Midday sunlight filtered through the rooftops of Konoha as Ryuken entered a small ninja weapon shop tucked away in the backstreets. The faint smell of metal, oil, and ink hung in the air.
He handed a few coins to the old shopkeeper and received a bundle of thin, pale sheets — chakra papers.
Ten in total.
He slipped nine into his inventory and held the last one between his fingers.
Without a word, he left the village behind, stepping quietly into the surrounding forest. The air was cool and still.
Ryuken knelt beside a tree, focusing his chakra into the paper.The sheet fluttered, then reacted.
For most shinobi, chakra paper produces one of five reactions:
Burns — Fire
Splits — Wind
Becomes damp — Water
Wrinkles — Lightning
Turns to dust — Earth
But Ryuken's paper did something else.
It split in three.
The first section burned to ash.The second wrinkled and crackled.The third grew wet.
He stared at the fragments in silence, eyes narrowing slightly.Fire, Lightning… and Water?
He had expected fire — that much was obvious for an Uchiha.He had hoped for lightning.But water… that was unexpected.
Before he could think further, a faint chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent blue screen appeared before him.
(Hidden Quest Completed: Discover Your Chakra Elements)Reward: Mysterious EggDescription: An egg from another world. Once hatched, it will become your Summon.
Ryuken blinked, momentarily stunned.A summon? Already?
Curiosity overtook hesitation.He opened his inventory, tapped the new icon, and summoned the item.
With a faint shimmer, an egg materialized before him — black shell veined with faint crimson lines, pulsing softly with life.
He crouched beside it, studying its texture.It radiated a faint warmth, almost like chakra.
He smiled slightly.So the System can grant summons too. Unexpectedly generous.
He placed a hand gently atop the egg.Whatever's inside… I'll make it strong. Strong enough to survive in this world.
A sudden wave of dizziness washed over him.Pain throbbed behind his temples.
Then—memories flooded in.
He saw through the eyes of his Shadow Clone—the one he'd sent to attend class that morning.He saw himself sitting beside Shisui, walking home together, entering the house. Then the clone dispersed, its experiences merging with his own.
Ryuken exhaled sharply.So the clone returned already. Shisui must be home. I should head back before he notices I was gone.
Then another memory surfaced—Shisui mentioning they were invited to dinner at the Uchiha patriarch's residence.Tch. Fugaku and Mikoto, huh?
He brushed off his clothes, picked up the egg, and began walking home.
Uchiha Patriarch Residence
The scent of miso soup and grilled fish filled the air.
A three-year-old Itachi sat by the kitchen counter, eyes wide with curiosity as his mother stirred the pot.
"Mother," he asked, tilting his head, "why are you making so much food today?"
Mikoto smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear."Because we have guests, dear. Your friend Shisui and his little brother, Ryuken, are coming for dinner. Do you remember them?"
Itachi's eyes brightened immediately.He did remember.
The cheerful older brother, Shisui—he played throwing games with me last time.(Not real shuriken, of course.)But his little brother… Ryuken… he never smiled. He just helped Mother wash the dishes instead of playing with us.
He grinned, excitement bubbling up."I can't wait to play shuriken with big brother Shisui again!"
Mikoto chuckled softly."If you're that excited, then help me set the table. Your father should be home soon."
"Yes, ma'am!" Itachi said, bouncing to his feet.
That evening, the family gathered around the low dining table.The food was simple but warm, laughter echoing through the room as Shisui told lighthearted stories about the Academy.
When the plates were nearly empty, Fugaku turned his sharp gaze toward Ryuken.
"So," he said evenly, "I hear you've joined the Academy as well, Ryuken. Tell me—how do you find it so far?"
Ryuken met his gaze without flinching."It's not too difficult," he said calmly. "I study at home a lot. I want to become as strong as my brother."
Fugaku nodded, clearly pleased.He's composed, disciplined… and far too mature for his age, he thought. I should keep an eye on him. Perhaps even nurture his growth directly.
Across the table, little Itachi watched quietly, eyes full of admiration.As Ryuken and Fugaku spoke, something solidified inside him—a silent vow.
I'll be like them one day.I'll be good in the Academy too.