The days passed in a blur of training, quiet moments spent honing his techniques in his lucid dream world. The illusion he had created was his secret—a place where he could push the boundaries of his abilities, training for hours without ever tiring. He hadn't told anyone about it, not even his father. The last thing he wanted was for others to know about his newfound power. The Sharingan was already a secret he kept close, and the dream world was his personal sanctuary. It was his advantage, something he needed to keep to himself for now.
The idea for his lucid dream came from an unlikely source: a movie he remembered from his previous life—*Inception*. The concept of dream invasion, where someone could manipulate a dream and alter its very fabric, fascinated him. He recalled the scenes where dreams layered upon dreams created complex realities. That idea sparked something in him. If the mind could create such intricate worlds, what if he could do the same?
He also thought about something he had heard long ago—about animals dreaming. It was said that many animals, like dogs and wolves, dream of running or hunting, simulating threats and challenges they might face in the wild. It made sense. Dreams weren't just for rest. They were a way to rehearse, to prepare for the dangers of life. If animals could use dreams to simulate danger, why couldn't he use it to simulate battles, to hone his skills without real risk?
*What if I could use dreams as a training ground?*
His thoughts had led him to the creation of his lucid dream world, a space where he could simulate training scenarios, battle opponents, and master techniques, all without leaving the safety of his mind. It was a tool, an advantage that he couldn't afford to share—not yet.
His father, Saruto, had been recovering from his injuries, but the war was never far from their minds. The village was under constant threat, and Saruto had received orders to return to the front lines. His healing arm and leg were not yet fully recovered, but his duty called, and there was no room for hesitation. Rumors whispered that the war was nearing its end, that peace was within sight. Still, the situation on the battlefield was unpredictable, and the last thing anyone wanted was to be caught unprepared.
The day Saruto was to leave, the young Uchiha stood in the doorway of their home, watching his father prepare. His mother's absence weighed heavily on him, and the thought of losing his father too filled him with a quiet dread. But Saruto was a soldier, and duty was a soldier's first priority.
"Stay safe, Father," the boy said quietly, his eyes betraying his fear.
Saruto paused, turning to look at his son. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though it was strained. He had seen the pain in his son's eyes since the loss of his mother, and it pained him to leave the boy behind again, but war was a harsh reality. "I will be back soon, son. Keep your head up, and stay strong for the clan."
The words were a promise, but both knew the weight they carried. There was no guarantee in war. Saruto had seen too many comrades fall to give empty reassurances.
The young Uchiha nodded, watching silently as his father left the house. Saruto's silhouette disappeared down the road, and the boy felt the familiar emptiness settle in his chest. He had to stay strong, for the clan, for his father. But the secret he carried—the world of lucid dreams and the power he gained within it—was his alone. In this uncertain world, it was the one thing he could control.
With his father gone, the boy returned to his room, closing the door behind him. His mind drifted back to the lucid dreams, the training he'd done, and the new techniques he'd mastered in the dream world. In the waking world, he was just a boy, but in his dreams, he was becoming something more—stronger, sharper, more capable. The reminder in the dream, *This is a dream*, stayed with him, grounding him whenever he grew too immersed in the illusion. He couldn't afford to lose himself.
As the days passed, his training continued in secret. He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down—not with the war raging outside, not with his father fighting on the front lines. But he had a goal now, a reason to keep pushing. When his father returned, he would be stronger. He would have something to show for all the hours spent in the dream world.
And with the war nearing its end, graduation was fast approaching. The young Uchiha was on the brink of becoming a full-fledged ninja, ready to join the ranks of the village's protectors. But for him, this was more than just a ceremony. It was the beginning of a new chapter. He would be ready for whatever lay ahead, whether it was the challenges of the battlefield or the hidden threats lurking in the shadows.
In the quiet moments of his solitude, he couldn't help but feel that he was slowly becoming someone who could change the course of his own fate.