A year had passed since my parents died. Six months ago, I took my first steps. Not much had changed. The war outside continued. But Shisui… he was different. Pure. So pure that it almost hurt to look at him.
Our home was far from the center of the Uchiha Clan. Around us were civilian families — Uchiha in name only. Blood too weak to produce real shinobi.
I tried to learn. Books were my only friends. Shisui couldn't even read Japanese yet, but I had learned it before reincarnation. My mind… still sharp. Maybe sharper.
Sometimes, a young man visited. "A friend from your father's youth," grandmother said. Shisui didn't know him. I did. Uchiha Fugaku. Not suspicious. Our bloodline was old. Powerful. History repeated itself.
By Konoha Year 40, subtle changes were happening. My chakra had awakened after the deaths of our parents. I began meditating with a leaf on my forehead. At night, I practiced silently — taijutsu, kenjutsu, shuriken. Shisui trained in the daylight, a prodigy by all accounts. I stayed in the shadows.
Two big events happened that year. The Uchiha patriarch stepped down. Leadership went to Fugaku. And he would soon be a father. I should stay away. Shisui might like this child… but I saw danger.
Konoha Year 41 – The Loss of Grandmother
I was returning from buying vegetables when something felt off.
"Brother!"
It was Shisui. Sadness in his voice.
I knew it was coming.
"Our grandmother… she's dead."
His attempt at strength only made it worse. A familiar emptiness spread inside me. But something was different. My chakra stirred.
"I understand. Let's prepare for the funeral. There are still her affairs to handle."
I tried to look away. I didn't want him to see. But he did.
I cried. For the first time in my life. And Shisui… he cried too. We embraced. Grief was foreign, yet undeniable.
Then I noticed. His eyes. The Sharingan. One tomoe.
He didn't smile. Didn't feel better. But I knew… power had awakened.
After the funeral, Fugaku's family invited us to meals often. Shisui grew closer to one-year-old Itachi. I kept to myself — a shadow, helping here and there, but training at night. My Sharingan needed practice.