The Young Third Hokage

As Fugaku Uchiha saw it, now that he had crossed over and become the future Clan Head, he could not let the Uchiha suffer the humiliation of being wiped out.

His first priority was to grow stronger. At thirteen, Fugaku Uchiha had already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

In Uchiha history, awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at thirteen did not make him extraordinary. He could not compare with his son, but he was hardly weak.

There was currently no genius in the Uchiha clan who surpassed Fugaku. No one had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan before thirteen. Many Uchiha ninja did not awaken it until they were fully grown, somewhere between twenty and thirty.

Clan members who still had only two tomoe after thirty had limited potential. Their minds had matured, and they had been through too much for anything to easily shock them into awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, much less the Mangekyo Sharingan beyond it.

In the woods behind the Uchiha District, where Fugaku Uchiha often trained, numerous throwing targets hung among the trees. Some were so well hidden they could not even be seen from the front.

With the Sharingan to aid them, Uchiha clan members were especially skilled at throwing concealed weapons. Itachi Uchiha was a prime example.

As the future Clan Head, Fugaku was no slouch at throwing weapons either.

He circled the targets, then closed his eyes and recalled how Fugaku had trained.

His eyes snapped open. Three tomoe spun rapidly within his crimson Sharingan, and his field of vision seemed to widen. Even the movements of insects flying through the woods appeared unnaturally clear.

He leaped into the air and flicked both hands forward. Several kunai flew out in quick succession, colliding repeatedly in midair. A string of sharp thuds followed as they struck the wooden targets.

Fugaku checked every target. Each kunai had hit the bull's-eye.

Not bad. His skill matched the original Fugaku Uchiha's, and he had not even gone all out. He felt he had plenty to spare.

His hands flashed through signs, his ten fingers nearly blurring from sight. Chakra surged through his body, and his chest swelled before he blew forward.

Fugaku unleashed Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, the Uchiha's signature ninjutsu.

A scorching fireball burst from his mouth and ignited the fallen leaves. The heat around it was so intense that the air began to warp.

He formed another series of hand signs. Flames streamed from his mouth, sweeping across a broad stretch of ground before him.

He trained until dark, practicing every ninjutsu the original Fugaku Uchiha had mastered until each one felt completely familiar. The woods where he usually trained lay in ruins, with charred branches and scorched yellow leaves scattered across a small patch of forest.

At night, the Uchiha District glowed with lights and bustled with activity. After a day's work, most ninja went out to unwind, have a drink, trade boasts, or talk about something unusual they had seen.

Fugaku headed toward his family's courtyard, occasionally greeting clan members he passed.

As soon as he entered, he heard his father talking with other clan members. As Uchiha Clan Leader and captain of the Security Force, Uchiha Tenjo often held meetings at home.

"Is that Fugaku?" Uchiha Tenjo called. "Come in. I have something to tell you."

"Yes, Father."

Fugaku slid open the living room door. Nearly all the senior Uchiha members were there.

"Good evening, uncles," Fugaku greeted them with practiced ease.

Several of the senior members nodded.

"Clan Head, we've watched this boy grow up," said a senior member of the Security Force. "He's already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age. One day, he'll surely succeed you as Clan Head and lead the Uchiha to even greater heights."

"You flatter him," Uchiha Tenjo said with a smile. "I hope you'll all look after Fugaku and guide him in the many things he has yet to learn."

"You give us too much credit, Clan Head. Fugaku is the pride of the Uchiha now. It's getting late, so we'll take our leave."

"Fugaku, see your uncles out."

"Yes, Father."

After seeing the senior Uchiha members out, Fugaku Uchiha returned to the living room.

"Come with me," Uchiha Tenjo said. "There are a few things I need to tell you."

Fugaku nodded and followed his father to the study. It was well soundproofed, making it a good place to discuss private matters.

"Fugaku, you've done well in the three years since graduation. You haven't brought shame on the Uchiha," Uchiha Tenjo said. "When I reported on the mission to the Third Hokage today, I asked him to promote you to jonin. He agreed. Go straight to the Hokage's Office tomorrow to receive your promotion assignment. You're an Uchiha genius. Don't let the clan down."

"Yes, Father."

"Since Kagami Uchiha died, the Uchiha have had far less say among the Konoha leadership. The Uchiha and Senju founded Konoha together, yet there isn't a single Uchiha among its leaders now.

"You're the most talented member of the Uchiha clan. I hope you can awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan and lead us back to our former glory," Uchiha Tenjo said.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll do my best," Fugaku said with a nod.

It seemed the Uchiha clan knew little about what came after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan. Fugaku was confident he could awaken it.

But Fugaku was an only child, with no siblings. Obtaining the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would take more work.

An Ordinary Mangekyo Sharingan would not reverse the Uchiha's decline. In the end, it would only lead to blindness.

With Hashirama Senju no longer around, possessing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would let him stand his ground, no matter how dire things became.

Uchiha Tenjo sighed, patted Fugaku on the shoulder, and left.

Fugaku could sense his father's helplessness. Konoha was at its peak, with the Third Hokage in his prime, the Three Sannin before they had earned their title, and the White Fang of the Leaf.

Powerful figures abounded, yet Konoha's foremost clan had no one at its peak to lead it.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan still fell short in terms of power. In the Naruto World, strength was what mattered.

Tomorrow's assignment would be a test for him. He just did not know what kind of promotion mission the Third Hokage would give him. At such a sensitive time, an intelligence-gathering or assassination mission seemed highly likely.

The next morning, Fugaku Uchiha organized his ninja tool pouch. He packed kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and the odds and ends needed to set simple traps.

Outside the Hokage's Office, Fugaku knocked. The Third Hokage's deep voice came from within.

Fugaku opened the door and saw the Third Hokage in his younger years. Even sitting quietly at his desk, he carried the imposing presence of a formidable man.

He was nothing like the man he would become decades later, when age was all anyone could see.

"Lord Hokage, Fugaku Uchiha reporting in."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Impressive. To awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan so young—you remind me of Kagami Uchiha back in the day."

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I wouldn't dare compare myself to Senior Kagami. I still have much to learn," Fugaku Uchiha said modestly.