Father studied me carefully, his sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to look deep inside my soul. There was curiosity there, yes, but also something else — a flicker of pride that surprised me. He cleared his throat softly and murmured, "Hm... I had planned to unlock your chakra when you turned four. But you... you're very talented. Only three years old, and already showing this much."
His words hit me like a warm wave, filling my chest with a swelling joy I hadn't known before. The idea that something powerful was stirring inside me — something new awakening — made my heart race with excitement.
Without waiting a moment longer, Father pulled out a scroll from his bag and handed it to me. "Here," he said, voice calm but firm, "study this. Learn it well."
I grabbed the scroll with both hands, my small fingers trembling slightly as they traced the ancient, swirling characters. The parchment smelled old, like it carried the wisdom of countless years. I concentrated harder than I ever had before. To my own surprise, the meaning sank into my mind like water soaking into earth. Within just one minute, I looked up, feeling a spark of confidence, and said clearly, "Father, I'm ready."
Father's eyes widened in shock — and not the slightest hint of disappointment, only amazement. From the window, Sakuru watched silently, her soft gaze filled with surprise and pride, her hands lightly resting on the wooden frame as if holding herself steady.
"Usually," Father said slowly, as if trying to grasp what he was seeing, "even the most gifted take up to fifteen minutes to understand this. But you... you've done it in one."
A rare smile curved his lips — the first genuine smile I had ever seen from him. It was like the sun breaking through a long winter.
Then he reached into his pouch and pulled out a sheet of special chakra paper, thin and fragile-looking, yet humming with a strange energy. He explained patiently, "Izuna, this chakra paper will help us discover which elemental affinities you have. Since you are Uchiha, fire should be the strongest among them."
He carefully handed me the paper. "Now focus. Put a little chakra into it."
I closed my eyes and gathered the energy deep inside me. I felt it coil like a sleeping serpent, ready to awaken. Slowly, I poured a small amount of chakra into the paper. For a whole minute, I stared, waiting, wondering what would happen. Deep inside, I already knew. I wasn't just like others — I felt connected to something greater, something rare. I felt affinity for all elements.
Suddenly, the paper vanished.
Father's sharp gaze softened, his mouth opening slightly in disbelief. "Try again," he urged, handing me another sheet.
I did the same — poured my chakra carefully into the paper. And again, the paper disappeared, as if it couldn't hold my power.
"Izuna," Father said thoughtfully, "when chakra paper vanishes like this, it means you have affinity for a more elements. Normally, if someone has affinity for three elements — like water, fire, and earth — the paper would split into three parts. One piece would become wet, another would catch fire, and the last would crumble to dust."
He looked at me with growing pride. Then, raising his voice so Mother could hear, he said, "Sakuru, look! Our Izuna is truly a genius among geniuses."
Mother's eyes shone brightly. A smile spread across her face as she pressed her hands to the window frame, barely able to believe what she was witnessing.
Father's voice grew firm, full of determination. "Tomorrow, I will begin teaching you the signature Uchiha jutsu."
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. A fire blazed inside me — a flame of hope, promise, and destiny.
The night was restless. I lay awake, my mind racing and my tiny body filled with nervous energy. Tomorrow would be the day I learned my first jutsu, and the thought of it made sleep impossible. Every second felt like an eternity.
Finally, dawn's first light crept through the thin curtains. Father gently woke me and carried me outside. The village was still quiet, cloaked in the soft mist of early morning. We walked together to a lake near the edge of the woods. The water was calm and smooth, reflecting the pale sunlight like a giant mirror.
Father's face was serious, but his eyes shone with pride as he prepared to teach me.
"Watch closely, Izuna," he said, his voice steady and commanding.
He raised his hands and began weaving a series of intricate hand signs — fingers twisting and folding with practiced ease. The air around him seemed to crackle as the energy built.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Then, with a sharp breath, he opened his mouth and unleashed a roaring fireball that burst forth in a massive blaze. The heat was intense, almost scorching the surface of the lake. The fiery light danced across the trees, casting flickering shadows all around us.
I gasped, awed and frightened at the same time. The power Father held was incredible, and I wanted so badly to do the same.
"Your turn, Izuna," Father said, looking straight into my eyes. "I've already seen you practice the hand signs. Watch carefully, remember every move."
I nodded, my small hands trembling slightly as I positioned my fingers exactly like he had shown me. I focused every ounce of my will and concentration into the moment.
Then I took a deep breath, and with all my might, I released a fireball from my mouth.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
The flame burst forth — nearly as large and fierce as Father's.
Father's eyes widened with surprise and pride. For a moment, he simply stared, unable to hide the admiration.
But in my excitement, my balance faltered. I stumbled and fell hard onto the ground.
Father's hand caught me gently before I hit the dirt, cradling me carefully.
He whispered quietly to himself, almost reverently, "He is a genius of the Uchiha... To perform the jutsu on his first try, just like me... He will surpass me one day."
I felt completely drained. The technique had taken all the chakra I had — my body was weak and trembling.
Father smiled softly, though his eyes carried a seriousness I couldn't yet understand. "Izuna, you have incredible potential, but this power must be controlled. You need to learn how to master your chakra."
Gently, he lifted me into his arms and carried me back home. The weight of his pride and hope pressed down on me, and though I was tired, I felt stronger inside than ever before.