The days grew quieter in Konoha.
Not from peace, but tension.
The kind of silence that feels loaded—like the air is waiting to snap.
Even the teachers noticed it. Fugaku Uchiha visited the Academy more often now, arms crossed, eyes sharp, speaking little. The elders passed each other in whispers. And at night, ANBU patrols lingered longer than usual around the Uchiha district.
But the Academy went on as if nothing was wrong.
I guess the Uchiha massacre is coming.
---
"Today's sparring rotation," Iruka announced, scanning his list, "will be Sasuke Uchiha versus Noir Kurayami."
Again.
There was an audible shift in the classroom. Most students had seen it before—and they always hoped it would be different this time.
Noir stood without a word. Sasuke glanced at Noir then followed.
They entered the sparring ring. Iruka signaled.
"Begin."
Sasuke charged in—fast, fluid, better than most. His hands blurred into hand signs.
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!
Noir didn't flinch. His Kuraseigan activated mid-motion—its infinity irises swirling faintly.
He stepped sideways in time.
Not a substitution. Not a teleport.
A slide through a narrowed moment.
The flames missed by inches.
Before Sasuke could react, Noir's palm was against his chest.
"Release."
A concussive pulse of chakra sent Sasuke flying backward. He crashed into the mat, air knocked from his lungs.
One hit. Again.
"Winner: Noir."
Sasuke lay on the ground, fists trembling. Not in pain.
In frustration.
He didn't even weave a sign. He didn't need to.
---
Later that day, Sasuke sat on the steps outside the Academy, fists clenched. The wind rustled the leaves around him.
Noir passed behind him, silent as usual.
Sasuke didn't turn—but he spoke.
"You hold back. I can tell."
Noir paused. "Maybe."
"…Don't. Not next time."
The silence between them stretched.
"I'm not your enemy, Sasuke."
Sasuke finally turned, looking up. "No. But you're stronger. And that's close enough."
Noir didn't respond. He just walked away, the sunlight catching in his white hair and infinity-spun eyes.
Sasuke watched him go, jaw tight.
He didn't know why, but something told him…
He needs to surpass him..... before he became more insurmountable.
---
That night, Noir sat on the orphanage roof again, knees pulled to his chest.
His Kuraseigan activated—less straining now, more natural. He blinked, and the world slowed, fragmented into potentialities. He tracked birds mid-flight, leaves mid-fall, shadows of future steps before they even moved.
He could hold it for nearly a minute now.
Still not enough.
There's still Madara with the Rinnegan and Otsutsuki with the tenseigan.
His mind wandered to the cloaked figure. The same eyes. The same presence. Was it his future? A warning?
The Kuraseigan shimmered, a whisper of raw time-space swirling around its iris.
He wasn't ready.
Not yet.
But he would be.
Soon.
---
And elsewhere, on the edge of the village—
Obito stood above a dark forest path, his eyes grim.
Behind him, a shadow with crimson Sharingan stepped forward.
"…It's time, Itachi."
---
[End of Chapter 6]