'So, the rewards... they're real,' Ryuuji thought in a daze, trying to process the impossible turn of events.
When he'd first seen the notification that the reward for accessing the memories of this body's previous owner was the Sharingan, he was speechless. Even now, as he blinked his newly enhanced eyes, he found it hard to believe.
'This can't be a prank, can it? Could the system be real?' The thought made his pulse quicken. He could see the edges of the room sharper than before, the faintest details popping into focus like an overly vivid dream. His vision was so clear it was almost dizzying.
"Ryuuji, my boy! My grandson is a genius!" his grandfather's booming laugh snapped him out of his reverie. Ryuuji turned to see the older man's face filled with unrestrained pride, his eyes practically shining with joy.
"Hahahaha!! You've no idea how proud you've made me today! What you just achieved is unheard of in our Uchiha Clan's history!"
Ryuuji's lips parted, stunned by the open admiration in his grandfather's expression. Here, in the flesh, was a person who loved him unconditionally, who truly believed in him. The weight of that realization settled heavily on him, leaving him temporarily speechless.
Taking a shaky breath, Ryuuji managed to collect himself enough to speak. "Hey, Gramps?"
"Hm? What is it, my boy?" His grandfather, Uchiha Jima, leaned in closer, his deep voice warm and curious.
Ryuuji hesitated, heart racing with anticipation. "Uh... how many tomoe are in my Sharingan?"
Jima looked at him, an eyebrow raised in mild confusion.
"Oh, just a single tomoe, of course. That's how it starts for everyone, you know? Every Uchiha unlocks their Sharingan with a single tomoe. Did you expect something different?" he chuckled softly.
Ryuuji's face fell. His initial excitement quickly fizzled into disappointment. 'One tomoe... just one?' He had dared to hope, to dream of unlocking the fully-powered Mangekyou Sharingan, or even the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. But now...
"What's wrong?" Jima's laughter faded as he took in Ryuuji's crestfallen expression. "Why do you look so disappointed?"
"It's nothing," Ryuuji muttered, his voice a low grumble, though inside, he was seething. 'Aren't you a system? A cheat? You couldn't at least give me the three-tomoe Sharingan? Come on!'
"Anyway, are you feeling alright?" Jima asked, his voice gentle as he placed a steadying hand on Ryuuji's shoulder. There was a worry in his gaze.
"Yeah, I'm... I'm fine," Ryuuji said, offering a small smile. But the truth was, his thoughts were a chaotic mess of emotions.
"That's good." Jima nodded, satisfied, though his expression grew more serious. "Now, tell me—how did you unlock the Sharingan?"
Ryuuji's posture straightened, and he looked his grandfather in the eye, carefully adopting a serious expression. "I... I had a nightmare," he said slowly, letting a shiver run through his words.
Jima's eyebrows shot up. "A nightmare?"
His voice held an incredulous edge. The idea that a simple dream could have caused his grandson to unlock the Sharingan was, well... baffling. Even so, he listened intently, his face unreadable.
"Yes." Ryuuji lowered his voice, his face clouding with a carefully crafted look of sadness. He took a breath, preparing to deliver his line. "I saw... I saw you die."
Jima's face fell, his expression softening, and for a moment, he looked so stunned that it made Ryuuji feel a pang of guilt. In that silence, Ryuuji could see the man's entire demeanor shift, the proud spark in his eye replaced with a more somber gleam. The next thing he knew, his grandfather pulled him close, wrapping him in a tight, warm embrace.
"G-gramps... I can't breathe," Ryuuji gasped, feeling his chest constrict under his grandfather's iron grip.
Jima quickly loosened his hold, looking slightly sheepish. "Ah, sorry about that. I just..." He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion. "I didn't realize... Unlocking the Sharingan is no easy feat. But know that I am here for you."
Ryuuji gave him a small nod, trying to ignore the creeping guilt. 'I didn't mean to make him feel this strongly, now I feel bad for lying to him like this.' he thought, watching the older man's face soften with pride and relief.
He looked around, noticing the sterile, faintly lit environment they were in for the first time. "Gramps, where are we?" he asked, a note of confusion entering his voice.
"We're in Konoha's Hospital," Jima answered, gesturing around them. "After I saw you bleed from your eyes, I didn't want to take any chances. I brought you here immediately."
A chill ran down Ryuuji's spine. 'Konoha's Hospital... which means... that person's bound to find out. No, no, no, I can't have that!' Ryuuji could feel sweat beading on his forehead. If that person knew, that would mean he was on the radar—their radar. The implications of that thought made his skin crawl.
He closed his eyes, groaning internally. 'I just reincarnated! Why do I already have to worry about my survival?' He clenched his fists, willing himself to stay calm. He could almost laugh at the absurdity of it. 'Why me? All I wanted was a normal, worry-free life. Is that too much to ask for?'
A hand on his shoulder brought him back to the present. "Anyway, are you ready for tomorrow?" Jima asked, his tone suddenly bright again.
Ryuuji blinked, the question taking him off guard. "Ready? For what?"
A sigh escaped Jima's lips, and he shook his head with a small smile. "You don't remember?"
Ryuuji raised an eyebrow, genuinely at a loss. "Uh... no?"
Jima chuckled, muttering something about "kids these days" before clearing his throat. "Tomorrow, you start at the Academy."
"The Academy?" The words alone sent a jolt of excitement through him, and for a brief moment, all his worries were forgotten.
"Yes, that's right."
"Finally! Hell yeah!" Ryuuji shouted, pumping a fist in excitement. 'I get to experience Academy life in the Narutoverse! This is it!'
But before he could indulge too deeply in the fantasy, a sobering thought crossed his mind, one that left him cold. "Wait... Gramps, what year is it?"
The question caught Jima off guard, but he answered without hesitation. "It's the 56th year since Konoha's founding."
Thud
Ryuuji's stomach dropped, his face paling as if he'd seen a ghost. The color drained from his face, and he staggered slightly, feeling faint. His lips parted, and he let out a weak, almost inaudible sound of despair. 'The 56th year... that's... that's...'
'I'm doomed. The Uchiha Massacre... it's next year.' His thoughts reeled, his pulse pounding in his ears. 'One year left. Just one year. I might as well die now...'
These were his final thoughts before the world in his view faded to black.
"Ryuuji? Ryuuji!? Oh no! He fainted again! Doctor!" Jima's voice was tight with worry as he called out, panic evident in his tone.
"On it!" The doctor's voice responded promptly, footsteps approaching in a hurry. Thankfully the doctor was in the room...yes...thankfully...