Chapter 38: An Unchangeable World Line?
It seemed as though the memories of that night surged back into his mind once more — his entire demeanor looked as if the sky had fallen.
"I told you you couldn't handle it, but you just had to be stubborn. Well, how's that working out for you now?"
With a furious shout, Sasuke clutched his eyes and collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Seeing him like this, Franklin couldn't help but feel a little helpless. Surely he wouldn't suddenly awaken a Mangekyō Sharingan just because of a few words — like how Uchiha Obito's eyes evolved from two tomoe — would he?
If that really happened, the future of the ninja world would become impossible to predict. Even so, such a change to the world line would undoubtedly be significant. After a moment's hesitation, Franklin walked over and patted Sasuke on the shoulder.
The instant Sasuke lifted his head and looked at him, Franklin instinctively took a step back, staring in disbelief at the boy before him. Sasuke had actually awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
The evolution from two tomoe to three was clearly a qualitative leap. Being stared at by those eerie, blood-red eyes from up close made Franklin feel as though he was being seen through completely, inside and out.
Not one to be passive under scrutiny, Franklin immediately spread his spiritual sense within a small radius, enveloping Sasuke entirely. In an instant, a clear projection appeared in his consciousness — a complete holographic image of Sasuke from the inside out, including the flow of his chakra, all laid bare.
Spiritual energy surged into his eyes, activating the Eye of True Sight.
Name: Uchiha Sasuke
Age: 12/89
Race: Human
Bloodline: Divine Tree Bloodline 55%
Body Cultivation: Body Tempering, Stage Three
Chakra Utilization: 10%
Mental Cultivation: Mortal Heart Realm
Ninjutsu: Substitution Jutsu E-, Transformation Jutsu E, Clone Jutsu E-, Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique D-…
Bloodline Limit (Special Talent): Sharingan (Evolvable) (A special ability born from a mutation of the Divine Tree bloodline, inheritable by descendants)
Sharingan: Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Grants powerful abilities such as observation, replication, and hypnosis. The wielder possesses extraordinary perception, can observe chakra flow, cast and dispel genjutsu, and copy taijutsu and non–Bloodline Limit ninjutsu.)
Overall Combat Strength: 9
Meeting Franklin's gaze, cold sweat poured down Sasuke's forehead.
Seeing that defiant look still lingering on Sasuke's face, Franklin summoned the Guardian Sword. Instantly, Sasuke's attention was drawn to the blade. The moment his three-tomoe Sharingan fell upon it, a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his eye. A heartbeat later, he scrambled to his feet and quickly retreated, his Sharingan vanishing entirely.
"Calmed down now? If so, then leave. This place belongs to me now."
Sasuke said nothing. With wariness written all over his face, he turned to go — but stopped halfway, turning back to face Franklin.
"You're lying to me, aren't you? There's no way Uchiha Itachi would make that kind of deal with Konoha's higher-ups. I know him better than anyone. What you said earlier… it was just to help me evolve my Sharingan, wasn't it?"
The way Sasuke spoke — as if he'd seen through everything and was even grateful for it — left Franklin speechless. But since the kid had come to that conclusion, Franklin decided not to correct him.
"You guessed right. I don't actually know Uchiha Itachi. I only know bits and pieces. I just thought you looked pretty miserable, so I tried helping you grow stronger.
"Call it my twisted sense of humor if you want. But the truth of the matter is something you'll have to uncover for yourself. That's all the help I can give you. Just remember your promise — keep this secret. Once you're strong enough to take on the Hokage, then investigate the truth. Until then, no one will be able to protect you.
"And especially your three-tomoe Sharingan — don't reveal it carelessly. Even when facing Itachi, learn to hide your strength. Otherwise, in this world of deceit and betrayal, you won't live long."
Whether it was because Franklin had helped him break through twice in a row, or simply because of the overwhelming strength Franklin displayed, Sasuke's arrogance had vanished completely, his former sharpness replaced by restraint. He bowed deeply to Franklin.
"I understand. Thank you for your help. I don't know your name, but… is there anything you need me to do? Like helping you leave Konoha or something?"
Seeing how drastically Sasuke's attitude had changed, Franklin couldn't help but wonder how this world line would unfold as a result of his interference.
"Who I am… that's something I can't explain. If fate allows, we'll meet again. And no, there's nothing I need from you. If I wanted to leave, I could do so anytime."
Sasuke didn't press further. He simply turned to go. But just then, something crucial occurred to Franklin.
"Oh, right. There's someone very important in Konoha — a companion you must get along with."
Sasuke stopped, looking puzzled. "Who?"
"Uzumaki Naruto. Your classmate. Both of your lives are tragic, and the root cause behind it all is the suspicion of Konoha's leadership. In the future, the two of you might become comrades working side by side."
Sasuke stared at him in disbelief. "You mean that dead-last loser? No way. I'll handle my investigations myself."
Franklin's lips curled into a faint smile. He didn't bother explaining.
"Dead last? Suit yourself. That's your decision. Now go put some ice on that face of yours — you'll just get laughed at in class."
Sasuke said nothing more. He turned and walked away. "I don't care. My only goals now are to grow stronger and uncover the truth. If I find Itachi, I'll force him to tell me everything. I have the confidence to do that now."
With those words, Sasuke's figure vanished from the dusty room. Watching the cabin grow empty once again, Franklin picked up a spirit stone and returned to absorbing spiritual energy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, Uzumaki Naruto was sleeping soundly, as if nothing that had happened yesterday had affected him at all.
"Stop pretending to sleep. If you don't know how to face the future, just say so. I can offer you some advice."
At those words, Naruto instantly sat up, as though he'd been awake for a long time. "I have a goal. My goal is to become Hokage of the Hidden Leaf."
Franklin's projection looked at him in surprise. "Why? Why become Hokage? After everything they've done to you, why?"
"Of course I will. Once I become Hokage, all those people who bullied me will respect me and acknowledge me. Isn't that reason enough?"
Franklin sighed helplessly at that explanation. "So you're just going to let go of the fact that your parents died, and all the abuse you've suffered since childhood?"
Naruto fell silent. Franklin didn't press the matter any further. He had truly underestimated how difficult it was to change a world line.
Whether it was Sasuke's sudden shift in mindset or Naruto's stubborn beliefs, both seemed bound by an invisible force.
Without another word, he followed Naruto to the academy. Waiting for them at the gate was Sasuke, who appeared to be waiting for someone. When they saw his swollen cheeks, Naruto immediately burst into laughter.
"Yo—hahaha—what happened to your face? Hahaha! Guess Sakura won't be interested in you anymore, huh? Hahaha!"
Naruto was laughing so hard he was practically doubled over, completely unaware that Sasuke had quietly activated his three-tomoe Sharingan while no one was watching. He was meticulously scanning Naruto from head to toe.
Noticing the subtle changes in Sasuke's expression, Franklin knew that the boy had already sensed the unusual nature within Naruto. In every possible sense, Naruto was anything but ordinary.
Even if he weren't the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, he was still a member of the Uzumaki clan — and the immense chakra within him alone was enough to place him among the strongest.
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