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Chapter 1: The Uchiha Clan's Outlier – The Art of Speaking
Konoha Year 44, Autumn.
Uchiha District, above the Naka Shrine.
Rain fell in a fine, silky drizzle, pattering against the walls carved with the Uchiha clan's fan crest. It soaked the narrow stone street, leaving a faint shimmer.
In the past month, something major had occurred in the Uchiha clan.
During a mission, a clan member discovered an Uchiha who had not been born in Konohagakure.
As the saying goes—"When you find one insect, there's always a nest nearby."
No one knew if there were other Uchiha bloodlines like Uchiha Seiji's scattered across the shinobi world.
Fearing that this outlier bloodline might fall into the hands of other villages, the Uchiha who discovered Seiji immediately brought him back.
"But why has his Sharingan awakened in only one eye?"
"Has anyone in our clan ever experienced that?"
The clan was in heated discussion. Never had such a thing happened, and the sensation it caused was explosive.
From time to time, eyes turned toward Seiji, who sat in the back, silent.
He ignored their gazes.
"When you were in the Land of Lightning, did you encounter anyone else with red eyes like yours?"
"We're all family—if there are others, tell me. I'll send people to bring them home," said Uchiha Fugaku, calmly but firmly.
Seiji looked up.
"I have not seen anyone else with eyes like mine, Lord Fugaku."
He was a transmigrator. It had been several years since he arrived in this world.
From birth, he had seen through the mysteries of the womb and awakened the wisdom of his past life. His memories were intact.
His mother died giving birth to him.
As for his father—he had only seen him once, briefly. The man died on the battlefield soon after.
But that was nothing unusual. Orphans were the norm in the shinobi world.
Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, Orochimaru... how many of them grew up without parents?
In his past life, his name had been Tsukigakure Seiji (月隠れ 誠司), a distant descendant of the once-great Tsukigakure Clan, scattered throughout the Land of Lightning.
It wasn't until he awakened his Sharingan and encountered Uchiha Yakumo, passing by on a mission, that he was brought to Konoha.
"No matter what, if you carry Uchiha blood, then you are one of us. I'll have someone send you to the Ninja Academy," Yakumo had said.
Fugaku's scarlet eyes lingered on Seiji for a long time.
Ancient clan records stated that the Uchiha had once lived in the Land of Lightning—perhaps even before the Warring States period.
There had once been a lord whose wife requested the Uchiha clan's help in driving out the Blood Pond Clan, but due to the ensuing conflict with the Senju Clan, many records were lost.
Even Fugaku didn't know the full history.
He didn't use his dōjutsu—he simply stared.
The air was thick, heavy with suspicion.
Seiji did not flinch.
He knew exactly what Fugaku was thinking.
Was his identity... legitimate?
Unfortunately, the Uchiha and the Land of Lightning shared a long, entangled history.
Even the official chronicles—like Sasuke Retsuden: Sunrise—recorded it.
Finally, Fugaku averted his eyes.
After all, this was a child—barely five or six years old.
And yet, despite being stared down by Fugaku's Sharingan, Seiji remained calm.
"Lord Fugaku, I'm so happy to have discovered I'm part of the Uchiha clan. I will never bring shame to our name in the future!"
His words were polished, his tone sincere.
Just then, a mechanical voice rang out in Seiji's mind—cold and devoid of emotion.
"You have comprehended the term: [Art of Speaking – White Rank]."
[Term: Art of Speaking (White)]
[Achievement Requirement: Speak five falsehoods without blinking in front of a person of high status.]
[Progress: Completed]
[Effect: Your words will be more easily believed. People of lower status will be more easily influenced.]
[Note: Further advancements possible]
"Finally done," Seiji whispered with a small smile.
If you don't want to be cannon fodder in the shinobi world, you need power.
Power in Naruto's world comes in three ways: bloodline, teacher inheritance, and birthright.
If you lack those, you must rely on effort—or a system.
His system recorded the terms he gained, the effects, and the conditions for leveling up.
Just like this one: Art of Speaking. It only activated after Seiji said five falsehoods in front of Fugaku.
Happy to be born in the Uchiha clan?
How can you be happy?
His heart was tight with pressure.
In less than ten years, your "good" son Itachi will slaughter the entire clan.
"Not bad."
Fugaku nodded. He was moved by the boy's sincerity.
He could sense the hidden depth in Seiji's words—this was a talent worth nurturing.
Even compared to other Uchiha children, Seiji had frightening awareness.
"You may leave."
As Seiji bowed and exited, Uchiha Yashiro turned toward Fugaku and asked:
"Fugaku-sama... Seiji was found by Yakumo in the Land of Lightning. It's said he carries traits of the Tsukigakure Clan. Could he be a spy?"
"That remains to be seen," Fugaku said quietly. "But he bears true Uchiha blood. No outsider who merely transplanted a Sharingan could awaken it like that. If he's one of us... he'll bring great benefit."
Fugaku sighed and continued:
"Tsunade-sama will examine his Sharingan development soon."
"Then I'll prepare the arrangements," Yashiro replied.
At the Naka Shrine, where the tatami mats were still damp from the rain, Uchiha Mikoto quietly stood.
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