Chapter 09: Parents' Death, Three Tomoe Manifestation
Notes:
Taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat) and ninjutsu (ninja techniques) differ in type and level. Techniques such as the Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Phoenix Sage Nail Crimson Technique, Ground Travel, and Body Flicker Technique are examples of various ninjutsu.
Kiri refers to Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water — one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Known for their water-style techniques, Kiri ninja are natural opponents of the Uchiha clan, famed for their fire-style jutsu.
Uchiha Tonan always took his reading seriously. Every time he picked up a book, he would meticulously absorb its contents, reviewing and internalizing them as thoroughly as possible.
That night, he had finished a third of a manual on disguise techniques. As his eyelids began to feel heavy, he closed the book and decided to sleep early so he could be alert for class the next day.
In the night sky above the Uchiha district, scattered clouds drifted away, letting the moonlight spill down uninterrupted.
Suddenly, Tonan's eyes snapped open and he sat upright in bed.
A warm surge of power spread through his body, racing through his nerves, veins, and blood vessels. In an instant, an influx of ninjutsu knowledge flooded his mind, becoming so familiar that it felt as though he'd practiced it countless times. His Sharingan awakened—and the tomoe spun wildly.
Eventually, the spinning slowed and stopped at two tomoe. Tonan smiled, feeling power equivalent to that of a chunin coursing through him. He scanned the room using his Sharingan to make sure no one was watching. Then, he muttered under his breath:
"Finally dead… though I think only one of them so far."
That newfound sense of strength brought an intoxicating security. Still, Tonan felt a twinge of dissatisfaction.
"The other should die too. Hopefully it's a double kill tonight."
As he thought this, the warm current surged again—stronger this time. It seemed his father, Kotoura, had just died as well, following his mother, Nanako, into the afterlife.
The tomoe in Tonan's eyes spun at such speed that their afterimages blurred into a full circle of motion. Two more jutsu imprinted themselves into his mind, while others seemed to level up—as if honed through repeated use.
The Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, basic taijutsu forms, Phoenix Sage Nail Crimson Technique, even the lightning-style Ground Travel—all now felt instinctual. These were the techniques his parents, lowly chunin, had specialized in. Tonan also found himself suddenly skilled in combat strategy, traps, assassination tactics, and more.
When the spinning finally stopped, his eyes held three tomoe—a fully matured Sharingan. In the Uchiha clan, only the patriarch, Uchiha Fugaku, had reached this level.
Tonan wasn't the least bit worried about explaining the sudden evolution of his Sharingan. The deaths of both parents provided a perfect excuse. If such grief didn't awaken the Sharingan, what would?
Tomorrow, he could freely use his three tomoe Sharingan in public.
He'd gained one tomoe from the death of Uchiha Teno, who'd once had a decent relationship with him. Now, with the death of his parents, his Sharingan had fully matured. Tonan was satisfied, though he wished his parents had been more competent. Their jutsu, in the end, were barely worth inheriting.
His current strength now rivaled that of a special jonin.
But Tonan wasn't reckless. He knew he had a long road ahead.
Kakashi had become a jonin at just twelve. A special jonin was still little more than elite cannon fodder in wartime.
With that thought, Tonan deactivated his Sharingan, laid back down, and finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Tonan headed to the Ninja Academy as usual. But before he could enter the building, he was intercepted by Umino Naoto—and an Anbu wearing a cat mask stood beside him.
Looking concerned, Naoto said, "Tonan, go with this Anbu to the Hokage Residence. Hokage-sama has something important to tell you."
Tonan's face lit up. "Really? Hokage-sama wants to see me again?"
Naoto looked at the joyful Tonan, and a flash of sorrow crossed his eyes. He forced a smile. "Yes. Go on."
"Let's go. Don't keep Hokage-sama waiting," the Anbu said flatly, grabbing Tonan's arm and disappearing in a blur using the Body Flicker Technique.
Moments later, Tonan appeared in front of the Hokage Residence.
"Go in," the Anbu said curtly before vanishing again.
Elusive, as always.
Tonan took a few deep breaths and pretended to steady his nerves. He pushed open the door, eyes lighting up when he saw Hiruzen seated behind his desk.
Trying to restrain his excitement, he said, "Hokage-sama!"
"Come in, Tonan. You're here," Hiruzen replied, his expression heavy with sorrow.
Something was clearly wrong.
There's an old saying: when dogs meet, they either bark or lick. When people meet, they either deceive or perform.
Hiruzen, at this moment, was clearly performing—playing the role of a grieving elder. He was setting the stage to inform Tonan of his parents' "heroic" deaths, hoping to win the boy's loyalty through shared sorrow.
Tonan knew this act well. He'd used similar tricks in his previous life—mainly on women.
In short, this was just emotional manipulation.
Putting on a concerned look, Tonan approached. "Hokage-sama, is something wrong? Can I help?"
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "Tonan, I have news… Please be mentally prepared."
Tonan's face turned pale. He stammered, "D-don't tell me…"
Hiruzen nodded. "Yes. A battle report came in from the frontlines. The supply line where your parents were stationed was cut off. Last night, they were surrounded by Kiri ninja. Both of them… were killed in action."
"No… it can't be… it can't be…!" Tonan cried, collapsing to the floor. His legs gave out, and he caught himself with trembling hands.
"They were such strong ninja… how could they die?!" Tonan shouted, slamming his fists into the floor. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Hiruzen sighed again and stood, walking over to Tonan. He extended a hand to comfort him—but suddenly paused.
He felt a surge of chakra erupting from Tonan's small frame.
Could it be…?
His eyes widened slightly. According to legend, intense emotional trauma triggered the evolution of the Sharingan.
And now… Tonan was right on cue.
Hiruzen slowly withdrew his hand and silently watched. If Tonan's Sharingan evolved now, it would mean his potential rivaled even Kakashi's—and at just six years old.
Some time passed. Tonan's head remained bowed, tears pooling beneath him. The powerful chakra eventually stabilized.
Seeing this, Hiruzen gently patted his back.
"Kotoura and Nanako gave their lives for Konoha. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. You must stay strong, Tonan… and carry their will forward."
The words hit their mark. Tonan's sobs quieted. He wiped his face and looked up.
His tear-streaked face was heart-wrenching—but what caught Hiruzen's breath was the three tomoe Sharingan spinning in the boy's scarlet eyes.