Chapter

"-to, you'll never leave me, right?"

The voice trembled slightly, like a fragile thread threatening to snap under the weight of unspoken fears.

"No, I won't."

"Promise me... Promise we'll stay together forever, never leaving the other behind. No matter what, we'll stick together till the end?"

The response came, steady and firm, yet soft like a quiet vow whispered to the stars.

"I promise. Forever and ever. We weren't born on the same day, but we'll die on the same day. I'll never leave you behind."

The reply brought a fragile smile, but the tension lingered, a shadow cast by deeper emotions.

"You better not break your promise, or… I'll end this world!" The words were forceful, but the desperation behind them was impossible to miss.

"Hn. Stop being such a drama queen and—"

The interruption came sharp and sudden, the voice cracking ever so slightly.

"No, really… If I lose you too, then this world would have no meaning. I can't—" the voice faltered, then resumed with raw vulnerability, "—I can't imagine living in a world where you don't exist. I just… can't."*

A pause followed, heavy with unsaid words, before a calm yet determined voice broke the silence.

"I know how you feel," it reassured, steady as a mountain. "But we need to live in the present. We can't know what the future holds, and worrying about it won't change anything. The only thing we can do is become stronger—stronger in both mind and body. I promise I'll try my hardest not to leave you behind, so don't worry about the future. Trust me, A-."

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Izuna jolted awake, his breathing shallow and ragged. His room was dimly lit by the faint glow of morning sunlight seeping through the curtains, but his chest felt heavy, weighed down by an invisible force.

His heart hammered against his ribs as he struggled to process the fragments of his dream—or was it a memory?

It didn't feel like just a dream. The voices, the emotions, the weight of every word—they were too vivid, too real. He ran a hand through his damp hair, finding it sticky with cold sweat.

A sharp ache settled in his chest, as if he had been hollowed out from within. Sadness and pain coiled around his heart like a vice, threatening to suffocate him. It felt like he had lost something vital, something irreplaceable, but the memory of what it was eluded him.

The frustration was almost unbearable. His eyes stung, on the verge of tears, but nothing came. Instead, there was a gaping emptiness inside him, and a gnawing sense of having forgotten something important.

Shaking off the lingering remnants of the dream, Izuna forced himself out of bed. His legs felt unsteady, but routine pushed him forward. He shuffled into the bathroom, where he brushed his teeth mechanically, staring blankly into the mirror.

The reflection staring back at him felt unfamiliar. His dark, onyx eyes seemed duller than usual, weighed down by something he couldn't name. With a deep breath, he turned on the shower, letting the hot water cascade over him, washing away the sweat that clung to his skin like a second layer.

Once he felt more grounded, Izuna headed to the kitchen. The smell of breakfast greeted him before he even reached the doorway. His Ka-chan, was already bustling around, humming softly as she prepared their meal.

She smiled warmly as he entered, placing a kiss on his cheek like she did every morning. Her gentle presence was a comfort, a reminder of the simplicity of family bonds amidst the complexities of life.

Soon after, Otō-san joined them. Together, they carried the dishes to the table, sitting down to share the meal.

The quiet clinking of chopsticks and the soothing warmth of the food filled the space, but Izuna noticed his father stealing glances at him.

It was subtle—just a flicker of his sharp eyes—but Izuna caught it. His father's gaze was intense, as if he was holding back something important.

Finally, after a deliberate sip of tea and a deep breath, his father spoke.

"Izuna, today marks the beginning of your ninja training. After breakfast, change into the training clothes your Okaa-san prepared for you and meet me at the clan training grounds."

The words sent a jolt of excitement through Izuna's body. He schooled his expression to remain composed, nodding respectfully.

"Hai!"

Inside, however, his heart was racing. This was the moment he had been waiting for. The thought of finally beginning his training filled him with a rush of energy, like lightning coursing through his veins.

After quickly finishing his meal, Izuna thanked his mother and dashed to his room. He slipped into his training clothes with practiced efficiency, the anticipation bubbling up as he tied the sash securely.

"This is it," he thought to himself as he stepped outside, waving goodbye to his mother.

The clan training grounds were close to the forest, near a serene pond that mirrored the sky above.

As Izuna approached, he spotted his father standing tall, his back straight, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Fugaku didn't move—not even when Izuna drew closer. To an untrained eye, it might have seemed like the man was lost in thought, but Izuna knew better.

His father, the proud leader of the Uchiha clan and a seasoned jonin, was never unaware of his surroundings.

Even if Izuna had tried to sneak up on him, it would've been futile. Suppressing chakra was an advanced skill he had yet to master, and Fugaku's senses were far too sharp.

Still, Izuna couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity as he stood before his father, waiting for him to acknowledge his presence. For a moment, Fugaku remained motionless, his gaze unwavering as he stared at the sky.

Finally, he turned his attention to Izuna, his intense eyes locking onto his son's with a weight that demanded respect.

"Izuna, you are no longer a child. From this day forward, you will train to become a ninja of the Uchiha clan. As the heir, great expectations will be placed upon you. The path ahead will be difficult, but you must endure. Our clan respects only the strong, and to lead, you must prove yourself stronger than any challenger. Weakness has no place in leadership. Do you understand?"

The gravity of his words settled over Izuna, but he met his father's gaze without hesitation.

"Hai!"

Fugaku nodded, a flicker of pride in his otherwise stoic expression.

"We'll begin with the basics: taijutsu and chakra control. Once your foundation is solid, we'll move on to ninjutsu. Your mother will also teach you genjutsu techniques you can use without the Sharingan and shuriken throwing. For now, sit down and focus. Today, we'll open your chakra pathways."

"Tousan," Izuna asked, his curiosity piqued, "is this to prepare me for the academy?"

"Yes," his father replied. "If you prove to be exceptionally talented, I'll recommend your enrollment at the age of four. Train seriously."

Izuna's brows furrowed. "Four? Isn't that too young?"

His father's tone remained calm. "For ordinary children, yes. But for prodigies, or those with the backing of a powerful clan, it is possible. Hatake Kakashi graduated at five. With focus and effort, you can achieve the same."

Izuna nodded, determination burning in his dark eyes.

Under his father's guidance, he sat cross-legged on the ground and began the process of unlocking his chakra. Though he already understood the theory, putting it into practice was another matter.

Fugaku observed silently, intending to step in if needed.

But to his surprise, within moments, Izuna's body emitted a faint yet distinct aura of chakra.

It was unusually strong for a child his age, comparable to a genin's reserves. Fugaku activated his Sharingan, studying his son with quiet astonishment.

"Tousan, I did it!" Izuna exclaimed, his joy evident as he jumped to his feet.

Fugaku placed a hand on his son's head, pride flickering across his otherwise stern features. "Good work, Izu. But don't celebrate yet. We have a long way to go."

Izuna's eyes widened at the rare display of affection, a nickname slipping from his father's lips for the first time in years.

It reminded him of his early childhood, when his father's care had been more overt.

Fugaku's demeanor might have seemed cold to outsiders, but Izuna knew better. His father loved him, loved their family, their clan, and even the village they called home.

Beneath the stern exterior lay a man who bore the weight of his responsibilities with quiet resolve.

And Izuna was determined not to disappoint him.

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Author's Note: Hello, I'm back with a new chapter. I won't talk much, but don't forget to vote and write a review. See you next time!