Night of the Massacre, Linking to the Masked Man

Late at night, in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Eight-year-old Sahiro Uchiha woke to a bone-chilling cold.

He had been a corporate drone on twenty-first-century Earth, transported into the world of Naruto after dying suddenly from overwork.

He had inherited the original owner's memories, along with his body.

But this was no time to dwell on that.

Screams came from outside.

Firelight stained the paper windows Kurenai.

The stench of blood filled the air.

The night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall?!!!

Sahiro Uchiha's heart sank.

He remembered this part of the story.

With help from the Masked Man, Obito Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi had slaughtered the entire Uchiha Clan in a single night, leaving only Sasuke alive.

And he, Sahiro Uchiha, was someone who had never existed in the original story.

Sasuke's older twin brother!

He looked almost exactly like Sasuke.

Although he was Itachi's younger brother, he didn't dare bet that Itachi would spare him. What if Itachi decided to kill him?

"Fuck! I'm screwed!"

That man was here! Uchiha Itachi! He was here!

He stared at his parents lying in pools of blood, then at Itachi slowly approaching with a sword in hand.

A chill shot straight through his skull!

I'm going to die!

"Don't kill me! Big brother! I'm your own little brother!!!"

"My foolish little brother, you've finally begged for mercy. Are you ready to meet your death?"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations detected in the host! Bond Simulator System activating... activation successful!]

[Host detected to be in mortal danger. System unlocked ahead of schedule.]

[Available link targets within scanning range:]

Uchiha Itachi (biological brother) Bond strength: ★★★★★

Uchiha Fugaku (father) (deceased) Bond strength: ★★★★☆

Uchiha Mikoto (mother) (deceased) Bond strength: ★★★★☆

??? (identity unknown, masked) Bond strength: ???

Four options appeared before his eyes.

The masked one.

He knew who that was.

Obito Uchiha.

The mastermind behind the Akatsuki, a Space-Time Ninjutsu user who possessed the Kamui Dimension, and one of the culprits behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

As long as he obtained Kamui Intangibility, he would have a guaranteed means of escape.

He selected the fourth option.

[Link target: ???]

[Linking... target's true name detected: Obito Uchiha.]

[Link successful!]

[Congratulations! Host has obtained the ability: Kamui Dimension: Basic Control.]

[Description: You have obtained basic access to the Kamui Dimension. More abilities can be unlocked as your Bond Level increases.]

[Remaining links: 0]

"System, what can you do?"

[Host, this system can link you to any ninja and establish a bond with them. As the bond levels up, you can receive different rewards.]

[When a bond reaches level five, you can receive a special bond reward, as well as a bond projection to assist in battle.]

A strange spatial power surged into Sahiro's body.

[Kamui Dimension: Basic Control]

[Ability one: Freely enter and exit the Kamui Dimension (activation time: 0.5 seconds) (not Obito's Kamui Dimension)]

[Ability two: Intangibility (duration depends on chakra expenditure)]

He watched Itachi slowly approach.

Without hesitation, Sahiro dissolved into a vortex and vanished.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

The man wearing an orange Spiral Mask, Obito Uchiha, stood on a rooftop, coldly watching the burning compound below.

His task was to work with Itachi, eliminate all resistance, and ensure the Uchiha Clan's complete destruction.

Everything was going according to plan.

Until a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Hi."

Obito's pupil contracted. He whipped around to find an eight-year-old boy standing behind him, smiling at him.

Reflected in those eyes was the pattern he knew best.

Kamui.

"You..." For the first time, Obito's voice wavered. "How could you..."

"Thanks for the cheat." Zuo Hao raised a hand, ripples of spatial distortion appearing in his palm. "Now it's your turn."

A portal to the Kamui Dimension opened beneath their feet. Before Obito could react, they both fell into that gray-white world of cubes.

The moment he landed, Obito put distance between them, staring fixedly at the eight-year-old brat before him.

"Impossible... how do you have Kamui?"

"Take a guess." Sahiro Uchiha tilted his head. "But I can tell you one thing. From now on, I can see every trump card you have."

The Masked Man, Obito, abruptly extended his senses. Space warped around him, his Sharingan contracted sharply, and for the first time, incredulous horror entered his voice.

"No... this isn't my Kamui Dimension! This presence, this structure... this is your Kamui Dimension?!"

"Correct. Too bad... there's no prize."

Zuo Hao tossed out those words casually, then turned to leave.

"Stop!" The Masked Man's voice suddenly rose, filled with anger at being toyed with and profound wariness. "Sahiro Uchiha... Sasuke's older twin brother! You—how exactly did you obtain the Kamui Dimension?! Why do you have the same ability as me?!"

Zuo Hao stopped and turned his head slightly, revealing half of a young face that was eerily calm.

"Do you think I'd tell you? Just like you'd never willingly admit that you're Obito Uchiha."

The name "Obito" struck the Masked Man's ears like a thunderbolt.

His whole body jolted. The pupil behind his mask's eyehole contracted sharply, and his entire presence turned savage and fearful.

"You... you little brat! You know things you shouldn't. Then you can stay here forever!"

An almost tangible wave of killing intent swept toward him.

Zuo Hao didn't even bat an eyelid. Instead, he slowly turned around, his expression both innocent and infuriating. "Hah, what's so impressive about bullying an eight-year-old kid? If you're really that capable, why don't you go pick a fight with Madara Uchiha?"

If the name "Obito" had shaken him, then "Madara Uchiha" had torn open the scar buried deepest in his soul, the one he desperately tried to hide.

Obito froze in place, even his breathing stopping for an instant. His voice turned almost hoarse with disbelief. "You... who exactly are you?!"

As though the murderous tension from a moment ago had never existed, Sahiro slipped both hands into his pockets and delivered the most earth-shattering words with the most innocent smile.

"Heh, Obito, don't be so nervous. I know what you're trying to do. It's just the 'Eye of the Moon Plan,' right? Honestly, I'm pretty interested in it too."

He leaned half a step closer, as though sharing a brilliant prank.

"How about... you let me join?"

Insane.

Either this kid or this world had to be insane.

Obito's thoughts were thrown into complete disarray.

"You... you bastard! Who exactly are you?"

"Me?" Zuo Hao pointed at himself, his smile growing even brighter. "Someone who wants to find a little fun in this boring world."

Obito stared hard at the eight-year-old child before him.

Those eyes held no fear, no reverence, not even the slightest distress over the tragedy of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

There was only a certain... chilling certainty.

As though he had already seen the future.

"You know about the Eye of the Moon Plan?" Obito asked in a low voice.

"Infinite Tsukuyomi." Zuo Hao nodded. "Use the moon to cast the ultimate Genjutsu and immerse all of humanity in beautiful dreams. Pretty romantic, really. The execution is just a little crude."

"What do you want?"

"I already told you." Zuo Hao spread his hands. "To join you."

"Impossible." Obito refused almost instinctively. "You're an eight-year-old brat. What makes you think you're qualified?!!!"