Uchiha Shisui

Suddenly, the whispers around them fell silent.

Across from Uchiha Yuan, the crowd parted, and a group of Uchiha appeared at the gates of the Ninja Academy.

The Uchiha Clan had always been aloof and arrogant. After the Senju Clan fell from power, they became even more domineering, looking down on nearly every other Ninja Clan.

Faced with the Uchiha Clan's overbearing attitude, no one dared offend them. Everyone could only hide their resentment.

Even now, rumors targeting the Uchiha Clan were spreading. But when a large group of Uchiha appeared, everyone fell silent under their imposing presence, afraid of drawing their attention.

Among the Uchiha who had arrived, Uchiha Yuan spotted Uchiha Eiji. He stood with more than ten other Uchiha children, including his two companions, Uchiha Hayabusa and Uchiha Kotaro.

The newcomers were all members of the Uchiha Clan's Main Family.

Uchiha Eiji also noticed Uchiha Yuan standing across from him. Beside Yuan stood a boy around sixteen or seventeen years old.

The boy wore a Police Force vest. He was like a bared sword, radiating a sharp, oppressive presence.

Noticing Uchiha Eiji's gaze, he turned his piercing eyes toward Uchiha Yuan as well.

"Eiji, that's the Branch Family boy who beat you twice."

Uchiha Eiji lowered his head. "Yes, big brother. That's Uchiha Yuan."

The boy was Uchiha Eiji's older brother, Uchiha Taichi.

Although Uchiha Eiji had been utterly unable to fight back when Uchiha Yuan defeated him that day, he had soon recovered his spirits after Awakening his Sharingan. He had hurried home and eagerly shown it to his family.

Then his father and older brother learned about the bet between him and Uchiha Yuan.

Uchiha Taichi gave Uchiha Yuan a brief, indifferent glance, then raised a hand and smacked Uchiha Eiji on the head.

Uchiha Eiji couldn't help but shudder. Then Uchiha Taichi said, "Eiji, the Sharingan is the pride of our Uchiha Clan. Now that you've awakened it, you're a true Uchiha.

"I hope you can defeat that boy the next time you challenge him. Your defeat doesn't just cost you face—it damages the dignity of our Main Family."

"I understand, big brother. I'll definitely beat him next time."

Uchiha Taichi smiled with satisfaction. "Awakening the Sharingan at your age is rare even within the clan. It shows that you have great potential with our Kekkei Genkai.

"You'll become a powerful ninja one day, capable of upholding the clan's reputation."

Uchiha Taichi's words immediately set Uchiha Eiji's blood racing, filling him with excitement.

"Yes, big brother. I won't let you down. Once I've gotten used to the Sharingan, I'll definitely beat Uchiha Yuan."

"Uchiha Yuan is nothing. He hasn't awakened the Sharingan, so he shouldn't even be on your mind.

"Those so-called Taijutsu masters are no match for our Sharingan. We can easily copy their moves.

"The one you should see as your rival is Uchiha Shisui. He's probably the most famous genius in the village these past few years.

"Many senior members of the Police Force have praised his abilities, saying he'll surely become a pillar of the clan.

"Remember! Once we awaken the Sharingan, we represent the Uchiha Clan's honor. We must show the other clans how powerful we are. The Sharingan is the strongest Kekkei Genkai in the Ninja World."

Uchiha Yuan's ears twitched slightly. He had heard every word of the conversation between Uchiha Eiji and his brother.

Clearly, in Uchiha Eiji's older brother's eyes, he wasn't a rival worth taking seriously.

Although the Uchiha Clan had a Main Family and a Branch Family, they weren't like the Hyuga Clan, where the Main and Branch Families were bound by strict rules and a rigid hierarchy.

In the Uchiha Clan, strength alone commanded respect.

So Uchiha Taichi didn't consider Uchiha Eiji's two defeats at Uchiha Yuan's hands an affront.

As far as Uchiha Taichi was concerned, the bet between Uchiha Eiji and Uchiha Yuan was nothing more than childish play.

Just then, a boy arrived at the gates of the Ninja Academy alone. The unmistakable Uchiha fan crest was emblazoned on his back. He was an Uchiha, too.

"That boy is Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha Clan's genius."

"My neighbor teaches at the Ninja Academy. Once, when I was drinking with him, he told me that Uchiha Shisui might already be as strong as a Chunin."

"The Uchiha Clan may be a bunch of bastards, but you have to admit they're Konoha's most powerful clan."

Unlike the other Uchiha, who always wore cold, arrogant expressions that made them seem unapproachable, Uchiha Shisui had a warm, sunny smile on his face. He looked at everyone with gentle courtesy.

Uchiha Shisui.

Hearing the quiet chatter around him, Uchiha Yuan watched Shisui enter the Ninja Academy, his gaze complicated.

In Yuan's eyes, Uchiha Shisui was truly a good-hearted person. He loved his clan, and he loved the village of Konoha.

But he was also a pitiful, foolish man.

His greatest mistake was trusting the Konoha High Command too much.

He had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, yet naively believed that if the clan learned about it, it would only fuel their ambition.

He never considered that possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan would greatly increase his influence within the clan, allowing his opinions to sway many of his fellow Uchiha.

The human heart couldn't withstand a test.

He told the Konoha High Command that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, even revealing the ability he had awakened: Kotoamatsukami.

The abilities of every Mangekyō Sharingan were highly classified. Yet to prove his loyalty to the Konoha High Command, Uchiha Shisui had willingly revealed Kotoamatsukami's power.

After that, the Konoha High Command never met with him alone again.

He probably never realized, even up to the moment of his death, that the moment they learned of Kotoamatsukami's power, the Konoha High Command began to fear him—and even want him dead.

He had become a threat in their eyes.

It was the first day back at the Ninja Academy. Before classes officially began, all the students had to gather on the field and listen to Lord Hokage's speech.

Uchiha Yuan stood with his hands in his pockets, looking bored.

On the raised platform at the edge of the field, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was giving a speech. Three out of every ten sentences mentioned the Will of Fire.

"...Where Leaves Dance, Fire Burns. The shadow of the Fire will illuminate the entire village and make new leaves sprout.

"...A ninja's strength truly shines when they want to protect someone precious to them...

"...Lastly, remember: Where Leaves Dance, Fire Burns Evermore."

After a heaping helping of Hiruzen Sarutobi's signature pep talk, the students were all visibly moved. The younger students were especially fired up, looking at the Third Hokage with reverence.

"Grandpa Third is so kind."

"I'm going to become just like Grandpa Third!"

"I've decided. I'm going to be Hokage someday."

"You want to be Hokage too? That's my dream. Don't try to steal it!"

As Uchiha Yuan walked to his classroom, he kept hearing students chattering excitedly around him.

Hearing their words, he couldn't help sneering to himself. What a bunch of innocent kids. To become Hokage, you first have to become the Hokage's student—or the student of one of his students. Those are the necessary qualifications.

As his thoughts wandered, several surprised murmurs suddenly rose nearby. Uchiha Yuan looked up.

On an open patch of ground beside the school building ahead, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was smiling as he chatted warmly with a boy.

That boy was Uchiha Shisui.