Standing at the entrance of the Uchiha clan territory, the gates loomed like a flame swallowing everything in its path. A few Uchiha clan members stood guard—clearly shinobi of the Uchiha guard corps. One among them was the very Uchiha who had injured my eye.
My left eye's bandage was gone. In its place, my bangs on the left side fell neatly to cover it. Whether by bloodline or divine luck, Uchiha always looked impressive—up to seven years old, I looked like a handsome young boy.
Clad in black short-sleeved shinobi attire and plain pants, a ninja-to strapped to my back, I stood quietly before the gates, facing the three guards.
One of them sneered, his Sharingan igniting. "Heh heh, kid. You might've beat a Genin during your graduation test, but that was worthless around the Uchiha."
"Remember this: the one who'll kill you is Uchiha Kurihara!" The moment the words left his mouth, he vanished and kicked toward my forehead.
His speed eclipsed even that of Iida Saburō. But I moved as if reborn. My speed may not have matched his, but my blade did.
"Draw—Iai Slash!" My eyes shut; I instantly drew my ninja-to from my back.
With a clang, Uchiha Kurihara was knocked back at least ten meters, staggering three times before stopping. His hand, still gripping a kunai, trembled and dripped blood—three deep cuts cut across his palm.
"Trash." I didn't look cool on the outside like I'd intended. I had merely prepared to show my strength and intimidate, not to kill.
The three guards, intimidated, didn't dare move. After opening my Sharingan and advancing, my speed still outpaced theirs. Perhaps an elite shinobi could've blocked that slash, but not here. Kurihara's body trembled with repressed anger.
A gentle voice interrupted: "No need to act so tense."
From around the corner, Uchiha Shisui appeared—eyes filled with appreciation as he looked at me.
That's… Shisui Uchiha?
My eyes narrowed, heart racing. I had just bested an Uchiha. I didn't know the current clan's loyalty—Shisui could be on anyone's side.
"Don't worry," he said gently, "Naruto… I mean, Uzumaki Tou; what's your name? Right—nice work. Come with me." And he turned deeper into the compound.
I let out a half-smirk and followed, ignoring the three guards. To them, it was like a nail in the skull—Uchiha were proud. Three launched toward me from overhead, middle, and below—all flashing kunai in the blazing sun.
Shisui paused, deep in thought. When I turned back, I had already formed the signs.
"Fire Release—Great Fireball Jutsu!" A sphere over three meters in diameter erupted from my mouth, engulfing all three shinobi in flames. With a thunderous roar, they were thrown back into the ground, shrouded in dust and smoke.
"Looks like he was watching us, so he formed that seal instantly," Shisui murmured, his eyes wide at my speed and perception.
I didn't waste a word—just turned and kept walking. Soon, many clan members rushed forward to extinguish flames and tend to the injured.
Nearby, Itachi carried three‑year‑old Sasuke. Sasuke, looking up, asked with wonder, "Brother, is that guy stronger than you?"
Itachi smiled. "I dunno, haven't fought him yet—but tell you what, Sasuke: call him 'big brother'. He's older than you."
"But he hurt our clan's shinobi," said Sasuke, puzzled.
"It wasn't bullying," Itachi replied, affectionately stroking Sasuke's head. "There were three of them charging one guy—that's a fight, and he won."
Sasuke nodded, then asked: "Brother… can you carry me?"
Itachi nodded and lifted him in his arms.
In the study of the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku listened sternly as Shisui recounted the incident. He knew already, but hadn't expected my sword ability to be so strong. Combined with outstanding perception, he decided to test me further.
Suddenly, his Sharingan shifted into a Three-Tomoe form.
At once, I froze—locked in Genjutsu, like a statue.
"Captain," Shisui called softly, surprised I'd succumbed so quickly. His eyes burned with concern.
Fugaku smiled. "He doesn't bear Danzo's cursed seal. Look at his eyes?"
He looked at me, confirming the double‑Tomoe pattern.
Shisui's eyes widened. Having activated the dual‑Tomoe Sharingan in battle earlier, I could have defeated them more easily if I'd used it then.
I shook my head and collapsed to the ground, thinking: So this is what going against the clan head feels like. That's why the curse came so quickly…it pulled me into the genjutsu instantly. Without my Sharingan I wouldn't have broken free.
I regarded Uchiha Fugaku seriously.
He continued: "Don't worry. I just wanted to see if Danzo had placed a cursed seal on you. Haha… looks like Danzo gave you a Sharingan cleanly—no seal."
I rolled my eyes. As if Danzo would be that polite. The moment he found out I'd be acting as your spy, putting a seal on me would be foolish.
Even if the Uchiha clan was weak now, Doronjo wouldn't dare test him. Besides, I had no real trust in Danzo. If the Uchiha had shown the slightest rebellion, there wouldn't have been a rampage…it was still under control.
"Worried I might become Danzo's spy?" Fugaku chuckled. "Donzo indeed considered sealing you, but you insisted: I'm going to be a spy—so I want a proper Sharingan. He relented."
I spoke proudly: "Exactly. You Clan got what mattered most. I got a full Sharingan—no curse."
Shisui wiped his forehead in relief as Fugaku laughed, stood, and patted my head. "From now on, he's your team mentor. That's your shinobi identity. Very soon, you'll grow fond of the Uchiha."
He exited. I stood and my Sharingan reverted to normal vision.
Turning to Shisui, I knelt on one knee: "Sensei!"
Shisui smiled. A kid this young for him to mentor, especially with Itachi there… maybe they're forming a perfect prodigy trio.
Meanwhile, I drifted in awe.
I'd guessed Shisui wasn't much older than Itachi—yet he looked like fourteen, maybe fifteen years old. More than five years older than Itachi.
Makes sense—he fought Aoba from the Mist at a young age. And Itachi… well, exceptions happen.
This guy—a shinobi who effortlessly bested the Snake Sage—will be my mentor?
Hell, I just hit the jackpot.
I heard rumors his eyes are the strongest genjutsu eyes around.