Chapter 1: The Eve of Enrollment
Assistant referees watched intently as kunai clashed, the younger boy furiously attacking the slightly older youth before him.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, sweat sliding down his face.
Is this boy really more talented than my brother? He's only a year older than me…
But the other youth, Uchiha Makoto, eyes gleaming with a single tomoe Sharingan, evaded every strike with calm precision.
"It's over," Makoto said softly.
The moment Sasuke's stance faltered, Makoto's kunai touched his neck—swift, undeniable.
"The match is decided. Young Master Makoto wins," the assistant declared.
"As expected of the clan's genius," one middle-aged Uchiha whispered. "To awaken the Sharingan at six, even earlier than Master Itachi!"
"True, though young Master Sasuke is excellent for his age. At that time, I was still being scolded by my father…" another replied.
Lowering his kunai, Makoto glanced at the stern, black-haired man standing nearby—the Uchiha patriarch, Fugaku.
"Well done, Makoto. I have high hopes for you. The clan needs more like you," Fugaku said, a rare smile tugging at his usually rigid features.
Turning to Sasuke, his tone hardened. "From now on, train with Makoto. He's only a year older, yet both of you represent the clan's future. Stop clinging to your brother. Itachi has important missions."
Sasuke's shoulders sank. "…Yes, Father," he murmured so softly that only Makoto heard.
But inside, Sasuke seethed. There can't be a genius greater than my brother. I will defeat you, Makoto. I'll prove my brother isn't weaker, and I'll make Father acknowledge me!
"By the way, Makoto," Fugaku added, "tomorrow is your first day at the Academy. Behave. One of our clan's instructors will personally guide you."
"Yes, Patriarch. Then I'll take my leave." Makoto bowed politely.
He turned to Sasuke. "Goodbye, Sasuke. Please take care of me from now on."
Sasuke stiffened, startled, and silently watched Makoto's figure retreat, the fan crest on his back fading into the distance.
Hmph. I'll never get along with you! No matter how kind you act, I'll surpass you… prove my worth… prove that my brother is greater than you!
"Sasuke! What are you waiting for?" Fugaku's sharp tone snapped him from his thoughts.
"…Coming, Father."
As Sasuke ran to catch up, he glanced back once more. There's something strange about this Makoto…
But Makoto himself paid Sasuke no mind. His thoughts were elsewhere—on survival.
He knew the Uchiha clan's fate. He knew the night of genocide was coming.
Because Uchiha Makoto was no ordinary child—he was a time traveler.
And with him, he carried a cheat.
In his consciousness space, a faint yellow tome floated, its cover inscribed with three bold Chinese characters—Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters).
Name: Uchiha Makoto
Bloodline: Sharingan (One Tomoe)
Level: Academy-aged shinobi
Techniques: Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, Substitution Jutsu, Coir-Raincoat Concealment, Shurikenjutsu.
On its first page, the book listed Makoto's name and the jutsu he had mastered. Turning further revealed names of deities from his previous life's mythology:
Izanagi. Izanami. Takami-Musubi. Amaterasu. Tsukuyomi…
He knew enough of Naruto's world to understand—these divine names weren't decoration. They were power.
Though still gray and dormant, Makoto could feel faint currents of strength shaping his body, increasing his chakra reserves and physical potential over the past three days.
Three days ago, he became Uchiha Makoto. He should have been thrilled to enter a world of incredible power… but he wasn't.
Because even without deep knowledge of Naruto, he knew the truth: this world was cruel. And the Uchiha were doomed.
He hasn't watched even a few episodes of Naruto in his past life, but he has heard more or less about the Hokage and the shinobi world from people around him.
Sasuke Uchiha is one of the protagonists here, the last orphan of the Uchiha clan, whose entire family was wiped out by his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Now, Uchiha Shin has become part of this same clan—not just any member, but recognized as a genius who awakened the Sharingan at six, just like Itachi. Yet even as a prodigy, his name will still be written on the list of those fated to be exterminated.
It is true that his parents died when he was only one or two years old. He lived with his grandmother, and not long ago, she too passed away. After all, age always claims its toll.
Reeling from the pain of losing his only family, Uchiha Shin collapsed. But when he awoke, his body carried a different soul—one from another world—and with it, the Sharingan already open.
Understanding his current situation, Shin was unwilling to accept such a cruel destiny. In his previous life, he still longed to live. How could he die again after crossing into this world? If he wanted a peaceful life, the first step was simple: survive!
So, in the past two days, Uchiha Shin—using his identity as a "genius" acknowledged by Fugaku—had already learned two Fire Release techniques under the clan head's guidance.
From what he recalled, Sasuke was still in the Academy during the night of extermination. Since Sasuke himself had not yet enrolled, that massacre should be less than two years away.
Will I grow strong enough within two years to survive that night?
Anxiety gnawed at his chest. Even with the Sharingan and the mysterious cheat ability from the Kojiki, survival wasn't guaranteed.
Shin carefully thought through three possible survival strategies.
The first: remain in the Academy for at least a year, study ninjutsu as much as possible, and apply for early graduation. If the Uchiha downfall drew near, he could use missions as cover to escape… perhaps even defect directly.
The second: warn Uchiha Fugaku ahead of time, urging him to act "righteously" and unite the clan against Itachi before the massacre. But Shin knew this was almost impossible. Fugaku's stern pride and trust in his eldest son made such a plan unreliable.
The third: survive as material for Sasuke's Mangekyō awakening. He knew Sharingan often evolved through deep emotional trauma. If he built a bond with Sasuke, perhaps he could become one of his emotional triggers. This might buy time… or it might ensure his death by Itachi's blade right in front of Sasuke.
Whichever way he reasoned, no plan offered a perfect guarantee.
"In the end, it still comes down to my own strength," Shin muttered bitterly.
He recalled a saying from his past life: a weak country has no diplomacy.
Here, the truth was even harsher: a weak ninja has no value.
Daydreams were useless. In this world, only personal strength could support his choices. And the strength of a mere Academy student wasn't even worth mentioning in the face of true monsters.
Tomorrow would mark the beginning of Konoha's 56th year. It was also the day he would officially step into the Ninja Academy.
I must learn more knowledge. I must master more ninjutsu, Shin thought firmly.
Tomorrow, he would also visit Uchiha Fugaku and meet the teacher arranged for him. For tonight, he would rest early.
After all, if he wanted to survive the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, there was no other path.