CHAPTER 9

Uchiha Tunan had always been meticulous when reading, carefully analyzing each passage and integrating the knowledge into his own understanding. That night, he read late into the night, but despite his best efforts, he had only completed one-third of the book.

Realizing that he needed rest for school the next day, Uchiha Tunan turned off the lights and lay down to sleep.

Outside, the night sky was clear, the moon shining brightly over the Uchiha compound like a polished mirror.

Deep in sleep, Uchiha Tunan suddenly opened his eyes and sat up abruptly.

A strange warmth surged through his body, originating from an unknown source and spreading rapidly. An influx of ninjutsu knowledge flooded his mind, techniques and experience embedding themselves as if they had been practiced thousands of times.

His Sharingan, already activated, spun wildly, the single tomoe in each eye rotating faster and faster.

Gradually, the spinning settled, and the single tomoe evolved into two.

A satisfied smile formed on Uchiha Tunan's lips as he clenched his fists, feeling the newfound power coursing through him—strength comparable to that of a Chūnin.

Activating his Sharingan once more, he scanned his surroundings cautiously. After ensuring no one was watching, he whispered to himself:

"Finally… it happened."

He then muttered, "That should be just one… There's still another."

The intoxicating sense of power overwhelmed him. The thrill of growth, the security it provided—it was almost addictive.

Just as he was thinking about this, another wave of warmth flooded his body, this time even stronger than before.

His Sharingan spun faster again, forming a near-complete circular afterimage. More knowledge poured into his mind—battle strategies, assassination techniques, and additional ninjutsu.

He instinctively understood them all, as if he had spent years mastering them.

Great Fireball Technique (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu)

Phoenix Fire Technique (Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu)

Clone, Transformation, and Substitution Techniques (Bunshin, Henge, and Kawarimi no Jutsu)

Phoenix Fire Claw Scarlet (Katon: Hōenka no Jutsu)

Lightning Release: Groundwalk (Raiton: Shiden no Jutsu)

These were all the techniques known by his deceased parents—ordinary Uchiha shinobi who had perished on the battlefield.

Of course, alongside the jutsu, he also gained their battlefield experience—knowledge of traps, assassinations, and survival tactics.

His Sharingan continued to evolve. The tomoe spun rapidly once more, then stopped—forming a complete three-tomoe Sharingan.

In the Uchiha clan, apart from Uchiha Fugaku, few possessed the fully matured Sharingan at such a young age.

As for how he would explain this sudden evolution, Uchiha Tunan had already planned for that. He wasn't worried.

Tomorrow, he would openly display his newly evolved Sharingan.

"The grief from my parents' death awakened it."

A perfect explanation.

After all, when Uchiha Tenma had died, Uchiha Obito awakened his Sharingan.

Compared to that, the death of one's own parents was a much more reasonable catalyst.

Despite his satisfaction, he felt a hint of disappointment—his parents had been too weak.

"They should have learned more jutsu… If only they had been more powerful."

Still, his growth was undeniable. Right now, his strength was at least that of a Tokubetsu Jōnin.

But that wasn't enough.

"I can't get complacent. Kakashi became a Jōnin at twelve. A mere Tokubetsu Jōnin is nothing but elite cannon fodder in a real war."

With that final thought, Uchiha Tunan deactivated his Sharingan, his eyes returning to their usual black. He lay back down and drifted into sleep.

---

The Next Day

As usual, Uchiha Tunan made his way to the Ninja Academy.

However, before he could step through the school gates, he was stopped by Umino Naoto. Beside him stood a masked ANBU operative.

Naoto's expression was solemn as he spoke in a low voice:

"Tunan, come with the ANBU. Lord Hokage has something important to tell you."

Uchiha Tunan's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Really? Hokage-sama wants to see me again?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Umino Naoto's face—he seemed almost reluctant to deliver the news. Forcing a weak smile, he nodded.

"Yes… Let's go."

Without another word, the ANBU operative grabbed Uchiha Tunan's arm and used the Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu).

After several quick teleportations, they arrived outside the Hokage's Office.

The ANBU operative turned to him.

"Go in."

Then, without another word, the masked ninja vanished, leaving Uchiha Tunan alone at the door.

Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Tunan feigned discomfort, shook his head, and steadied himself. Then, with an eager yet hesitant expression, he pushed open the door.

Inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, his expression unusually heavy.

The sadness on his face was evident.

Uchiha Tunan's eyes sparkled with admiration, his voice trembling with restrained excitement.

"Hokage-sama!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, looking up from his paperwork, forced a small smile.

"Tunan… you're here."

His tone carried a deep sorrow, as if he was burdened with grief.

Uchiha Tunan's sharp instincts kicked in immediately.

"Something happened."

He could tell—Sarutobi was acting.

This was a calculated move, a deliberate attempt to evoke emotion.

Uchiha Tunan had done this before in his previous life, though back then, it had been to manipulate women's emotions.

"Take advantage of people at their weakest—grief brings vulnerability."

The thought crossed his mind briefly before he shifted back into his role.

With a concerned look, he took a step forward.

"Hokage-sama, what happened? Can I help?"

Sarutobi sighed deeply.

"Tunan… I need you to prepare yourself for bad news."

Hearing this, Uchiha Tunan's eyes widened in feigned shock. His breath hitched.

"It… It can't be…"

Sarutobi nodded solemnly.

"Last night, the battlefield your parents were stationed at suffered a devastating attack. The supply lines were cut off, and they were surrounded by Mist Village shinobi. Both of them… perished in battle."

"No… No, it's not possible…"

Uchiha Tunan's body trembled violently. His legs buckled as he fell to his knees. His hands clutched the floor for support, fingers digging into the wooden surface.

Tears streamed down his face.

"They were strong… They were great shinobi… How could they…?"

He slammed his fists against the ground, his sobs echoing through the office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and rose from his seat.

He reached out to comfort the boy—but suddenly paused.

He sensed it.

A surge of chakra.

Powerful. Raw. The unmistakable intensity of an awakening Sharingan.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Sarutobi's eyes.

"Did his Sharingan evolve?"

If so, this child's potential could rival even Kakashi Hatake.

He was only six years old.

Not wanting to interrupt the process, Sarutobi withdrew his hand and simply observed.

Minutes passed.

Finally, Uchiha Tunan's sobbing slowed.

His chakra stabilized.

Sarutobi gently patted the boy's back and spoke softly.

"Your parents sacrificed themselves for the village. Now, you must carry their will forward."

Slowly, Uchiha Tunan lifted his head.

His tear-filled eyes met Sarutobi's gaze.

But now, his pupils gleamed bright red, with three fully matured tomoe spinning within them.