuke ignored him. "What makes you think I listen to anything you say, usuratonkachi?"
"Anyway, I was saying that the academy is such a waste of time!" Naruto ranted, his arms flailing as he spoke. "It took me ten minutes to learn the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Jutsu) and we've spent two weeks on it."
"It's because not everyone is a prodigy like you Naruto," Shino spoke. "The shinobi curriculum is catered to get everyone on the same level."
Naruto waved Shino's comments off. "Why are we catering to the weak? They can go screw themselves."
"That's not nice, Naruto," Choji said with a mouthful of chips.
"Who cares? They're weak and don't need to be here," Naruto replied. "I shouldn't have to associate with them."
Shikamaru was the one who spoke up. "So why are talking with us?" he asked, causing everyone to look his way. "I remember you saying you stand alone as the 'strongest'. Aren't we weak?"
Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but then, he surprisingly got quiet. Everyone was shocked that Shikamaru, of all people, was the one to shut up Naruto.
He got him there, Sasuke thought. I wonder what he'll say.
"Well, you see… you gentleman have potential, unlike the rest of our class," Naruto admitted. "You could be strong one day. Not stronger than me but strong nonetheless."
"Yeah, I don't buy it," Shikamaru responded, "what about our female classmates?"
"They're all fangirls, well, besides Hinata," Naruto stated. "Besides why would I want to listen to them yap all day? Girls are troublesome."
Shikamaru nodded, agreeing with Naruto's statement, thinking about his mom and how she would pester him and his dad, every waking second.
Sasuke stayed silent, lost in his own world. Soon after, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. He watched as everyone started to head home, confusion setting in as he raised an eyebrow.
"Where's everyone going?" he asked.
"Weren't you paying attention? Iruka-sensei said we're ending two hours earlier today," Naruto commented.
"Oh," Sasuke replied, shaking off his daze.
Naruto grinned. "Wanna go train?"
Sasuke hesitated but then nodded, "Sure." This could help him not think about Shisui's death.
As they walked through the village, Naruto kept up a constant stream of chatter, always on the move. While Sasuke gave short and simple responses, not divulging anything more than necessary.
After a couple minutes of walking, they passed villagers who cast wary glances their way, specifically at Naruto.
Sasuke frowned, unsure of why they were looking at Naruto like that. "What's with those looks?"
"It's nothing, just ignore those losers," Naruto stated. "But I just thought of something that can get us to the training ground faster."
"How?" Sasuke inquired.
Naruto smirked, "Just put your hand on my shoulder and I'll handle the rest."
Sasuke complied, placing his hand on Naruto's right shoulder. Naruto then flashed through a long series of hand signs before finishing with the snake seal.
Within an instant, Sasuke's whole world blurred, and he soon arrived at Training Ground 11. He quickly let go of Naruto and felt his stomach twist and churn.
"Wow can't believe that worked," Naruto managed a weak laugh, clearly exhausted. "Still have a long way to go but hey, it worked."
He felt proud, having managed to incorporate what he learned from the Hirashin into this new form of teleportation gifted to him by his technique. Although this version was in its early stages.
"Hey, Sasuke—" Naruto turned to see over to the Uchiha puking his guts out on the grass next to him. "Oh, my bad," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Sasuke glared at him before continuing to retch in the empty field.
The two had been going hard with taijutsu training for the past two hours, sparring against each other and doing physical exercises. The sun casting a warm glow on the shinobi in training.
Sasuke was very exhausted; he hated to admit this, but Naruto was far above him. He hadn't won a match the entire time which annoyed him to no end, but, gradually he stopped being annoyed. When Naruto wasn't being such a prick, he was very insightful and gave Sasuke great feedback on his fighting stance. It was strange; the guy who was always loud and obnoxious turned out to be a good teacher.
"I'm done," Naruto declared, stretching. "I want to work on some secret stuff."
Sasuke nodded. "Me too. I want to work on the jutsu my father showed me."
Naruto smiled, he then lowered his glasses allowing for Sasuke to see one of his sparking, sky-blue eyes.
What is he doing? Sasuke thought. He eyes are too blue… are they a dojutsu or something? Is that why he keeps them covered?
After a couple moments, Naruto chuckled and pushed his glasses back up. "Good luck, Sasuke. I need you to get stronger so you can keep up with me. Make things fun." He turned around and headed into the forest. "See you."
Sasuke watched his silhouette grow smaller and smaller until he was completely gone from Sasuke's sight. "What is wrong with him?" he questioned.
He moved past that exchange and went to go perform the same hand seal he read from the Tokusa no Kage Bojutsu scroll. He didn't have to opportunity to try it again as he was completely drained from his test run. He believed that now, he should have enough chakra to summon them.
Sasuke focused his chakra, getting connected with his shadow. He formed the dog-shaped hand seal and called out, "Gyokuken."
His shadow expanded and shortly after appeared the two Divine Dogs. He smiled as he looked at them in all their glory.
"I did… it," Sasuke stated before passing out from chakra exhaustion.
The wind howled over his body as the young boy lay there, not prepared for what was to come next.
Sasuke's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself lying in the grass. The world around him was shrouded in darkness, the moon hanging high in the sky. The sounds of owls hooting and crickets chirping filled the cool night air. Groggily, he pushed himself up, feeling the remnants of chakra exhaustion weigh heavily on his limbs.
He looked around, disoriented, and rubbed his forehead. His last memory was staring at the Divine Dogs, only to pass out as his chakra reserves had run dry.
The training ground was empty and silent, save for the chirps of crickets and hoots from owls. He glanced at the moon again, gauging the time. "It's so dark… I must have been out for hours."
Panic set in as he realized how late it was. Sasuke scrambled to his feet. I need to get home, he thought urgently, grabbing his bag before he departed.
The quiet field seemed eerie in the moonlight, shadows stretching long and menacing across the ground. His footsteps echoed in the stillness, a constant reminder of how alone he was.
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, a lone Sharingan, 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.
He continued to race home, the ominous feeling growing stronger with each step. Finally, he reached his house, skidding to a stop at the entrance. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Kaasan! Tousan!" he called out, his voice tinged with worry.
"Sasuke?" Mikoto's voice came from the kitchen. She appeared in the hallway, a warm smile on her face. "What's wrong?"
Sasuke ran to her, hugging her tightly. "I thought… I thought something bad happened."
Mikoto gently stroked his hair. "Don't worry, Sasuke. Everything is fine."
Fugaku stepped into the hallway, a stern yet concerned expression on his face. "What's gotten into you, Sasuke?"
Sasuke pulled away from his mother, confusion, and relief mixing in his mind. "I'm sorry, I just had a bad feeling…"
Mikoto continued to smile. "Well, you were right to worry. Something bad did happen."
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
The atmosphere in the room shifted, the edges of his vision blurring. Mikoto's voice echoed unnaturally as the genjutsu fell, reality warping around him. He turned to see his father's lifeless body sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around him.
"Tousan!" Sasuke screamed, his voice cracking with horror.
"Foolish, child," a voice spoke from the dark.
Sasuke turned to the voice and saw a figure 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.
"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.
"Did you think that was reality? How foolish," 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.
He gasped and felt tears sting in his eyes. He grabbed his head, screaming in agony as he collapsed onto the ground. "No, no, no! 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 a 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.
"So, you want to dance, no?" the masked man said, mocking him. "Well then, let's dance!"
Without thinking, "Gyokuken!" he cried out.
He heard a low growl, followed by a howl, as the Divine Dogs emerged from the shadows behind him.
"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, waiting for Sasuke to phase through his body.
Right when Sasuke appeared on the other side, he sent a kick to his stomach, sending Sasuke 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.
In one, swift, vertical slash, he decapitated the white one. Sasuke watched as its head rolled on the ground, leaving a pool of blood.
The masked man turned his eye on Sasuke and 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 have potential, but you are still weak, child. What a waste," 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 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.
What did he mean by that? Dog thought to himself, before taking a look around him. He could see other bodies besides the Uchiha members.
They were bodies that looked similar to the village's Anbu forces, but instead of the grey flak jacket, they had black robes and weird and grotesque mask designs. Those look like ROOT shinobi, but shouldn't they be disbanded?
"Take the survivor," he finally spoke, pointing to three Anbu: one regular and two others with animal-style masks. "I'll report back to the Hokage. Cat and Tiger, look for any survivors!
"Hai, Captain!" Cat and Tiger responded before dispersing.
The regular ANBU went to pick up the unconscious body of Sasuke while the two looked at each other, nodding and making a ROOT signal.
The bigger of the two moved at high speeds, quickly drawing his tanto and slicing through the Anbu. The smaller one then grabbed Sasuke and they disappeared into the night, unaware that someone very dangerous and angry was hunting them.
The glow of his Sharingan illuminated the devasted clan compound. He wasn't going to let Danzō get his hands on his brother, especially not after this.
KONOHA, NARUTO'S APARTMENT
Naruto stood atop his apartment building, gazing at the night sky. He was contemplating how to move his furniture to his parent's home on the eastern outskirts of the village. It was a nice home, not too big but a much better option compared to this apartment. The only issue was the distance; it took far too long to get there.
He assumed his father had used the Hirashin to move quickly between there and the village, but Naruto couldn't do that yet. He could try teleporting his furniture, but he risked tearing it apart due to the nature of his technique.
"But that's not the reason I'm up here, is it?" Naruto muttered to himself. After training with Sasuke and practicing his Mugaken no Jutsu, he had gone home but couldn't sleep. Something felt off, a sense of unease he couldn't shake.
He was glad he hadn't gone to bed because he suddenly felt a significant drop in chakra signatures on the outskirts of the village, originating from the Uchiha district.
"What the hell is happening over there?" Naruto thought, concern creeping into his mind. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a familiar yet large chakra signature next to him.
Sasuke Uchiha materialized beside him, bruised and bloodied. Naruto's eyes widened in shock.
"Sasuke! What the—?" Before he could finish, a cold yet soft voice spoke in the night.
"Look after my brother," it said before vanishing.
Naruto turned around, but the presence was already gone. He knew who it was. He stood there for a moment, staring at the space where the voice had come from. A slow grin spread across his face, despite the gravity of the situation.
"Well, well, Itachi, always the dramatic exit," he mused. I do wonder what all of this will bring about?
He looked back at Sasuke, with sadness, understanding the most of his family was probably gone, but he masked it with his usual nonchalance. "You look like you've been through hell, kisama," he said lightly.
But then Naruto's mind turned more serious. Why did this happen? Who could have done this? And who was strong enough to do this? Was it Itachi? If so, why did he spare Sasuke and bring him here? Did the old man have any knowledge of this?
His mind went through all the possibilities before he shook his head and crouched down beside Sasuke.
He was there for a while until finally, Naruto nodded to himself. "Yeah... I will... Itachi," he said, the words a promise and a vow, but delivered with a confident grin.
He carefully lifted Sasuke's body over his shoulders, feeling the weight. "Urgh, I didn't think you would be this heavy," he grunted, then added with a chuckle, "What have you been eating, bricks?"
As he made his way to the Hokage's Office, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Naruto's mind continued to race. What did this mean for the future?
All he did know was that he needed to increase his training, to prepare himself for any future threat. He had a feeling that this wouldn't be the last incident.
In a moment of genuine reflection, Naruto whispered, "Hang in there, Sasuke. I'll help you get through this." Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "And don't worry, I'll make sure you pay me back big time for this one."
/END OF CHAPTER/
Closing note (s):
-I have no idea of what Funeral/Mourning Tiger looks like or even its female (I'm convinced Gege is a furry in disguise).
-You should understand the Izumi/Itachi plot point thing. I'm not going to make it impossible to understand like I did last time.
-I apologize if it feels like I've skipped stuff for Naruto's development. I tried my best, but the pacing is still fast for that. I've got a better understanding of Sasuke's character compared to Naruto's… well I understand every character in the Naruto manga besides the MC (might be why I don't like Naruto's character besides his Part I Land of Waves version… he's goated). Also, Naruto and Sasuke are not friends just yet. The next chapter will focus on that.
-I honestly wanted Shisui to survive but it would make things too easy as he is very strong. He could be a great role model to Sasuke but he needed to die for the sake of plot. He won't be coming back.
-I'd like to mention is that the entire Nine-Tails is sealed in Naruto. Kushina and Minato's chakra is inside of him as well. I have something interesting in store for that…
-Last thing is that I'm going on a break for a while. Have other stuff in life going on at the moment but these two should last y'all for some time.
Take care and God Bless