Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, a long pipe between his lips. Thin streams of smoke curled upward, veiling his aged face in a gray haze, but unable to hide the heaviness in his expression.
Across from him sat two of the village elders and Danzo, leader of Root. All three had serious faces, each holding a report in their hands. The silence was thick.
Finally, the Third exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke in a low, weary tone. "This news just came in today. The Third Kazekage has been missing for some time now. Judging by the situation, it's unlikely he's still alive."
Homura Mitokado frowned. "No wonder we've been seeing shinobi from Iwagakure and Kumogakure wandering near our borders. Seems they caught wind of this before we did."
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed. "These wolves have grown restless again. Since the Second Great Ninja War ended, every village has been licking its wounds, pretending peace. But now, with their strength recovered, their old ambitions have started to wake."
His voice carried the weight of suspicion and scorn. "And at this critical time, the Third Kazekage disappears. The Land of Wind has fallen into chaos. Suna's shinobi are tearing the deserts apart looking for him. They've made such a scene that the whole world knows by now."
Homura's tone darkened. "The appearance of Cloud and Stone shinobi inside our borders was no coincidence. They were testing us, seeing how we'd react."
"Testing us is one thing," Danzo muttered coldly. "But the fact that both villages are doing it together, that's no test. That's a threat."
His words made everyone fall silent again. The truth was clear. The Land of Fire lay in the center of the continent, surrounded by the other four great nations. It was the largest, richest, and most resource-filled territory, making it an obvious target.
But that didn't mean Konoha would simply sit and wait to be attacked. Power attracted envy, but it also came with the means to defend itself.
The Third Hokage straightened slightly. Despite his age, the air around him suddenly grew fierce. "Issue an order. The entire village is to enter Level One combat readiness. Triple the number of shinobi stationed at the borders."
He took another drag of his pipe before adding, "And send word immediately to Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. They must return to the village at once."
While the leaders of Konoha were preparing for war, at the Uchiha compound, Fugaku Uchiha stood in his courtyard staring at a target set ten meters away.
In the center of the red bullseye, a single kunai was buried deep.
He swallowed hard. "Itachi, was that really you?"
A small voice answered brightly, "Yes!"
Little Itachi, not even two years old yet, was digging through Fugaku's weapon pouch with chubby hands, pulling out two more kunai.
"Be careful, don't cut yourself," Fugaku scolded. He looked into those wide, dark eyes that gleamed like polished obsidian. "You're not lying to Daddy, are you? You know I don't like liars."
"It's true! I threw it!" Itachi said seriously, puffing his tiny cheeks. Without waiting for a reply, he flicked his wrist and threw the kunai.
Thunk!
The blade struck the target with a dull echo. Fugaku's eyelid twitched. He turned to look another kunai had landed perfectly parallel to the first one.
He stood there in stunned silence.
Thunk!
A third kunai hit, forming a flawless triangle with the other two.
His face remained calm, but inside, his heart was screaming.
Dear gods above, he's not even two yet! How can a toddler have the strength and precision to throw a kunai ten meters and hit the bullseye?
Wait a minute… who's the real reincarnator here? He's cheating at life already!
Fugaku's soul cried in despair. When I was two years old, what was I even doing?!
He glanced down at the toy top in his hands and quietly slipped it deeper into his robe, hiding it like a guilty secret.
I can't compete with this kid anymore.
"See, Daddy? I told you I wasn't lying!" Itachi looked up proudly, his round face glowing with excitement, clearly waiting for praise.
Despite being a prodigy, he was still just a little boy craving approval.
Fugaku cleared his throat and put on a dignified face. "Yes, very good. As expected of my son."
The moment he finished, the hidden toy top rolled out from his robe and spun between them before toppling to the floor.
Fugaku's face went blank.
From the doorway, Mikoto burst into laughter, unable to hold it back.
Fugaku's cheeks flushed red as he quickly changed the subject. "Ahem, Mikoto, what brings you here?"
Still smiling, she said, "Your student is here to see you."
"Student? What student?" Fugaku asked, puzzled.
"It's Minato's disciple, the one you put under genjutsu the other day."
Realization dawned. "Ah, Obito."
Curiosity stirred. He wondered what the future wielder of Kamui wanted with him.
Moments later, Fugaku entered the sitting room to find Obito kneeling stiffly on a cushion, his hands clasped nervously in his lap.
The boy stood immediately and bowed when Fugaku entered.
"What is it?" Fugaku asked as he sat down in the main seat.
Obito fidgeted. "Um… I came to thank you, Clan Head. For helping me awaken my Sharingan."
Then he trailed off, words caught in his throat. Gone was the man who would one day declare war on the world before Fugaku sat only a shy, awkward boy.
Fugaku couldn't help but smile faintly. "Think nothing of it. You already had the potential. I simply gave you the last push you needed."
Obito nodded quickly but still looked hesitant.
"What is it, another question about the Sharingan?" Fugaku asked.
The boy took a deep breath. "Actually… I have a request. It might be a bit selfish, and it may trouble you…"
"But I promise, I'll work harder than anyone!"
With that, Obito dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"Please," he said, voice trembling with sincerity, "take me as your disciple!"
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