Hatake Muzan

"This is Lord Sakumo's child? How pitiful."

"He's had a severe skin condition since birth and can't be exposed to sunlight."

"His body is very weak. I heard he was almost stillborn."

Land of Fire.

At the Hatake Household in Hidden Leaf Village, a child covered himself in black to block out the sunlight, listening to the people around him gossip about him.

The labels "sickly" and "frail" had never left Hatake Muzan since he arrived in the Naruto World.

He was a disgrace to the Hatake Household.

His father was the White Fang of Konoha, and even his younger brother was a genius ninja.

"How ridiculous."

Beneath the black cloth was a pair of blood-red eyes. Anyone who saw them couldn't help but become entranced.

Just then, a child stepped in front of them and brandished a Kunai, warning the adults around him:

"Bastards! Don't you dare talk about my brother!"

Kakashi stood in front of Muzan. If anyone dared to speak ill of him, Kakashi would make them regret it.

He had his father's word that his older brother was born frail and needed his younger brother to protect him.

"Brother, I knew you'd be sitting here quietly. Father says you need to review your lessons. The Ninja Academy entrance exam is tomorrow, so we're going to register together. And don't expect me to help you cheat."

Kakashi worried himself sick over his brother. Not only was Muzan physically weak, but he was also extremely lazy. If something had nothing to do with him, he wouldn't lift a finger.

His father had even begun to think that he shouldn't make Muzan practice the Hatake Sword Technique. It would be better to let him live as an ordinary person in the village.

Muzan sat on the doorstep. He looked up at Kakashi, then stood. An air of authority gathered around him.

"Don't worry. There are no failures in the Hatake Household. I won't let you down at the Ninja Academy entrance exam tomorrow."

Kakashi stared at Muzan, who was acting completely out of character. When his brother stood up, Kakashi had even sensed danger.

The aftereffects of his training must still be lingering.

"Idiot, it's not about letting us down! You have to pass the entrance exam."

"Creak!"

Just as Kakashi was about to lecture Muzan, the door behind them suddenly opened. Hatake Sakumo looked at his two sons arguing and couldn't help but sigh.

"You two brats, the entrance exam is tomorrow. Why aren't you back inside studying?"

"Dinner's ready, too. Hurry up and eat!"

He picked Kakashi up with one hand and looked at his son's fish-like eyes. Sakumo resolved to change Kakashi's personality. With those dead-fish eyes, he'd never find a wife.

As for Hatake Muzan, standing in the shadows, Sakumo turned back toward him and fell silent for a long while.

"What happened to this kid?"

While tidying up the house, he'd sensed some kind of beast breaking in. Worried about his two sons, Sakumo had rushed over at once. He'd searched the area but found no trace of a beast.

Instead, he'd seen Muzan standing in the shadows.

Never underestimate the senses of a Kage Level fighter, especially one skilled in Taijutsu.

"I don't know either."

Muzan recounted what had happened, embellishing the things those old women had said.

"Then I got really angry, and a force started welling up inside me."

It was a flawless answer. Who would suspect a child of lying?

Hatake Sakumo stood frozen. Anger could indeed bring out power. The Uchiha Clan's eyes were one example. Could his own family have a hidden bloodline, too?

"Whatever it is, it's a good thing. Don't let anyone else find out. From now on, train hard and become a true powerhouse."

Hatake Sakumo smiled like a proud father. His eldest son had always been a source of worry for him.

It wasn't that he was troubled by the thought that Muzan might never become strong. It was that the boy was so frail. Even sunlight could kill him, and it was uncertain whether he'd live to adulthood.

Hatake Sakumo didn't ask Muzan about his Bloodline Limit. Everyone had their own secrets.

He went inside and saw Kakashi already eating. Sakumo's brow bulged with anger. He picked Kakashi up and scolded him, pointing at his nose.

"Kakashi, we're not even here yet, and you've already started eating! You have no respect for the meal I made!"

"I didn't eat your food!"

Kakashi dangled in his father's grip, staring at him with dead-fish eyes. After making his righteous defense, he pointed at the dishes on the table and continued:

"Your Military Rations Pills, and Brother's medium-rare steak."

Watching the father and son glare at each other, Muzan smiled helplessly and took his seat.

His body had nearly finished transforming, and he didn't need much food. Even going several days without eating wouldn't affect him.

However, Muzan needed to replenish his blood regularly, whether it came from a person or a beast.

To keep anyone from discovering he was a monster, he claimed he had anemia. Every so often, Hatake Sakumo took him to the hospital for a blood transfusion.

Hatake Sakumo had consulted Tsunade, but even the best doctor in Konoha couldn't find the cause of Muzan's condition. In the end, she attributed it to a defect in his bloodline. As for the things Muzan usually ate, they were just a cover.

Halfway through his meal, Hatake Sakumo set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at his sons. Muzan had gotten a late start, but Sakumo would teach him himself. With steady lessons at the Ninja Academy, he could still do well.

As for the Bloodline Limit, Sakumo would make time to visit Konoha's library or ask the Hokage. He hoped to find an effective way to train it.

As for Kakashi's talent, if he trained hard and made the most of his aptitude for all five natures, he could accomplish a great deal with the Hatake Sword Technique or ninjutsu.

He might even surpass his father.

"The entrance exam is tomorrow. It'll be easy for you two."

"It's just some basic physical training and a few questions about memorizing the Will of Fire."

None of that would be a problem. He believed both boys were fit enough to pass. But when it came to Muzan, he repeated his warning over and over:

"Whatever you do, don't expose yourself to sunlight."

That was Hatake Sakumo's greatest concern. The academy wasn't like home.

"At school, Kakashi, keep an eye on Muzan. His health is still very poor."

When Kakashi was asked, he rarely argued. He cared more about Muzan than anyone. Once, he'd seen Muzan standing in the sunlight. The parts not covered by black cloth had started smoking.

"Don't worry. I'll protect Muzan."

"You people..."

That was the bond of family. But Muzan no longer needed protection. As time passed, his strength would only grow.

As for sunlight and the need to replenish his blood regularly, he could choose to specialize in medical ninjutsu later.