Konoha Year 50.
Konohagakure, Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Congratulations, Clan Head! Congratulations! The rise of the Uchiha is just around the corner!"
"Indeed! Itachi graduated after only one year at the Academy—he's no less impressive than Hatake Kakashi back then."
"Hahaha! Konoha's strongest clan is still the Uchiha!"
Inside the home of the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, cups were raised and clinked together.
Voices of praise and celebration flowed without end.
Today was the day Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, officially graduated.
After enrolling for only a single year, Itachi had graduated early and become a Genin. Such outstanding performance was enough to earn him the title of the Uchiha clan's greatest genius. Naturally, the clan had every reason to celebrate.
"Uchiha Itachi, huh."
Uchiha Yusuke let out a cold, disdainful chuckle.
He didn't join the lively crowd. Instead, he remained alone in a corner, his thoughts drifting.
Uchiha Itachi's reputation as a genius was well deserved.
Unfortunately, he was not of one mind with the Uchiha clan—thoroughly indoctrinated by the so-called Will of Fire.
Yusuke had heard that when Itachi graduated today, Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him, saying that "at seven years old, he can already think like a Hokage."
To others, those words only sounded like Sarutobi's intention to groom Uchiha Itachi as the next Hokage.
The Uchiha clan thought the same—many even believed the position of Hokage was already all but decided.
But Uchiha Yusuke knew better.
As a disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen may not have inherited his teacher's mastery of Water Release or forbidden techniques, but when it came to policies targeting the Uchiha, he had grasped the essence perfectly—surpassing his master in the process.
Tobirama merely remained wary of the Uchiha.
But under Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Konoha higher-ups he represented, that wariness had evolved into deep, unspoken suspicion and fear.
Ever since Tobirama's era, the Uchiha had been labeled a clan "born with evil."
How could Sarutobi Hiruzen possibly pass the title of Hokage to an Uchiha who was "born with evil"?
"Uchiha Itachi… the infamous filial executioner."
Uchiha Yusuke took one last deep look at the Itachi surrounded by the celebrating crowd, then turned and left.
If not for Fugaku's invitation, he wouldn't have attended such a pointless banquet in the first place.
As an elite Jōnin of the Uchiha clan and the vice-captain of the Police Force, his status within the clan was far from low.
Stepping outside, he glanced back at the brightly lit hall and murmured to himself,
"There's not much time left. I have to act quickly."
…
Deep within the Uchiha compound stood a refined two-story house.
This was Uchiha Yusuke's home.
Sitting cross-legged, Yusuke could barely suppress the excitement surging in his heart.
"Today should be the day I awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?"
"System."
He called out silently.
At once, a mysterious, unfathomable light screen appeared within his consciousness.
[Fire Release Chakra Mode (Proficiency: 47.2%)]
[Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Proficiency: 99.9%)]
[Konoha-Style Taijutsu (Proficiency: 74.3%)]
[Uchiha-Style Swordsmanship (Proficiency: 92.5%)]
The interface was simple and direct—only these four lines.
The system's function was equally straightforward. When any skill reached 100% proficiency, it would automatically evolve.
Fire Release Chakra Mode was the result of evolving the Uchiha clan's Fire Release ninjutsu, which he specialized in.
This ability was somewhat similar to the Fire-Fire Fruit from the pirate world—a power so underwhelming that even dogs wouldn't bother eating it.
"The Sharingan."
Staring at the nearly maxed-out proficiency of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Yusuke let out a low shout.
As chakra surged through his body, his pupils rapidly transformed.
Three black tomoe emerged, revolving slowly around the central pupil.
"Just as expected. I can awaken the Mangekyō today."
Feeling the change in ocular power and chakra consumption after activating the Sharingan, Yusuke grinned.
"Sixteen years… and I'm finally about to obtain this forbidden power."
The Mangekyō Sharingan—below Kage-level, it was virtually invincible.
Below Kage-level, all were ants.
As long as he didn't run into monsters like Pain with outright cheat-tier abilities, the Mangekyō Sharingan alone would let him roam the ninja world unhindered.
As that thought crossed his mind, an inexplicable surge of pride rose within him.
"No—this is wrong! I can't be arrogant. So what if I'm Kage-level? By the Fourth Great Ninja War, even Kage-level fighters are just background characters! What am I even thinking?"
Uchiha Yusuke shook his head violently, snapping himself out of that swelling arrogance, his heart pounding with lingering fear.
The power of the Sharingan was indeed terrifying—but it was also dangerously easy to lose oneself in it.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this power that the Uchiha clan grew increasingly arrogant, ultimately walking straight toward annihilation.
"Changing the fate of the Uchiha clan… the road ahead is long."
Having calmed down, Uchiha Yusuke let out a sigh.
Having personally experienced this power, he understood better than anyone the pride etched into the hearts of the Uchiha.
"One-on-one, Be sure to—run without hesitation."
This saying was the truest description of the Sharingan's power and a consensus among shinobi.
There were only six years left until the Night of the Clan's Destruction.
Within those six years, he had to find a way to save the Uchiha