Five years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.
The toddler who had once struggled to walk had become a six-year-old girl with long black hair and pitch-black eyes.
Shizuku Uchiha had grown.
She had learned to read almost four years earlier, and it was slightly challenging since the writing of this world was not the same as English from her past life, even though they spoke virtually the same way.
She had intentionally hidden just how quickly she learned.
Being seen as talented was one thing.
Being seen as a monster was another.
Every spare moment she could find was spent reading.
History.
Geography.
Basic chakra theory.
Anything she could get her hands on.
Although many books contradicted what she remembered from the anime, the broad ideas remained the same.
The Five Great Nations.
The hidden villages.
The tailed beasts.
The Shinobi Wars.
Most importantly…
the Third Great Ninja War.
If history continued along a similar path, it would begin around the time she entered the Academy.
She still had several years until she would have to fight.
Several years to become stronger.
It wasn’t much time.
But it was all she would get.
Her physical training had also begun in earnest.
Nothing excessive.
Her father refused to let her overwork herself while she was still growing.
Instead, he focused on fundamentals.
Balance.
Coordination.
Proper footwork.
How to hold a kunai.
How to throw a shuriken.
Simple exercises that would become the foundation of everything else.
Shizuku appreciated the approach.
Building a strong foundation now would be pivotal years later.
Her chakra had also grown considerably.
She couldn’t perform many jutsu yet.
She had learnt the three basic jutsu, as well as fireball and fire bullet jutsu.
Her father had mentioned before that she had a large amount of chakra for her age and was much more talented than he was at her age.
Then there was the thing inside her soul.
Every few weeks, she would close her eyes and reach toward it.
Each time…
it felt closer.
No longer like something resting at the bottom of an endless ocean.
Now it felt…
just beyond a thin veil.
Almost within reach.
Shizuku sat cross-legged in the backyard, her eyes closed.
She reached inward once more.
The mysterious presence pulsed faintly.
Closer.
Closer than ever before.
…I’m almost there.
She frowned.
I can feel it.
Maybe another few weeks…
Not yet.
But soon.
She sighed; it was frustrating to have to wait so long.
“Shizuku!” Her concentration shattered.
She opened one eye.
Obito stood several meters away, waving enthusiastically.
“Spar with me!” She let out a quiet sigh.
“…Again?” “Come on!” “You beat me yesterday!” “I almost beat you.” Obito puffed out his cheeks.
Despite her slight annoyance, she still grabbed two wooden kunai and tossed one toward him.
The two stepped into the middle of the yard.
Their father leaned against the porch with folded arms.
“Remember,” he called, “this isn’t about winning.
It’s about learning.” Obito nodded enthusiastically.
Shizuku took her stance.
“Begin.” Obito rushed forward immediately.
Too fast.
Too eager.
Shizuku sidestepped with ease.
His wooden kunai cut through empty air.
She lightly tapped him on the neck with her own.
“You’re dead.” “What?!” “You overcommitted.” “I almost had you!” Their father laughed.
“She’s right.” Obito groaned dramatically before trying again.
This time he lasted nearly thirty seconds.
After another few exchanges, their father called an end to the match.
“Much better.” He smiled proudly.
“Obito, you’re getting faster.” Then he looked toward Shizuku.
“And you’re getting better at reading your opponent.” She inclined her head slightly.
“Thank you.” Their father smiled.
“You know…” He looked between the two siblings.
“I think you’ll both do well at the Academy.” Obito’s eyes practically sparkled.
“I can’t wait!
I’m gonna become the strongest ninja ever!
And then…” He pointed dramatically toward the Hokage Monument towering over the village.
“I’m gonna become Hokage!” Their father chuckled.
“That’s quite the goal.” “I know!
But I’ll do it!” Shizuku watched him quietly.
He really believed it.
There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his voice.
She almost envied that certainty.
Not worried about survival, as if he were living without a care in the world.
It wasn’t a dream she shared.
She didn’t want recognition.
She didn’t want admiration.
She wanted to survive.
Everything else came second.
As everyone began heading inside for lunch, Obito slowed his pace until he was walking beside her.
“…Hey, Sis?” “What?” “Do you think I’ll be a good ninja?” She looked at him.
He was smiling…
but there was uncertainty hiding behind it.
“…Yes.” His face brightened immediately.
“Really?” “You work hard.” “And?” “You don’t give up.” “And?” She sighed.
“…You’ll probably make a decent ninja.” He laughed.
“I knew it!” Before running ahead.
Shizuku watched him go.
He looked up to her.
She’d known that for years.
He followed her around whenever he had the chance.
Asked for her opinion.
Wanted to train with her.
Wanted to eat beside her.
Sometimes…
she caught him trying to copy the way she stood or spoke.
He admired her.
Unfortunately…
he also noticed something else.
That she never quite let him get close.
He couldn’t explain it.
She was kind.
She helped him whenever he asked.
She protected him when older children picked on him.
Yet…
there always seemed to be an invisible wall between them.
One he never managed to cross.
Shizuku knew exactly why that wall existed.
She simply hoped…
that it would be enough to save her.
Two days from now, the Academy entrance examination would be held.
That evening, the four of them gathered around the dinner table.
Her mother smiled warmly.
“I can’t believe you’re both old enough already.
It feels like yesterday you were learning to walk.” Her father laughed.
“I remember someone insisting Shizuku was trying to walk too early.
I was worried she’d fall!” Everyone laughed.
Even Shizuku found herself smiling.
It was…
nice and peaceful.
Something she had once believed she’d never have.
After dinner, her parents began gathering their equipment near the front door.
Mission scroll.
Kunai pouch.
Flak jackets.
Their father noticed the two children watching.
“We’ll be back tomorrow.
We might come home late before your Academy examination even starts.” Their mother knelt in front of them, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Shizuku’s face before smiling at Obito.
“Listen to your big sister tomorrow.
We’ll be wanting to hear about your day when we get home.” Obito grinned from ear to ear.
“Of course I will.
I’ll protect her if anyone tries anything.” Their parents laughed.
Their father ruffled his hair before resting a hand on Shizuku’s shoulder.
“Take care of your little brother until we get back.” “…I will.” He smiled.
“I know you will.” The two of them stepped outside.
Their mother turned one last time and waved.
“We’ll see you tomorrow.” The door closed.
I wonder if Dad realized I was going easy on Obito during the spar, Shizuku thought.
Neither Shizuku nor Obito realized…
those would be the last words they would ever hear from their parents.