Shiro's phenomenal rate of learning was a direct result of his "Extraordinary Comprehension" talent. With a mind that absorbed information like a sponge and a memory that never failed him, any jutsu, no matter how complex, became second nature with a single demonstration. This was the powerful reward he had received from the system on his second birthday.
Today, having just turned three, Shiro felt the familiar chime of the system in his mind. The time for his annual sign-in had arrived once again.
Hehe, I wonder what incredible talent I'll get this time…
As Lord Madara, Obito, and the Zetsus continued to praise his genius, Shiro secretly turned away and summoned the system interface in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for a successful sign-in. Please choose one of the following two rewards.
A. Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Evolvable): The signature dōjutsu of the Uchiha clan. Possesses powerful abilities of observation, replication, and hypnotism. Grants insight beyond that of ordinary mortals, allowing the user to perceive the flow of chakra, cast and break genjutsu, and copy any taijutsu or non-bloodline ninjutsu. This dōjutsu has the ability to evolve to even greater heights.
Evolution Path: One-Tomoe → Two-Tomoe → Three-Tomoe → Mangekyō Sharingan → Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan → Rinnegan (Requires the fusion of an Indra reincarnate's chakra with an Asura reincarnate's chakra, or assistance from the Sage of Six Paths, or direct system intervention.)
B. Byakugan (Evolvable, Mutable): The dōjutsu of the Hyūga clan. Grants near 360-degree vision and the ability to see through solid objects, as well as perceive the chakra pathway system and its 361 tenketsu. Its range and power can be amplified with chakra.
Evolution Path: Byakugan → Tenseigan (Awakened by combining the chakra of the Ōtsutsuki clan with the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan, or through system assistance.)
Mutable State: Jōgan. A mysterious Ōtsutsuki dōjutsu whose awakening method is unknown. It retains the Byakugan's foundational abilities but can also perceive spatiotemporal rifts and the location of dimensional travel. It sees the world in full color, earning it the name "The Eye of Pure Destiny."
Please make your choice, Host!
"...."
Looking at the two monumental choices before him, Shiro couldn't help but frown.
If it were purely a matter of immediate, raw power, the Sharingan was the obvious choice. Its performance in the stories he knew was legendary, from the god-like power of the Mangekyō to the invincibility of the Susanoo.
But the reason for his conflict was the Byakugan's mutated state: the Jōgan.
The Eye of Pure Destiny… even the name sounds unbelievably powerful! And the Tenseigan is nothing to scoff at either. It's on par with, if not superior to, the Rinnegan.
This is a tough choice…
Please make your choice as soon as possible, Host. There is no need for concern; unchosen rewards may become available again in future sign-ins.
"?? Why didn't you say so sooner!" Shiro thought, his anxiety instantly vanishing.
"Then what am I even deliberating for…"
"I choose A, the Sharingan!"
Since he was currently living with Lord Madara, it only made sense to choose the Sharingan first. Besides, in its base forms, the Sharingan was far more versatile and powerful than the Byakugan.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have received a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan. The dōjutsu has automatically integrated with the Host's eyes. You may activate it by channeling chakra.
"Oh!"
A faint jolt, like a spark of electricity, shot through his eyes. Shiro subconsciously channeled his chakra, and when he opened his eyes again, the world was awash in a brilliant crimson hue.
Is this the Sharingan? He raised his hand, marveling at the sight of the shimmering blue chakra flowing through his own body. It was miraculous.
"My son, why are you standing with your back to me? Let your godfather have a look at you."
Madara's voice pulled Shiro back to reality. He quickly turned and scrambled back toward the ancient Uchiha.
"Son, that was your first time using ninjutsu. How do you feel? Is there any discomfort? Are you tired?" Madara asked with deep concern, scooping Shiro into his arms.
Shiro playfully tugged on Madara's long, white hair and replied proudly, "Godfather, I'm not tired at all! Those basic jutsu are too easy. Teach me something more difficult!"
White Zetsu clicked its tongue. "Tsk tsk, as expected of the child I favor. Truly amazing."
Obito sighed wistfully. "When I was his age, I couldn't even help an old woman cross the street properly, let alone perform ninjutsu."
"Indeed. Shiro's talent far surpasses my own at that age," Madara nodded, a profound satisfaction in his voice. Then, a hint of sadness touched his eyes.
"White Zetsu, have you learned anything more about Shiro's birth parents?"
"Lord Madara, I have searched every village for miles, but I have found no record of who they might be."
Madara pondered this for a moment. "Forget it. There is no need to search any further. Shiro is a child of extraordinary gifts; he must be descended from a ninja clan. Since there are no ninja villages nearby, they are likely impossible to find."
Obito added, "I agree. He was likely born to a kunoichi from one of the great nations. Perhaps she had some urgent reason she could not take him with her. Alas… such is the cruelty of this chaotic world."
"And it is precisely for that reason that we must change this world!" Madara's tone deepened with conviction.
Black Zetsu slithered closer. "Lord Madara, have you noticed? As little Shiro grows older, he seems to bear more and more of a resemblance to your younger brother."
"En," Madara nodded. "More than just my brother, he looks like he belongs to my Uchiha clan. Obito, what do you think?"
"There is a certain similarity," Obito replied casually, glancing at Shiro.
"Heh…" Madara smiled helplessly. "But that is impossible. No matter how much he resembles us, he cannot be one of my clan." Madara trusted his senses. He had recognized Obito as an Uchiha at first glance, but with Shiro, he felt no such resonance, no bond of kinship deep in his soul. Moreover shiro had white hairs unlike the dark black of Uchiha.
Listening to their conversation, Shiro grew a little impatient.
Should I just show them the Sharingan I just got? I have to reveal it eventually, and these are the people I'll be with for the foreseeable future. There's no reason to hide it.
He knew, however, that the Sharingan's awakening required a trigger—a moment of intense emotional stimulus. If he was going to reveal it, he had to make it believable. Just then, he spotted a cockroach tangled in a spider's web, being slowly devoured.
His chance!
"Ah! Mr. Scuttles!" Shiro shouted, leaping from Madara's arms and running toward the web.
"Mr. Scuttles, what happened to you?! Oh, you died so tragically! Waaah!" Shiro squeezed his eyes shut, forcing out a few tears. He turned back to his godfather, his face a mask of theatrical grief. "Godfather, Mr. Scuttles is gone! I'm so sad, my heart hurts so much…"
Madara and the others were stunned by this sudden outburst. It took them a moment to realize that "Mr. Scuttles" was the cockroach in the spider's web.
"Alas, he is still just a child, after all," Madara mused with a soft chuckle. "I, too, had such an innocent side when I was young…"
He was about to comfort the boy when he froze, his eyes locking onto Shiro's.
That crimson color…
Those three black tomoe, spinning gently…
It was, without a doubt, the Sharingan.
"Son, your eyes…!"
Madara was overcome with shock. He snatched Shiro up, holding him close so he could stare directly into those impossible eyes.
"Sharingan! It's true, this is the Sharingan! Shiro, you truly are a member of my Uchiha clan! Hahahahahahaha! To think I could have been so mistaken!"
"Your godfather is so very happy!" Uchiha Madara hugged Shiro tightly, his powerful voice thick with a barely concealed, choked emotion.
Madara wasn't the only one who was ecstatic. The others were just as excited.
Obito stared in awe. "A three-tomoe Sharingan! He awakened three tomoe in his very first activation! Compared to him, I truly was a failure."
White Zetsu marveled, "A descendant of the Uchiha… Lord Madara, Shiro is truly a gift sent to you from heaven itself. Though I must admit, awakening his eyes over the death of a cockroach is not something I would have predicted."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu transmitted a silent message to its counterpart.
Indra awakened his eyes because of the death of a puppy. Perhaps this boy felt a deep connection to that insect. However, Indra only awakened two tomoe. Could it be… that this child's talent surpasses even that of Indra Ōtsutsuki?
I am very much looking forward to watching our young master grow…
Perhaps… Mother will like him as well…