"I don't know why, and I don't know who he is... all I can hear is that terrifying voice."
Before Kai could even finish his words, blood erupted from Sukonai's mouth and nose like a crimson waterfall, and her strength completely failed her. Kai caught her in his arms before she hit the ground, shouting in panic: "Sukonai! What's wrong with you?!"
Sukonai struggled to open her eyes, wiping the blood with a trembling hand as she tried to pull herself together. "I'm fine... It's the price of using the Mangekyou Sharingan. I only awakened it a month ago, and that was because of..." She stopped abruptly as if swallowing a dangerous secret, then continued in a weak voice: "My ability allows me to stop time and read the past and thoughts for a limited period, but it consumes my soul."
She tried to smile to reassure him. "I'll make us some authentic Japanese tea first, then we'll go out and talk for a long while. But promise me... don't tell my mother and father the truth about who you are. I will introduce you to the village, the ordinary people, and the ninja. As you know, you are now in the era of the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village, Konoha."
While she was preparing the tea, Sukonai spoke to Kai: "Hey, Kai... what is the world you came from like? Is it like this one?"
Kai replied with a look of wonder: "It's a completely different world. There is good and evil, history and culture, science, sports, politics, and so much more. We follow a 'System'; in our world, the strong devour the weak."
Sukonai paused for a moment: "Don't tell me about that. Tell me, how do you live? Do you live as a ninja, fighting and carrying out missions? Do you belong to clans?"
"No," Kai replied shortly, "my world isn't like that at all."
As Kai spoke of his other world, Sukonai finished the tea, and they sat at the table near the water fountain. Sukonai looked him in the eye and said: "Kai, listen. From this moment, you will change. Forget the name Kai for now... You are Atori, my brother. When we go out, I will introduce you to Konoha. Later, we will carry out missions together, and I will train you to be Atori Uchiha. From today, you are a ninja. Then, I will investigate that terrifying voice with you and find a way to get my real brother back."
Kai nodded: "I accept. I will be Atori."
{Dear Reader: From now on, the protagonist will be referred to as Atori Uchiha. We will return to the name 'Kai' in Chapter 400. Enjoy!}
Sipping her tea slowly, Sukonai fixed her gaze on him. "Do you know how old you are now, Atori?"
"I don't know," he replied. "I was seventeen in my world, but now... I'm not sure."
"You are sixteen now," she said. "You awakened your Sharingan at the age of nine... and I will tell you why later."
Atori stood up. "The tea was delicious, Sukonai. Shall we go out and see Konoha now?"
"Yes," she replied, "but first, let me put on the official Uchiha attire."
She donned her black outfit, adorned with the Uchiha crest on the back. As they walked out, their footsteps echoed through the district. (Tshk... tshk... tshk...).
"Look Atori," Sukonai pointed out, "these are all Uchiha homes, to the right and left."
Passersby greeted them: "Hello, Sukonai! Hello, Atori! You look different today, is something the matter?"
Sukonai answered quickly on his behalf: "He's fine, just exhausted from training."
When they reached the main gate leading to the village center, a Uchiha guard blocked their path. "Hold it! Where are the two of you going?"
Sukonai spoke up boldly: "We want to go to the village center. Is there a problem?"
Atori remained silent, observing. The guard replied: "There is no reason for you to leave. These are the orders of our leader, Madara Uchiha. He is currently in a meeting with the First Hokage."
Sukonai laughed derisively. "A meeting with the Hokage? That Madara... he's just being a hypocrite, nothing more."
The guard's expression hardened. "Watch your words, girl! That kind of talk is far above your station!"
"Fine, fine," Sukonai shrugged. "We'll return until Lord Madara gives the order."
As they walked back, Atori whispered: "Is there something wrong with Madara? I only know his name and that his power rivals Hashirama's."
"He's been the leader of the Uchiha since he was a boy," she explained. "He's fought Hashirama for years. Their clans, the Senju and Uchiha, were always at each other's throats. Then there are the Uzumaki, the Sarutobi, and others."
Atori smiled to himself. 'Naruto Uzumaki! So I'm in the time of your ancestors... I'll search for your great-great-grandmothers while I'm here!'
"Who is this Naruto?" Sukonai asked, catching his smile.
"No one," he dismissed quickly.
She laughed. "Hey Atori, I want to test my Mangekyou Sharingan on you!"
"No! Please, don't!" he cried out.
Their laughter was cut short by the sudden appearance of a man with a cold, stern face. Sukonai froze. The man looked at them with sharp eyes. "Atori... what is so funny?"
Sukonai whispered in terror: "It's our father!"
Atori stood up straight, trying to mimic her composure. "I'm sorry, Father. Is something wrong?"
"Why weren't you at the meeting?" the man demanded. "Answer me!"
Before Atori could expose himself, Sukonai intervened. "Father, forgive me. It was my fault. I distracted him; we were training to improve a new technique. I am sorry."
The man, followed by two companions, watched them with suspicion. "Very well. Go back to the house. We will talk there."
Sukonai nudged Atori to follow her lead. "Yes, Father. As you wish," Atori said.
Once the father was out of earshot, Sukonai let out a sharp exhale. "Oof! That was close. My father is a genius and very perceptive. If he suspected for a second that you aren't the real Atori, he would kill you without hesitation. His name is Naron Uchiha, and he is Madara's left-hand man."
Atori was stunned. "Really? Is he that strong?"
"Extremely strong," she replied, "though he hasn't awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan yet."
"Wait," Atori asked curiously, "what exactly is the Mangekyou? Isn't it just the Sharingan?"
Sukonai stopped and looked at him seriously. "Atori, I can't teach you everything at once. Your mind wouldn't be able to handle it. For now, you need to learn how to be 'Atori' and how to act like a Uchiha. That is the priority. Now, let's get home,
As they were returning home, Atori began to feel dizzy, and a sharp pain shot through him until he collapsed once again. Sukonai carried him back to the house and laid him in his bed, whispering: "Finally... the sleeping herb has taken effect. He won't wake up for another three days. By then, the meeting will be over, and my father, Lord Naron, won't be able to take Atori with him on that difficult mission. He knows nothing of combat or the Sharingan; after all, that secret mission ordered by Madara Uchiha is the most perilous assignment for his squad, (The Red Moon). Atori knows nothing about it—if he attended the meeting, his secret would be exposed, or he would surely meet his death during the mission.، As Sukonai stood by Atori's bedside, a knock sounded at the door—(Knock, knock, knock). Lady Sujon Uchiha, Sukonai's mother, called out, "Just a moment, I'm coming!" Opening the door, she found the grandmother holding a tray of food. "Hello, my daughter. I've brought Atori's favorite dish; he hasn't visited in a while. How is he? His grandfather misses him dearly."
"Please, come in," Sujon replied. "He is sleeping now; he has pushed himself too hard lately." The grandmother nodded, "Yes, I noticed. My son, Naron, is far too strict, but I won't let him drain my grandchildren's energy. And where is Sukonai, that mischievous girl?" Sukonai stepped forward, "Hello, Grandma! How are you?" The grandmother smiled warmly, "You've truly grown, Sukonai, and you look so strong, my granddaughter."
Suddenly, Naron burst into the room. "Where is Atori? Didn't I tell him to come to my room? Where is he?" Both Sukonai and Sujon replied, "He is exhausted and sleeping." Naron's face darkened with rage. "No Uchiha is ever 'tired.' He is a ninja! Do you understand what that means? Sukonai, go and get him now!"
The grandmother intervened sharply, "My son, stop! Why have you changed like this? Let the boy sleep." Naron turned to her, "Mother, you don't understand. These are Madara's orders! We must complete this mission at any cost. Sukonai, go and bring him!" With a roar of fury, Naron activated his Sharingan and shouted, "Bring him here, now!"
This mission is clearly a matter of life and death for Naron. But what does Atori have to do with it? And why is Madara so focused on this task? We will find out in the next chapter.
{Dear readers, to support my efforts, please leave a comment or give me some Power Stones. Your support motivates me to continue this story and explore the Naruto world through my own unique lens. Thank you!}