Suddenly, the surrounding whispers ceased.
Across from Uchiha Gen, the crowd parted as a group of Uchiha arrived at the Ninja Academy gates.
The Uchiha Clan had always been proud and aloof. After the decline of the Senju Clan, their arrogance only grew, and they began looking down on most other ninja clans.
Facing such a domineering clan, few dared to provoke them. The others could only swallow their resentment in silence.
Even now, with rumors circulating about the Uchiha's growing isolation from the village, when a large group of them appeared together, their imposing presence alone was enough to silence the crowd. No one wanted to draw the Uchiha's attention.
Uchiha Gen's eyes swept over the group and soon spotted Uchiha Eiji among them. Eiji stood with more than a dozen Uchiha youths, including his two companions—Uchiha Hayabusa and Uchiha Torataro.
All of them were from the main family branch.
Eiji also noticed Gen. Standing beside Gen was a young man, around sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing the dark vest of the Konoha Military Police Force. His sharp gaze and composed bearing exuded the pressure of a drawn blade.
When the young man noticed Eiji's stare, his eyes followed his brother's line of sight and settled on Uchiha Gen.
"Eiji," he said, his tone calm but cutting. "Is that the branch family boy who defeated you twice?"
Eiji lowered his head slightly. "Yes, Big Brother. That's Uchiha Gen."
The young man was Uchiha Taichi—Eiji's elder brother.
Although Eiji had been humiliated by his losses to Gen, the awakening of his Sharingan afterward had reignited his pride. He'd rushed home to boast of it, and the news of his wager with Gen had quickly spread to his father and brother.
Uchiha Taichi gave Gen a brief glance before resting a hand on Eiji's shoulder.
Eiji stiffened at his brother's touch, then heard him speak.
"Eiji, the Sharingan is the pride of our clan. Now that you've awakened yours, you stand as a true Uchiha. That boy—Gen—I expect you to defeat him next time. Your loss doesn't shame you, but it reflects on the main family's dignity."
"I understand, Big Brother. I'll definitely defeat him next time."
Taichi gave a small, approving smile.
"To awaken the Sharingan at your age is rare, even within the clan. It proves your bloodline's potential. Keep training, and you'll become a powerful ninja—one who upholds our family's honor."
Eiji's chest swelled with excitement. "Yes, Big Brother. I won't disappoint you. Once I fully master the Sharingan, Uchiha Gen won't stand a chance!"
Taichi's smile sharpened. "Uchiha Gen is nothing. Without the Sharingan, his taijutsu and instincts are meaningless. The Sharingan can read and copy such techniques with ease. He's not the opponent you should be worrying about."
He paused, his expression turning serious.
"The one you should keep your eyes on is Uchiha Shisui. Among the younger generation, he's considered the most gifted of all. Even several senior officers in the Military Police have acknowledged his strength, saying he will one day be a pillar of the clan."
His tone hardened.
"Remember, Eiji. Those who awaken the Sharingan represent the face of the Uchiha. Show the world the strength of our bloodline—the Sharingan, the most powerful Kekkei Genkai in the shinobi world."
Nearby, Uchiha Gen's ears twitched slightly as he caught their conversation.
In Taichi's eyes, Gen wasn't even worth acknowledging as a rival.
Though the Uchiha had families referred to as "main" and "branch," it wasn't like the Hyūga, where strict hierarchy and seals enforced loyalty. In the Uchiha clan, strength alone dictated status.
To Taichi, Eiji's duel with Gen was nothing more than childish sparring.
At that moment, a lone figure approached the Academy gate, the red-and-white fan of the Uchiha gleaming proudly on his back.
"That's Uchiha Shisui," someone whispered nearby.
"My neighbor's an Academy instructor—he said Shisui already fights at a Chūnin's level."
"Yeah, say what you want about the Uchiha, they really are Konoha's elite clan."
Unlike most of his kin, who wore expressions of cold indifference, Shisui's smile was warm and approachable. His eyes were gentle, and he greeted others politely as he passed.
Uchiha Shisui...
Hearing the murmurs around him, Uchiha Gen's gaze followed Shisui as he entered the Academy. His expression grew complicated.
To Gen, Shisui was a genuinely kind person—one who loved both his clan and the village.
But that kindness, Gen thought, was also his greatest flaw.
He trusted the Konoha Elders too much.
Even after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had feared that revealing it to his clan would only heighten their distrust of the village. What he never realized was that his power—and his influence—could have united the clan instead.
The human heart is fragile.
And in his naivety, Shisui confided in the village Elders—telling them not only about his Mangekyō but even about its ability: Kotoamatsukami, the power to control minds without detection.
Mangekyō's abilities are meant to be secret. But Shisui, in his desire to prove his loyalty, laid bare his greatest weapon. From that moment, the Elders stopped meeting him alone.
He probably never realized—until the day he died—that his honesty made him a threat.
That the very people he trusted most began to see him as something dangerous.
---
That morning marked the start of a new term at the Ninja Academy.
Before classes began, all students were gathered on the training field to listen to the Hokage's address.
Hands in his pockets, Uchiha Gen stood among the crowd, his expression blank.
Up on the podium, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was delivering one of his familiar speeches—three out of every ten sentences revolving around the Will of Fire.
> "As long as there are leaves to dance, the fire will burn.
The shadow of the fire will light the village,
and new leaves will sprout once again."
> "The true power of a ninja blooms when they protect those they cherish.
Remember—where the leaves dance, the fire will always burn."
The students erupted with enthusiasm.
Some of the younger ones looked at the Hokage with shining eyes.
"Grandpa Third is so kind!"
"I wanna be like him when I grow up!"
"I'll become Hokage someday!"
"Hey! That's my dream—don't steal it!"
As he walked toward the classrooms, Gen overheard their chatter and couldn't suppress a quiet, cynical smile.
So naive... he thought.
To become Hokage, you must first be a student of one—or a student of their student. That's how the system works.
As his thoughts drifted, a sudden commotion rippled through the courtyard. Gen glanced up—and his eyes narrowed slightly.
Not far away, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood beside a familiar young man, speaking with him warmly.
That young man... was Uchiha Shisui.
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