One week later, at Naka Shrine.
This ancient building was the sacred place of the Uchiha Clan. It was said to hold records of the clan's origins and secret techniques. Only the clan head and those he approved could enter.
Today, Xingye came to Naka Shrine alone.
He planned to test the limits of his Sharingan and learn more about the Uchiha Clan's history. After all, if he wanted to change the Uchiha's fate, he first had to understand their past.
Xingye entered the shrine. The interior was dim, lit only by a few oil lamps that cast a faint glow. Ancient writing and patterns covered the stone walls, recording the Uchiha Clan's rise and fall.
Xingye studied them carefully, activating his Sharingan as he tried to decipher the ancient text.
"So that's how it is..." Xingye murmured to himself. "The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan originated from Indra's chakra. And Indra was the son of Hagoromo Otsutsuki."
"So the Uchiha Clan also has Otsutsuki blood, though it's been diluted over many generations." Xingye pondered this.
Just as he was lost in thought, footsteps echoed from deep within the shrine.
Xingye turned alertly, his Sharingan locking onto the source of the sound.
"Who's there?" Xingye asked in a low voice.
A seven-year-old boy emerged from the depths of the shrine, holding an old scroll. His gaze was deep and calm, and he carried himself with a maturity beyond his years.
It was Uchiha Itachi.
"Big brother, you came to the shrine too?" Itachi asked. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw Xingye.
"Yeah, I wanted to learn more about our clan's history." Xingye nodded. "What about you?"
"I..." Itachi hesitated, then said, "I was just looking through some scrolls. I want to improve my strength."
Xingye looked at Itachi, and the system immediately displayed his talents:
Uchiha Itachi (7 years old):
[Sharingan (Blue)]
[Genius (Blue)]
[Perception (Blue)]
[Spiritual Power (Blue)]
[Killer Instinct (Green)]
[Leadership (Green)]
Your talents have improved again... Xingye thought to himself. Your Sharingan is already blue, and you've gained another talent: Leadership. It seems you're destined to become a leader.
"Big brother, you've gotten a lot stronger lately." Itachi looked at Xingye, admiration shining in his eyes. "Father said you even awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"
"Yeah." Xingye nodded, making no attempt to deny it.
"That's incredible..." Itachi's eyes brimmed with longing. "I'll awaken my Sharingan soon too, then catch up to you."
"You don't need to catch up to anyone." Xingye spoke earnestly. "Itachi, your talent is even greater than I imagined. As long as you work hard, you'll surpass me someday."
Itachi froze for a moment, then shook his head.
"No, big brother. You're my goal. I'll work hard to catch up to you and even surpass you."
Looking at his younger brother, Xingye felt warmth well up inside him.
In the original story, Itachi had been a tragic figure. For the sake of the village, he had slaughtered his own clan, shouldered all the blame, and ultimately died at Sasuke's hands. But now, Itachi's fate could be changed.
"Itachi, want to spar?" Xingye suddenly asked.
"Spar?" Itachi's eyes lit up. "Sure!"
The two went to an open space outside the shrine and stood facing each other.
"Big brother, I won't hold back," Itachi said seriously.
"Neither will I." Xingye nodded.
Itachi took a deep breath and activated his Sharingan in an instant.
The One-Tomoe Sharingan rotated slowly, giving off an eerie glow. Itachi leaned forward slightly, ready to attack at any moment.
Xingye didn't activate his Sharingan. He simply took up a fighting stance.
"Come on."
Itachi burst forward, as fast as lightning. The One-Tomoe Sharingan let him track Xingye's movements clearly, and he threw a punch straight at Xingye's face.
Xingye leaned slightly to the side, and Itachi's fist grazed his cheek. Then Xingye struck Itachi's shoulder with his palm. The blow wasn't very hard, but Itachi still staggered back several steps.
So fast... Itachi was startled.
He attacked again, this time with a string of continuous Taijutsu moves. Fists and kicks rained down, each strike precise and deadly.
But Xingye effortlessly deflected every attack, as if playing with a child. The physical abilities granted by his Otsutsuki Bloodline gave him an overwhelming advantage in Taijutsu.
Itachi increased his efforts and activated the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
The Sharingan's power surged, boosting Itachi's speed and strength considerably. Even so, he still couldn't overpower Xingye.
"Itachi, your Sharingan is strong, but you still lack combat experience," Xingye said as he fended off Itachi's attacks. "A fight isn't just a contest of ninjutsu and Taijutsu. It's also a battle of wits."
Itachi fell silent, but he didn't give up. He continued attacking.
Xingye knew Itachi's nature: once he set his mind on something, he stuck with it. So Xingye decided to show him a little of his true strength.
Xingye activated his Sharingan in an instant, and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan rotated slowly.
Itachi's pupils contracted. He felt a pressure that seemed to come from the depths of his soul.
"Three tomoe..." Itachi murmured.
Xingye moved like a phantom, appearing behind Itachi in an instant. He held the edge of his hand against the back of Itachi's neck.
"The match is over." Xingye lowered his hand and deactivated his Sharingan.
Itachi stood rooted to the spot, saying nothing for a long time.
After a while, he finally turned to Xingye. His eyes were filled with frustration, but even more so with respect.
"Big brother, how did you get so strong?" Itachi asked.
"Because I understood the importance of strength before you did." Xingye spoke earnestly. "Itachi, do you know where our Uchiha Clan stands in Konoha?"
Itachi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I know. Some people see us as a threat."
"Then we have to change that," Xingye continued. "Not through violence, but through strength and wisdom. Our clan's fate is in our own hands."
Itachi looked at Xingye deeply, a new light shining in his eyes.
"Big brother, I'll follow you. Together, we'll change the Uchiha's fate."
Xingye smiled faintly and patted Itachi on the shoulder.
"Good. We'll work hard together."
The two stood side by side in front of Naka Shrine, looking toward the distant Uchiha Clan Compound. The sun was setting, stretching their shadows long across the ground.
Far away, a spy sent by Danzo was recording everything.
The Uchiha Twin Stars... They really do need to be dealt with. The spy thought to himself.
Xingye's Byakugan had spotted the spy long ago, but he didn't expose him.
"Come on. Let the storm come harder," Xingye murmured to himself.
Before you continue