The year is 41 of the Leaf, February 1st. It has been 3 years and 4 months since the birth of the child named Uchiha Tatsuki.
The New Year had just passed, and the people who had survived the Second Shinobi World War, after celebrating a festive New Year, once again immersed themselves in their busy ninja work as the new year came to an end.
The pain of war might still linger, but life goes on. Everyone strives for a better tomorrow.
At this moment, in a room within the vast Uchiha Mansion in the upper district of Konohagakure, there is also someone striving for that better tomorrow.
“The energy contained within the human body is called bodily energy, and the energy contained within the human soul is called spiritual energy.”
In a spacious Japanese-style room, various books lined the shelves around the room, and in the center of the room, a young boy sat kneeling at a small wooden table, quietly listening to the black-haired noblewoman dressed in a white kimono adorned with red flame patterns. She stood in front of a blackboard, explaining basic ninja knowledge to him.
“The product of evenly mixing bodily energy and spiritual energy is called 'physical strength', which is the energy used to perform the three ninja arts of taijutsu.”
“The energy transformed within the body from physical strength using Chakra Concentration Technique is called Chakra, which is the energy used to perform ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.”
The woman speaking pointed to the diagram on the blackboard as she spoke.
“Those who fight using ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu with physical strength and Chakra are called shinobi!”
After finishing her explanation, the woman looked at the boy who sat up straight and said, “I've explained these basic concepts and the principles of Chakra Concentration Technique. Tatsuki, do you understand? Don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions!”
Uchiha Tatsuki, this is the boy born over three years ago. Though he has just turned three, he has already begun receiving basic ninja education.
“Yes, I understand, Grandma. I understand everything. Are we going to start formally refining Chakra now?”
The person teaching the young boy basic ninja knowledge is Uchiha Aya, the mother of the deceased Uchiha Tatsuki, the mother-in-law of Uchiha Mochizuki, and Tatsuki’s grandmother.
Though she is now a grandmother, she is actually only 45 years old. Thanks to the power of shinobi and her good health, she appears even younger, looking like she’s in her 30s.
“No rush. Grandma’s job is to teach you basic literacy and ninja knowledge. Your grandfather has invited a great figure to teach you about Chakra refinement and the fundamental basic ninja skills.”
Children like this boy, before receiving formal ninja education—basic literacy, basic ninja knowledge—are generally taught by a female ninja relative.
These female ninja, either retired or still active, possess the necessary skills, and with their natural care and gentleness, they are excellent choices for preschool teachers.
However, this is only the first stage of preschool education. The second stage of preschool education, where they undergo formal ninja training, such as Chakra refinement, basic taijutsu, ninjutsu, and so on, is usually done by gathering Uchiha children together and assigning a dedicated ninja to them.
But there are exceptions. As the woman's words suggest, the boy's case seems to be a special one, with a dedicated teacher hired by the family elders for guidance, which is a difference between a public school and a private tutor.
“You'll love the new teacher, Tatsuki. Look forward to it!”
The woman, calling for the maids standing nearby to tidy up the blackboard stand, lastly instructed the young boy, “That’s all for today's lesson. It’s still some time before lunch. Tatsuki, you can review what you learned today or play in the courtyard, but be careful!”
“Yes, I know. Goodbye, Grandma!”
After the woman smiled at the boy with affection, she turned around and left the room with the two maids.
As the woman’s back and the flame fan family crest on her kimono gradually disappeared with the closing of the door, the boy who had been sitting up straight suddenly slumped his shoulders and lay down.
“Uchiha, huh?”
The young boy, Uchiha Tatsuki, sighed lightly in his heart, his thoughts drifting.
There is no doubt that Uchiha Tatsuki is a time traveler, transported from another world to the current world of shinobi with their unique abilities.
As a hugely popular shonen anime, Naruto is still very much in his memory.
He had even fantasized about being transported to the world of Naruto.
However, when he actually traveled to this world, especially as an Uchiha, it left him bewildered for a while.
But now, it’s been four years since he came to this world, and he has already come to terms with reality.
After all, overall, his new identity is quite good in this harsh ninja world.
The Uchiha, a clan with bloodline limits, are inherently stronger than ordinary shinobi in this world where bloodlines determine everything.
Not to mention, this bloodline limit is the most important kekkei genkai: the dojutsu.
After all, everyone knows Naruto is also known as the legend of the eyes.
Though being born into the Uchiha clan comes with many trials, especially the 'clan massacre', which is something all time travelers born as Uchiha must try their best to overcome.
Fortunately, his arrival time is perfect. Though it’s not during the long peaceful period before the First Shinobi World War, neither is it right before or after the clan massacre, which is already better than many of his fellow time travelers.
His birthdate: October 19th, Year 37 of the Leaf. Although there is a downside to being “born during the Second War, graduating right before the Third War”, being in this era of turmoil and heroes allows him to experience exhilarating times.
Being a contemporary of Kakashi, participating in the Third War alongside Namikaze Minato, witnessing the darkness of Uchiha Obito in the Third War, the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident…
These are just a few examples. He’s about to experience these vague events in the original work firsthand, how could this not be exciting?
Of course, to survive these brutal events, and thrive, requires immense strength.
Unfortunately, after three years, Tatsuki has confirmed one thing: he doesn't have the system that is almost a standard for time travelers, making his survival in this foreign world more challenging.
However, Tatsuki doesn't really mind.
Because for the Uchiha, their eyes are already like a cheat code.
Especially his eyes, which even without the “system” as a cheat code, allows him to proactively pursue excitement, dare to yearn for this era of turmoil and heroes despite its inherent dangers, and even have the confidence to swear in his heart to change the Uchiha’s fate, to rewrite the course of history.
“Natural Mangekyo Sharingan!”
Uchiha Tatsuki opened his eyes, and within his black pupils, a crimson pentagram slowly rotated.
It’s not the eyes of the ordinary Uchiha, the ones that need awakening and evolution through various stages, from the single tomoe, to the double tomoe, the three tomoe, and finally the Mangekyo Sharingan. His is a natural Mangekyo Sharingan.
………………
PS: The picture is of Uzumaki Mito. Uchiha Aya looks roughly like this, but her hair color, and the decorations on her clothes, are more Uchiha-style.