Handsome features, sharp yet still youthful facial lines,the distinctive clan clothing adorned with the Uchiha crest—Nara Kazuki recognized him instantly.
The future man who would slaughter his own clan,and become one of the most controversial figures in the shinobi world.
Itachi Uchiha — a name no one could avoid discussing."Healthy Itachi," the ideal fans longed for."Clan Killer Itachi," a never-ending battlefield of arguments.Some said Itachi's actions were justified, forced by Danzo's manipulation.Others simply called him insane: murdering everyone,sparing only his little brother,and still having the nerve to say it was all "for the good of the clan."
The debates online could practically break out into real fights.
Right now,Itachi was just a little kid —hadn't even entered the Ninja Academy yet.
The legend of Healthy Itachi or the tragedy of Clan Killer Itachi —both were still far off.
"You're Uchiha Itachi, right?Good taste, kid — three-colored dango is top-tier food!"Kazuki grinned brightly,even giving young Itachi a friendly pat on the shoulder.
To be fair,the Uchiha Clan still carried some fame in Konoha,as one of its founding clans.Though Madara Uchiha, twisted by Black Zetsu's schemes,cared more about his Hashirama obsession than his own bloodline.
As the son of Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head,Itachi naturally had some reputation already.
Today, however,Kazuki didn't see any typical Uchiha guards trailing behind Itachi.Which meant...
"Yes.Three-colored dango is very delicious,"little Itachi replied earnestly.
At that moment, a gentle woman came walking over,holding two skewers of dango.
When she spotted Kakashi and Kazuki, she paused briefly —then smiled warmly, recognizing them.
"See that, Kakashi?I told you!You're the one who doesn't know how to appreciate good dango,"Kazuki smirked proudly at Kakashi.
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes twitched —he wanted to punch this guy.
How many plates of barbecue did you eat at the Akimichi grillhouse?!You could have bought a whole dango shop with that money!
"Mikoto-san."Kakashi and Kazuki both respectfully greeted her.
Uchiha Mikoto —wife of Fugaku,mother of Itachi,and one of the rare gentle souls within the Uchiha.
Although the Uchiha were being surveilled and marginalized inside Konoha,the political climate had slightly improved since the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had taken office.
Fugaku, pragmatic as ever, was trying to realign with Konoha's leadership.Mikoto, understanding her husband's ambitions, was thus very friendly toward Kakashi —and by extension, toward Kazuki as well.
Watching this gentle mother and her still-innocent son,Kazuki couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
The Uchiha's cursed fate stemmed from the Sharingan's very nature—their emotions were their strength,but also their downfall.
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju had viewed them with suspicion,an attitude subtly inherited by Hiruzen Sarutobi.Only Minato had remained unbiased, treating the Uchiha fairly.
Had Minato lived longer,perhaps the Uchiha tragedy could have been averted.
Soon enough, Mikoto led Itachi home —no doubt back to Fugaku's strict training regimen.
"Uchiha Clan..."Kazuki sighed inwardly.
For now, the Uchiha could still breathe freely.But once the Fourth Hokage fell,the death knell would begin to toll.
He was lost in thought —and didn't notice Kakashi sneakily buying up every last skewer of dango,leaving Kazuki weeping as he paid the bill.
But a promise was a promise.
Even if he was broke,Kazuki honored his word.
That night,after dragging himself back to the Nara Clan compound,Kazuki immediately resumed training.
The Great Fireball Technique was progressing well —but reaching the next upgrade threshold still required time.
The Shadow Possession Technique was in a similar state.
There was no shortcut.
True power demanded relentless effort.
The lack of a shortcut made Kazuki even more desperate for one thing:Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Training efficiency would skyrocket if he could clone himself.
Just as Kazuki finished another intense chakra cycle and dragged himself back to his room,he was greeted by Uncle Suzaku standing at the door.
"Uncle Suzaku!"Kazuki immediately bowed politely —wearing the same face he used when he bombed an exam as a kid.
Suzaku chuckled quietly but restrained himself,then handed Kazuki a scroll.
Kazuki took it curiously —and froze when he read the title:
Minato had actually followed through.
Back during the card games,Minato had mentioned wanting to teach Kazuki a personal technique.Kazuki had politely declined at the time,suspecting it was Rasengan.He didn't expect Minato to still send it over anyway.
"Looks like I'll have to master the 'Light Wheel Ice Lolly Spiral Hair Jiraiya Twin-Style Orb' after all..."
In Minato's notes,the Rasengan had originally been given an absurdly long, ridiculous name.Only thanks to Kushina's intervention had it been shortened to the elegant "Rasengan."
Otherwise, every time Naruto used it in the future,he'd have had to yell:
"Light Wheel Ice Lolly Spiral Hair Jiraiya Twin-Style Orb!!"
Kazuki shuddered just thinking about it.
"...Uncle Suzaku, can I start learning Shadow Clone Jutsu?"Kazuki asked eagerly, rubbing his hands together.
With all these techniques piling up,he desperately needed a way to keep up.