Chapter 6: Awakening in Silence
The campfire cracked in the misty silence of the riverbank.
Kakashi lay asleep beneath his cloak, breathing steady. Sakura rested near Tazuna, curled against the cold. Naruto was sprawled on his back, one leg twitching mid-snore.
Only Sasuke remained awake.
He sat a few meters beyond the fire, perched on a wide, moss-covered rock with his back to the others. His eyes weren't on the flames, but the reflection of the moon across the rippling surface of the river.
Zabuza's still alive. And Haku's out there, watching.
[System Notification: External Chakra Presence Detected – Passive Surveillance Confirmed]
Estimated Range: 200m | Stealth Level: High
Advise: Maintain awareness. Do not engage.
Sasuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
This wasn't fear. This was clarity.
Reviewing the Battle
He brought up the system screen.
[SYSTEM MENU OPENED]
SP: 55
Time to spend it.
His finger hovered over the Chakra Control Lv.2 option.
[SP -10: Chakra Control Lv.2 Unlocked]
[Upgrade Effect: Enhanced chakra regulation. Reduced wastage. Precision casting unlocked.]
Warmth pulsed through his tenketsu. Not a surge—but a tightening. Like ropes snapping taut. The wild chakra flows in his body calmed, aligned. His limbs felt lighter.
His fingers twitched.
Better balance. More efficient techniques. I need this—especially for what's coming.
[Current SP: 45]
He clenched his fist, eyes narrowing as the next thought surfaced.
And I need to stay ahead of him.
His gaze flicked back toward Naruto, still asleep and snoring like an idiot.
He's improving. His clone timing was sharp. His instincts were right.
Even in this world, even with all his knowledge—Naruto was still catching up.
"I won't let you pass me," Sasuke muttered. "Ever."
Memory of the First Flame
The system closed, but his thoughts didn't settle.
Instead, an old memory rose, unbidden.
He was younger—barely eight. His home was dark. His family gone.
He was alone in the Uchiha dojo, throwing shuriken long after sunset.
And then… rage. Guilt. That name.
Itachi.
His chakra had surged on instinct.
And in that instant—his eyes had burned.
The Sharingan awakened.
The world had changed: his targets slowed, the flight paths of his blades etched in glowing lines.
It lasted maybe ten seconds.
Then he collapsed, blind with exhaustion, unable to hold the power.
Too young. Too empty. Not ready.
Now
But tonight—he was ready.
Sasuke stood, walking toward the edge of the river. Mist curled at his feet, but he didn't stop.
He shut his eyes again, not searching outward—but inward.
He focused on the rage. The loss. The memory of his parents' final breath. His brother's shadow.
He clenched his jaw.
And I'll become something more.
His chakra focused into his pupils. Pressure built behind his eyes, aching and raw.
He forced it further. Deeper.
And then—
Clarity.
When he opened his eyes, the world slowed.
Water droplets hung in the air. The grass danced in waves. Sakura's heartbeat thrummed like a drum in the back of his mind.
Two tomoe rotated in each of his crimson eyes.
[Dōjutsu Activated – Sharingan Level 1 (2-Tomoe)]
[SP +10 – Bloodline Awakening Triggered]
[Abilities Unlocked: Movement Prediction | Genjutsu Resistance | Chakra Pattern Reading Lv.1]
His breathing slowed.
He could see everything.
And for the first time in this world—he saw it all without collapsing.
Finally… it's mine.
Watching in the Dark
He turned sharply toward the edge of the woods.
Beyond the tree line, chakra pulsed faintly—familiar and masked. Not hostile. Not close.
But watching.
Haku, Sasuke thought. Checking if the body was retrieved. Waiting for the next strike.
[Passive Observation Confirmed – Do Not Engage]
"I won't," Sasuke whispered.
Not yet.
Before Sunrise
Morning was still an hour away.
Sasuke stood alone atop the river's surface, balancing on his chakra with effortless precision. His hands moved through slow, fluid seals—sharpened by new control.
Clone. Substitution. Fire. Water-walking.
His chakra responded instantly.
He stepped across the lake without a ripple.
Then knelt.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."
He formed the tiger seal, inhaled deeply, and released a focused stream of fire from his mouth—precise and controlled.
The flame burst forward a few meters, then dissipated harmlessly into the mist.
Just like I remember. No tricks. Just breath, chakra, and will.
[Requirement Unlocked: Chakra Control Lv.2 – Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu Now Eligible]
Rivalry in Stillness (Canon-Accurate)
He returned to camp and knelt beside the fire, now a dull glow of embers.
Naruto stirred and opened one eye. "You've been up all night?"
"I don't sleep easy."
Naruto sat up, frowning. "Tch… trying to get ahead of me or something?"
Sasuke stood slowly, his Sharingan glowing faintly in the firelight.
"I'm not showing off," he said coolly. "I'm just training."
Naruto scowled. "You jerk… fine! Tomorrow I'm gonna train twice as hard!"
Sasuke walked past him, voice low and mocking.
"Try it… if you can. Dummy."
"What'd you call me?!" Naruto growled.
Sasuke didn't respond.
[Rivalry Progression Logged: Naruto Uzumaki – Level 1]
[SP +2 – Competitive Spark Triggered]
[Chapter 6 Complete – Final Version]
SP Spent: 10 (Chakra Control Lv.2)
SP Gained: +12 (Sharingan + Rivalry)
Current SP: 47
Updated Attributes:
Strength: 2
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 7
Perception: 2
Control: 6
Resolve: 12
Known Techniques:
Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu)
Substitution Jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu)
Clone Jutsu (Bunshin no Jutsu)
Tree-Walking & Water-Walking (Stable)
Basic Taijutsu (Uchiha Clan Style)
Shurikenjutsu (Throwing Arts)
Sharingan (2-Tomoe) – Level 1
System Shop:
Silent Movement – 10 SP
Shuriken Enhancement – 10 SP
Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu – 60 SP (Unlocked)