Konoha Year 50.
Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Congratulations, Clan Head! Congratulations! The rise of the Uchiha is just around the corner!"
"That's right! Itachi graduated after only one year in the Academy. He's no less impressive than Hatake Kakashi."
"Haha! The strongest clan in Konoha still has to be our Uchiha!"
Inside the home of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, cups were raised and wine flowed freely.
Voices of praise and celebration rang out without end.
Today was the day Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, graduated.
After enrolling for only a single year, Itachi had already graduated early and become a genin. Such outstanding performance was enough to crown him the number one prodigy of the Uchiha clan. Naturally, the clan members had gathered to celebrate.
"Uchiha Itachi? Heh."
Uchiha Akihito let out a disdainful sneer.
He didn't step forward to join the excitement. Instead, he remained alone in a corner, his thoughts drifting.
Uchiha Itachi's reputation as a genius was well deserved.
Unfortunately, he did not share the same heart as the Uchiha. He had been excessively indoctrinated by the Will of Fire.
It was said that during his graduation ceremony today, Hiruzen Sarutobi had even praised him, saying he could "think like a Hokage at the age of seven."
To others, that remark might have sounded like Sarutobi's intention to groom Itachi as the next Hokage.
The Uchiha clan thought so as well. Many even believed the position of the next Hokage was practically secured.
But Akihito knew better.
As a disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have mastered Tobirama's Water Release or forbidden techniques, but when it came to policies targeting the Uchiha, he had absorbed the essence completely—surpassing even his master.
Tobirama had merely been wary of the Uchiha.
The Konoha leadership represented by Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, harbored deep suspicion and fear toward them.
Since Tobirama's time, the Uchiha had been labeled as a clan "born evil."
Given that, how could Hiruzen possibly pass the Hokage position to an Uchiha—one deemed "inherently evil"?
"Uchiha Itachi… the famed filial son."
Akihito cast one last glance at Itachi, surrounded by the crowd, before turning and leaving.
If not for Fugaku's personal invitation, he wouldn't have attended such a meaningless celebration.
As an elite jōnin of the Uchiha clan and the Vice Captain of the Police Force, his status within the clan was far from low.
Stepping outside, he looked back at the brightly lit hall and muttered to himself:
"There's not much time left. I have to act soon."
…
Deep within the Uchiha compound stood a delicate two-story house.
This was Akihito's home.
Sitting cross-legged, Akihito struggled to suppress the excitement in his heart.
"Today should be the day I awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?"
"System."
He called out silently in his mind.
Immediately, a mysterious light screen appeared within his consciousness.
[Fire Release Chakra Mode (Proficiency: 47.2%)]
[Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Proficiency: 99.9%)]
[Konoha-Style Taijutsu (Proficiency: 74.3%)]
[Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu (Proficiency: 92.5%)]
The interface was simple and straightforward—just four lines.
The system's function was equally simple: when any skill reached 100% proficiency, it would automatically evolve.
His Fire Release Chakra Mode had evolved from his primary cultivation of the Uchiha clan's Fire Release ninjutsu.
The ability was somewhat like the Flame-Flame Fruit from the world of pirates—one that not even dogs would bother to eat.
"Sharingan."
Staring at the nearly full proficiency of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Akihito gave a soft shout.
As chakra flowed through his body, his pupils rapidly transformed.
Three black tomoe appeared, revolving slowly around a central black point.
"As expected, today's the day I unlock the Mangekyō."
Feeling the strain on his ocular power and chakra consumption after activating the Sharingan, Akihito grinned.
"Sixteen years have passed. At last, he's about to obtain this forbidden power."
The Mangekyō Sharingan—invincible beneath the Kage tier.
Below Kage level, all were but ants.
As long as he didn't encounter a cheat-level powerhouse like Pain, the Mangekyō Sharingan would allow him to walk the ninja world unhindered.
With that thought, a trace of arrogance rose uncontrollably in his heart.
"No. I can't grow conceited. So what if it's Kage level? By the Fourth Great Ninja War, even Kage-level fighters are just cannon fodder! What am I thinking?"
Akihito quickly shook his head, snapping himself out of the swelling pride. A chill ran through him.
The power of the Sharingan was indeed formidable—but it was also dangerously intoxicating.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this power that the Uchiha clan had grown so arrogant, ultimately marching toward their own destruction.
"Changing the fate of the Uchiha clan… that's a heavy responsibility."
Coming back to his senses, Akihito sighed.
Having personally experienced this power, he could deeply understand the pride within the hearts of the Uchiha.
"In a one-on-one fight, flee on sight."
That phrase was the most honest description of the Sharingan's power—and a consensus among ninja.
Only six years remained until the Night of Extermination.
Within those six years, he had to find a way to save the Uchiha.