In Konoha's eighteenth year, the tides were shifting. A brief peace had settled over the Shinobi World, but in the shadows, various factions were stirring.
Ever since Uchiha Shinichi became Tobirama Senju's sole ANBU member, his life had all but settled into a fixed routine between the Senju Main Residence and the Uchiha Residence.
Everything he did revolved around two things: learning Sealing Jutsu and awakening his Sharingan.
Yet a year had passed, and his Sharingan still hadn't awakened. It had become his greatest frustration.
Tobirama Senju had tried all sorts of methods to help Shinichi awaken his eyes:
High-intensity combat training: putting Shinichi through genuine life-and-death trials in the hope of awakening his bloodline.
Simulated emotional stimulation: using genjutsu to create extreme scenarios, such as the deaths of loved ones and brutal battlefield fighting, hoping to push his emotions to their limit.
Chakra stimulation: using Lightning Release, Sealing Jutsu, and other methods to activate the chakra flow in his eyes on a physiological level.
Yet no matter what Tobirama Senju put him through, Shinichi's Sharingan remained perpetually on the verge of awakening.
The only change was that a fleeting crimson glow sometimes appeared in his eyes, only to fade quickly, as though something were holding it back.
Deeply frustrated, Shinichi pinched the corners of his eyes and asked irritably, "Old man Tobirama, are these experiments of yours actually reliable? You're not just messing with me on purpose, are you?"
Tobirama Senju gave a soft snort, his tone calm. "Perhaps you're the first Uchiha to try awakening the Sharingan through 'reason.'"
"The Sharingan is fundamentally born from emotion. Your mind is too stable. You lack a trigger to break past your limits."
Shinichi inwardly rolled his eyes. Sure, he was stable, but he desperately wanted Obito's ocular jutsu too!
System, why haven't you given me an eye-awakening quest yet? Don't you love messing with me?
Shinichi tried asking the System for help, but it replied lazily:
[The rules for triggering system quests cannot be changed. Find a way yourself, host~]
Shinichi: "..."
Sure enough, relying on the System was useless.
Still, Shinichi hadn't come away empty-handed—since he couldn't awaken his Sharingan anytime soon, he would master Sealing Jutsu first!
For nearly a year, Shinichi had thrown himself completely into studying Sealing Jutsu, spending even more time on it than Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya spent carrying out missions.
Mito Uzumaki thought extremely highly of him, even calling him "the greatest Sealing Jutsu prodigy in history."
Shinichi had finally come to understand why Sealing Jutsu was such a rare and powerful ability in this world.
A programmer learning Sealing Jutsu? Isn't that practically an unfair advantage?
That was what Shinichi thought to himself.
He discovered that the structure of sealing formulas bore an astonishing resemblance to the coding logic he had learned in his previous life!
Layers of formulas: basic seals, intermediate seals, composite seals...
The computational logic of seals: how to optimize chakra flow so it operated efficiently.
Methods of breaking seals: different sealing arrays could be countered with different solutions, just like decrypting code!
Shinichi's comprehension and creativity allowed him to master the Uzumaki Clan's entire system of Sealing Jutsu in just one year!
The only technique he couldn't learn was the Adamantine Sealing Chains, which required the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline to use.
Still, that hardly mattered.
Shinichi's extraordinary talent for Sealing Jutsu also sparked Tsunade's keen interest.
At first, she had been immersed in researching Medical Ninjutsu, traveling around with Orochimaru and Jiraiya on missions to gain experience.
But when she heard about Shinichi's astounding talent for Sealing Jutsu, and that even Mito Uzumaki couldn't stop praising him, she immediately dropped some of her missions and came to study Sealing Jutsu alongside him.
"Combining Medical Ninjutsu with Sealing Jutsu might let us create even stronger ninjutsu."
That was Tsunade's idea, and Shinichi agreed.
Inspired by Shinichi, Tsunade began researching the principles behind the Strength of a Hundred Technique ahead of time, experimenting with Sealing Jutsu to optimize chakra storage and usage.
Watching Tsunade study so earnestly, Shinichi couldn't help thinking, The future Tsunade will definitely be far stronger than she was in the original story!
However, Tsunade's arrival also meant that Shinichi's "quiet days" were over for good—
Every day, this "violent princess" dragged him into training and Sealing Jutsu research. If he slacked off even briefly, she would beat him up.
"Shinichi! Hurry up and help me optimize this seal!"
"Shinichi! You lazy bum, draw the sealing array again!"
"Shinichi! Come ask Grandma Mito about Sealing Jutsu with me!"
Shinichi: "..."
This isn't studying Sealing Jutsu—I've become Tsunade's hired labor!
Despite his complaints, though, he was quite pleased deep down.
Tsunade choosing to stay and study Sealing Jutsu meant that her meeting with Dan Katō would be delayed, or might never happen at all.
That was exactly what Shinichi wanted—
Dan Katō? Sorry, but you can go get yourself killed on the battlefield instead.
Over this year of growth, Shinichi's plans had gradually taken shape, and his goals had become increasingly clear. Since he couldn't awaken his Sharingan yet, he would first reach the pinnacle of Sealing Jutsu and make every preparation for the future!
After a year of steady work, Shinichi had accomplished two major things:
He had become the greatest Sealing Jutsu prodigy in Konoha's history, earning Mito Uzumaki's recognition.
He had gotten Tsunade to begin researching the Strength of a Hundred Technique early and successfully persuaded her to stay in Konoha rather than go out on missions.
At the same time, however, Shinichi knew full well that Tobirama Senju's health was steadily deteriorating. He didn't have much time left.
He had to prepare his next move as soon as possible, ensuring that Danzo wouldn't gain the upper hand in Konoha's power structure after Tobirama was gone.
Before Root is established, I need to bring Danzo's future heavy hitters over to my side as quickly as possible...
Shinichi pondered silently as his plan gradually took shape.
At dusk, the Setting Sun's lingering glow spilled over the Uchiha Clan Compound, painting the streets and houses red and casting dappled patterns of light and shadow.
With his hands clasped behind his head, Shinichi strolled lazily along a stone-paved path, a stalk of foxtail grass between his lips, looking utterly at ease.
The clan members around him were busy with their own affairs. Some discussed recent clan matters, some taught young Uchiha children chakra control, and even more were talking about the upcoming election for clan head.
Shinichi couldn't have cared less. All he wanted was to enjoy a moment of peace before the Setting Sun fully set.
Peace, however, was always short-lived.
"Hey! Uchiha Shinichi! I challenge you!"
A girl's sudden shout shattered the evening stillness. Shinichi frowned slightly, stopped, and turned toward the voice.
Uchiha Kanon strode toward him from nearby, stubborn defiance on her face and fighting spirit burning in her eyes.
Her long black hair fluttered gently in the evening breeze. Her crimson Two-Tomoe Sharingan was clearly visible, lending her an unmistakably fierce edge.
Shinichi raised an eyebrow and sized up the girl before him. The corners of his mouth lifted into a knowing smile. "Oh? You're challenging me? Interesting... but are you sure, Kanon?"
Uchiha Kanon gritted her teeth and clenched both fists, her gaze resolute. "Of course! You're the freak of our clan compound. You're an Uchiha, yet you haven't even awakened your Sharingan! I want to see what made the Second Hokage take an interest in you, let alone make you his disciple!"
Shinichi's eyes flickered at her words, and he couldn't help feeling a little exasperated.
The fact that he hadn't awakened his Sharingan had long since ceased to be a secret in the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Although Shinichi's strength already far surpassed that of most Uchiha clan members, an Uchiha without a Sharingan was still difficult for them to accept.
What's more, he was Uchiha Raishin's son, and many people had placed high hopes on him. His continued failure to awaken the Sharingan rankled many of the younger Uchiha, and some even resented him.
Uchiha Kanon was one of them.
"That's quite a way to put it..." Shinichi sighed and shrugged lazily, his smile deepening as he teased, "So you want to teach me a lesson with your Sharingan?"
Kanon glared at him, refusing to back down. "Of course! The Sharingan is the pride of the Uchiha, and you... aren't worthy of it!"
Shinichi narrowed his eyes, a glint of amusement flashing through them.
"Oh? Is that so..." He chuckled, then suddenly vanished from the spot in a blur.
Bang!
Kanon's pupils abruptly contracted as she instantly tracked his movement, but even with her Two-Tomoe Sharingan, all she caught was a faint afterimage!
What?! He's so fast!
Pat—
A moment later, a hand settled lightly on her shoulder, casual and teasing.
Kanon whipped around to find Shinichi standing behind her, looking down at her leisurely with that infuriatingly composed smile on his face.
"Too slow, little Kanon," Shinichi said softly.
Kanon's expression shifted. She sprang back a step, quickly regained her composure, and formed hand seals at lightning speed. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A scorching fireball instantly erupted from her mouth, illuminating the entire street as searing heat filled the air!
Yet Shinichi remained where he stood, not moving at all.
As the flames rushed toward his face, Kanon thought she had finally forced him to show his true strength. Instead, Shinichi merely raised one finger and said calmly—
"Seal."
Boom!
The surging flames vanished without a trace in an instant!
"Wh-what?!" Kanon's eyes widened in shock. She had clearly sensed chakra flowing through those flames, and yet they had simply been erased?!
Her pupils trembled as she instantly realized—this was Sealing Jutsu!
Shinichi lowered his finger and smiled at her, saying casually, "Little Kanon, your Great Fireball Technique is pretty good, but thinking you can test me with something at that level is still far too naive."
Kanon gritted her teeth, her face full of frustration. She refused to accept the outcome, but the facts were right before her—
She... had lost!
And Shinichi had effortlessly neutralized her attack by raising just one finger!
On the streets of the Uchiha Clan Compound, the other clan members stopped in their tracks, stunned by what they had witnessed.
Someone murmured, "Sealing Jutsu... has Uchiha Shinichi's Sealing Jutsu already reached that level?"
"He's been studying under Mito Uzumaki. I heard he's already received the complete inheritance of the Uzumaki Sealing Technique..."
"Even without the Sharingan, his strength has probably already surpassed that of most Uchiha clan members..."
Kanon's face alternated between anger and embarrassment. She bit her lower lip before finally admitting reluctantly, "You... you're really no pushover."
Shinichi smiled and patted her shoulder, his tone relaxed. "There's nothing wrong with admitting you're weak. Keep working hard. Maybe you'll beat me someday."
Kanon shot him a fierce glare, then gave an angry huff, turned, and ran off.
A Two-Tomoe Sharingan at eight years old—she's probably a prodigy not far below Weasel's level!
Watching the girl retreat into the distance, Shinichi sighed helplessly and continued on his way.
The number of people challenging me is probably only going to keep growing...
Before you continue