Time has passed since that tragic night, but I don't know how long.
Sasuke has no interest in the concept of time; the only thing keeping him alive now is a single conviction—revenge.
Revenge against that repulsive man who wielded a butcher's knife against his clan, against his parents.
Past reverence and admiration for that man has now transformed into profound hatred.
Ever since the clan massacre, Sasuke has lived every day under the shadow of nightmares, each night, as he closes his eyes, he involuntarily recalls that bloody and murderous night.
The butcher of his brother...
Seeing the dead clan members...
Seeing the bodies of his parents sprawled beside his brother's feet...
Then waking up from the dream, drenched in cold sweat.
This repeated cycle has gradually led his mental state to unravel.
Fortunately, he isn't without concern from others in the village.
The tirelessly busy Third Hokage visits periodically to comfort him, which makes Sasuke feel guilty.
Because every time the Third Hokage visits, Sasuke is cold-faced, appearing as if he can no longer smile.
Seeing the kind face of the Third Hokage, yet behaving so rudely...
Surely there isn't a single person in the village who doesn't respect the Hokage, and Sasuke is no exception.
This important figure must be extremely busy with daily affairs, yet he still finds time to visit a poor Uchiha clan member. This makes Sasuke feel very apologetic... perhaps next time that kind old man visits, he should be more polite.
"Sasuke, we've agreed to play ninja games together, do you want to join?"
During the afternoon after school, a classmate came over with an invitation.
The other's name is Nara Shikamaru, a guy who often lazes around sleeping in class.
Thus, he is jokingly called one of the 'Idiot Trio' in the class, and Sasuke remembers him deeply.
Sasuke looked at him intently, shook his head, and said, "No need, find someone else."
Maybe before, I would have thought a little and agreed.
But now... the power is still not enough.
Compared to that man, I am as insignificant as an ant, without even the qualification to stand before him.
With such frailty, how can I have time to play ninja games?
The belief that sustains my survival is only revenge.
And, someone who always talks about 'trouble' and who is not usually close to me suddenly invites me to play ninja games. It's too sudden.
Perhaps someone suggested he do this behind the scenes.
However, it seems there's no malice.
I can't waste my precious training time on such matters.
Without hesitation, Sasuke left the classroom.
"So troublesome..."
Shikamaru scratched his head, lethargically looking at the white clouds in the sky.
Extending an invitation so suddenly, he might be suspected.
He wouldn't dare underestimate the top student in the class.
In this class, aside from a certain idiot, everyone excels in one way or another in the same grade.
Sasuke's ability to become the top student in this class is proof of his strength and intellect.
Such little cleverness cannot be concealed at all.
After leaving the school, Sasuke bought a rice ball as dinner.
He arrived at the open forest surrounding the Uchiha Clan Land and began training here.
Fire Style Jutsu, Shuriken, and Taijutsu, none of them were neglected.
Because he hasn't activated the Sharingan yet, Sasuke isn't very skilled in Illusion Techniques, only understanding them to some extent.
Sasuke has already planned his Illusion Technique training, waiting until he activates the Sharingan to delve deeper.
As a ninja of the Uchiha Clan, there's no need to intentionally train in Illusion Techniques. Once the Sharingan is activated, Illusion Techniques can be naturally learned.
Just thinking of the Sharingan brings a shadow to Sasuke's eyes.
He remembers his father saying Itachi activated the Sharingan at eight, and within a short time, he mastered its application, whereas he, at the same age as Itachi now, shows no signs of unlocking it.
More importantly, Itachi graduated from Ninja School at six and could perform missions and battle formidable enemies, enhancing his strength.
But I am still a student at the Ninja School, only capable of playing ninja games a bit later at school.
Jealousy and hatred fill my chest, causing my eyes to carry a trace of brutality and coldness.
Jealousy, this emotion accompanying hatred, is something Sasuke never dared to imagine.
In the past, no matter how powerful or talented Itachi was, I always only respected and admired him, never envying his talents and abilities.
But now, I possess such dark emotions, making Sasuke subconsciously startled.
Quickly suppressing the agitation within, returning to calm.
"Huff... huff..."
Breathing deeply, Sasuke's face was already covered in cold sweat and struggle.
I need to stay calm now, need training to become stronger, to obtain more power than Itachi, and then kill him.
To avenge the clan and parents, and then restore the Uchiha Clan's prestige.
He won't forget, some students in the class now look at him with those strange eyes.
Maybe there's no malice, but to Sasuke, they feel like mockery and pity.