"I'm 15 this year, but I still haven't awakened my Sharingan. Everyone my age has already reached Three-Tomoe. I can't help feeling inferior..."
Konoha, Uchiha Clan Compound Clinic, Psychology Clinic.
Sunlight filled the office, where a young Uchiha lay asleep on a reclining chair.
He wore the standard dark-blue vest of the Police Force and was telling the doctor about the anguish deep in his heart.
"Shisui awakening his Three-Tomoe Sharingan at 12 is one thing. He's the clan's greatest genius, so I can understand that. But even Kakashi, an outsider, used the Uchiha's Sharingan to earn the title of 'Copy Ninja.' The worst part is, he's a one-eyed freak! I can't even beat a one-eyed freak~"
The young man's voice sank, filled with undisguised frustration and disappointment:
"I suspect I'm not really an Uchiha... Maybe I'm a useless freak with Byakugan blood mixed in?"
"Oh, there's more?"
"When I was little, I got into a fight with my sister. I saw my mom activate her Byakugan and glare at me, but she's kept it a secret from everyone and refuses to admit she's from the Hyuga Clan!"
"Uh... As far as I know, there haven't been any marriages between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans."
Uchiha Kazuhiko was at a loss for words.
What was all this?
If you couldn't awaken your Sharingan, maybe you should look for the cause in yourself.
Had you worked hard to refine your chakra all these years?
Had you made an effort to build bonds with others?
Awakening the Sharingan wasn't easy for the Uchiha Clan, you know.
As expected, the Uchiha Clan members all had a bit of a mental illness!
Parentheses: except for Uchiha Kazuhiko's family. End parentheses.
That's right. Kazuhiko was a transmigrator who had broken through the mysteries of his mother's womb, and he had a book-shaped "glowing orb" in his head.
He had a happy family, a house and a cat, and a wonderful life.
After three months of testing, he had gained a preliminary grasp of his cheat and given it a name—
[Deep Blue]
To put it simply, it was a "favorability trait system" that triggered world-line missions.
He could earn trait draws by gaining favorability or hostility.
The traits could be good or bad, the pools were separate, single draws were a scam, and ten-pulls came with a guaranteed reward.
What made it special was that he could grant the traits he drew to other people.
The main reason he was providing psychological treatment was to earn favorability.
He would harvest favorability to draw traits and change the fate of dying along with his clan.
"Ahem." Uchiha Kazuhiko gave a dry cough.
"Now let's officially begin today's psychological evaluation. Think carefully before answering my questions. I'll rate your responses as 'mild,' 'moderate,' 'high,' or 'severe' to determine your likelihood of awakening and prepare the right treatment for you."
"All right!"
"Who in the village do you most want to kill?"
"In the village?"
The young man furrowed his brow, without the slightest hesitation.
"The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama! There isn't an Uchiha who doesn't hate the Second Hokage. I bet you feel the same way, Doctor Kazuhiko, right?"
No! Don't make things up! I don't!
I've never thought of leading the Uchiha Clan to take out Danzo, overthrow the Third Hokage, and become Hokage myself!
Slander! Someone's slandering me here!
Kazuhiko paused.
"The Second Hokage is already dead in battle. Why do you feel that way?"
"There are all sorts of reasons, but the main one is a pregnant dog!"
"A pregnant dog? Tell me more."
"Senju Tobirama thinks everything is the Uchiha's fault. When a dog outside the village got pregnant, he said, 'It's all because of those inherently evil Uchiha!' That's blatant discrimination against our Uchiha Clan! That's why I want to kill him."
A wild bit of racist folklore... That was pretty wild!
Still, Senju Tobirama was the sort of man who might say that. He had a chain of suspicions that closed in on itself:
Known: the Uchiha have Hamas Uchiha Madara.
Extensive brain surgery and tissue studies have proven that all inherently evil Uchiha have the potential to turn into Hamas.
Therefore: Uchiha = Hamas.
Conclusion: the Uchiha must be kept under constant surveillance, with bombs ready to drop at any moment.
A perfect chain of evidence.
[Kill Tendency Diagnosis], Uchiha Kazuhiko checked the box for [Mild].
His family life was too happy, and his mind was too normal. His debuffs were maxed out. No wonder he still hadn't awakened his Sharingan at 15.
As an Uchiha, the person he wanted to kill deep down was already dead. Honestly, that lowered the average level of mental illness among the Uchiha.
Compared to Obito, who'd failed at young love, and Uchiha Itachi, a mental Konoha loyalist, your kill tendency was a total flop, kid.
It seemed unlikely that he could awaken the boy's Sharingan by having him kill his enemy with his own hands in a genjutsu.
Next question.
"Who do you treasure most?"
"My dad, the Police Force captain."
Well, well. That'd make a good essay title.
"What do you regret most?"
"Making the wrong prediction during the Chunin Ninja Exams and losing to the Hyuga Clan."
"What's the most painful thing you've ever experienced?"
"Losing to the Hyuga Clan and disappointing my father."
"How far would you go for the Uchiha Clan?"
"I... don't know."
"Then let me put it another way. Would you give your life for the Uchiha?"
The young man didn't hesitate in the slightest. "I would."
Correct answer!
The night of the clan's massacre needed passionate young men like you, eager to make their ideals take flight, to step forward and shed blood for the cause!
You were definitely going to awaken that Sharingan!
I, Uchiha Kazuhiko, had said so. Nobody could change that!
What, you were bringing Hashirama here?
Too bad the dead deserved respect. Even the God of Shinobi would have to yield to me.
"..."
Time passed, and Uchiha Kazuhiko's psychological evaluation drew to a close.
"Last question. How many Tomoe do you want to awaken in your Sharingan? Single-Tomoe, Double-Tomoe..."
"Three-Tomoe! It has to be Three-Tomoe!"
The young man raised his voice.
"I'm going to prove that I'm great. I don't want to spend my whole life with people stepping on me. I've endured this for three years, waiting for the chance to awaken my Three-Tomoe Sharingan and take back everything I've lost!"
"Very good." That line had a lot of force behind it.
"But have you considered awakening the Mangekyō?"
The young Uchiha was clearly stunned.
Σ(°△°|||)︴
"Me? The Mangekyō? Is that even possible?"
The Mangekyō was the stuff of legend!
Could an ordinary Uchiha like me—
someone with no Sharingan, both parents alive, and a little sister to protect—
really hope to awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan?
"Of course it's possible. You have excellent talent and a good family situation. I have high hopes for you."
If the clan massacre happened as usual, you'd be a somebody if you survived, kid.
"The Mangekyō! I want to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and protect the glory of the Uchiha! I'll gladly do my part!"
"Excellent!"
The Uchiha Clan really was full of talent. They even had a guy named Rongguang! What did Konoha have to kill my family and wipe out my whole clan?
Uchiha Kazuhiko closed the questionnaire and quickly summed up the young man's psychological state:
[Uchiha Shota, 15 years old, Chunin]
[Sharingan not yet awakened]
[Kill tendency: Mild; family pride: Severe; inferiority complex: Severe...]
[Diagnosis: Fractured sense of identity, distorted dignity, inferiority and arrogance intertwined, collective persecution anxiety.]
[Analysis:
Discriminated against, yet eager to defeat the Hyuga genius to prove himself and earn his father's approval.
Taught to "love Konoha," yet treated by Konoha as an internal enemy and placed under surveillance.
Taught to "love the Uchiha," yet mocked and isolated by his clan.
Under these combined pressures, he feels he is neither a true Konoha shinobi nor a true Uchiha.
Self-doubt, self-denial...]
[Conclusion: Signs of Sharingan awakening are present.]
[Awakening potential: Perfect.]
[Note: A loyal Uchiha patriot. A key candidate for the Third Hokage's three-year plan.]
Uchiha Kazuhiko finished his notes and woke the young man, Shota, who was lying on the reclining chair.
"Uchiha Shota, the psychological evaluation indicates that you're showing signs of awakening your Sharingan. Relax, and come back for follow-up visits over the next three days. After that, I'll officially help you awaken it."
"R-really? I'm not doubting you, but..."
Young Shota was so excited that he could barely get the words out.
"This sounds almost unbelievable..."
At 15, he still hadn't awakened his Sharingan. He'd endured far too many scornful looks and unfair treatment. And now someone was telling him they could help him awaken it!
Could this... really be true?
"Of course it's true."
Uchiha Kazuhiko patted Shota on the shoulder and activated [Deep Blue].
[You have granted the target: Negative Trait · Genjutsu Susceptibility (Blue)]
[Genjutsu Susceptibility: Reduced mental sensitivity. More likely to trust others and be affected by genjutsu.]
[The target is completely unguarded and wavering. The trait has taken effect.]
Beneath his glasses, a faint flow of chakra began to stir in Kazuhiko's eyes. It was the telltale sign of a genjutsu being cast!
"As an Uchiha, you can't decide when you'll awaken your Sharingan. There's a lot of variation between individuals due to different factors. You don't need to feel inferior because of it."
Uchiha Kazuhiko looked Shota in the eye with sincerity and increased his chakra output.
"In my view, you're already a genius shinobi. You made Chunin without relying on your Sharingan."
So I really am a genius!
At that moment, in Uchiha Shota's eyes—
Kazuhiko seemed to be glowing. He had a handsome face, handsome in a way all his own, and a sincere, clear gaze. Everything he said made so much sense and was so convincing.
As expected of another Uchiha like me!
Even if you're only a medical Genin, you've earned the approval of me, Chunin Shota.
"With your talent, awakening the Sharingan was never the problem. You couldn't do it before only because you were under too much psychological pressure and had developed some extreme ideas. As long as you undergo my psychological treatment, I'm confident I can help you bring out your full potential and awaken your Sharingan."
Shota nodded again and again, growing more convinced by the moment.
As expected of the founder of Psychological Medicine!
He understood my psychological problems, even the ones I was too embarrassed to say out loud. He understood the pressure and troubles I faced as an Uchiha genius.
Doctor Kazuhiko, you're amazing!
[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has increased.]
"I haven't awakened my Sharingan either..."
Shota's eyes lit up at that, and he suddenly felt they'd shared a hardship together, like two people caught in the same rainstorm.
Doctor Kazuhiko hadn't awakened his eyes either. No wonder he understood me so well. He understood the Uchiha.
So he'd also suffered the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan glare and the Konoha rabble's discrimination, and endured the hardship of eating a commoner's food like Ichiraku Ramen...
I get it now. I understand everything!
[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has greatly increased to: Trust.]
[Chunin Trait Draw Chance +1]
Kazuhiko felt a little speechless. You were happy to hear I hadn't awakened my Sharingan, kid?
"But I believe that everyone is born with a purpose, and that everyone has their own unique talents. You're no exception."
[...Favorability increased.]
That increase was a little slow. Better turn it up.
"And I'm three years older than you..."
Shota picked up on the sensitive detail, and his eyes lit up.
Doctor Kazuhiko had it rough. He was getting on in years and still hadn't awakened his eyes, so all he could do was be an unremarkable psychologist.
An 18-year-old medical Genin. Sigh, what a tragedy. Truly, a terrible tragedy.
I deeply sympathize with you!
[Uchiha Shota's affection for you has increased significantly!]
I couldn't believe it. Just because he'd had to get soaked in the rain himself, he wanted everyone else to join him. Kazuhiko was speechless.
As expected of an Uchiha brat, evil from birth. I'll use the power of persuasion to utterly win you over!
His mouth twitched as he forced out a smile and continued to sweet-talk him.
"Sharingan aren't the only source of power. True strength lies in the human heart. I've always believed that even an ordinary Genin—of Konoha, at least—can cast a giant shadow across the Shinobi World."
Shota nodded firmly, in complete agreement.
If even a Genin could shine, then he was a Chunin!
And not just any Chunin—he'd passed the exam with flying colors and earned recognition from a major village. He was a powerful Chunin of the Uchiha Clan!
[...Affection increased]
"The important thing is, you became a Chunin through your own hard work. You didn't rely on your Sharingan or your dad, the Police Force captain. You took it one step at a time. You're a genius."
At the sensitive keywords, Shota couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.
Not relying on his dad, the Police Force captain—he'd hit the nail on the head!
[...Affection increased significantly!]
"Unlike me, I could only become an ordinary Genin thanks to my mom, a Medical Jonin..."
The relative-comparison keywords kicked in. Shota's mouth curled up high, and he lost all reason, his grin practically reaching his ears.
Doctor Kazuhiko understands me!
He's handsome, and he knows just what to say. I like Doctor Kazuhiko the most.
He said he could help me awaken my Sharingan. It must be true!
You're asking why he doesn't awaken his own?
Of course it's because he doesn't want to!
What?
You're saying Doctor Kazuhiko can't awaken it?
Have you ever even been an Uchiha? How can you go around talking nonsense and making assumptions!
"Genius? There's no such thing. A genius is simply built from 99% effort and a tiny, insignificant 1% talent. (Special note: 1% > 99%.)"
[...Affection increased significantly!]
"In short... (one thousand words omitted here) Shota, I'll definitely help you awaken your Sharingan. Trust me. The future belongs to you!"
Shota spoke with absolute conviction.
"I believe you!"
Aside from my dad, I don't trust anyone else right now. I only trust you!
After seeing off Shota, whom he'd coaxed into a complete daze, Uchiha Kazuhiko hurriedly took a sip of tea, then collapsed into his lounge chair, utterly exhausted.
Ever since Shota had been affected by the genjutsu, Kazuhiko had maintained an intense genjutsu throughout their entire conversation, planting his trust in him deep within Shota.
At that moment, Kazuhiko's chakra was completely depleted. He felt as if his body had been hollowed out.
But the rewards were substantial. Kazuhiko smiled and sensed [Deep Blue] in his mind.
[Uchiha Shota's affection for you has increased]
[...Increased to: Best Friend]
[Chunin Trait Draw Chance +1]
[...Increased significantly!]
[...Increased to: Entrusted (Fight side by side, and you'll forge a bond, sharing blessings and facing hardships... )]
No need to talk about hardships. We're brothers—in our hearts!
[Chunin Trait Draw Chance +1]
[Chunin Trait Draw Chances: 10]
"I can do another ten-pull and get the guaranteed reward. Same as always—I'll draw from Shisui, little bro."
"Sharingan, come on!"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Don't bully a young man for being poor!"
"Wait, this is Naruto. An eighteen-year-old Genin... Uh, maybe I shouldn't bully a middle-aged man for being poor?"
Before you continue