Because of his exceptionally strong instinct to survive, Uchiha Shunichi's performance was flawless.
The nurse never realized that she herself was the true object of Shunichi's hatred.
Of course, she didn't tell Shunichi any truths either. After observing him for a while, she simply turned and left.
Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen entered the room.
"I'm deeply sorry," he said heavily.
"I failed to protect the Uchiha clan. Over a month ago, for reasons unknown, Uchiha Itachi slaughtered his entire clan… and then defected."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a hard drag from his pipe, his face filled with what appeared to be boundless compassion for the suffering of the world.
Unfortunately, his performance was wasted.
Uchiha Shunichi's eyes were tightly shut—no different from a blind man.
"So this is the great Hokage," Shunichi said after a long silence, his voice calm and cold.
"A useless man who couldn't even protect the clans within his own village."
Suddenly, Shunichi lunged forward.
He swung his fists wildly at Sarutobi Hiruzen, like a wronged child throwing a tantrum born of unbearable grief.
"Why didn't you notice?! Why?!"
Hiruzen raised a hand, stopping the nearby ANBU from intervening. He allowed Shunichi to tear at his clothes, shredding them into disarray.
With Shunichi's current frail condition, even if Hiruzen stood still and let him strike, the child couldn't kill him.
After a while, Shunichi finally calmed down.
"I'm sorry," Sarutobi Hiruzen said sincerely, looking at him with guilt.
"This is all my fault."
Shunichi lay quietly on the bed, turning his head away without saying a word.
Hiruzen looked at him for a moment longer, then sighed and left.
On the bed, Shunichi's heart churned with unease.
He didn't know whether his act had fooled Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Nor did he know what awaited him in the future.
Much later, the gentle-voiced nurse returned.
"Your body has suffered severe damage," she said softly.
"Can you open your eyes now?"
Shunichi forced his eyes open for a brief instant—then shut them again immediately.
"I can," he replied hoarsely.
"But once I do, the pain is unbearable."
The nurse hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"You… do you know about the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
...
After more than a week of hospitalization, Shunichi's body gradually returned to normal.
But during that single week, the nutritional supplements he consumed reached astronomical levels.
Even now, he needed to eat enormous amounts every day just to maintain his physical condition.
As for his eyes…
They still could not remain open.
However, there was one thing Shunichi was certain of
For the time being, he had gained Sarutobi Hiruzen's trust.
"This is a sensory ninjutsu," Yakushi Nono handed Shunichi a scroll.
"Since your eyes can't be used for prolonged vision, you'll need this to manage daily activities."
After handing it to him, she left without another word.
After more than a week of interaction, Shunichi had learned the name of the gentle-voiced nurse.
It was unexpected.
And yet, entirely reasonable.
"I understand," Shunichi nodded, putting the scroll away.
He didn't concern himself with whether he could master it or not.
Leaning on a long staff, Shunichi slowly made his way toward the Uchiha compound.
It was already desolate.
Yet there was still one person living there—
Uchiha Sasuke.
"I heard you survived too," Sasuke said from the doorway, watching Shunichi move like a blind man.
"But how did you end up looking like such a useless wreck?"
A flicker of guilt passed through Sasuke's eyes.
But his words showed no mercy.
Shunichi paused slightly, then replied calmly,
"Don't worry. I won't resent you. You're just that person's younger brother—nothing more."
After saying that, Shunichi opened his eyes briefly to assess his surroundings, then continued walking forward.
Upon hearing those words, a surge of resentment flashed through Sasuke's heart.
He had originally intended to step forward and help.
In the end, he turned away and returned to his room.
...
"Hiruzen, I want you to hand that child over to me."
From the shadows, Shimura Danzō stepped forward, his voice low.
Hiruzen said nothing at first.
Only after a long pause did he respond,
"That child's body is far too weak. If you don't want him wasted for nothing, stop thinking about him."
"I suggest eliminating him entirely," Danzō said coldly.
"The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan is far too dangerous. Even if he can't control it now, it's still a ticking time bomb."
In Danzō's mind, memories surfaced—
Of the moment he had transplanted those eyes.
He had nearly died.
"The Uchiha clan's Sharingan can only be fully controlled by the Uchiha themselves," Hiruzen said flatly.
"Abandon such delusions."
He paused briefly before continuing,
"And during this past month… you haven't done anything unnecessary, have you?"
"No," Danzō replied.
In truth, he hadn't merely acted—
He had conducted extensive research.
If he had any choice at all, Danzō would never have obeyed Hiruzen's order to abandon such valuable material.
"I will raise him to become a worthy inheritor of the Will of Fire," Hiruzen said decisively.
"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter any further."
Many times, Sarutobi Hiruzen was lenient with Shimura Danzō.
But when Hiruzen became serious
Danzō was never his equal.
Whether it was the Hokage position…
Yamato…
Or something else entirely.
"That child's heart is filled with hatred," Danzō said unwillingly.
"I'm worried"
"Hatred," Hiruzen interrupted calmly, adjusting his robes,
"is an excellent form of nourishment. He will grow into the person we need. Of that, I am confident."
Seeing this, Danzō said nothing more.
With the Uchiha clan destroyed, the two men who controlled Konoha's light and darkness had far too much to do…
...
"Due to certain circumstances, we have a new student joining our class today," Umino Iruka announced, leading Shunichi into the classroom.
"Go ahead and introduce yourself."
Among Konoha's major clans, many children never attended the Ninja Academy.
Only selected elite heirs did.
After all, the secret techniques controlled by each clan were not something the Academy could teach.
And what the Academy did teach was largely of little use to them.
Thus, only geniuses groomed by elites—and those with time to spare for interpersonal matters—entered the Academy.
"My name is Uchiha Shunichi," he said flatly.
"I'm just a useless person. There's no need to pay attention to me."
"And I won't care about your existence either."