After Izumi Uchiha left the room, Sasuke Uchiha buried his head between his legs.
Memories of that day played over and over in Sasuke's head.
To test my resolve...
You have the potential to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Come before me when you possess the same eyes as mine.
Then, Izumi's words echoed again in Sasuke's thoughts.
We each have duties we must fulfill.
Sasuke lifted his head, his Sharingan unconsciously activating. His gaze was no longer filled with confusion, but instead with hatred and determination. He muttered through clenched teeth, "I must become stronger... Itachi Uchiha! I will definitely kill you—I swear it!"
Sasuke stood up. His weakened legs wobbled slightly as he walked.
At the table, he grabbed chopsticks and started stuffing rice into his mouth aggressively.
Watching from outside the house, Izumi let out a soft sigh of relief upon seeing Sasuke finally eat properly.
Now the entire Uchiha Clan had completely lost their freedom, forced to depend on Konoha's upper echelons for survival.
Sasuke's current situation was particularly awkward.
The son of the former clan leader Fugaku Uchiha, yet also the younger brother of Itachi Uchiha—the man seen by many as the greatest criminal of the Uchiha Clan.
Although Sasuke was innocent, attitudes toward him among the remaining clan members were deeply divided.
Some believed Itachi's actions had nothing to do with Sasuke, and that as Fugaku's son, Sasuke would eventually grow up to lead them forward.
Others felt that after Itachi slaughtered his own clan and parents, his younger brother became equally guilty and deserved to bear responsibility.
Regardless of others' opinions, Sasuke would inevitably face tremendous pressure moving forward.
...
Inside the Hyuga Clan compound.
Neji Hyuga gazed at the three youths standing before him—close to his age—and felt both happiness and a heavy burden.
He felt joy because these three were willing to follow him, ready to blaze a new trail against tradition.
Yet heaviness accompanied this joy too—he now carried immense responsibility, not only for his future but theirs as well.
Neji needed to tread carefully—like walking on eggshells.
They were defying the elders—if discovered, not only would he suffer consequences, but they would too.
These three individuals were carefully selected by Neji through years of quiet observation.
Once certain they hadn't been influenced by the rigid ideologies of the Hyuga Clan, he gradually approached them, sharing his ideas until slowly shaping their thoughts.
Eventually, he revealed his full intentions, and all three agreed without hesitation.
In Konoha, within the Hyuga Clan, those born into the Branch Family saw no way out of their fate. Perhaps leaving was their only escape.
Neji Hyuga instructed, "From now on, continue living your normal lives. Be careful and don't draw attention to yourselves. If our plans are exposed, we'll face nothing but elimination."
"Also, observe those around you closely. Report anyone who might be suitable, and I will evaluate whether they're trustworthy. Don't recklessly approach anyone without knowing their thoughts."
"Our four fates are now tightly bound together. When the time is right, I will remove the Caged Bird from you all and lead you away—to build a new Hyuga Clan free from the division between Main and Branch Families, free from that pitiful destiny!"
Neji extended his hand. His three companions stacked their hands on top, their gazes burning with fierce resolve.
...
Inside the Ninja Academy.
Naruto Uzumaki wore a thick mask over his face.
Ever since Chinya had taught him the Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques, Naruto had immediately begun training in the breathing method.
Although the mask initially caused Naruto pain and dizziness, he gritted his teeth and endured it, determined to grow stronger.
After Sōnagi left, the bullies who had once been too scared to mess with Naruto now that his older brother was gone started coming out of the woodwork one by one.
They shoved at Naruto, mocking him, claiming he wore the mask because his face was hideous.
Yet Naruto remained silent, letting them push and insult him without resistance.
It didn't matter—he was used to it. Even if he got hurt, his wounds would heal completely by morning. He didn't care.
Right now, all Naruto wanted was to grow stronger as quickly as possible so he could reunite with his mother sooner.
And as for how they treated him now—he would repay every ounce of this torment tenfold someday!
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? Class is about to start!"
Iruka, Naruto's teacher, appeared behind them and stopped the children from bullying him further.
As soon as they saw Iruka approaching, the kids scattered like frightened birds.
Iruka spoke gently to Naruto, "Hurry up and go to class—it's about to begin."
Naruto glanced at Iruka without saying a word, then silently returned to the classroom.
Iruka watched Naruto walk away, a faint frown tugging at his brow.
This Naruto was no longer the same cheerful, optimistic boy he used to know—the one who always stayed positive no matter what happened.
Now, Naruto exuded a dark, brooding presence. And then there were the rumors circulating about him—that he housed the Nine-Tails inside him. Iruka's parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack. No matter how hard he tried to hide it or refused to admit it, part of him still despised Naruto.
If not for the fact that this was happening at the Ninja Academy, Iruka wouldn't have interfered at all.
Underneath his mask, Naruto's expression carried a faint sneer.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto could sense the hatred aimed at him without a doubt.
Therefore, Naruto Uzumaki could feel Iruka's disgust toward him.
In Naruto's eyes, Iruka was extremely hypocritical—he clearly hated him but still wore a kind face, just like Hiruzen. Both were just as fake.
Once he returned to the classroom, Iruka began his lesson.
Naruto paid close attention. Even though the Ninja Academy only taught the basics, Chinya had once told him that any ninja aiming to advance needed a solid foundation.
Plus, the Nine-Tails had stopped causing trouble, so the current Naruto wasn't the dead-last student at the Ninja Academy anymore.
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