Chapter 3

Alex strolled through the streets of Konoha, his cold, calculating mind working at every turn. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the village. Despite being trapped in the body of Naruto Uzumaki—a boy despised and shunned by the village—Alex shared none of the naïve optimism that defined Naruto in the anime. His reincarnation had granted him a sobering realization: this was not a world of heroes or dreams. It was a world of violence, deceit, and power, and only the cunning survived.

The dirt roads beneath his feet were uneven, yet he walked with deliberate steps, his eyes sharp and constantly scanning his surroundings. His senses, heightened by the shinobi training Naruto would eventually undergo, were already in use. He had learned early on to remain vigilant—especially in a village where most looked at him with contempt.

As Alex moved through the streets, he took note of the villagers, each absorbed in their mundane lives. He saw women carrying groceries, elderly men sitting on porches smoking pipes, and children running around in playful chaos. The shinobi—marked by their headbands and purposeful strides—moved like wolves among sheep. But none of this interested Alex. His mind was elsewhere, planning, scheming, calculating his next steps in this unfamiliar world.

But then, as he turned a corner, a familiar figure caught his attention.

It was Sasuke Uchiha.

Even at three years old, Sasuke's presence was commanding. His dark hair, already iconic with that slight upward tilt, framed his pale face. His eyes, although not yet possessing the crimson power of the Sharingan, held an intensity that would one day define him as a shinobi. But for now, Sasuke was just a child—innocent, unaware of the looming darkness that would soon engulf his entire world.

*He doesn't know yet,* Alex thought, his gaze narrowing as he observed the young Uchiha. Sasuke's future was carved in stone: the slaughter of his clan, the betrayal of his brother, and the endless thirst for vengeance that would consume him. All of it was predictable, tragic, and—most importantly—exploitable. Sasuke was a tool, a weapon that had not yet been forged, but Alex knew how to shape that weapon when the time came.

Sasuke stood outside a dango shop, his small hand clutching a few coins. He looked frustrated, patting down his pockets in search of more money. Alex watched the scene unfold with a detached curiosity. In the anime, Sasuke was always portrayed as a tragic, brooding figure—a lone wolf, driven by pain and hatred. But this version of Sasuke was different. He was still a child, blissfully unaware of the horrors that awaited him.

The young Uchiha's frustration grew as he realized he didn't have enough money for his purchase. His expression darkened, but his pride kept him from showing any more emotion. It was in this moment of vulnerability that Alex made his move.

Without a word, Alex approached the dango shop. He reached into his pocket, pulled out 100 Ryo, and handed it to Sasuke.

Sasuke blinked, startled by the gesture. His dark eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the coins in his hand, then up at Alex. For a moment, he didn't know how to react. No one ever went out of their way to help him—especially not someone like Naruto, the village pariah. Sasuke's pride flared, but before he could say anything, Alex turned and began walking away, his expression cold and indifferent.

*He has no idea,* Alex thought as he strode away, leaving Sasuke standing there, still processing the encounter. To Alex, this was not an act of kindness. It was a calculated move—a seed planted in fertile ground. Sasuke didn't know it yet, but this small gesture would be the beginning of a bond. A bond that Alex would exploit when the time came.

Behind him, Sasuke frowned, confusion and curiosity battling in his young mind. He had never interacted with Naruto before, beyond seeing him in passing. Most people in the village ignored Naruto—or worse, treated him with disdain. Sasuke had never given him a second thought. But now, Naruto had done something unexpected, and it gnawed at Sasuke's pride.

After paying for the dango, Sasuke made a decision. He wasn't going to let this strange encounter go unanswered.

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Alex found a quiet spot by the river, sitting on the edge of a bridge with his legs dangling over the water. The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. The river below shimmered, its surface disturbed only by the occasional ripple as fish swam beneath.

He had sensed Sasuke following him. The boy was trying to be discreet, but Alex was already several steps ahead. He had chosen this spot on purpose, knowing it would provide the perfect setting for the confrontation he anticipated. Sasuke's pride wouldn't allow him to leave things unresolved. And Alex was more than willing to use that pride to his advantage.

The footsteps behind him slowed, then stopped. For a moment, there was only the sound of the river flowing and the distant chirping of birds.

"Hey."

Sasuke's voice broke the silence, calling out from behind him. There was an edge to it—uncertainty masked by the Uchiha's characteristic pride.

Alex turned slowly, his gaze cool and unreadable. Sasuke stood a few feet away, holding the bag of dango in one hand, his expression conflicted. The boy was clearly trying to maintain his usual stoic demeanor, but Alex could see through him. Sasuke was still just a child—vulnerable, unsure of himself, and easily influenced.

"You didn't need to do that," Sasuke said, his tone tinged with both pride and confusion. He was referring to the money, of course.

Alex raised an eyebrow, his expression as cold as ever. "Then why did you take it?"

The bluntness of the question caught Sasuke off guard. His cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment as he fumbled for a response. It was clear that he hadn't expected such a direct confrontation. His young mind was still trying to process the strange aura that Naruto—no, Alex—exuded. There was something different about him, something that made Sasuke feel uneasy.

For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Alex's sharp eyes scanned Sasuke's form, taking in every detail. The posture, the way Sasuke stood with his arms crossed, the slight curve of the jawline—it didn't quite align with the image of Sasuke Uchiha that Alex remembered from the anime. Something was off.

And then, it hit him.

"You're a girl," Alex stated flatly, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Sasuke blinked, her eyes widening in shock. For a brief moment, her carefully constructed façade cracked, and genuine surprise flashed across her face. She hadn't expected anyone to notice... It was something that her father said to keep it as a secret she didn't know why but she obeyed her father. But as quickly as the shock appeared, it was replaced by the familiar mask of Uchiha pride.

"So what if I am?" she retorted, not holding back her secret in front of the boy since, he already knew, her voice sharp, though there was a faint blush on her cheeks.

Alex's smirk returned, colder and more calculating this time. "Nothing. It just makes things more interesting."

Sasuke narrowed her eyes, her irritation growing. She didn't like the way the strange boy—spoke to her. There was something unsettling about him, something that made her feel like she was being examined, measured, and judged. No one had ever spoken to her like this before.

"You want something from me," Sasuke accused, her tone defensive. Even at her young age, she had learned to be wary of people. Everyone always wanted something from the Uchiha clan. "Why'd you give me money? What's your angle?"

Alex shrugged, his expression betraying nothing. "I don't need a reason to help someone."

Sasuke didn't believe him for a second, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she sighed and extended the bag of dango toward him. "Here. Let's eat. That way, we're even."

Alex took the dango without hesitation, his face still a mask of indifference. He wasn't interested in the food. This was just another step in his plan. By accepting the dango, he was cementing a small bond between them—one that could be nurtured and exploited later.

As they sat on the bridge, eating in silence, Alex's mind raced with possibilities. Sasuke was still too young to understand the weight of the future that awaited her. She didn't know about the massacre, about Itachi's betrayal, or the path of vengeance she would eventually walk. But Alex knew. And he also knew that this was the perfect time to start planting seeds of doubt, dependency, and manipulation.

After a few minutes of silence, Alex finally spoke.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he said, extending his hand in what appeared to be a friendly gesture. But there was no warmth in his voice. It was cold, calculating, and devoid of any genuine emotion.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, staring at his hand. She could feel that something was off about this boy, but she couldn't quite place it. Still, her pride wouldn't allow her to back down. She reached out and shook his hand.

"Uchiha Sasuke," she replied, her voice filled with the pride of her clan.

And with that handshake, the first move in Alex's grand plan was made. Sasuke had no idea what was coming, no idea that this simple encounter would change the course of her life. But Alex knew. He had always been several steps ahead.

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Author here, I need a computer for Video Editing, is there anyone here who is rich enough to buy me one?.... just kidding (please buy me one, im serious buy me one).

Also sorry for the late chapter. Exp