Mo…
What exactly are you trying to do?
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...
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If the Uchiha clan is destined—
To never coexist with this mundane world…
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If the power born from our bloodline ensures—
That we will always be feared,
Envied,
Rejected—
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Then why…
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Do we continue struggling in this mire?
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Why beg for understanding?
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Why seek acceptance?
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Instead—
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Why not rise above it all?
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Let the brilliance of the Sharingan—
Become something mortals can only gaze upon from afar.
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Let the Uchiha—
Become something untouchable.
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Something beyond reach.
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A true—
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Divine race.
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...
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Jealousy—
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Is born from disparity.
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But even more so—
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From the illusion of attainability.
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That—
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Is the root of everything.
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We are powerful—
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Yet still seen as equals.
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Neighbors.
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People who possess what others never can.
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And that closeness—
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Magnifies resentment.
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There is only one solution.
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Create a distance so absolute—
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That envy itself becomes meaningless.
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When an ant looks up at an eagle—
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It does not envy its wings.
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It simply accepts—
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That it will never possess them.
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That—
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Is what we must become.
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When the gap between us and them—
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Becomes absolute—
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When it becomes the difference between mortal and god—
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Then jealousy will disappear.
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And what remains—
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Will be only—
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Awe.
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And submission.
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...
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Konoha Ninja Academy
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Sunlight streamed through the classroom windows—
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Illuminating the air filled with chalk dust and the faint scent of old books.
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Homeroom teacher Yamashiro Aoba held the application in his hand—
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His expression filled with surprise.
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"Early graduation?"
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"Rin… I know you're exceptional."
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"Your theoretical and combat scores are flawless."
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"But you need to understand—"
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"This is a time of peace."
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He stood—
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Walking toward the window.
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Outside—
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Children ran and laughed freely.
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"This…"
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"This is what someone your age should be experiencing."
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"Studying with friends."
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"Playing together."
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"A carefree childhood."
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He turned back—
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His voice softer now.
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"Becoming a ninja means carrying burdens."
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"Danger."
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"Even death."
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"War may be over for now…"
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"But the ninja world is never truly safe."
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His eyes searched hers—
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For hesitation.
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For innocence.
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But found none.
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They were clear—
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Yet far too deep.
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"Rin…"
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"Strength is not something you need to rush."
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"These peaceful days…"
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"These ordinary memories…"
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"Someday—"
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"They may become what helps you endure hardship."
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"Think about it again."
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"Enjoy this peace while it lasts."
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Rin listened quietly.
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Then nodded slightly.
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"Thank you, Yamashiro-sensei."
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"I understand the value of peace…"
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"And your concern."
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A pause.
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Then—
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She raised her head.
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Her gaze steady.
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Unwavering.
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"But…"
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"I believe truly enjoying life…"
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"Means choosing the path that suits me."
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"For me…"
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"Staying here is wasting time."
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"I'm ready."
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"To face everything outside."
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"I see…"
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Aoba sighed softly.
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Then signed the form.
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"According to regulations…"
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"This still requires the Hokage's approval."
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"Thank you, Aoba-sensei."
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As she left—
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He remained by the window.
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Frowning slightly.
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As a teacher—
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He didn't understand the village's politics.
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But he could feel it.
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Something subtle—
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Yet unmistakable—
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Building beneath the surface.
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"…A storm is coming…"
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He murmured.
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This young prodigy—
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Choosing to graduate at such a time—
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Was it fortune?
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Or disaster?
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He couldn't tell.
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He only hoped—
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That this fragile peace—
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Would not shatter.
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...
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Hokage Office
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Smoke curled lazily through the air.
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Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Rin's application carefully.
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Through the crystal ball—
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He watched her small figure returning alone to the classroom.
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Then—
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Without hesitation—
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He signed.
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"Notify all relevant parties."
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"Uchiha Rin's early graduation is approved."
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"Arrange her graduation exam for tomorrow."
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"Yes, Hokage-sama."
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The ANBU vanished instantly.
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Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
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Of course—
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He understood Mo's intentions.
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Advancing Rin—
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A girl deeply tied to Obito—
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Was not coincidence.
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It was a move.
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And precisely because of that—
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He approved it.
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Better to bring a hidden threat—
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Into the light.
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Onto a board—
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He controlled.
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Than allow it to remain—
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In the shadows.
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Konoha's eyes—
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Saw everything.
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"If you wish for her to step onto the stage…"
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He tapped his pipe lightly.
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"…then I will give you a stage grand enough."
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"Hokage-sama!"
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An ANBU appeared again—
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Kneeling.
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Several sealed scrolls were placed on the desk.
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"The materials you requested have been compiled."
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"Leave them."
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The ANBU vanished.
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Hiruzen opened the first scroll.
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The title read:
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Kannabi Bridge Mission — Post-Operation Report: Uchiha Obito
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Mission rank: S
Confirmed casualty: Uchiha Obito (Chūnin)
Scene condition: Cave collapse; blood-stained clothing and broken goggles recovered
Body retrieval: Failed
Survival probability: Less than 3%
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Conclusion:
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"Based on injuries and environment, survival is extremely unlikely."
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Then—
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At the bottom—
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A single line.
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"Note: No body recovered. A minimal theoretical survival probability exists."
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Minimal…
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Ordinarily—
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He would ignore it.
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But now—
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Combined with the Nine-Tails incident.
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Combined with Rin.
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That tiny possibility—
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Became glaring.
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Hiruzen slowly set the scroll aside.
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Then picked up another.
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Uchiha Rin — Background Investigation Report
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The game—
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Had already begun.