CHAPTER 2:
Days passed since the disaster that shook Konoha to its core. The village was still recovering from the destruction left by the Nine-Tails' rampage. I had been placed in an orphanage, along with many other children who had lost their families that night. Life here wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Food was given at set times, the caretakers did their best, but resources were stretched thin. I learned quickly that the world I had been reborn into was one of hardship and survival.
And then Danzo, in his infinite wisdom—or rather, his twisted sense of control—spread the news about Naruto being the vessel of the Nine-Tails. This was all part of his grand scheme, no doubt, ensuring that the village's hatred would mold Naruto into a perfect weapon.
The kid, from this day forward, would live in a hellish existence, shunned and hated for something he never asked for. Not that I would stand by and do nothing, but I also knew my limits. I was still a child in this world, and I needed power before I could do anything.
Time moved on, and I was now seven years old. That meant one thing—I was finally enrolling in the Ninja Academy.
The orphanage had arranged for me to start, and as I walked through the academy's entrance, I took a deep breath. This was the first true step toward becoming a shinobi. And to no one's surprise—though I still found it amusing—I found myself in the same class as Itachi Uchiha and other noble clan children.
Seeing the kids of prestigious clans up close was an interesting experience. They carried themselves with confidence, some with arrogance, others with a quiet presence. It was clear that these children had been trained from an early age.
I sat quietly, observing everyone. And then, unexpectedly, my eyes met with Itachi's.
For a moment, neither of us looked away.
Itachi's mind was likely running through possibilities. "Who is this Uchiha?" I could practically hear his thoughts.
As for me? My only thought was, Whoa, that's Itachi for you. His gaze is really different from other kids. I wonder why... I mean, I already know he's a genius, but damn, I'm jealous.
He wasn't just a prodigy in strength; his presence alone felt different. His eyes weren't those of a typical child. There was depth to them, an awareness beyond his years.
Our silent exchange was interrupted when the instructor entered the room.
"Settle down," he ordered, and the class complied quickly.
He did a simple roll call, going through each name with little fanfare. Once that was over, he gave a brief introduction about the academy and what to expect in our training. Afterward, he dismissed us to explore the grounds and get familiar with our new environment.
As I wandered alone, minding my own business, I began to notice a few things. Mainly, I was garnering some attention—specifically from some of the girls in the class. It was a strange feeling, being watched like that. But given my appearance, I supposed it made sense.
I had pale skin, short dark hair, and sharp black eyes. My resemblance to Illumi Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter was uncanny. It made sense that I would stand out.
Still, I ignored the attention and continued exploring the academy on my own. That's when I stumbled upon an interesting scene in the backyard of the school.
A group of noble clan children had gathered around a single figure—Itachi.
I leaned against a nearby railing, watching from above. It wasn't hard to figure out what was happening. These kids were attempting to assert dominance over the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, most likely fueled by jealousy or insecurity.
Itachi, of course, remained composed, not reacting to their taunts.
Then, one of them made a move.
Big mistake.
Before I could even blink, Itachi dispatched them effortlessly. His movements were precise, efficient, and controlled. He didn't waste any unnecessary energy. The kids who tried to attack him lay groaning on the ground, completely outmatched.
I smirked slightly and clapped. "That's an Uchiha for you."
Itachi's body tensed, and his head snapped up. His dark eyes locked onto mine, and for the second time today, our gazes met.
His expression didn't change, but I could tell he was thinking something along the lines of, How did I not sense him up there?
I simply smirked and leaned against the railing, unbothered.
It seemed like my presence had already caught his attention.
Chapter End.