"Shunichi, what are you…" Sasuke Uchiha asked, frowning slightly as he watched Shunichi after returning home.
"I was specially recruited into the Anbu. So I won't be training with you anymore," Shunichi replied calmly.
For an ordinary Academy student, this would have been a source of pride. But for Shunichi, it was nothing special—completely ordinary. He didn't care about such things.
Sasuke's eyes flickered with a trace of reluctance upon hearing this. Living in Konoha for so long, he couldn't help but be slightly influenced. Yet now, all his focus was on revenge. Though he envied Shunichi's status, it was more the other boy's strength that drew his admiration.
"Your skills are still weak. Train properly under the guidance of a Jonin. Once you've completed your basic ninja training, I'll show you ways to further enhance your abilities," Shunichi said, seeing through Sasuke's thoughts instantly.
Hearing this, Sasuke felt a bit embarrassed.
"Don't underestimate me. I could surpass you at any moment!" Sasuke said, his face flushed with unwillingness.
"You certainly have the talent. But whether you can make full use of it depends entirely on you," Shunichi replied.
"I won't say much more, but here's a warning: sometimes gaining strength too quickly isn't a good thing."
"I've already laid your foundations, but how far you go from here… I don't know."
Shunichi's rare words of guidance hung in the air, though he knew well that Sasuke would probably ignore them.
Sasuke fell silent for a moment, as if realizing something, then said, "Now, you can tell me how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?"
"Are you sure you want to know? Once you do, you may regret it," Shunichi replied.
"I'm sure!" Sasuke said decisively.
"It's simple, actually. You just need an extreme emotion. People often say the Senju are the clan of love, but in reality, the Uchiha feel even more intensely. Most just hide it."
"The way to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan—love, and then lose that love!"
"Of course, this isn't the only way. If you can find another way to trigger extreme emotion, it works as well."
Shunichi didn't hide anything, even sharing some of his own hypotheses.
"I see… so that's why that man…" Sasuke murmured, piecing things together from Shunichi's words.
Shunichi opened his mouth but said nothing in response.
"Don't worry. I won't pursue that kind of power. And you… are not ready yet," Sasuke said, noticing Shunichi's expression, his own face twisted with disgust.
He wasn't disgusted with Shunichi personally, but with the thoughts Shunichi revealed.
As a child, Sasuke had loved his older brother the most. But since that fateful night, the one he hated most had become his brother.
So he would never become another Itachi Uchiha.
"No, that's not my concern! Anyway, you can't defeat me yet. I just worry that if you meet Itachi, you might be killed before you even get a chance to react," Shunichi said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Instantly… Sasuke's fragile heart was severely wounded.
"What… did you just say?!"
Rage surged. His Sharingan, dormant since the night of the clan massacre, reactivated, blood-red eyes radiating intense killing intent.
"Your Sharingan should be functional now," Shunichi said casually, and Sasuke's fury dissipated like smoke.
Ignoring the complicated expression on Sasuke's face as he ran to the mirror to examine himself, Shunichi returned to his room to prepare for potential combat.
There would likely be no fights tonight, but he made thorough preparations.
He could choose to defect from Konoha, but before leaving… he would make sure those who had oppressed him paid with their lives.
Though the likelihood was slim, Shunichi was ready. If anyone crossed his boundaries before the Third Hokage's death, he would have no choice but to leave.
If everything went normally, then the Third Hokage's death—and Danzo's demise—would coincide.
Shunichi would never allow one of the perpetrators behind his clan's destruction to remain alive. Even if his own attachment to the Uchiha wasn't deep, others might not share that leniency.
...
That evening, a ninja named Amakura came to Shunichi. First, he presented the Hokage's official orders, then led him to the Anbu, where he met his two teammates.
By coincidence, they were familiar faces: Uzuki Yūgao and Gekkō Hayate.
Of course, to Shunichi, they were familiar; to Yūgao and Hayate, he was just a small rookie fresh from the Academy.
"The Hokage has likely explained everything. Your mission is important, tied directly to the village's safety," Amakura said.
"Today is your first day in the Anbu, and also your first mission. This mission will serve as your evaluation!"
"First, choose a codename, then select a mask."
In the Anbu armory, Amakura pointed to the masks lining the wall.
"Can I use my own mask?" Shunichi asked, pulling a skull-like mask from his bag. One half was pure white, the other adorned with black, tentacle-like patterns.
Amakura paused, then nodded in approval. Masks only served to hide the wearer's face; the pattern didn't matter.
"Your codename?"
"Kyō," Shunichi replied.
...
After filling out some paperwork, Shunichi officially became an Anbu of Konoha.
On the surface, he was just a fresh Academy graduate, albeit an exceptionally talented one.
But in reality, Shunichi knew that over the years, much of his growth had already been observed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Both teammates were Special Jonin, and the team leader was the sole survivor of a Wood Release experiment. This wasn't just because the mission was difficult—it was more about keeping an eye on him.
Still… such matters didn't really bother him!