Cloud Village.
Inside a training ground belonging to the Uchiha clan.
Two boys with black hair and black eyes each held a kunai, trading blows back and forth in sparring practice.
One of them had a colder, more stern gaze, while the other's eyes were lively and spirited.
Although they looked only six or seven years old, their movements were already well-formed—each punch and kick flowing smoothly and naturally.
Not far from them, a boy with slightly sparse eyebrows and an adorable appearance was squatting on the ground, playing with sand.
"Naruto and Sasuke are both extremely talented. In the future, they'll definitely become outstanding ninja."
At another side of the training ground, a ninja with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a bulbous nose leaned against a tree, watching Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Naruto spar with a satisfied expression.
Hearing this, the long-haired youth beside him—his hair tied into a small braid—couldn't help but smile.
"Brother Shisui, whether they're outstanding or not isn't that important. As long as they can happily do what they want, that's enough."
Uchiha Shisui shook his head.
"Itachi, you were born later. By the time you were old enough to understand things, the ninja world had already completely changed."
"In the past, this Shinobi World was full of darkness. Skeletal remains being scavenged by wild dogs were everywhere along the roads. You try to kill me today, I stab you tomorrow. In the eyes of those nobles, ninjas were no different from pigs or dogs."
"It was Clan Head Yuzuru who changed all of that, allowing us to live the lives we have now."
"So we must work hard to grow stronger and carry out Clan Head Yuzuru's will. Only then can the ninja world continue to become better and better."
After hearing Shisui's words, Itachi shrugged and spoke calmly.
"Brother Shisui, Father once told me not to think too much about things. If the sky falls, he'll hold it up."
"So you don't need to burden yourself too heavily either. For matters Father hasn't mentioned, we just need to let things take their natural course."
Shisui nodded and said no more.
Although Itachi looked gentle and refined, his mind was meticulous and his actions decisive.
At only twelve years old, he had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, his strength even surpassing Shisui's at the same age.
Coupled with Yuzuru's guidance since childhood, there was naturally no need for Shisui to say much.
"Big brother, look at the castle I built!"
Gaara's excited shout rang out. A gentle smile appeared on Itachi's face as he quickly ran over, deliberately exaggerating his tone.
"Gaara, you're amazing! Can you teach me how to do it?"
Gaara puffed out his cheeks.
"That might not work… I made this using Sand Release…"
Itachi froze for a moment.
"Gaara, did you awaken a kekkei genkai?"
Gaara nodded with a smile.
"I think so. Anyway, I can control this sand."
Hearing their conversation, Shisui, Sasuke, and Naruto all ran over.
Naruto said excitedly, "Gaara, you actually awakened your kekkei genkai? That's incredible!"
Sasuke snorted lightly.
"Gaara, kekkei genkai power isn't meant for playing house."
"Come fight me. I'm Father's most outstanding son!"
Gaara shook his head.
"Brother Sasuke, I don't like fighting. You should fight Brother Naruto instead."
Sasuke nodded, then lifted his foot and kicked Gaara's sandcastle to pieces.
Gaara froze for a moment, then pursed his lips as tears immediately welled up in his eyes.
Seeing this, Naruto immediately pointed at Sasuke and shouted, "You jerk! Why are you bullying Gaara?!"
Sasuke ignored him and simply looked at Gaara.
"If you're angry, come fight me."
"Win or lose, I'll apologize to you."
Gaara said nothing, only lowering his head and wiping his tears.
Seeing this, Shisui couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
"That personality really is awful."
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached.
"Gaara, who bullied you?"
Seeing Yuzuru, Gaara immediately ran over and hugged his leg.
"Dad, no one—"
"Sasuke deliberately kicked over Gaara's sandcastle. He bullied Gaara!"
Naruto shouted loudly.
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow and looked at Sasuke. Sasuke still looked unconvinced.
"I just wanted to spar with Gaara."
"Papa, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business..."
Sasuke held his kunai horizontally before his chest and said confidently, "Because if I get carried away and hurt you, that wouldn't be good."
"Sigh…"
Yuzuru let out a sigh, then suddenly appeared behind Sasuke.
With a light kick, Sasuke clutched his backside and fell flat on his face.
"Waaahhh—!"
Seeing Sasuke lying on the ground crying loudly, Naruto put away his gloating expression and walked over to comfort Gaara.
Noticing the looks of admiration in everyone's eyes, the corner of Naruto's mouth lifted slightly.
Sorry, Sasuke. Succession disputes have always been like this.
"Clan Head Yuzuru's personality really hasn't changed at all…"
Having witnessed everything, Shisui couldn't help but smile bitterly inwardly.
He had once heard Obito say that Kakashi Hatake had wanted to graduate early from the Ninja Academy, but Clan Head Yuzuru hadn't allowed it.
Later, Kakashi had refused to accept it, and during a sparring match, he was brutally sent flying by Clan Head Yuzuru's "Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Death."
He hadn't expected that even when facing his own son, Clan Head Yuzuru would still show no mercy.
Yuzuru looked at Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara with a headache and directly handed them over to Itachi to watch.
A bunch of troublesome brats—not a single one that gave him peace of mind. If only he had a daughter instead.
Shaking his head and throwing those chaotic thoughts aside, Yuzuru spoke.
"Shisui, I have something I need you to do. Come with me."
He planned to take Shisui to see Fugaku and see whether Fugaku's dōjutsu could help Shisui awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Compared to others, Shisui's talent was considered quite high. Because of his butterfly effect, the Shisui of this timeline had become somewhat fragile-hearted again.
Thus, choosing Shisui as the first experimental subject was the most suitable option.
Shisui didn't ask any questions, simply nodding respectfully as he followed behind Yuzuru.
The two arrived at the Uchiha clan's shrine, where Shisui saw Fugaku already waiting.
"Lord Fugaku."
Shisui lowered his head in salute. When he raised it again, he saw a pair of crimson Mangekyō Sharingan.
In the next instant, completely unguarded, Shisui froze in place, his mind going blank.