Shock Among the Uchiha

Pure Land

Madara Uchiha stared in disbelief. "How do that Uchiha descendant and that little brat from the Uzumaki clan have those eyes?"

Beside him, Izuna Uchiha turned to him in shock. "Big brother, what's going on with their eyes?"

Madara Uchiha answered gravely, "Izuna, those eyes are called the Rinnegan. But theirs are different from a normal Rinnegan."

Izuna Uchiha looked at Madara in confusion. "Then what is the Rinnegan, big brother? What does a normal one look like?"

Madara Uchiha explained calmly, "A normal Rinnegan is purple and has no tomoe. Theirs are golden and have nine tomoe. I can't explain it either."

Could it be that the Sharingan, the Mangekyo Sharingan, and even the Rinnegan aren't the final stage? Madara wondered.

I only awakened the Rinnegan shortly before I died. My life was nearly over by then, so all I managed to do was summon the Ten-Tails.

Before I could even get used to it, I had Obito transplant my eyes into Nagato Uzumaki...

Seeing Madara lost in thought, Izuna asked anxiously, "Big brother, which clan does the Rinnegan belong to?"

Madara Uchiha came back to himself. "Izuna, the Rinnegan evolves from the Sharingan."

"When the Sharingan reaches Three Tomoe, it can advance to the Mangekyo Sharingan. Beyond that lies the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."

"And beyond the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan lies the legendary Rinnegan. As for those two brats' golden Rinnegan, I don't know what it is yet."

As if he had discovered a whole new world, Izuna Uchiha kept asking about the legends surrounding the Rinnegan.

After Madara Uchiha patiently explained everything, Izuna Uchiha clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, his face full of bitter frustration.

"Damn it! If I hadn't let my guard down and died at that white-haired monster's hands..." he muttered.

"Maybe I'd have mastered the power of the Rinnegan by now. Damn the Senju clan."

"If I ever come back to life, I, Izuna Uchiha, will tear you to pieces, Tobirama Senju."

Elsewhere in the Pure Land

Tobirama Senju fumed, "That wicked Naruto Uzumaki actually intends to destroy the entire Shinobi World! That damned brat!"

"And the wicked Uchiha are the ones saving it..."

Hashirama Senju's steady voice cut in. "Tobirama, calm down. I can sense that Naruto Uzumaki isn't a child who kills for pleasure."

"There must be a reason behind this. I want to know the answer."

Tobirama Senju folded his arms. "Hmph! If I weren't dead, I'd kill Naruto Uzumaki on the spot."

"Someone like him is far too dangerous, both for the Shinobi World and for Konoha."

"The only way to end this nightmare is to kill that child before he grows stronger."

Tobirama Senju roared in frustration, "Damn it! If only I hadn't died so soon!"

"Tobirama!" Hashirama Senju rebuked him. "How many times have I told you not to act rashly? Have you forgotten what that video of the future showed about your student?"

"I kept telling you not to target the Uchiha. They aren't the people you think they are. Just look at the foolish things your student did."

"That child, Shisui Uchiha, ended up falling victim to your student Danzo..."

Tobirama Senju was helpless as he explained, "Big brother, I admit I singled out the Uchiha, but I never imagined Danzo would do that."

Hashirama Senju sighed. "Whatever happens to the Shinobi World now, we can't stop it. We're both dead."

Sigh...

The basement beneath Mountains' Graveyard

Obito Uchiha stared in disbelief. "That useless Kakashi will have the Rinnegan in the future..."

"No matter how strong you become, I'll surpass you!"

With those words, Obito Uchiha vanished into the Kamui Dimension, muttering, "Kakashi, you owe me for all of this..."

Above the army of White Zetsu at Mountains' Graveyard, Black Zetsu looked stunned.

"How is that possible?"

"That was someone from Mother's clan. How could they lose to a brat named Naruto Uzumaki...?"

"Damn it!" Black Zetsu roared. "Mother, no matter what it takes, I'll bring you back."

"I'll find Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha and kill them before they grow stronger!"

"No one will interfere with my plan to revive Mother."

Black Zetsu sank into the earth and began plotting. Mother, I miss you so much...

In a dark basement somewhere

After seeing his future self, Orochimaru became deeply interested in the person named Naruto Uzumaki.

Orochimaru licked his lips and murmured darkly, "So that's who I choose in the future? Interesting. Very interesting."

"I look forward to meeting you, Naruto Uzumaki."

Konoha

After finishing his discussions at the Hokage's Office, Fugaku returned to the Uchiha clan.

Naka Shrine

The Uchiha elders and clan members had gathered outside Fugaku's door to wait for him.

When Mikoto Uchiha saw Fugaku return, she hurried out to greet him.

"Mikoto, you've only recently given birth to Sasuke," Fugaku said gently. "You need to rest and recover. Don't get out of bed whenever you please."

"Listen to yourself, Fugaku," Mikoto Uchiha replied softly. "Sasuke is already over a month old."

"I'm fine."

Fugaku hugged Mikoto, then walked over to Itachi Uchiha.

"Father, my little brother is asleep," Itachi said quickly.

Fugaku looked at baby Sasuke in Itachi's arms and recalled how powerful Sasuke would become in the future.

He smiled, patted Itachi's head, and said quietly, "Itachi, take good care of Sasuke."

Itachi nodded, then carefully carried Sasuke back to the room.

Behind them, the Uchiha's senior elder stepped forward and said excitedly, "Lord Sasuke will be so powerful in the future. Our clan..."

Fugaku raised a hand to stop him. "You elders saw that future too. And you saw what happened to Shisui."

"No matter what, our only task now is to protect these youngsters. The future will reveal all the answers."

The Third Elder looked grave. "But if they learn that Sasuke is the clan leader's son, they'll take him away for special training."

"After all, Lord Sasuke will be the savior of the Shinobi World."

The thought that his second son would become the Shinobi World's savior filled Fugaku with joy too.

Fugaku raised a hand, signaling the clan members to quiet down.

Then he told them they had no need to worry about Sasuke.

"I've already reported this child to the Fourth Hokage."

Sasuke Uchiha and the others would receive special protection...

Only after hearing Fugaku's explanation did the Uchiha elders finally relax.

Then they followed Fugaku to the clan meeting...

Walking at the front, Fugaku appeared cold and impassive.

But inside, he was elated. My second son will be the Shinobi World's savior!

Fugaku looked toward Mikoto Uchiha in the distance, his eyes softening. You've worked so hard, Mikoto.

I can't wait to see your future, Sasuke.

At that very moment

The Light Screen in the sky stirred once more.

Title: "The Pain of Losing a Closest Friend."