The days in the Konoha hospital blurred into a monotonous cycle of bland food, whispered condolences, and the constant hum of the Evolution System within my mind. Physically, I healed quickly. The initial pain from the Sharingan's premature activation faded, leaving behind only a dull ache and a strange sensation behind my eyes, like a constantly charged battery. The nurses praised my resilience, mistaking my quiet introspection for a child's stunned grief. It was an easy facade to maintain.
Alone, in the quiet hours after visiting times, I delved deeper into the System. The translucent blue screen was visible only to me, a private interface superimposed over my vision. I started with Status, meticulously examining my new self.
User: Uchiha NamekazeBloodline: Uchiha (Branch Family - Evolution Integrated)Current Age: 8 yearsChakra Levels: Genin (Low)Sharingan: One-Tomoe (Unstable - Requires Training)Strength: ESpeed: EStamina: DIntelligence: C+Ninjutsu: EGenjutsu: ETaijutsu: EEvolution Points (EP): 10
My heart sank a little. "Genin (Low)" at eight years old was decent for a normal kid, but far from anything remarkable in a world where children were already aspiring ninjas. My stats were uniformly terrible. The "unstable" Sharingan worried me, but also excited me. It was there, a potential I hadn't earned through conventional means.
Next, I tapped on Shop. A list of bewildering options appeared, categorized: Bloodline Upgrades, Ninjutsu Scrolls, Taijutsu Forms, Chakra Enhancements, Miscellaneous. Everything cost EP.
Sharingan Stability (Rank 1): 50 EP - Stabilizes current Tomoe.
Chakra Capacity Boost (Minor): 25 EP - Small increase in Chakra reserves.
Basic Fireball Jutsu Scroll: 10 EP - Learn the Great Fireball Technique.
Fifty EP to stabilize my current Sharingan? I only had ten. And that Fireball Jutsu, a staple of the Uchiha, was exactly my current EP. It was tempting, but useless if my core power source was unstable. The Shop was clearly a long-term goal.
Finally, Missions. This was the real meat of the System, the way to earn those precious EP.
Urgent Mission: Adaptation
Objective: Successfully integrate into Konoha society as "Uchiha Namekaze." Avoid suspicion regarding your unique survival.
Reward: 20 EP, Reputation (Konoha +), Stealth (Skill Points).
Status: Pending
Emergency Mission: Self-Preservation
Objective: Stabilize your One-Tomoe Sharingan through consistent, focused training.
Reward: 30 EP, Sharingan Control (Skill Points), Minor Chakra Control Boost.
Status: Pending
I felt a jolt of determination. These weren't optional quests; they were direct imperatives. Survival and power were intertwined. "Adaptation" was already underway with my acting, but "Self-Preservation" meant I needed to start training, and soon. How I was going to do that without anyone noticing an eight-year-old orphan suddenly mastering a Sharingan was the biggest hurdle.
After nearly two weeks, I was discharged. No family, no close relatives. The Uchiha compound was a barren wasteland, still being investigated by ANBU. I was assigned to a temporary orphanage on the outskirts of the village, a small, quiet place run by a stern but kind elderly woman named Haruno Chiaki. She treated me with a gentle, weary pity, just as everyone else did.
My new "room" was a small space I shared with three other boys, all younger than me. It was cramped, but safe. The orphanage had a small, fenced-in backyard, mostly dirt and a few wilting plants. This would be my training ground.
That first night, after everyone else was asleep, I slipped out into the chilly air. The moon was a sliver in the sky, casting long, deep shadows. I needed to try activating the Sharingan again, to see if it still burned, if it was still unstable.
"Status: Sharingan," I thought, focusing.
A familiar warmth spread behind my eyes, tingling. Then, a sharp, familiar ping! echoed in my head.
One-Tomoe Sharingan Activated. Warning: Instability detected. Prolonged use at current level may cause blurred vision, chakra drain, and headaches.
My vision sharpened, not to the vibrant crimson I'd seen that night, but to a subtle, almost imperceptible enhancement. The shadows seemed less dense, the outlines of the fence posts clearer. I focused on a stray pebble on the ground. Its texture, the minute cracks, became clearer. I could feel the low thrum of chakra within my body, being siphoned away, slowly, steadily.
I closed my eyes, forcing the power back down. The headache was already starting, a dull throb behind my left eye. This wasn't going to be easy. I needed a way to train, to stabilize this eye, without anyone noticing the tell-tale crimson glow. I had to learn how to turn it on and off at will, not just in moments of extreme stress.
My goal was clear: survive, grow strong, prevent Sasuke from falling, and eventually, confront Madara. But first, I needed to become more than just a forgotten Uchiha. I needed to become the ghost that haunted the shadows, quietly evolving into something the world had never seen.
The protagonist is now out of the hospital and in the orphanage. His immediate challenges are clear: stabilizing his Sharingan, finding a way to train in secret, and integrating into Konoha while hiding his true nature and abilities.
What specific training methods or stealth techniques do you think "Uchiha Namekaze" should explore next, considering his current limitations and resources?
End of chapter 3