Uchiha Souji was moments away from drowning his fear in bottles of Happy Water when, across the village, another child was starting his day.
Uchiha Itachi slowly sat up from his bed, quietly folded his blanket, washed his face, and walked into the living room for breakfast.
Just as he reached for his food, he lifted his head—
—and saw his father staring at him with an expression Itachi had never seen before.
A look filled with disappointment.
A look filled with… resentment?
Itachi blinked.
This isn't right. Something is wrong.
Yesterday, Fugaku proudly called him "my son, my pride."
Today, Fugaku was looking at him as if he had committed a crime.
This was new even for Itachi, who rarely showed emotion.
Remaining calm, he asked,
"Father… what's wrong?"
He glanced at the clock while speaking.
He hadn't woken up late. It was the same time he always woke up—early, efficient, disciplined.
But Fugaku's voice was cold.
"Why are you so lazy today? Getting up this late… unacceptable."
Itachi stared blankly.
Late? This is the time I always wake up.
He gathered his thoughts and answered honestly:
"Because this is my usual hour."
Fugaku clicked his tongue.
"Talent alone is not enough. If you want to become an excellent patriarch in the future, you must surpass others, not match them. From now on—"
He paused dramatically.
Then said:
"Get up at four o'clock."
Itachi nearly choked on air.
When did ninjas become this competitive?!
It used to be "do more than others."
Now it was "wake up earlier than the overachieving children who wake up at three."
Fugaku had seen Souji training at 3 a.m.
But Itachi didn't know that.
Itachi scratched his head. He didn't argue; he rarely did. Among the Uchiha, respect for elders ran deep. A child arguing with a father was unthinkable.
He nodded.
"I understand, Father."
Fugaku continued.
"You start school tomorrow. There will be a boy named Uchiha Souji. Pay attention to him."
He gave Itachi a knowing look.
He believed his son's sharp mind would understand what he implied:
Get close to him. Be allies. Build trust.
Itachi frowned slightly.
So my sudden training change is connected to this Souji?
In that case…
Itachi mentally complained.
You little brat Souji… what kind of monster are you? Why are you training like your life depends on it at age seven?
Itachi silently vowed to show Souji the difference between a natural genius and a hardworking child.
He nodded calmly.
"Yes, Father."
Fugaku added quickly:
"And stop following that brat Shisui everywhere. He'll influence you badly."
Itachi's cold face twitched.
I'm six years old. Can't I have one friend? Just one? Why does every person I like get disapproved by you? First Shisui… now Souji?
---
Across the Village — Souji Prepares for School
Meanwhile, Uchiha Souji was in his backyard, packing for his first day of the Ninja Academy.
He placed simple equipment into his bag—wooden kunai, notebooks, snacks, and a few essentials.
He touched his forehead and sighed.
Ninjas often got injured, but medical treatment was expensive.
And medical ninjas were ruthless.
If you didn't have money, they squeezed your waist in the middle of the night to "encourage" payment.
Souji shuddered.
---
Morning came quickly.
Souji walked behind Fugaku toward the school, keeping a respectful distance.
But something felt wrong.
His back tingled—like someone was burning a hole into his head with their eyes.
He turned slightly.
And there was Uchiha Itachi, staring at him unblinkingly from behind.
Souji broke into cold sweat.
Why is he looking at me like that? Did I offend him in a past life? Does he know I plan to run away before the massacre?!
He didn't understand that Itachi was observing him for a different reason.
To Itachi, Souji's behavior was impressive.
The boy didn't speak, didn't show fear, didn't try to flatter Itachi, and didn't even pretend to be friendly.
He simply walked with quiet dignity, expression cold but steady.
Itachi observed Souji secretly, hiding his presence.
Yet Souji turned his head at the perfect moment each time.
He noticed… again?
Itachi felt something warm spark in his chest.
This boy is… interesting.
Itachi had been on a battlefield, survived bloodshed, learned to hide his presence, mastered silence.
If this ordinary-looking child could sense him multiple times…
Itachi couldn't help thinking:
"He might be a hidden genius… just like me."
Meanwhile, Souji was panicking:
Why is the god of murder staring at me like I owe him money?!
He kept quiet, maintaining the same cold expression.
This only deepened Itachi's misunderstanding.
---
At the School Gate — A Familiar Rival Appears
As Fugaku walked, he was thinking about the Ninja Academy with his usual sternness.
Then—
A voice interrupted him from behind:
"Clan Head Fugaku sending his children to school? This year the Uchiha clan seems full of talent."
Fugaku instantly plastered on a polite yet smug smile.
He turned.
Behind him stood Hyuga Hiashi, accompanied by two small Hyuga children.
Fugaku clapped Hiashi on the shoulder with exaggerated friendliness.
"It's been too long, Hiashi!"
Hiashi's mouth twitched.
Do not touch me. Do we look close enough for shoulder touching?!
What if Hokage saw?
What if someone misunderstood?
He did NOT want rumors circulating about him being friendly with the Uchiha clan.
Hiashi subtly shook his shoulder to free it.
"Ahem… it's only been a few days," he replied stiffly.
Then his gaze shifted to the two small boys beside Fugaku.
Hiashi's face twitched hard.
These children are too young. WAY too young.
The Uchiha clan really had no shame.
Sending such tiny carrot-headed kids into the Academy?
This wasn't Ninja School.
This was daycare.
---
While the adults exchanged silent insults, Souji stood stiffly like a statue.
Itachi stood beside him, watching him with quiet interest.
And Souji wondered:
When did the ninja world become so crazy? Why is everyone staring? Why is this happening to me?
He just wanted to go to school quietly.
He just wanted to survive.
But Uchiha destiny had other plans.