Chakra surged through Shigure's entire body in an instant. Although still a teenager, Shigure had inherited an exceptionally pure strain of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline. The chakra coursing through his system had already reached a level that would rival elite jōnin.
As the overwhelming energy filled him, an itch began to build in his eyes.
"It feels like the tenketsu in my eyes haven't been fully activated by chakra yet... Then I'll force them open myself!"
Focusing intently, Shigure directed a dense stream of chakra toward his optic nerves.
"AAAH!"
A sharp pain exploded behind his eyes, forcing them shut as he clutched his face. But just as quickly, the pain ebbed, replaced by a sensation of clarity and weightlessness. Slowly, Shigure opened his eyes again—and gasped.
His vision expanded wildly. He could now see not only in front of him, but in all directions. The world appeared layered, transparent in places. He quickly grabbed a hand mirror and stared at his reflection.
"These eyes... they're white?! But... there are three tomoe inside them!?"
Shigure reeled. This wasn't the standard Byakugan, nor was it a typical Sharingan. It was something entirely new.
"A dojutsu hybrid...? No, this isn't in the original timeline at all. White sclera, but three tomoe—some kind of mutated Byakugan with Sharingan properties?"
As he focused, he realized his field of vision spanned a full kilometer in every direction. Not only that, he could feel everything moving within that space, down to the subtlest twitch of chakra.
"A 360-degree field of view... internal chakra network visibility... and—wait—this perception surpasses even the Hyūga's Byakugan. This is Ōtsutsuki-tier sensory ability!"
More than that, he noticed something else: chakra signatures revealed not only position but also elemental alignment and mental intent. And as his eyes locked onto a bird flying by, he felt instinctively that he could copy its movement—flawlessly.
"The three tomoe... just like a mature Sharingan! That gives me the ability to copy techniques... taijutsu, ninjutsu, maybe even genjutsu!"
He attempted to deactivate the dojutsu, but his reflection remained unchanged—his eyes were still glowing white, with the triple tomoe spinning slowly.
"So I haven't awakened the Mangekyō or Rinnegan yet. Maybe my chakra still isn't strong enough... or I'm not emotionally ready. Ōtsutsuki blood needs time—and growth."
Resolved to understand more, Shigure began refining his chakra control. But at that moment, elsewhere in the village, his power spike hadn't gone unnoticed.
Hokage's Office, Konoha
"Report, Lord Third! No sign of enemy infiltration," said an ANBU with a wolf mask, kneeling on one knee. Two more masked ANBU stood beside him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage—still in his prime—tapped his pipe against the ashtray, brows furrowed.
"Then what was that sudden explosion of chakra? It was on the level of a Kage."
Uttering a sigh, Koharu Utatane crossed her arms. "None of the known S-rank shinobi are in the village right now... It must be someone internal."
Homura Mitokado nodded solemnly. "Or a latent bloodline awakening…"
Danzo Shimura, standing near the window with one eye glinting under his bandages, cut in sharply.
"In times like these, letting anomalies go unchecked is dangerous. We're in an era of growing instability, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "I'll look into it myself."
He donned his Hokage cloak, three ANBU in tow, and headed toward the direction where the chakra burst had originated—Konoha Hospital.
Meanwhile...
Still unaware of the stir he'd caused, Shigure continued meditating, refining the chakra within his meridians. Suddenly, he sensed a fluctuation.
"Huh...?"
Focusing, he activated his new dojutsu. In an instant, the world sharpened.
Within a kilometer, several chakra signatures flared—dense, precise, trained. Far more refined than any civilians. Each bore the unique pattern of Konoha's elite.
"ANBU... and their chakra is incredibly strong. Stronger than mine in some cases."
Shigure was momentarily stunned when he saw the man leading the group into the room.
The man wore a Konoha forehead protector embedded into a helmet, his features aged but sharp, with a short black beard and piercing eyes that carried the weight of countless decisions.
"That's... the Third Hokage? Sarutobi Hiruzen? Why is he here... for me?" Shigure thought with a sinking feeling, hurriedly suppressing the mysterious dojutsu he had just awakened — the pale patterns in his eyes fading at will.
Flanked by two ANBU, Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped into the hospital ward. His eyes briefly scanned the room, and upon seeing Shigure alone, his expression softened slightly, though his posture remained guarded.
"Hmm... this boy is alone?" the Hokage said gently, his tone calm but observant. "Did you see anyone else in the room before we arrived?"
Shigure quickly shook his head. "No, Hokage-sama. I'm sorry, but... I didn't see anyone."
One of the ANBU stepped forward and handed over a clipboard. "According to the hospital records, his name is Shigure. He's from the Uchiha clan. Both parents died during the last skirmish in the Third Shinobi War."
Sarutobi's expression turned solemn. He gave a nod. "Your parents... were brave shinobi. They served the village with honor. You should be proud of them."
Shigure lowered his gaze. "If they were heroes... then maybe I shouldn't be here alone."
Hiruzen caught the pain in the boy's voice and let out a sigh, a familiar ache in his chest. He had heard too many such words from war orphans over the years.
"You're not a ninja yet, are you?" he asked.
"Not yet, Hokage-sama," Shigure replied truthfully. "But I plan to take the entrance exam for the Ninja Academy tomorrow."
Hiruzen paused for a moment, then spoke, as if coming to a decision. "Then after you pass that exam, come see me. I'd like to take you as my student, if you're willing."
Shigure's eyes widened in disbelief. "Y-you want to teach me? Of course! I'd be honored, Lord Hokage!"
One of the ANBU moved closer, whispering, "He's Uchiha…"
But Hiruzen raised a hand to silence him. "I know."
Then, turning back to Shigure, he placed a hand gently on the boy's head. "I'm sorry that you've lost your family. But always remember this: as long as you're in Konoha, you're not alone. This village is your home, and we are all your family."
With that, he turned and exited the ward, the ANBU following behind.
Shigure sat in stunned silence. The Third Hokage wants me... an Uchiha orphan... as his student?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the Professor for his mastery of all shinobi arts. If there's anyone who can teach me everything I need… it's him! With his heart full of excitement, Shigure drifted into a peaceful sleep.
When he awoke the next morning, he blinked at the mirror in shock. His skin was paler than before, his thick eyebrows seemed to have thinned, and streaks of silver now ran through his jet-black hair.
Even more surprising was the sensation within — his chakra reserves felt deeper, and the dormant power behind his eyes pulsed more clearly than ever.
Something inside him was changing.