That night.
The Third Hokage had the ANBU deliver two scrolls.
One contained Lightning Release techniques, the other Fire Release techniques.
Of the two, the Fire Release scroll was far more extensive, covering almost every C-rank and B-rank Fire Style jutsu.
Don't be fooled by the relatively low ranking of Fire Release jutsu—its power has nothing to do with the letter grade. It all depends on the user's ability. For example, a powerhouse like Uchiha Madara could turn even the most basic Fire Style into something far beyond what most elite jōnin could muster.
As for Lightning Release, there were only five techniques. Aside from one unusual one—Lightning Illusion: Thunder Pillar—which could be used as a genjutsu, the others were fairly unimpressive.
"These two scrolls… don't tell me they were scavenged from the clan leader's home?"
The Sarutobi clan was also skilled in Fire Release.
If this Fire Release scroll had contained any Sarutobi clan secret techniques—like Ash Pile Burning, Majestic Blaze Technique, or Fire Dragon Flame Bullet—Uchiha Jiyue might have believed the Third Hokage's gesture was genuine. Unfortunately, it contained none of those.
"Use Uchiha to destroy Uchiha… then use Uchiha's ninjutsu to win over a Uchiha survivor. Hokage-sama, you are something."
Tucking the scrolls away, Jiyue put on his coat and stepped out into the night.
After the night of the massacre, it had rained for days.
By now, there was no trace of the blood that had once pooled in the streets—but the scars in Jiyue's heart showed no sign of healing.
"Time makes people forget everything."
"But hatred will never let you forget hatred."
The cool summer night breeze brushed against him. Jiyue steadied his breathing and began running laps around the former Uchiha district.
Recovery training after an injury was essential. To avoid overtaxing both his body and his potential, Jiyue decided to wait until his body had fully adapted before learning the techniques from the scrolls.
North of the district, there was a lake.
In the past, whenever Jiyue was in a bad mood, he would take walks there.
Tonight, as he passed by, he noticed two figures huddled together on a small wooden bridge extending into the water. Judging from their size, they looked about seven or eight years old. Against the meeting line of dark sky and water, their silhouettes seemed especially small.
"Sasuke and Naruto…? Didn't expect to run into them here."
Jiyue stopped instinctively.
Since the massacre, the lights by the lake had been extinguished. Now, the only illumination came from the faint moonlight.
It felt lonely—but also… warm.
Still, when Jiyue's gaze fell on Sasuke on the right, his expression turned complicated.
During his hospital stay, he had considered using Sasuke as a tool to get revenge on Itachi. But he'd quickly abandoned that idea.
"If Itachi truly loved Sasuke, he wouldn't have given Shisui's eye to Naruto and left Sasuke to be nothing but a puppet protecting Konoha…"
"In the end, what Itachi loves most is still the village—and himself."
That didn't mean Sasuke was useless, though.
Picturing Itachi forced into a desperate corner—only for Sasuke to strike the final blow—Jiyue smirked coldly as he stepped deeper into the shadows ahead.
He intended to take Itachi's place in Sasuke's heart, stripping Itachi of everything.
Under the deep night sky, the Uchiha compound without its people was like a silent, abandoned grave.
Jiyue wandered slowly, each landmark stirring old memories.
The yakiniku shop he used to visit with his father…
The barber who never got his hairstyle quite right…
The fruit stall where his mother always haggled…
The stationery shop where prices seemed to climb every month…
The cracked wall bearing the Uchiha crest…
The torii gate at the entrance is said to bring protection…
The long street where the clan head and elders had lived…
The short street by the night market where young couples met…
The two crooked old trees in front of his home…
The flowerbed by the door, always in full bloom…
Everything looked the same—except for the absence of human life.
"I'm home!"
As he had countless times before, Jiyue placed his hand on the door, forced a smile to hide the weight in his heart, spoke as if greeting his family, and turned the handle—
The door opened.
But there was no one inside.
Half a step through the doorway, Jiyue couldn't hold back his tears.
"They say to share the good news, not the bad… but now… I have nothing left to share at all…"
In the hazy moonlight, the boy stood in silence for a long time before closing the door firmly behind him.
Two months later.
The Third Hokage received Uchiha Jiyue's application for early graduation.
"Kakashi, do you think this boy will pass the Academy's exam?"
He handed the signed application to Kakashi and glanced meaningfully at the sunflowers blooming outside the window.
Aside from the application, Jiyue had also sent those sunflowers through Kakashi.
And sunflowers…
Back when Jiyue was in the hospital, Kakashi was the only one who had brought them to him.
The meaning behind the gesture was clear enough.
Returning kindness with kindness?
A very clever boy indeed.
"He should be fine."
Kakashi hadn't noticed the change in the Hokage's expression. Taking the application, he added,
"After all, he's already awakened the Sharingan. You know as well as I do the gap between geniuses and ordinary shinobi, Hokage-sama."
The Hokage smiled.
"True. Bloodline limits give a shinobi a significant edge… Oh, by the way, Kakashi—are you headed to the Academy later?"
"Yeah."
Kakashi saw Jiyue as a continuation of Obito's will, so naturally, he didn't want to miss an event like the graduation exam.
"How about we go together?"
The Hokage's eyes crinkled with a smile.
"You're coming too?"
Kakashi was a little surprised, but thought the Hokage's presence might help Jiyue. He set aside his doubts.
"Alright."
The two left the Hokage building soon after.
Half an hour later—
Brought to the training field by his chūnin instructor, Uchiha Jiyue stood ready for the exam.
Students and teachers gathered around, buzzing with speculation.
"Didn't think he'd have the guts to apply for early graduation. Normally, he's got two years left!"
"Last time someone graduated early was Kakashi-senpai, right?"
"Wrong—it was Itachi!"
"Shh—don't mention that name in front of him."
Itachi…
In the crowd, Sasuke clenched his fists at the sound of the name.
He stared at Jiyue in the training field and murmured,
"Another survivor… just like me."
The other students kept whispering:
"He doesn't look like much. Can he even pass?"
Hope he doesn't embarrass the Uchiha name…