First Encounter with Itachi

One week later, Naka Shrine.

This ancient structure is the sacred ground of the Uchiha clan, said to house records of the clan's origins and secret arts. Only the clan head and those recognized by the head are permitted to enter.

Today, Xingye arrived at Naka Shrine alone.

He planned to test the limits of his Sharingan while also learning about the history of the Uchiha clan. After all, if he wanted to change the fate of the Uchiha, he had to first understand their past.

Xingye walked into the shrine; the interior was dim, lit only by the faint glow of a few oil lamps. The stone walls were carved with ancient characters and patterns, documenting the rise and fall of the Uchiha clan.

Xingye observed carefully, activating his Sharingan to attempt to decipher these ancient texts.

"So that's how it is..." Xingye muttered to himself, "The Uchiha clan's Sharingan originates from Indra's chakra. And Indra was the son of Otsutsuki Hagoromo."

"In that case, the Uchiha clan also possesses the bloodline of the Otsutsuki, though it has been diluted over many generations." Xingye pondered.

Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps echoed from the depths of the shrine.

Xingye turned around alertly, his Sharingan locking onto the source of the sound.

"Who's there?" Xingye asked in a deep voice.

A seven-year-old boy emerged from the depths of the shrine, holding an old, weathered scroll in his hand. His eyes were deep and calm, and he exuded a maturity that surpassed his age.

It was Uchiha Itachi.

"Brother, have you come to the shrine as well?" Itachi's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing Xingye.

"Yes, I wanted to learn about our clan's history." Xingye nodded, "And you?"

"I..." Itachi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I was just looking at some scrolls, hoping to improve my strength."

Xingye looked at Itachi, and the system immediately displayed his talents:

Uchiha Itachi (7 years old):

[Sharingan (Blue)]

[Genius (Blue)]

[Insight (Blue)]

[Mental Power (Blue)]

[Killer Instinct (Green)]

[Leadership (Green)]

"Your talent has improved again..." Xingye thought to himself, "The Sharingan is already blue, and you've gained a 'Leadership' talent. It seems you are destined to become a leader."

"Brother, your strength has been improving very quickly lately." Itachi looked at Xingye, his eyes shining with admiration, "Father said you even awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"

"Yes." Xingye nodded, not denying it.

"That's amazing..." Itachi's eyes were full of longing, "I want to awaken my Sharingan as soon as possible, too, and catch up to you, Brother."

"You don't need to catch up to anyone." Xingye said earnestly, "Itachi, your talent is even more powerful than I imagined. As long as you work hard, your achievements will surely surpass mine."

Itachi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, Brother, you are my goal. I will work hard to catch up to you, and even surpass you."

Xingye looked at his younger brother, a wave of warmth surging in his heart.

In the original story, Itachi was a tragic figure. For the sake of the village, he personally wiped out his own clan, bore all the sins, and eventually died at Sasuke's hands. But now, Itachi's fate could be changed.

"Itachi, would you like to spar?" Xingye suddenly asked.

"A spar?" Itachi's eyes lit up, "Alright!"

The two arrived at the open space outside the shrine and stood face to face.

"Brother, I won't hold back." Itachi said seriously.

"Neither will I." Xingye nodded.

Itachi took a deep breath, and his Sharingan activated instantly.

A single-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated, emitting an eerie glow. Itachi leaned his body slightly forward, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

Xingye did not activate his Sharingan, simply settling into a combat stance.

"Come."

Itachi lunged forward instantly, his speed as fast as lightning. The single-tomoe Sharingan allowed him to clearly track Xingye's movements, and he threw a punch straight at Xingye's face.

Xingye tilted his body slightly, and Itachi's fist grazed his cheek. Then, Xingye's palm struck Itachi's shoulder; although the force was light, Itachi still stumbled back a few steps.

"So fast..." Itachi was secretly shocked.

He launched another attack, this time a continuous combo of taijutsu. Punches and kicks rained down, each strike precise and lethal.

But Xingye handled it as if he were playing with a child, easily neutralizing all of Itachi's attacks. The physical prowess granted by the Otsutsuki bloodline gave Xingye an absolute advantage in taijutsu.

Itachi increased his intensity, activating his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

The Sharingan's abilities were significantly enhanced, and both Itachi's speed and power increased considerably. Yet, even so, he still could not suppress Xingye.

"Itachi, your Sharingan is strong, but your combat experience is still lacking." Xingye said while parrying Itachi's attacks, "Combat is not just a contest of ninjutsu and taijutsu; it is also a psychological game."

Itachi fell silent, yet he did not give up, continuing his assault.

Xingye knew Itachi's personality; once he decided on something, he would see it through to the end. Thus, he decided to reveal a fraction of his true strength.

Xingye's Sharingan activated in an instant, the three tomoe rotating slowly.

Itachi's pupils constricted as he felt a pressure emanating from the depths of his soul.

"Three tomoe..." Itachi murmured to himself.

Xingye's figure moved like a phantom, appearing behind Itachi in an instant with a hand blade pressed against the back of his neck.

"The outcome is decided." Xingye retracted his hand and deactivated his Sharingan.

Itachi stood rooted to the spot, remaining silent for a long time.

After a good while, he turned to look at Xingye, his eyes filled with frustration, but even more so with admiration.

"Brother, why are you so strong?" Itachi asked.

"Because I understood the importance of power earlier than you did." Xingye said earnestly, "Itachi, do you know our Uchiha clan's standing in Konoha?"

Itachi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I know. Some people view us as a threat."

"Therefore, we must change this status quo." Xingye continued, "But not through violence—rather, through strength and wisdom. The fate of the clan rests in our own hands."

Itachi looked at Xingye deeply, a new light flickering in his eyes.

"Brother, I will follow you and change the fate of the Uchiha together."

Xingye smiled slightly and patted Itachi on the shoulder.

"Very well. Let us work toward this together."

The two stood side by side in front of Naka Shrine, gazing at the Uchiha compound in the distance. The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.

In the distance, a spy sent by Danzo was recording everything.

"The Twin Stars of the Uchiha... they truly need to be dealt with." The spy thought to himself.

Xingye's Byakugan had long since captured the spy's trail, but he did not expose him.

"Come then. Let the storm rage even harder." Xingye murmured to himself.