Konoha, Year 32, on the eve of the Second Shinobi World War
Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell across the training ground in Konoha, forming patches of light. The Third stood on the platform, facing the ninjas about to depart. His gaze was resolute and full of confidence.
"Ninjas of Konoha!" the Third called out, his voice loud and powerful. "Today, we face a grave test. But I believe that our ninjas are the strongest! We have unwavering faith, fearless courage, and a spirit of unity! We will surely defeat our enemies and protect our home!"
The Third's speech brimmed with passion and strength, making every ninja present feel their blood surge. They gripped their weapons, ready to fight for Konoha's honor.
Just then, a ninja leaning against a large tree and sleeping on his feet frowned. The Third's speech and the villagers' cheers had shattered his sweet dream.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Third on the platform. I'll sleep a little longer. I watched Naruto anime all night yesterday and finally caught up. Why are these people making such a racket today and disturbing my sleep?
Then he heard someone say, "Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns on! Everyone, get ready. We will win this battle!"
The ninja's eyes flew open. 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 looked closely and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen in a black combat uniform. Damn it! The ninja rubbed his eyes. What the heck? The young Third?
Then he looked down at what he was wearing. Well, a Uchiha combat uniform, plus tactical gloves. He was completely dumbfounded.
A flood of memories poured into his mind. It felt as if his head were being torn apart, and his body curled up involuntarily.
Since he was beneath the shade of a tree and the Third was giving his speech onstage, everyone's attention was elsewhere. No one noticed anything was wrong with him.
After about five minutes, the pain gradually subsided, and Ye Xiao's face slowly regained its calm.
Information surfaced in his mind. Uchiha Xiao, a well-known failure of the Uchiha Clan. He was eighteen and still hadn't awakened his Sharingan. He had only Genin-level chakra and knew very few jutsu: the C-rank Great Fireball Technique, the C-rank Phoenix Flower Jutsu, and the C-rank Dragon Fire Technique.
Uchiha Xiao was furious. Damn it, I've transmigrated into the Naruto world, and I'm eighteen without a Sharingan. I only know three C-rank jutsu and have Genin-level chakra. The Second Shinobi World War is about to start. How is this any different from being sent to my death?
Then the resentment of a twenty-first-century college student surged skyward. A flash of red crossed Uchiha Xiao's eyes, and his pupils turned red. A single black tomoe spun within them.
Uchiha Xiao felt a sharp pain in his eyes, then a wave of weightlessness washed over him. 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 the three most outstanding young talents in Konoha at the time, a student of Sarutobi Hiruzen and heir to the Senju bloodline. She had yet to fight Salamander Hanzo and had not earned that so-called title of Sannin.
After listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech, she had felt her fighting spirit surge. What was more, she had heard that she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru would serve as squad leaders, leading the villagers and ninjas from outside the village into battle. Just thinking about it excited her.
She was about to head 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 Xiao. He was brimming with resentment as he stared upward. Then his eyes began to bleed, blood trickling from their corners, and his pupils changed from black to red.
The Sharingan awakening of the Uchiha Clan! Tsunade was shocked. She knew the Uchiha Clan possessed the Sharingan as a bloodline limit, but this was the first time she had observed one from such close range. She couldn't help feeling curious.
As if guided by fate, she found herself walking toward Uchiha Xiao almost without thinking. The moment he lowered his head, she noticed he looked ready to collapse at any second.
So she hurried over and caught him before he could fall unconscious.
Tsunade frowned slightly. What was this guy's name again? Uchiha Xiao, wasn't it? The dead-last of his year at the Ninja Academy.
He had awakened his Sharingan at eighteen. How to put it? His talent left much to be desired. She had planned to take Uchiha Xiao back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, but then she remembered something unpleasant.
The Uchiha Clan seemed to regard him as a disgrace. Even his Uchiha classmates bullied him from time to time.
At that thought, Tsunade sighed. There was no helping it. She would take him to the Senju Ancestral Residence.
She shook her head, picked up Uchiha Xiao, who had expended a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy awakening his Sharingan, and headed toward her clan's compound.
Tsunade had no idea how much this act would affect her.
After Tsunade left, a figure slowly appeared. It was Shimura Danzō in his youth. His face was shadowed as he watched Tsunade's retreating figure—or rather, Uchiha Xiao.
"Tch. An inherently evil Uchiha brat." With that, he headed toward the Hokage Building.
He had to tell Sarutobi about this. The Uchiha Clan was deliberately making contact with the Senju Clan. They must be plotting something!
Tsunade carried the unconscious Uchiha Xiao to the Senju Ancestral Residence in just a few breaths. Although she had not inherited her grandfather's talent for Wood Release, she had inherited his physical prowess perfectly.
No one could make out her movements; they only felt a gust of wind pass by.
Tsunade knocked on the door. Knock, knock, knock.
A woman opened it. She had a dignified air and was very beautiful, though time had left faint lines at the corners of her eyes.
She smiled and said, "Tsunade, you're here." Then she looked into Tsunade's arms and saw that she was carrying a young Uchiha.
She frowned for a moment, but still said, "Come in first."
"Yes, Grandma!" Tsunade hurried inside and laid Uchiha Xiao on the floor.
The woman glanced at a nearby tree, then closed the front door.
The ninja from Anbu hiding 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. He had done his best to conceal himself, yet Lady Mito had spotted him with ease!
He sighed and continued watching the Senju Clan Compound.
Inside, Tsunade used chakra to check Uchiha Xiao's condition. She found that he had merely exhausted himself and passed out, and only then did she relax.
Uzumaki Mito slowly walked in. She glanced at Uchiha Xiao, then said, "Tsunade, this young man and you..."
Tsunade froze. "Grandma, you've got it wrong! Uchiha Xiao awakened his Sharingan during our teacher's speech today and used up too much energy, so I brought him here."
"Then why didn't you take him back to the Uchiha Clan Compound? They should understand the Sharingan better!" Uzumaki Mito said with a smile.
"Grandma, it's like this..." Tsunade explained Uchiha Xiao's situation to Uzumaki Mito. Mito's teasing expression gradually turned calm, and a look of pity flickered in her eyes.
"I never thought the Uchiha Clan would sink so low. Back when Madara was around, even if they admired strength, they never looked down on any of their own. But now..." Uzumaki Mito said quietly.
Then Uzumaki Mito got up to brew some restorative medicinal soup. Though she seemed stern, she was actually a softhearted person.