[Brain storage]
Konoha, Year 32, on the eve of the Second Shinobi World War
Sunlight streamed through the gaps between the leaves, dappling Konoha's training ground. The Third stood on a raised platform, facing the ninjas about to depart for the front. His gaze was resolute and full of confidence.
"Ninjas of Konoha!" The Third's voice rang out, loud and powerful. "Today, we face a grave trial. But I believe that our ninjas are the strongest! We have unshakable convictions, fearless courage, and the spirit to stand united! We will defeat our enemies and defend our home!"
The Third's passionate, rousing speech set every ninja present ablaze with fighting spirit. They gripped their weapons, ready to fight for Konoha's honor.
Just then, a ninja who had been sleeping upright against a tree furrowed his brow. The Third's speech and the villagers' cheers shattered his sweet dream.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Third on the platform. I'll sleep a little longer. I spent all night watching the Naruto anime yesterday and finally caught up. Why are these people making such a racket and disturbing my sleep?
Then he heard someone shout, "Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns! Everyone, get ready! We will win this battle!"
The ninja's eyes widened. He looked around. What the hell is this place? Wasn't I watching anime at home, then fell asleep in bed?
Who was that on the platform? He took a closer look. It was Sarutobi Hiruzen, dressed in a black combat uniform. Damn! The ninja rubbed his eyes. What the—? The Third, when he was young?
Then he looked down at what he was wearing. A Uchiha combat uniform, complete with tactical gloves. He was stunned.
A flood of memories surged into his mind. His head felt as if it were splitting apart, and his body curled up involuntarily.
He stood beneath the shade of a tree, and the Third was giving his speech on the platform. No one was paying attention to him yet, so nobody noticed his strange behavior.
After about five minutes, the pain gradually faded. Uchiha Kō's anguished expression slowly relaxed.
The information surfaced in his mind. Uchiha Kō was a notorious failure in the Uchiha Clan. At eighteen, he still hadn't awakened his Sharingan and had only Genin-level chakra. He knew very few jutsu: the C-rank Great Fireball Technique, the C-rank Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, and the C-rank Dragon Fire Technique.
Uchiha Kō cursed inwardly. Damn it! I've been transported into the Naruto world, and at eighteen I still haven't awakened my Sharingan. I only know three C-rank jutsu, and I've got Genin-level chakra. I'm about to fight in the Second Shinobi World War. How is this any different from being sent to my death?
A wave of resentment from a twenty-first-century college student surged through him. A flash of red passed through Uchiha Kō's eyes. His irises turned red, and a black Tomoe began to spin.
Uchiha Kō felt a sharp pain in his eyes, followed by a sudden sense of weightlessness. Just as he was about to pass out, a flash of yellow appeared before him. A moment later, he lost consciousness.
Tsunade was one of Konoha's three most gifted young prodigies of the era, a student of Sarutobi Hiruzen and heir to the Senju bloodline. She had yet to fight Salamander Hanzō and had not earned that so-called title of Sannin.
After listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech, she had felt her whole body surge with fighting spirit. She had also heard that she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru would serve as squad leaders, leading the villagers and the other ninjas into battle. The thought alone thrilled her.
She was about to go home and prepare her ninja tools when she suddenly sensed a cold chakra. As she searched for its source, she spotted someone beneath a tree.
It was Uchiha Kō. He was radiating resentment as he stared up at the platform. Then his eyes began to bleed. Blood ran from the corners of his eyes, and his irises changed from black to red.
He had awakened the Sharingan! Tsunade was shocked. She knew the Uchiha Clan possessed this bloodline, but this was the first time she had seen it from such close range. Curiosity got the better of her.
As if fate were guiding her, she found herself walking toward Uchiha Kō. The instant he lowered his head, she noticed that he looked ready to collapse at any moment.
She hurried forward and caught him just before he fainted.
Tsunade frowned slightly. What was this guy's name again? Uchiha Kō, wasn't it? The bottom of his class at the Ninja Academy.
He had only awakened his Sharingan at eighteen. How to put it? His talent was hard to describe. She had originally planned to take Uchiha Kō back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, but then she remembered something troubling.
The Uchiha Clan apparently considered him a disgrace. Even his Uchiha classmates bullied him from time to time.
Tsunade sighed. There was no helping it. She would take him to the Senju Ancestral Home.
She shook her head, picked up Uchiha Kō, who had used up an immense amount of physical and mental strength awakening his Sharingan, and headed toward the Senju Clan Compound.
Tsunade had no idea what kind of consequences this would bring her.
After Tsunade left, a figure slowly appeared: Shimura Danzō, in his youth. His expression was gloomy as he watched her walk away—or rather, as he watched Uchiha Kō.
"Tch. That Uchiha brat is evil by nature." With that, he headed for the Hokage Building.
He had to tell Sarutobi about this. The Uchiha Clan was making contact with the Senju Clan. They were clearly up to something!
Carrying the unconscious Uchiha Kō, Tsunade reached the Senju Ancestral Home in just a few breaths. She hadn't inherited her grandfather's talent for Wood Release, but she had inherited his physical prowess perfectly.
No one could make out how she moved. They only felt a gust of wind pass by.
Tsunade knocked on the door. Knock, knock, knock.
A woman opened it. She looked imposing and beautiful, though time had left a few faint lines at the corners of her eyes.
She smiled. "Tsunade, you're here." Then she glanced at Tsunade's arms and saw that she was carrying a young man from the Uchiha Clan.
She frowned for just a moment, but still said, "Come on in."
"Yes, Grandma!" Tsunade hurried inside and laid Uchiha Kō on the floor.
The woman glanced at a nearby tree, then closed the door.
The ninja (Anbu) in the tree couldn't help feeling awkward. There was nothing he could do. Lord Hokage had said the Jinchūriki's safety was of the utmost importance, and he had done his best to stay hidden. Yet Lady Mito had spotted him effortlessly!
He sighed and continued keeping watch over the Senju Clan Compound.
Inside the house, Tsunade used chakra to check Uchiha Kō's condition. She found that he had merely exhausted himself and passed out, and finally let out a breath of relief.
Uzumaki Mito came in slowly. She glanced at Uchiha Kō, then asked, "Tsunade, is this boy and you...?"
Tsunade froze. "Grandma! You've got it wrong! My teacher was giving a speech today when Uchiha Kō suddenly awakened his Sharingan. He exhausted himself, so I brought him here."
"Then why didn't you take him back to the Uchiha Clan Compound? They should know more about the Sharingan," Uzumaki Mito said with a smile.
"Grandma, it's like this..." Tsunade told Uzumaki Mito about Uchiha Kō. The teasing look in Uzumaki Mito's eyes faded, replaced by calm, then pity.
"I never thought the Uchiha Clan would become so much worse over time. Even when Madara was around, they admired strength, but they never looked down on any of their own. Now..." Uzumaki Mito said softly.
Then Uzumaki Mito got up to make a nourishing medicinal broth. She might look stern, but she was actually softhearted.
I'm a new writer, so please bear with me.
Everyone has their own understanding of novels. I'm writing Naruto in my own style.
So please be tolerant. It's not easy for anyone.
Lastly, I hope you'll enjoy this book. Thank you.
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