Autumn, Year 44 of the Hidden Leaf (Konoha)Uchiha Settlement, Above Nanga Shrine
The rain had been falling for days, fine as silk, softly coating the village. It dripped along the wall on one side of the street, where the Uchiha's flaming fan emblem was carved in stone, now stained with barely visible streaks of water.
Just last month, something significant happened within the Uchiha clan.
During a mission, a discovery was made—an Uchiha not born in Konoha.As the saying goes, "If you see one cockroach, there's a nest nearby."
No one could say for sure how many like Qingsi were out there, Uchiha blood still circulating somewhere in the ninja world.
To prevent the bloodline from being lost—or worse, from being coveted by other clans—the Uchiha members who discovered Qingsi brought him back to the village immediately.
"But why is only one of his Sharingan eyes active?""Yeah… has that ever happened to anyone else in the clan?"
The Uchiha were abuzz. This situation was unheard of, and the commotion it caused was considerable. Curious eyes occasionally turned toward Qingsi, seated quietly at the back.
He ignored the stares.
At the head of the room, Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku spoke solemnly.
"When you were in the Land of Lightning, did you encounter anyone else with red eyes like yours? We are of the same clan. If you can tell me, I will have them brought back as well."
It was difficult to determine how many years Uchiha Qingsi had spent in the Land of Lightning—or what had happened during that time.
After a month of investigation, one thing had become clear: Qingsi's identity was clean.
He had rudimentary chakra control but bore no signs of battle or training.
Still, the politics of the ninja villages are anything but gentle.
The newly appointed clan leader, Fugaku, could not afford to be careless.
"I have never seen anyone with eyes like mine, Fugaku-sama,"Qingsi replied calmly, raising his head.
He was a time traveler—had been for years.
From the moment of his birth, he was aware. His mind had retained memories from a previous life, awakening with clarity and foresight.
His mother had died giving birth to him.His father… had been missing since before he was born.
Qingsi met him only when he turned two—an encounter that was short-lived. His father perished soon after on the battlefield.
But this, to Qingsi, was nothing unusual. Losing both parents was practically a rite of passage in the ninja world. Naruto, Sasuke, Konan, Itachi, Orochimaru… which one of them hadn't?
His original name was Yeyue Qingji, a distant relative of the Yeyue clan who had lived in a remote town.Only after awakening his Sharingan did he meet Uchiha Yakumi—who happened to be passing through on a mission—and was brought to Konoha.
"That's good. No matter what, as long as Uchiha blood flows in your veins, you are one of us,"Fugaku finally said."I will have someone arrange your enrollment into the ninja academy."
Fugaku's scarlet Sharingan eyes remained on Qingsi for a long while.
The Uchiha clan's history recorded that they once had ties to the Land of Lightning—perhaps even had lived there in ancient times. Rumors spoke of an Uchiha clan hired by a local lord's wife to expel the Blood Pond Clan.
But much of that history had been lost—drowned in the chaos of war against the Senju.
Even Fugaku couldn't uncover the full story.
Though he did not activate his full visual prowess, Fugaku's gaze weighed heavily on the room, thickening the air like a storm about to break.
Yet Qingsi remained calm.He knew what the clan head was trying to figure out: Was his identity truly legitimate?
Unfortunately for Fugaku, the Uchiha had once ventured into the Land of Lightning.
This very arc was recorded in the official novel: Sasuke's True Biography – The Rai no Hikari Arc.
Finally, Fugaku broke eye contact.After all, Qingsi was still a child.For one so young to remain calm under the scrutiny of his Sharingan… if it wasn't intimidating, it was certainly impressive.
Even the famed genius son of Hatake Sakumo, who had recently risen to prominence, might not possess such composure.
"Master Fugaku, I'm honored to learn that I am part of the Uchiha clan,"Qingsi said sincerely."I promise I will never tarnish our clan's reputation."
His voice was calm, honest—almost too perfect.
At that moment, a mechanical female voice echoed within his consciousness, devoid of emotion:
"You have acquired the entry: [The Art of Speaking (White)]"
[Entry: The Art of Speaking (White)]Requirement: Tell five convincing lies in front of someone of high status without flinching.Progress: CompletedEffect: Your words become more persuasive. Those of lower status will be more easily influenced.Note: This entry can be further advanced.
"It finally worked,"Qingsi thought, the corner of his lips lifting in a faint smile.
In the ninja world, to avoid becoming a nobody, you needed power.
And power could only be inherited: from blood, from a master, or by deep emotional connection—like inheriting the "Will of Fire."
But Qingsi had something else: his own efforts… and a crude entry system.
The system documented achievements as "entries," each with conditions and effects—but never for free. Conditions had to be met.
To unlock The Art of Speaking, he had told lies to Uchiha Fugaku at least five times—with a straight face.
Was it really a joy to be born an Uchiha?
Qingsi didn't think so.
The Night of Genocide.Two more Ninja Wars.His life had already entered countdown mode.
And in just over a decade…Fugaku's own son, Uchiha Itachi, would massacre the entire clan.
"Good,"Fugaku nodded.Qingsi's words had comforted him. He saw promise in this child.
His tone conveyed sincerity; his gaze reflected ambition. In some ways, Qingsi had a better awareness than many of his clansmen.
Fugaku motioned for him to leave.
Once Qingsi stepped outside, Uchiha Yashiro leaned toward Fugaku and said:
"This child—Qingsi—was found by Yaowei's team in the Land of Lightning. He apparently has some traits of the Yeyue clan. Could he be a planted spy?"
"It's possible,"Fugaku replied with a shake of his head."But one thing is certain: his blood is Uchiha. If an outsider had transplanted the Sharingan, they wouldn't be able to deactivate it—it would constantly drain them."
"Tsunade will examine Seiji's Sharingan later,"he added.
At that moment, Mikoto rose from the tatami mat inside the shrine.
"Fugaku, I'll go make arrangements for the boy."