Naruto: The Clanless Prince

When Sora returned to Orochimaru's underground base, the Sannin was nowhere to be found.

After a quick shower, Sora retired to his room to rest.

Initially, he was still fuming over the encounter with Uchiha Yuuto and Uchiha Kazuma.

Do they really think I'm still the weak, spineless kid I used to be?

But after a while, his anger subsided. Why waste energy being upset over two idiots?

The more Sora thought about it, the more amusing the whole situation became. Those two clowns had the audacity to invoke the Uchiha name as though their clan could somehow intimidate him.

Covered by Orochimaru, I've got nothing to fear; Sora thought with a smirk as he lay down. Moments later, sleep overtook him.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Yuuto and Uchiha Kazuma were far from comfortable. They were now at Konoha's Ninja Hospital, their right arms bound in plaster bandages.

It wasn't long before Uchiha Masaki, the current head of the Uchiha clan, arrived at the hospital. By his side was a boy about Sora's age—the future clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku.

Masaki's sharp eyes immediately noticed the sorry state of the two injured Uchiha. His frown deepened as he demanded, "What happened here?"

Yuuto and Kazuma exchanged uneasy glances, clearly nervous under Masaki's stern gaze.

Kazuma gritted his teeth and finally blurted, "Lord Clan Leader, it was that guy—Sora!"

Masaki's brow furrowed even further. "Didn't I make myself clear? I told everyone to leave him alone!"

Masaki had been keeping a close eye on Sora for some time. Sora had contributed A-rank ninjutsu, a rare and powerful taijutsu technique that several Uchiha clan members had already adopted. This act alone had drawn the attention of the Hokage.

Anyone observant enough could see that Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had taken a liking to Sora and intended to cultivate his talents.

And while not many in the village knew of it, Masaki had learned through his own sources that Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin and Sarutobi's disciples, had taken Sora under his wing.

As a result, Sora's status in Konoha had risen significantly. He was clearly aligned with the Hokage faction, making him a dangerous person to antagonize.

Masaki's decision was clear: the Uchiha clan wanted to avoid any conflict with Sora. That order had kept things quiet for years.

After Sora's apprenticeship under Orochimaru became known, Masaki reiterated his command—no one from the Uchiha clan was to provoke him.

Masaki's tone turned colder as he asked, "Were you deliberately causing trouble for him?"

Yuuto opened his mouth to respond but ultimately said nothing, lowering his gaze in shame.

Both Yuuto and Kazuma, despite their usual arrogance and pride in being Uchiha, were unwilling to outright lie to their clan leader.

Masaki's expression darkened further. "When you're discharged and return to the clan, you will be dealt with according to the clan's rules.

I'll say this one more time—don't provoke Sora again!"

Masaki's voice carried a weight that left no room for argument. Yuuto and Kazuma nodded silently, their bruised pride paling in comparison to their fear of the consequences within their own clan.

Uchiha Masaki couldn't help but feel frustration toward his clan. Their arrogance blinded them to reality, making it impossible for them to understand their precarious position in Konoha.

Masaki understood the situation the Uchiha found themselves in all too well.

The Uchiha clan is like an old tree on the verge of collapse, clinging to its last remnants of glory, he thought bitterly.

The villagers' fear and distrust toward the Uchiha, coupled with the clan's own pride and domineering behaviour, only served to worsen their plight.

Masaki knew that if not for the current instability in the ninja world, which made Uchiha's combat prowess indispensable, Konoha might have already moved to deal with them—possibly even eliminating the clan outright.

If there was anyone in Konoha who might instigate such a move, Masaki was certain it would be Danzo, the manipulative figure lurking in the shadows.

Masaki's own solution to the clan's troubles was painfully clear. To ensure the survival of the Uchiha, they needed to prove their worth to Konoha—particularly to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the villagers.

And the battlefield was the only place to showcase their value.

Masaki had repeatedly urged his clan members to keep a low profile. However, Uchiha's ingrained arrogance and habits were difficult to break. His words often fell on deaf ears.

It left him nearly despondent. As the leader of the Uchiha clan, it was his burden to carry these problems, likely for many years to come.

Turning his gaze toward Uchiha Fugaku, who stood silently beside him, Masaki allowed himself a rare moment of hope.

At least his son wasn't like the others—ungrateful and blinded by arrogance. Fugaku had discipline, foresight, and the potential to be a strong and capable leader.

Masaki truly believed his son would lead the clan wisely in the future.

He glanced back at the injured Uchiha Yuuto and Uchiha Kazuma lying on their hospital beds. For a moment, it seemed like he might say something. But, in the end, Masaki sighed, his disappointment palpable.

What's the point? He thought. I've told them before, and it went in one ear and out the other. Forget it.

As he turned to leave, Uchiha Yuuto, after some hesitation, finally spoke up. "Clan Head, that guy Sora… he awakened the Sharingan!"

Masaki froze mid-step. Turning slowly, he fixed Yuuto with a look of disbelief. "What did you say?"

Yuuto repeated, "Sora has awakened his Sharingan!"

Masaki's expression shifted as he processed the news. "How old is he now? Thirteen? Fourteen?"

Before Yuuto could answer, Fugaku spoke up. "Father, he's two years younger than me. He should be twelve years old."

Masaki's shock deepened. "He awakened his Sharingan at twelve? No… it could have been earlier than twelve. This… this boy is a genius!"

Masaki's mind raced. His son, Fugaku, was already regarded as a prodigy within the Uchiha clan, and yet, at fourteen, he had yet to awaken his Sharingan. Even Uchiha Madara, the legendary leader of the clan, had only awakened his Sharingan at fifteen.

And here was Sora, a boy with only half Uchiha blood, awakening his Sharingan at such a young age.

Masaki's thoughts drifted back to the day Konoha's Anbu brought Sora to the Uchiha compound. The boy's lineage—a mix of Uchiha and Senju blood—had stirred disdain among the clan. Even Masaki had dismissed Sora, refusing to acknowledge him as part of the Uchiha.

If I had known he was this gifted, I would have kept him in the clan, even against everyone's objections, Masaki thought with regret. But it's too late now.

As Masaki wrestled with his thoughts, Fugaku stood quietly, his own mind racing.

As the son of the clan leader, Fugaku was hailed as a genius, destined to become the Uchiha's strongest pillar in the future. He had always believed in his abilities, confident that he would surpass all expectations.

But this revelation about Sora shook him.

He's younger than me and has already awakened the Sharingan?

Though Fugaku was careful not to show it outwardly, a mixture of shock and jealousy churned within him. Despite all the praise he received as a prodigy, he had not even come close to awakening his own Sharingan.

The fact that Sora, a boy with mixed blood, had surpassed him in this regard was a bitter pill to swallow.

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