Shadows of the Village

The bustling streets of Konoha were filled with the vibrant energy of daily life. Traders called out their wares, children played tag, and shinobi moved through the crowds like shadows. From his small perch at the window, Yuto observed it all with silent fascination.

He was almost a year old now, and though his body remained small and weak, his mind was far beyond his physical age. His progress was slow but steady. His ability to sense and replicate chakra had grown, albeit in small increments. He hadn't yet seen any true jutsu up close, but he was building the foundation he needed to survive.

[Status Screen]

Name: Yuto Arakawa

Age: 11 months

Chakra Reserve: 1.0% (Infant Level)

Chakra Control: Moderate

Talent: Copy 

Jutsu: None

Stats:

Strength: E+

Speed: E+

Intelligence: C

Perception: C

Dexterity: E+

The progress wasn't much, but his control over his chakra had improved significantly in recent months. He could now feel the flow of chakra coursing through him with relative ease, though shaping and directing it still felt beyond him.

His father's daily exercises were the key to Yuto's improvements. Though his father had once been a genin, his skills had faded with time, and now he practiced only basic chakra control techniques. But to Yuto, even those simple exercises were a wealth of knowledge. It wasn't much, but it was enough to build upon.

However, Yuto knew that he had reached a plateau. He needed more than just the basics. If he was to catch up to the prodigies of this world, he would need to start seeing real techniques and jutsu in action.

The problem was access.

He couldn't exactly wander the village and watch shinobi train—he was still an infant, after all. And there were few opportunities to see jutsu in use without being near a combat scenario, which was far too dangerous for him at this stage.

"I need to be patient," Yuto thought, gripping his tiny hands into fists. But patience was becoming harder with each passing day. He was surrounded by power but had no way to truly reach it—yet.

One afternoon, while his mother was out running errands, Yuto was placed in the care of his father. The older man was cleaning his tools in the small living room, muttering to himself as he worked. Yuto, sitting in his crib, watched him closely.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. His father paused, then opened it cautiously. Standing in the doorway was a tall man with dark hair, his eyes sharp and observant. Yuto instantly recognized him.

Shisui Uchiha.

Yuto's heart skipped a beat. He had never expected to see Shisui up close, not this soon. Shisui, the prodigy of the Uchiha clan, known for his unmatched speed and the ability to use the legendary body flicker technique, was a rising star within the village's shinobi ranks.

But why was he here?

"Arakawa-san," Shisui greeted politely, his voice calm and measured. "I've been asked to deliver a message from the Hokage's office. It's regarding the latest rebuilding efforts in the southern district."

His father nodded, taking the scroll from Shisui's hands with a bow. "Thank you, Shisui-san. I'll take care of it right away."

Shisui gave a slight smile, his eyes flickering briefly to Yuto in the crib. Yuto froze, his body tensing as he locked eyes with the young Uchiha. It was only for a split second, but Yuto felt an overwhelming presence in those dark, swirling eyes.

Before he could react, Shisui turned and left as swiftly as he had come. The door closed behind him, and Yuto let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"That was...intense," Yuto thought, his mind racing. Shisui was every bit as powerful as he had imagined, and even just being in his presence had made Yuto's skin crawl with a strange mixture of awe and fear. The Uchiha clan truly was something else.

But beyond the awe, Yuto realized something crucial. His eyes had been on Shisui the entire time, and in that brief moment, he had felt something. A flicker, a shift in the air. It wasn't just Shisui's physical presence—it was his chakra.

Yuto had sensed it.

He focused his mind, replaying the moment in his head. He hadn't been able to fully grasp Shisui's chakra signature, but he had caught a glimpse of it, like a spark in the darkness. It was fast, precise, and controlled—a testament to the Uchiha prodigy's skill.

"This is it," Yuto thought, his pulse quickening. "I can use this."

He concentrated harder than ever before, reaching deep into his system, trying to recall the flicker of chakra he had felt. It was like chasing shadows—elusive and slippery—but Yuto refused to let it go.

Minutes passed. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his tiny fists clenched in concentration.

Then, finally, he felt it.

A small surge of chakra responded to his call. It wasn't much, barely enough to shift the air around him, but it was there—a direct replication of the chakra signature he had sensed from Shisui.

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[New Skill Unlocked]

Chakra Flicker (Basic): A low-level imitation of the Uchiha clan's body flicker technique. Increases movement speed for short bursts. Limited effectiveness due to host's current chakra reserve and control.

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Yuto's eyes widened. It wasn't the full body flicker technique, not by a long shot. But this was a start. A small taste of what he could accomplish if he worked hard enough. The Chakra Flicker wasn't much, but it was a tool—a way to enhance his movements for brief moments.

"I can work with this," Yuto thought, a grin spreading across his face.

It wasn't a flashy jutsu, nor was it something that would catch the eye of others, but it was his first real step toward becoming a shinobi. And it wasn't even from formal training. It was proof that his Copy Talent could provide him with the edge he needed.

But with that excitement came a sobering realization. Shisui's presence in the village meant that the Uchiha clan's political tensions were at a breaking point. Yuto knew that within a few short years, the Uchiha massacre would occur, wiping out nearly the entire clan.

He couldn't stop it—he wasn't foolish enough to think he could change such a monumental event. But he could use it as a reminder of the harsh realities of this world.

Power alone wasn't enough.

He needed to be smart. Strategic. His Copy Talent was a tool, but how he used it would determine his success or failure.

"I'll rise slowly," Yuto thought, his fists tightening. "But I will rise."

That night, as his mother returned and the household settled into its quiet routine, Yuto lay in his crib, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts were no longer those of a baby, nor even a child. They were the thoughts of someone preparing for the long road ahead.