Uchiha Fugaku: "That's… a Konoha history book published by the clan, but it was banned by the village."
He had kept a copy for himself in secret.
He hadn't expected it to be left behind for Sasuke from the parallel world.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed.
In the village, various major ninja clans had published their own historical books.
Later, these were banned by him, and the ninja academy used only standardized textbooks compiled by the village.
Unexpectedly, Sasuke from another world had managed to get his hands on a copy.
Logically speaking, the Anbu should have already searched the Uchiha compound.
Important items, like the Forbidden Technique Scroll, had already been confiscated early on.
As the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku's home had certainly been searched by the Anbu.
However, they had failed to notice this "banned book."
But then again, it made sense.
It was just a book—even if it had been banned, how seriously would the Anbu have considered it?
"It's just a book. It shouldn't have much impact after being read,"Sarutobi Hiruzen reassured himself.
In the chat room:
Hatake Kakashi: "That Sasuke seems to be very interested in this book."
Uzumaki Naruto: "A history book? Such nonsense! Why would that Sasuke be interested..."
Orochimaru: "Heh, how interesting. I'm looking forward to that Sasuke's future more and more."
Most people were a little puzzled by this.
It was just a book—what could possibly be so special about it?
If you had time to read, wouldn't it be better spent training hard and seeking revenge as soon as possible?
[In the quiet new residence.]
[Sasuke closes his eyes and concentrates, deep in thought.]
["What are the things I can be sure of right now?"]
["The first is about Uchiha Itachi. The kind older brother… and the lunatic who killed our parents and slaughtered the entire clan in pursuit of power. At least one of those personas has to be a lie."]
["The second is about the truth behind the genocide. If Uchiha Itachi could go from the kind brother to a murderer overnight, then… it means people may not be what they seem. Those who act friendly on the surface may not be trustworthy at all!"]
[Since Uchiha Itachi—the good, kind brother—suddenly became untrustworthy…]
[Then the others in the village, no matter who they are or how they appear on the surface, can't be trusted either.]
[What is the real truth behind the massacre?]
[If I can't trust Itachi's version of the story… then I can't trust anyone else's version either.]
[As this thought crossed his mind, Sasuke couldn't help but tremble.]
[After all, he was only seven years old.]
[At this age, how hard it is to accept such a cruel reality.]
[No one can be trusted.]
[Looking up at the village, he couldn't see a single person he could rely on.]
[What a truly lonely place this is…]
Namikaze Minato: "It's amazing that you can think this way at just seven years old!"
He had been called a genius since childhood.
But in terms of mental maturity, he felt far inferior to Sasuke from the parallel world.
At the very least, Minato thought to himself, if I were in the same situation at that age, I wouldn't have been able to handle it like this.
Uchiha Mikoto: "Oh, Sasuke's future is going to be so difficult..."
Uchiha Fugaku: "This is Sasuke's fate. He's already in this situation. It would have been better if he had started thinking this way earlier. As parents, all we can do now is give him our blessing."
Sasuke from the real world stared blankly.
It feels like I've never thought the way my parallel self does…
Uchiha Itachi — why did he suddenly change so drastically? Which version of him is real?
When it came to the truth behind the massacre, what is it really?Who should I believe?
He had never seriously thought about these questions.
"Besides training… shouldn't I also stop and reflect on my own fate from time to time?"
Sasuke couldn't help but reflect deeply.
You can't just believe everything people say — who knows whether the other person is even trustworthy?
[Sasuke opened his eyes.]
[After confirming those two earlier points, his next course of action became clear:]
[In daily life, try to observe and judge whether each person is truly trustworthy, one by one.]
[Read more. Read all kinds of books. Think independently. Uncover the truth behind the genocide.]
[Since no one can be trusted completely, it's hard to get the truth from people. That means I'll have to rely on reading, reasoning, and piecing it together myself.]
[Of course, that's just to discover the truth.]
[Beyond that — comes training.]
[What's the point of knowing the truth… if I don't have the strength to avenge it?]
[Sasuke's eyes gradually became sharp and alive.]
[The flame in his spirit, nearly extinguished the night before, blazed to life once more — even stronger than before!]
["I'll find out the truth and gain the strength for revenge — all on my own!"]
[Sasuke silently vowed.]
Fourth Raikage: "He's a seven-year-old kid, and he wants to uncover the truth by himself?"
Ōnoki: "Ridiculous! I'm the Tsuchikage, and I can't even uncover the full truth about the Uchiha massacre. And he thinks he can?"
Orochimaru: "Hehe… Geniuses are always different."
Senju Hashirama: "It's wonderful to see such outstanding young people in the village!"
Senju Tobirama: "Even if he's one of those cursed Uchiha… I have to admit, this child is a true genius."
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes were practically red with envy — his Sharingan nearly activated out of pure irritation.
That's… me, in a parallel world.
Me — at just seven years old — being praised like that by the former Hokage, and even Kage from other villages!
[Sasuke opened the "Konoha History" book published by the Uchiha clan, his expression deadly serious.]
["To uncover the truth… I'll start by studying history. Seriously."]