"Here, this drumstick is for you."
Mikoto placed a freshly roasted drumstick into Chen's bowl with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Mother."
Chen responded softly. A flicker of warmth passed through his eyes—faint, fleeting—but he quickly masked it with calm indifference, as if unwilling to let himself get too close.
"Mom! I want one too!" Sasuke whined, puffing his cheeks and turning to Itachi. He felt a pang of jealousy. Despite being identical twins, it always felt like everyone paid more attention to Chen.
Why? They looked the same, had the same parents, yet the difference in treatment always nagged at him.
"Brother, you have to play hide-and-seek with me after dinner, okay? Chen never plays with me. I'm bored!" Sasuke tugged on Itachi's sleeve insistently, his tone filled with childish frustration and longing.
"Chen," Itachi turned to him with a gentle smile, "do you want to join us? Let's all play together."
"No, I'm full. I'll return to my room now."
Chen rejected the invitation flatly and stood up from the table, his voice devoid of emotion as he quietly walked off.
"Hmph! Boring guy!"
Sasuke stuck out his tongue. "Forget him, nii-san, let's go!" He jumped on Itachi's back with a grin, and Itachi effortlessly lifted him as they headed out together.
"Fugaku… do you think Chen is becoming too withdrawn?"
After the two brothers left, Mikoto looked toward her husband with worry in her eyes.
Uchiha Fugaku opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. "He's only six, yet I can't see through him at all. He never tells us what he's thinking. Unlike most children, he doesn't seek praise or attention… he doesn't even seem curious about the things other kids are fascinated by."
In his bedroom, Chen lay on the tatami mat, eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling. Silence filled the room as he let out a long, weary sigh—more fitting for an adult than a child.
"I keep telling myself not to get attached… because I know what's coming."
Chen's whisper was barely audible, but the weight of his words was heavy.
As someone who knew the original plot, Chen was fully aware of what lay ahead: the Uchiha clan's planned coup against the village. In just three years, the clan would be annihilated by none other than Uchiha Itachi—his older brother.
Chen didn't want to go through the heartbreak of losing family again. That's why, no matter how warm their smiles or gentle their words, he forced himself to remain emotionally distant.
"…I forgot to tell them about the ninja school." He smacked his forehead with a groan. The system's mission had completely slipped his mind.
"Whatever. I'll tell them tomorrow. There's still time."
Stretching his sore limbs, he muttered, "Time for a bath and some sleep. Today really drained me."
He shuffled to the bathroom, trying to quiet the swirl of thoughts in his mind.
The next morning, sunlight peeked through the paper screens. Chen sat up, rubbing his eyes and glancing around. Itachi was already gone—likely off on another mission. At only 11 years old, he had already joined the Anbu, a prodigy in every sense.
Sasuke was still asleep, sprawled out like a starfish, drooling on the futon.
After a quiet breakfast, Chen approached his father, who sat in the living room reading a mission report.
"Father, I want to enroll in the Ninja Academy."
Uchiha Fugaku lifted his gaze, surprise flickering in his usually stern eyes.
Even Mikoto, who was clearing dishes in the kitchen, paused and turned around. "Chen?"
"…Can you tell me why?" Fugaku asked after a moment of silence.
"It's too boring staying home all day. And I'm already old enough, right?" Chen said calmly, meeting Fugaku's eyes with quiet resolve.
"…I understand." Fugaku nodded. "The Academy is recruiting new students in two days. I'll take you and Sasuke together."
"Alright. I'll head out for a walk."
Chen bowed politely to both parents and stepped outside.
"Fugaku…" Mikoto started, but stopped as she saw her husband raise a hand.
"No need to say it. I know what you're thinking," Fugaku said, his voice low. "They're six now. It's time. Besides, Chen made the decision himself."
Mikoto turned to watch Chen's small figure walk away from the house. For the first time, he had asked for something—not forced, not assigned. Her heart ached with both pride and worry.
This child… Chen… this was the first time he reached out to us.
Outside, Chen walked with a slight upward tilt of his lips. The cold indifference he wore inside vanished for a fleeting second.
Chapter 5: Entering the Academy
"In two more days, I'll be starting at the Ninja Academy. That means I'll finally get to meet all the young powerhouses from the original story."
Chen's eyes lit up as he thought of the familiar names from his previous life: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyūga Hinata.
Those names weren't just classmates—they would become key figures in the history of the ninja world. Chen couldn't help but feel a ripple of excitement. "I'm really looking forward to it…"
"But first, training. I haven't tested out the Finger Gun technique I got yesterday. Let's see what it can really do."
With that, he turned and made his way toward his usual training ground.
This place was a secluded forest tucked behind the Uchiha compound. Chen had stumbled across it during a walk about a year ago. Because it was on the outskirts and close to the clan's grounds, few villagers came here, and most Uchiha didn't bother either. That made it perfect for training in secret.
Though he called it training, Chen had little to work with. He still hadn't even learned chakra refinement, the most basic step for any ninja. All he could do was physical conditioning and shuriken throwing.
But yesterday, he had acquired his first true skill from the system—Finger Gun. And today, he would finally see its power.
"Shigan!"
Chen focused all his strength into the index finger of his right hand and thrust it toward a thick tree trunk in front of him.
Pfft!
His finger sank deep into the wood with ease, punching a clean hole straight through the bark.
"Nice! It went through so easily. If this hit a person… oof, that would hurt like hell." Chen nodded in satisfaction.
He continued training as usual, his body drenched in sweat by the end of the day. When the sun began to set, he dragged his tired limbs back home for dinner.
Two Days Later
"Are you two ready? It's time to leave."
Uchiha Fugaku stood in the doorway, arms folded as he addressed Chen and Sasuke.
"Tsun, Sasuke, you're both starting the Academy today. Be sure to get along well with your classmates."
Uchiha Mikoto crouched in front of them, gently fixing their collars with motherly care.
"Understood, Mother," Chen replied plainly.
"Hmph! I'm gonna be a genius like Brother Itachi someday, so I don't need to waste time on weaklings," Sasuke scoffed proudly.
Having grown up under the proud and competitive ideology of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke had already developed a strong superiority complex. He believed, as many Uchiha did, that their bloodline was the strongest in the village—perhaps even in the world.
Idiot, Chen thought with disdain.
Even in his past life, he couldn't stand Sasuke's arrogant attitude. Always going on about revenge, yet constantly being saved by others. He talked big but wasn't even that strong early on—and still acted like the world owed him something.
That said, Sasuke's life was blessed with insane luck. First he inherited everything from Orochimaru, then gained Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan and evolved it into the Eternal Mangekyō.
And it didn't stop there. In the end, it was revealed he was the reincarnation of Indra Ōtsutsuki. With plot armor like that, it was no wonder he reached heights ordinary shinobi could never dream of.
What a cheat-level protagonist halo. Honestly enviable.
"Let's go."
Uchiha Fugaku turned toward the village, leading the way. Chen and Sasuke followed him quietly.
After a short walk through the village, the three arrived at the front gate of the Academy.
"This is it."
Fugaku stopped and turned to his sons. "Konoha's Ninja Academy."
Chen looked up at the familiar building, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. "It looks exactly like it did in the anime…"
The Academy had been established by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, during the turbulent Warring States era. Back then, it was built to train children in a structured environment, preparing them to become capable shinobi and helping stabilize the fragile peace between clans.
It was the foundation of every shinobi's path. After learning the basics—chakra control, taijutsu, ninjutsu, and teamwork—students would be assigned to squads under the guidance of a jōnin sensei and begin taking missions suited to their rank.
But more than that, it was the place where countless destinies would intertwine.
"I'll take you to your teacher. He'll guide you to your classroom," Fugaku said, stepping through the school gates. Chen and Sasuke followed silently behind.
They entered the staff office, where several instructors were chatting and reviewing documents. Among them, Chen immediately recognized a familiar face—one that made his eyes narrow.
Mizuki.
The first true antagonist of Naruto, and the one who manipulated Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals. He looked younger now, less worn down, but Chen's memories were sharp.
"Lord Fugaku!"
The teachers all stood in respect, acknowledging the head of the Uchiha clan.