> "Your eyes... no…"
**Uchiha Masaru** froze completely. When his gaze met **Haruki's** strange double pupils, it felt as though he had fallen—not into darkness, but into a boundless sea of stars.
It was overwhelming and unsettling.
This was Masaru's first time encountering Haruki, and a terrifying thought flashed through his mind—
> (Is this child truly a monster?)
He caught himself, realizing such words were too harsh. Trying to recover, he changed the subject quickly:
> "Did your parents not come with you for your first day of training?"
> "This training ground is basically in my backyard. I don't need anyone to bring me," Haruki replied calmly, stepping toward the field.
He carried a backpack nearly the size of his body, walking alone—his small figure appearing a bit lonely.
> (His **backyard**?)
Masaru's eyelid twitched. A statement like that reeked of wealth and status.
As expected of **Uchiha Daigo's** son...
> "Everyone, take a break! I want to introduce someone—this is **Uchiha Haruki**. He'll be joining us here at the training grounds."
Masaru's voice echoed across the field, gathering the attention of over thirty young Uchiha trainee shinobi.
> "That's Haruki?"
> "The clan monster…"
> "Our elders told us to stay away from him!"
> "He's weird! Look at his eyes!"
> "He's not one of us!"
Children, unfiltered and honest, reacted as expected—pointing, whispering, and some outright mocking Haruki.
But Haruki stepped up, completely unbothered. His voice was calm and clear:
> "My name is **Uchiha Haruki.** Remember it. One day, I'll be someone you look up to."
With that, he turned away, ignoring the jeers.
He walked toward a tree on the edge of the field, set his bag down, and sat cross-legged to begin chakra refinement.
> (Why waste time with kids who hate me?)
He didn't need to throw kunai or show off. He didn't need shallow approval. Right now, he simply didn't want to be distracted by their noise.
Farther away, **Uchiha Itachi** stood watching Haruki.
> "The son of a merchant dares talk like that?" Itachi said with a faint chuckle, eyebrows raised in ridicule. "Does he really think those strange eyes will awaken anything like our Sharingan? How laughable."
> "Brother, that… freak. What's with those weird eyes?" **Sasuke** asked innocently, curiosity etched all over his face.
> "He's an outsider to our bloodline," Itachi gently replied as he patted Sasuke's head. "Sasuke, focus on your training and become someone the village can rely on."
> "I want to catch up to you, brother!" Sasuke beamed.
Meanwhile, most of the other children continued mocking or ignoring the lone boy under the tree.
All except for one girl.
A girl about Itachi's age, with sparkling eyes full of warmth—**Uchiha Izumi**, watching Haruki with a faint trace of sympathy.
> "You're just going to let him stay like that?" another teacher asked as he approached Masaru, watching Haruki meditating in silence.
> "He's new. Let him adapt on his own terms for now," Masaru replied calmly.
Under the swaying branches of the tree, Haruki sat alone.
He shut his eyes, focusing inward.
It might have been his unique double pupils, but he found it incredibly easy to draw in chakra. It flooded into his body, strengthening his muscles and most of all—concentrating in his eyes.
> "Ever since I started cultivating chakra, it's like my eyes are bottomless pits," he muttered softly. "Is it because of these double pupils?"
No matter. One day, they'd be full.
So Haruki kept meditating.
Before long, the sun had passed high overhead.
Many kids continued their ninjutsu drills or weapons practice. None spared a glance at the lonely boy seated under the tree—until those strange eyes suddenly snapped open.
Haruki blinked.
> (Wait… what is this feeling?)
His vision had completely changed.
Although his gaze was fixed straight ahead, he could clearly see objects and movements behind him—as if his eyesight had become omnidirectional.
More shockingly, when he focused slightly, he could *see* the chakra flowing inside and around other people's bodies.
> (Isn't this just like the **Byakugan**?)
360-degree vision—no blind spots—along with the ability to perceive chakra systems and inner pathways.
Just like the Hyuga clan's legendary dōjutsu.
Except… he wasn't using a Byakugan.
This was entirely from his **double pupils.**
> (Incredible… I unlocked this so easily? What a terrifying innate power.)
A grin broke across his lips.
Not only were his eyes not useless—they were extraordinary. Almost superior to a regular Sharingan in utility—at least at this stage.
> "There's no such thing as an ordinary person with double pupils," Haruki whispered. "And that includes me."
He continued testing the scope of his expanded vision, observing everything and everyone around him for a solid five or six minutes.
Eventually, though, his sight began to dim. The 360-degree perception faded. His field of view returned to normal.
His head buzzed slightly.
> "Five or six minutes… that's all I could manage?" Haruki rubbed his aching forehead. "I'm still too weak. I'll need way more training."
He wasn't discouraged.
Instead, his stomach growled.
> *Gurgle~~*
Right on cue, hunger struck. As he reached for his backpack to grab a snack, he suddenly noticed a shadow fall over him.
Looking up, he saw a dainty figure standing with a warm smile.
A girl.
No, a beautiful girl—about seven or eight years old, her eyes curving into crescents when she smiled.
Haruki recognized her immediately.
> (**Uchiha Izumi**... Itachi's childhood friend.)
> "Hey there. Are you by yourself?" she asked sweetly. Without waiting for an answer, she held out a small lunchbox. "This is for you—my lunch!"
Her voice was soft and kind. Haruki could sense no pretense in her offer.
Gratitude welled in his chest.
> "Thank you." He accepted the box without hesitation.
She was a rare soul in this world—kind, gentle, and genuine.
A tragic figure when he recalled the future. Izumi was fated to die by Itachi's hand during the massacre.
> (If I get strong enough… I'll protect her.)
Touched by her gesture, he reached into his bag and pulled out a whole roast chicken.
> "Here—you can have this in return!"
Izumi blinked, pleasantly surprised. As she took it, she glanced at his backpack—overflowing with food.
> "Wow… Haruki, you brought enough for an army! Planning to share it with everyone?"
A thought briefly crossed her mind—of a child bringing food to share, only to eat alone, ignored by everyone.
But her innocent imagination was interrupted by Haruki's soft but firm voice:
> "Nope. I was planning to eat it all myself."
**(End of Chapter 3)**