15 Years Old, Eyes Unopened, Deeply Inferior

"I'm 15 years old this year, but I still haven't awakened my Sharingan. My peers have already reached the three-tomoe stage, and I feel so inferior..."

Konoha, Uchiha Clan District Clinic, psychological outpatient department.

In a sun-drenched office, a young Uchiha boy lay sleeping on a recliner.

He was dressed in the standard navy-blue vest of the Military Police Force, pouring out the deep-seated anguish in his heart to the doctor.

"It's one thing that Shisui reached three-tomoe at 12; he's the clan's number one genius, I can understand that. But even that outsider Kakashi has made a name for himself as the 'Copy Ninja' using a Sharingan that belongs to the Uchiha. The worst part is, he's a one-eyed cyclops! I can't even beat a one-eyed cyclops~"

The boy's voice lowered, carrying undisguised frustration and loss:

"I suspect I'm not a real Uchiha... Could I be some kind of trash with mixed Hyuga blood?"

"Oh, there's a story behind this?"

"When I was little, I got into a fight with my sister and saw my mom activate her Byakugan to glare at me, but she's kept it hidden from everyone, refusing to admit she's from the Hyuga clan!"

"Uh~ as far as I know, there have been no cases of intermarriage between the Uchiha and the Hyuga."

Uchiha Kazuhiko was a bit speechless.

What kind of nonsense is this?

If you can't awaken your eyes, you should look for the reasons within yourself.

Have you been working hard to refine your chakra all these years?

Have you been properly building bonds with others?

Awakening the Sharingan is incredibly difficult for the Uchiha clan, you know.

As expected, people of the Uchiha clan are all a little mentally unstable!

Parenthesis, excluding the family of Uchiha Kazuhiko, end parenthesis.

That's right, Kazuhiko is a transmigrator who broke through the veil of reincarnation, with a book-shaped "light orb" inside his mind.

He has a happy family, a house, a cat, and a blissful life.

After three months of experimentation, he had initially mastered his golden finger and given it a name—

[Deep Blue]

Simply put, this is a "Favorability Trait System" that triggers world-line missions.

One can obtain opportunities to draw traits by gaining favor or animosity.

Traits can be good or bad, the gacha pools are independent, single pulls are a pit, and ten-pulls guarantee a reward.

What makes it special is that the traits he draws can be bestowed upon others.

The psychological therapy he was currently conducting was primarily for the purpose of gaining favorability.

Harvest favorability, draw traits, and change the fate of death and clan annihilation.

"Ahem," Uchiha Kazuhiko gave two dry coughs:

"Let us now officially begin today's psychological diagnosis. You need to think carefully before answering my questions. I will grade them as 'mild,' 'moderate,' 'high,' or 'severe' to determine your predisposition for awakening and prepare the appropriate awakening treatment for you."

"Okay!"

"Who is the person in the village you want to kill the most?"

"In the village?"

The boy frowned, without the slightest hesitation:

"The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama! There isn't an Uchiha who doesn't hate the Second, and I believe Doctor Kazuhiko feels the same way, right?"

No! Don't spout nonsense! I don't!

I have never thought about leading the Uchiha clan to take out Danzo, overthrow the Third, and become Hokage myself!

Slander! Someone is slandering me here!

Kazuhiko paused:

"The Second Hokage has already died in battle; why would you have such thoughts?"

"There are all sorts of reasons, but it's mainly because of a pregnant dog!"

"A pregnant dog? Elaborate."

"Senju Tobirama believed that everything was the Uchiha's fault. When a dog outside the village got pregnant, he said, 'It's all the fault of the naturally evil Uchiha!' This is blatant discrimination against us Uchiha! That's why I want to kill him."

This kind of wild history regarding racial discrimination... is wild indeed!

However, this is exactly the kind of thing Senju Tobirama would say, because he possesses a self-contained chain of suspicion:

Known: The Uchiha have Hamas Uchiha Madara.

Proven through extensive craniotomy and slicing research, all naturally evil Uchiha have the potential to transform into Hamas.

Therefore: Uchiha = Hamas.

Conclusion: The Uchiha must be monitored at all times, ready to be bombed at any moment.

The chain of evidence is perfect.

[Homicidal Tendency Diagnosis], Uchiha Kazuhiko checked the box for [Mild].

His home life is too happy, his mental state is too normal—he's maxed out on debuffs. No wonder he hasn't awakened his eyes at fifteen.

As an Uchiha, the person he wants to kill deep down is actually a dead man. Honestly, he's dragging down the average for Uchiha psychopathy.

Compared to Obito, who failed at puppy love, or Uchiha Itachi, the spiritual Konoha-man, you've really bottomed out when it comes to homicidal tendencies, kid.

It seems that helping him awaken his eyes by making him kill his enemy in a genjutsu is highly unlikely to work.

Next question.

"Who is the person you cherish most?"

"My father, the captain of the Police Force."

Tsk tsk, not a bad essay title.

"What is your biggest regret?"

"Making a wrong judgment during the Chunin Exams and losing to the Hyuga clan."

"What is the most painful thing you have experienced?"

"Losing to the Hyuga clan and disappointing my father."

"How far are you willing to go for the Uchiha clan?"

"I... I don't know."

"Then let me rephrase: are you willing to sacrifice your life for the Uchiha?"

The youth didn't hesitate for a second. "I am."

Correct answer!

The night of the clan massacre needs ambitious youths like you who are ready to spread their wings, step up, and shed their blood!

This Sharingan of yours, you're definitely going to awaken it!

I, Uchiha Kazuhiko, said it, and no one can change that!

What, you want Hashirama to come?

Too bad the dead take precedence; even the God of Shinobi has to yield to my edge.

"..."

Time passed slowly, and Uchiha Kazuhiko's psychological diagnosis drew to a close.

"Last question. What level of Sharingan do you want to awaken? One tomoe, two tomoe..."

"Three tomoe! It has to be three tomoe!"

The youth shouted loudly:

"I just want to prove that I'm amazing. I don't want to be stepped on for the rest of my life. I've endured for three years just waiting for the chance to awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan and take back everything I've lost!"

"Very good," that line had some real strength to it.

However, "Have you considered awakening the Mangekyo?"

The Uchiha youth was clearly stunned:

Σ(°△°|||)︴

"Me? Mangekyo? Is that even possible?"

That is the legendary Mangekyo!

Someone like me—a regular Uchiha with no awakened eyes, both parents alive, and a little sister to protect—can I really aspire to awaken the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan?

"It's possible. Your aptitude and family conditions are excellent; I have high hopes for you."

If the night of the massacre happens as scheduled, you'll definitely be a somebody if you survive, kid.

"Mangekyo! I want to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan! To protect the glory of the Uchiha, it is my duty!"

"Excellent!"

My Uchiha clan is truly full of talent, we even have a 'Glory Bro' here. With this, what can you in Konoha possibly use to slaughter my entire family and wipe out my entire clan!

Uchiha Kazuhiko closed the psychological questionnaire and quickly summarized the youth's mental state:

[Uchiha Shota, 15 years old, Chunin]

[Sharingan not awakened]

[Homicidal tendency: mild; sense of family honor: severe; inferiority complex: severe...]

[Diagnosis: Identity fragmentation, distorted dignity, a mix of inferiority and arrogance, collective persecution anxiety.]

[Clinical Analysis:

Discriminated against, yet desperate to defeat a Hyuga genius to prove himself and gain his father's approval.]

Taught to "love Konoha," yet treated as an internal enemy by Konoha and kept under surveillance.

Taught to "love the Uchiha," yet mocked and isolated by his own clansmen.

Under these conflicting pressures, he felt he was neither a true Konoha citizen nor a true Uchiha.

Self-doubt, self-denial...]

[Conclusion: Tendency to awaken the eyes is already present.]

[Aptitude for awakening: Perfect.]

[Note: Loyal subject of Uchiha Katana, key talent for the Three-Year Hokage Plan.]

Uchiha Kazuhiko finished his notes and woke the young Shota from the recliner.

"Uchiha Shota, the psychological diagnosis shows you have a tendency to awaken your eyes. Relax your mind, return for follow-ups within three days, and then I will officially help you awaken your Sharingan."

"Re... really? I don't mean to doubt you, but..."

Young Shota was so excited he became incoherent:

"This sounds truly unbelievable..."

Having not awakened his Sharingan by age fifteen, he had suffered too many cold shoulders and grievances; now, someone was actually telling him they could help him awaken it!

Could this... really be true?

"Of course it is."

Uchiha Kazuhiko patted Shota on the shoulder and activated [Deep Blue].

[You have bestowed upon the target: Negative Trait - Genjutsu Susceptibility (Blue)]

[Genjutsu Susceptibility: Mental sensitivity decreases, making one prone to gullibility and influence by genjutsu.]

[The target is completely unguarded against you, their will is wavering, and the trait has taken effect.]

Hidden behind his lenses, faint chakra began to flow in Kazuhiko's eyes—this was the sign of a genjutsu being cast!

"As an Uchiha, the timing of one's eye awakening cannot be decided by oneself. Various factors lead to significant individual differences, so there is no need to feel inferior because of this."

Uchiha Kazuhiko looked at Shota sincerely, increasing his chakra output.

"In my view, the fact that you managed to promote to Chunin without relying on the Sharingan already makes you a genius ninja."

I really am a genius!

At this moment, in Uchiha Shota's field of vision—

Kazuhiko seemed to be glowing; his face was handsome, uniquely dashing, his gaze sincere and clear, and every word he spoke made perfect sense, sounding incredibly convincing.

He is worthy of being an Uchiha like me!

Even though you're just a medical Genin, you have earned the approval of me, the Chunin Shota.

"With your aptitude, awakening the Sharingan was never a problem. You couldn't do it before simply because your psychological pressure was too great and your thinking had become paranoid. As long as you accept my psychological treatment, I am confident I can help you unleash your latent potential and awaken the Sharingan."

Shota nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, becoming increasingly convinced by Kazuhiko.

He is truly the pioneer of psychological medicine!

He knows the psychological issues I was too embarrassed to speak of like the back of his hand, and he understands the pressure and hardships I face as an Uchiha genius.

Doctor Kazuhiko, you are brilliant!

[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has increased.]

"I haven't awakened my Sharingan either..."

Shota's eyes lit up at these words, and he immediately felt a sense of camaraderie, as if they were two people sharing the same rain.

Doctor Kazuhiko hasn't awakened his eyes either; no wonder he understands me so well, understands the Uchiha so well.

So he, too, has suffered the cold shoulders of the Hyuga clan, the discrimination of the Konoha rabble, and the bitterness of eating commoner food like Ichiraku Ramen...

I understand, I understand everything now!

[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has increased significantly to: Trust.]

[Chunin-level trait extraction chance +1.]

Kazuhiko was speechless; I haven't awakened my eyes, and you're actually happy about it, kid?

"But I believe that everyone is born with their own unique talents, and you are no exception."

[...Favorability increased.]

It's rising a bit slowly; I need to step it up.

"Besides, I am three years older than you..."

Shota caught the sensitive keyword, his eyes shining brightly.

Doctor Kazuhiko is suffering; he's already at that age and still hasn't awakened his eyes, forced to be nothing more than a mediocre psychologist.

An eighteen-year-old medical Genin, sigh, miserable, truly too miserable.

I deeply sympathize with you!

[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has increased significantly!]

Good grief, just because you've been caught in the rain, you want others to get soaked with you too. Kazuhiko was left speechless by this manipulation.

As expected of a naturally wicked Uchiha brat; I shall conquer you thoroughly with my Talk-no-Jutsu!

He twitched the corners of his mouth into a forced smile and continued to bluff.

"It is not just the Sharingan that is powerful; strength resides within the human heart. I have always firmly believed that even an ordinary genin (Konoha-exclusive) can cast a massive shadow across the ninja world."

Shota nodded heavily, in complete agreement.

If even a genin can shine and make an impact, he was a chunin, after all!

Furthermore, he was a powerful chunin of the Uchiha clan, certified by the great village, who had passed the exam with flying colors!

[...Favorability increased]

"The key is that you achieved this through your own hard work, without relying on the Sharingan, and without relying on your father, the captain of the Police Force. You became a genius chunin, step by step."

The sensitive keywords appeared, and the corners of Shota's mouth could not help but curl upward.

Without relying on my father, the captain of the Police Force—that is absolutely correct!

[...Favorability increased significantly!]

"Unlike me, who could only become an ordinary genin by relying on my mother, a medical jonin..."

The relative keywords were triggered, and Shota's mouth curled high, losing all reason and becoming a smug grin.

Doctor Kazuhiko understands me!

He's handsome, he speaks so well, I like Doctor Kazuhiko the most.

He said he could help me awaken the Sharingan; it must be true!

You ask why he hasn't awakened his own?

Obviously, he just doesn't want to!

What?

You say Doctor Kazuhiko can't awaken it!

Have you ever been an Uchiha? Don't just spout nonsense and make assumptions!

"There is no such thing as a genius; a genius is merely constructed from 99% hard work and that 1% of insignificant talent (Special Reminder: 1% > 99%)."

[...Favorability increased significantly!]

"In short... (one thousand words omitted here) Shota, I will definitely be able to help you awaken the Sharingan. Believe in me, the future belongs to you!"

Shota spoke with ironclad certainty:

"I believe you!"

Except for my dad, I don't believe in anyone else right now, only you!

After sending off Shota, who had been coaxed into a state of infantile trust, Uchiha Kazuhiko hurriedly took a sip of tea and collapsed onto his recliner, exhausted.

From the moment Shota was affected by the genjutsu, he had maintained a high-intensity illusion throughout the entire conversation to root a sense of trust in himself deep within Shota's mind.

At this moment, Kazuhiko's chakra was completely bottomed out, and he felt as if his body had been hollowed out.

However, the rewards were quite generous. Kazuhiko smiled and sensed the [Deep Blue] in his mind.

[Uchiha Shota's favorability toward you has increased]

[...Increased to: Best Friend]

[Chunin Trait Draw Opportunity +1]

[...Increased significantly!]

[...Increased to: Entrustment (Fighting side-by-side, you will establish a bond; share in blessings, and in times of trouble...)]

We don't need to talk about the "times of trouble" part; being brothers is all in the heart!

[Chunin Trait Draw Opportunity +1]

[Chunin Trait Draw Opportunities: 10]

"Time for another ten-pull to hit the pity threshold. Same old rule: I'm still drawing traits from Shisui-didi."

"Sharingan, come to me!"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; do not bully a youth for being poor!"

"Wait a second, this is Naruto; an 18-year-old genin... uh... how about 'do not bully a middle-aged man for being poor'?"