The chakra of Indra and Asura is critical to awakening the Rinnegan, and utmost caution is required.
If Itachi isn't born, how can Sasuke come to be?
Without Sasuke, it's uncertain whether Indra's chakra will reincarnate in this generation.
For a thousand years, the chakra of Asura and Indra has reincarnated in the shinobi world, their hosts locked in endless conflict, with countless vessels over time.
Each time Indra and Asura's reincarnations converge, the Sage of the Six Paths appears once more.
Yet, from the Sage's own words, he has witnessed many different eras of the shinobi world.
He once said, "Whenever I meet the reincarnations across generations, I always feel a vast generational gap."
This suggests that the reincarnations of Asura and Indra do not simply follow a pattern where one dies and the next immediately takes their place.
Rather, their rebirths occur randomly across the river of time.
If the opportunity with Sasuke and Naruto is missed this time, when the next reincarnations will appear—and how to identify them—poses a significant challenge.
"The world of the Fire Shadow has souls and reincarnation. Every body carries its original owner. If I were to plant my seed in Mikoto, I should be able to bring them into being, shouldn't I?"
Shimizu Uchiha mused to himself.
There were many ways to manipulate Mikoto.
Now, he had become an indispensable link between the Uchiha Clan and Konohagakure.
What would Mikoto do once she realized this?
Uchiha Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, and his life-burning Susano'o unleashed formidable combat power.
Only when Shimizu himself mastered the Mangekyō Sharingan would he dare to challenge Fugaku openly.
For now, he would collect some "interest" from Mikoto.
A faint, meaningful smile crept onto Shimizu's face.
Yet Fugaku, seated at the forefront, noticed nothing. Seeing Shimizu's agreement, he began discussing other matters with the Uchiha clansmen.
"Speaking of which, where's Shisui?" one Uchiha suddenly interjected. "That guy's a genius, too. His age can't possibly define his potential."
Shisui's talent surpassed anyone before him.
If there was anyone who could rival Shimizu, it was Shisui.
After all, when Shimizu was Shisui's age, he hadn't yet shown such promise.
"I've already requested the Third Hokage to allow Shisui to graduate early," Fugaku nodded.
Shisui was just over seven years old, nearing eight.
Enrolled in the Ninja Academy at six, he completed all the coursework in a single year, meeting the graduation standards.
Fugaku decided to let Shisui experience the battlefield. An Uchiha shinobi must grow through blood and fire.
"Our clan's geniuses keep emerging, and we're thriving," one clansman remarked.
"Indeed, far more than in the past decade," another agreed.
The conversation among the clansmen grew lighter and more humorous.
With the war's outcome now clear, it was almost certain to end within the next year or two.
The Uchiha Clan was poised for a bright future, and their hearts brimmed with visions of what lay ahead.
…
Nohara Rin emerged from Shimizu's home.
Her exhausted body dragged itself forward as she quickly left the Uchiha compound, blending into the bustling streets of Konohagakure.
Her tight pants bore several tears, as if she'd endured a grueling battle.
"Rin, were you training?" a voice called out from afar.
It was Hatake Kakashi.
He felt his words from the previous day had been too harsh and wanted to check if Rin was upset.
When he visited Nohara Rin's home, no one was there.
Rin's parents, who ran a business, were usually at their shop during the day.
Kakashi knew this and thought little of it, assuming Rin had gone out to train.
Wandering the streets, he happened to spot her.
Rin's clothes were disheveled, and Kakashi couldn't fathom what kind of training she'd undergone.
"Could it be because of Obito? Has Rin started learning combat ninjutsu?" Kakashi wondered.
"Ah… yeah, I was training," Rin replied, startled by Kakashi's voice.
She instinctively stepped back, not wanting him to catch the strange scent lingering on her.
Though she had bathed before leaving Shimizu's house, Rin felt the odor still clung to her.
"I see," Kakashi said flatly.
His expression remained impassive, though his face seemed slightly thinner than before, his features more pronounced beneath his black mask.
The single visible eye, usually half-lidded like a dead fish, opened a fraction wider as he studied Rin.
Rin… seemed different.
Like a flower newly bloomed, her every movement carried an indescribable charm.
If he had to put a name to it, it was almost… womanly.
Kakashi shook his head inwardly. "Did I get too absorbed in that book last night? Is it affecting me now?"
"I'm heading out," Rin said, her eyes darting away as she lowered her head.
She was no longer pure, no longer worthy of standing near Kakashi.
From now on, she would watch over him from the shadows, silently protecting him and witnessing his happiness.
"Rin, about what I said last night—it was too harsh. Don't take it to heart," Kakashi said with a hint of apology.
Apologies were rare for him in the past.
But after what happened with Obito, he'd come to understand the importance of comrades and the unbreakable bonds between people.
"It's… it's fine," Rin said, waving her hands dismissively, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
What was the point of a belated gesture?
Words delivered at the wrong time, in the wrong place, could only yield the wrong outcome.
If this were the Rin of yesterday, her heart might have warmed with gratitude.
But today, she felt only boundless sorrow.
Things could never go back to how they were.
They could never return to those innocent, carefree days.
"Kakashi, I'm going," Rin said, hurrying away.
Her pace was quick, but her gait was odd, as if she were enduring some hidden pain.
Kakashi stood silently in place.
"Obito, if it were you, how would you apologize to Rin?" he murmured to himself.
…
At the Uchiha compound, Fugaku packed his gear, equipping himself with ninja tools.
"You're leaving today?" Mikoto asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"My injuries have healed. Many of our clansmen are still fighting on the front lines. If I don't go, morale will falter," Fugaku replied without turning, slipping the last kunai into his pouch before pushing open the door.
To be the leader of a great clan came with heavy responsibilities.
Fugaku wasn't the only one vying for the position of clan head; others within the Uchiha coveted power as well.
If the clansmen fought on the front lines while their leader lingered in the rear, enjoying leisure, it wouldn't be long before he faced impeachment.
"Besides, Shimizu will soon join the Anbu. There's nothing pressing left to do in the village. Once he's in the Anbu, have him pass intelligence to Uchiha Yatsushiro," Fugaku added, glancing back at Mikoto as he stepped out.
His eyes carried a weight of importance.
Mikoto hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately nodded gently.
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