Chapter 6: A New Threat – The Uchiha Start Watching
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After my "mission," life at the Academy should have gone back to normal.
But I knew better.
Danzo wasn't done with me. Root would continue watching, waiting for any sign of disloyalty. I had fooled them once, but how long could I keep playing this game?
And now, another force had taken interest in me.
The Uchiha.
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Academy Life – A Growing Presence
The next few days passed as usual.
Iruka droned on about shinobi history. Naruto got into fights with Kiba. Sakura and Ino kept arguing over Sasuke.
But something had changed.
I could feel it.
Sasuke was watching me.
Not openly, but subtly—studying my movements, my technique, my decisions.
At first, I ignored it. After all, it was only natural. Sasuke was a prodigy, one of the best students in the Academy. He had an ego to maintain.
But then, I noticed something else.
I wasn't just being watched by Sasuke.
During kunai training, I felt it—a sharper, heavier gaze.
I turned my head slightly—and there he was.
Uchiha Shisui.
Perched casually on a rooftop near the Academy, arms crossed, pretending to watch the students train.
But I wasn't fooled.
Shisui of the Body Flicker. The prodigy of the Uchiha. Danzo's number one target.
And right now?
He was watching me.
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Sasuke's Challenge – A Test of Strength
The tension didn't take long to boil over.
After class, while the students were leaving, Sasuke suddenly stepped in front of me.
"You," he said, staring directly into my eyes. "Spar with me."
The class went silent.
Naruto, always eager for a fight, immediately perked up. "Oi, Sasuke, you think you can just challenge anyone?"
Sasuke ignored him, his eyes locked onto mine.
He wasn't just challenging me for fun.
He wanted to see something.
I smirked. "Why so interested, Uchiha?"
"Tch." Sasuke crossed his arms. "I've seen you in class. You're good. Too good. You hold back." His eyes narrowed. "I want to see what you're hiding."
A few of the other students whispered among themselves.
Sasuke wasn't wrong.
I had been holding back. I had no reason to go all out against Academy students. But if the Uchiha were already watching me…
Maybe it was time to show a glimpse of my talent.
"Fine," I said. "Let's spar."
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The Spar – A Glimpse of Talent
Iruka oversaw the match, setting up a space in the training field. The other students gathered around, eager to see the fight.
Sasuke stood opposite me, his stance perfect—balanced, precise. He was a natural genius, trained by his clan since childhood.
But compared to me?
I could already see every flaw in his stance.
Too rigid. Too predictable.
I rolled my shoulders. "Ready when you are, Uchiha."
"Tch. Don't underestimate me," Sasuke said, rushing forward.
He led with a feint—a fast jab toward my ribs, masking his true attack, a sweeping kick to my legs.
I didn't move.
His kunai sliced through air as I tilted my body just enough to dodge, then casually stepped over his kick.
Sasuke's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he adjusted, switching to a flurry of rapid strikes.
Fast. Precise. Strong.
But to me? It was all too slow.
I dodged everything effortlessly, my body moving on instinct, evading his attacks with minimal effort.
The watching students murmured in shock.
"Whoa, is he even trying?"
"Sasuke can't even hit him!"
I sighed. "Is this all?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "You—!"
He jumped back, forming quick hand seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball roared toward me.
I could have countered it with my own jutsu. I could have dodged it at the last second to show off.
But instead, I took a step forward—straight into the fire.
Gasps rang out as the flames engulfed me.
"Idiot!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke's eyes widened—until he saw it.
The flames flickered—and vanished.
I stood there, unharmed. Not a single burn on my body.
I met Sasuke's stunned gaze.
"You call that fire?" I smirked. "Let me show you something better."
I raised my hand, and for the first time in the Academy, I released a small fraction of my power.
A spark ignited in my palm, then expanded—a massive swirling inferno formed above me, twisting into a perfect sphere of fire.
Everyone froze.
Even Sasuke.
"This—" His voice caught in his throat. "This isn't—"
I clenched my fist. The fireball collapsed into itself and dispersed into nothing.
"I win," I said simply.
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Aftermath – Shisui's Warning
That night, I sensed it.
Someone was waiting for me in the shadows.
I stopped in an empty alley, pretending not to notice—until a voice spoke.
"You shouldn't have done that."
I turned my head slightly.
Shisui.
He stood on a rooftop, arms crossed, staring down at me.
"Showing off like that… You've caught too much attention," he said. His tone wasn't hostile, but it carried a warning.
I smiled. "And what if I wanted attention?"
Shisui sighed. "Then you're either really brave… or really foolish."
I met his gaze.
"Why do you care?"
He was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Because Danzo is watching you, too."
My smile faded.
I had expected the Uchiha to notice me. But for Shisui himself to step in and warn me…?
That meant things were escalating faster than I thought.
Danzo. The Uchiha. Two powerful forces were now focused on me.
And if I wasn't careful…
I'd be caught between them.
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End of Chapter 6
(Next Chapter: Root's Next Move – A Dangerous Offer!)
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