Chapter 4: Seeds of Ruthless Growth
Konoha Year 39
Setsuna Uchiha's House
In the inner circle of the Uchiha clan compound stood a large, traditional Japanese-style house. This residence, both grand and serene, often served as a meeting ground for the radical elders of the clan.
Inside, a single child—no older than one—played quietly. His jet-black eyes shimmered with a strange, calculating light that did not belong in a child's eyes.
It had been a full year since his birth. On the surface, Yami Uchiha appeared no different from any other toddler, but beneath that mask was a mind that never slept, he had been continuously sensing and studying the various energies around him.
' Tch… My soul's still too fractured. Just sensing chakra and other energy's exhausts me more than it should. I wasted too much on surviving that place.'
The toll of surviving in the Absolute Void had left deep scars on his soul. Much of his soul energy had been used for survival and escape and needed time to recover, and his abilities remained partially restricted. Full access to his skills would take another 10 to 15 years of natural healing.
His [All of Existence] ability, a sub-skill of [World Seeker], had a range of 100 meters centered on his body. Within this field, he could perceive visual and auditory information, energy signatures, physical weaknesses, and relative power levels. He could even generate a 3D mental map of his surroundings.
With [All of Creation], a sub-skill of [Evolution Singularity], he had recently begun to comprehend aspects of solar radiation. This marked his first step toward independence. His body had started to absorb basic solar energy, like photons. Though he couldn't weaponize this energy yet, he had begun using it to sustain and enhance his physical form. He no longer needed food or water—solar energy sufficed.
' Efficient. Sustainable. Evolution through light. Even before I fight... I am winning.'
Though he could not yet unleash energy blasts or defensive constructs, the absorbed solar energy enhanced his physical structure. His muscles, bones, and neural system were already far beyond the average Uchiha child.
His [Living Paradox] skill remained weakened but functional. It could still heal minor to moderately serious injuries, though not yet at the atomic level. It also ensured survival through paradoxical regeneration—if he were ever killed or erased, the skill could rebirth or reincarnate him. His survival was assured.
' I can't rely on that skill. Not until I've recovered fully. Until then, stealth and learning are my weapons.'
---
Following his mother Ren's death, a quiet funeral had been held. She was laid to rest beside her husband, Kaito. That was likely her final wish.
After her passing, many Uchiha clansmen came to console Setsuna, reminding him to cherish the life of his newborn grandson. Yami, however, remained hyper-aware. He noticed two individuals constantly monitoring him—Jonin-level shinobi, based on their chakra signatures. Most likely, they were bodyguards appointed by Setsuna to guard against assassination attempts by Danzo or the Third Hokage. After all, the chaos of war provided perfect cover for such deeds.
His suspicions proved true. In the past year, someone had indeed attempted to assassinate him. The assassin committed suicide before interrogation. It was likely that Danzo had already begun laying the groundwork for his secret Root organization.
From the knowledge he had gathered, Setsuna intended to begin training him at age three. Extracting chakra before that could harm his body and spirit.
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One night, while Setsuna visited his room, Yami faked sleep. Setsuna sat by his bedside and spoke softly, unaware of the awake mind beneath the blanket.
"You are the last light of your father's fire, boy… Kaito was a fool, but he was our fool. They broke your mother too. Konoha will try to smother you like they did him. But I swear on the Uchiha name—you'll burn brighter than Madara."
Yami remained still, but internally, his thoughts sharpened.
' Madara? That's the scale you're measuring me against? Then I'll break that scale.'
As Setsuna left the room, Yami's fingers curled reflexively around the edge of the blanket—his body still tethered to infant instinct, even if his mind had long since moved beyond it
---
Konoha Year 40
Another year passed. Yami was now two years old.
From his surveillance and overheard clan talk, he estimated his age matched Kakashi Hatake.
That meant the Nine-Tails Rebellion would occur when he turned 14 or 15. Itachi would likely be born in 6–7 years, and Shisui either had just been born or would be within a year. Minato and Kushina were about 12–13 years old. The Third Hokage was likely around 44, still in his prime.
Thanks to his absorption of solar energy over the past year, Yami's physical strength now matched that of a third- or fourth-year academy student. The ninja academy had a five-year curriculum, with entry at age five. For now, students weren't pressured to graduate early—that practice would likely begin during the Third Ninja War.
His predictions aligned with the whispers of war. The Second Shinobi World War was at its peak. Funeral ceremonies became frequent in the Uchiha district as shinobi perished on distant battlefields.
Kato Dan, Tsunade's lover, had not yet died, but Yami suspected he would perish by the war's end. Tsunade's younger brother Nawaki had already been killed.
Nawaki had died in front of Orochimaru, the strongest of the Sannin at the time. The killer had used an explosive tag and then committed suicide.
' Just like the man who tried to kill me last year.'
This pattern screamed Danzo. Eliminating Nawaki, a prime Hokage candidate and Senju heir, served Danzo's ambitions. The Third Hokage turned a blind eye—after all, Nawaki's removal secured his continued grip on power.
Yami saw the political rot spreading in Konoha. He understood he needed to grow stronger—and fast. The power games played by the elders were far more vicious than battlefield combat.
Kato Dan would likely be Danzo's next target. As Tsunade's lover and hokage candidate, he held sway with the remnants of the Senju. With Dan's death, Tsunade would abandon the village in grief, and Orochimaru—angered by the loss of Nawaki, his student—would begin his descent into darkness.
Yami processed these dark truths with clinical precision. The village that praised peace and unity was rife with betrayal,
He could hear Setsuna discussing these things in hushed tones with other elders. They knew or should I say guessed about nawaki's death but lacked proof.
Yami knew it wasn't just about politics—it was about survival. He had no intention of being another sacrificial pawn in Konoha's balancing act.
---
He continued to train in secret, testing his muscle strength, flexibility, and chakra sensitivity during the quiet hours of the night.
Though he couldn't form chakra externally yet, his body was almost ready for it.
As he watched funeral after funeral in the clan, one thought settled permanently in his mind:
' This world isn't cruel—it's logical. The weak die. The useful live. The strong decide what is right.'
He stared at the sky through the open ceiling beams.
' Let them call me a monster... I will not break like my mother. I will not die like my father. I will not kneel like the clan.'
'They will kneel to me. If not in loyalty… then in ruin.'
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Word Count: ~1,360 words
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