Despite everything, Sakumo Hatake was the leader of the Anbu. His ability to redirect attention was as sharp as ever.
"The real problem now is you, Kaien," he said, his tone becoming uncertain. "Your body's condition isn't looking good. You've overdrawn your strength, and your vitality is running dangerously low. Your life right now... is like a candle flickering in the wind."
Sakumo paused, glancing at the boy's pale face.
"In most cases like this, those who inherit kekkei genkai often develop what's called a bloodline disease. The Kaguya clan is a classic example."
"This usually happens to exceptionally gifted children. If they don't die young, they often become rare elite forces in their village..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but even the children present understood what he left unsaid.
You'll die.
Awakening the Sharingan at such a young age wasn't necessarily a blessing. Without a strong enough body to carry it, the Sharingan would only become a burden.
To possess overwhelming spirit but not the means to control it—forcing that energy to grow unchecked—was a path to collapse.
Minato's expression tightened. Panic flickered in his eyes.
So that's why… Kaien trained so hard but always looked listless in class. He'd sensed something was off.
"Is there... is there any way to fix this, Sakumo-san?" Minato asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"You've seen so much—there must be something you can do!"
"I'm sorry," Sakumo said with genuine regret. "When it comes to the bloodline clans... even they haven't found a good solution. For someone like me, there's only so much I can do."
Minato's face darkened.
That day, when Kaien first talked about his dream—to survive—was that truly all he meant?
Had he already realized something was wrong back then?
For the second time in his young life, Minato felt utterly powerless.
"That's why, really, you don't need to worry about me so much," Kaien said, flashing a faint smile.
"It's not that bad. As long as I don't push my chakra too hard, I just end up feeling a little sluggish, that's all."
"Besides—I already told you, didn't I? My dream is to live, Minato!"
"I haven't given up on myself. I'll find a way. And right now, I'm still fine, aren't I?"
"I didn't want to worry everyone, but... I guess Sakumo-san saw through it anyway."
As Kaien spoke, he glanced at the system panel and noticed a large boost in [affection].
With his objective reached, he decided it was time to comfort Minato a little.
His bright, unshakable smile left Minato momentarily stunned.
Right. Kaien hadn't given up on himself.
There had to be a powerful jutsu out there that could help him.
Medical ninjutsu!
Lady Tsunade, a master of the art, might be able to slow the condition—or even cure it outright!
And if she couldn't… then he'd learn it himself.
He'd create a jutsu that could heal bloodline diseases!
Sakumo's next words brought Minato some hope.
"Kaien's condition isn't too far gone just yet. If he trains with me in the Way of the Blade, he may be able to better control his spirit. It might help in unexpected ways."
After all, Kaien had only displayed a single-tomoe Sharingan.
In Sakumo's eyes, the imbalance came from excess spirit putting pressure on a too-weak body—but if Kaien could master that energy, the danger might disappear entirely.
As long as the bloodline disease hadn't shown clear symptoms yet…
Of course, if Sakumo had seen the real Kaien—the one with his three-tomoe Sharingan hidden behind [Weakness Camouflage]—he probably wouldn't be speaking so optimistically.
Three tomoe at seven years old? Without extremely powerful yang release to balance it out, he'd already be a dead man walking.
Still, mastering his spirit was undoubtedly a valid path.
At its root, the bloodline disease came from a mismatch between one's trait and the power they carried—when the vessel couldn't bear the weight, it began to crack.
But if Kaien could control that power… wouldn't that solve the problem entirely?
Kaien's eyes lit up.
Sakumo's idea had real merit.
The Uchiha clan's Yin Release secret techniques focused on enhancing the spirit to strengthen ocular power—but they never spent much time on controlling it.
After all, more power meant stronger Sharingan. Why worry about control?
To most Uchiha, raw intent was enough to overwhelm an enemy. Compared to that, mastering subtle control seemed... unnecessary.
But to someone who practiced swordsmanship, control of intent wasn't optional—it was essential.
"Then please, Sakumo-san," Kaien said, bowing earnestly. "I'll rely on you."
"Of course," Sakumo replied. "Watching Konoha's future fade away... I couldn't stand by and do nothing."
...
After their first training session, Kaien returned home feeling unusually energized.
If Blade training could help him suppress and channel his spirit, then what about his spear arts?
Kaien suddenly remembered the Dan Heng template he'd drawn at the start.
Because it only came with two spear techniques—Cloud Cavalry Spear Arts – North Wind and Cloud Cavalry Spear Arts – Swift Rain—he hadn't taken the template too seriously. He mostly treated it as a way to awaken his wind affinity, and his spear training had been half-hearted.
With most of his time going into taijutsu and ninjutsu, the spear arts had been neglected.
That would have to change.
He'd start practicing in earnest.
Kaien made a quiet note to himself.
Just as he was about to lie down and digest his dinner, someone knocked at the door.
Who could it be, this late at night?
Still puzzled, Kaien got up and answered it.
No matter who it was, it was always worth keeping things friendly—you never know when someone's useful.
But the person outside the door was… unexpected.
Uchiha Kagami.
Kaien quickly ran through his memories and confirmed the match.
"Kagami-san?"
From what he recalled, this man had been very close with his father.
"Yes, it's me, Kaien. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come see you."
"I still haven't found out the truth behind your parents' deaths."
Guilt weighed heavily in Kagami's voice as he looked at the well-mannered boy before him.
"That's alrigh. I'm already grateful you even tried."
Kaien said it with a smile—but Kagami could feel the sadness behind his words.
Such a good child… He should've had a happy life. But in one night, he lost everything.
While Kagami was still caught in that thought, he suddenly noticed something strange.
Kaien's eyes shimmered red, a single tomoe spinning slowly in each.
The aura they gave off was... unsettling.
Of course it was. A Sharingan born of loss and hatred wasn't going to be serene and calm.
Later, after being moved by the care and support of his comrades, the malevolence in his eyes would fade—and wouldn't that only deepen their attachment to him?
Perfect.
"Is that... the Sharingan?!"
Kagami was stunned speechless by the eerie glow in the eyes of the seven-year-old in front of him.
"Teach me how to use it, Kagami-san."
Children could be bold, especially when they knew the other person carried guilt.
Strengthening his bond with Kagami, making the man used to his presence—Kaien saw the shifts in Kagami's expression: shock, then warmth, then pity.
He was definitely filling in the blanks with his own assumptions.
"Let me be the one to uncover the truth behind it all," Kaien said softly.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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