Uchiha Naruto: The Strongest

Chapter 1: Uchiha Madara

Uchiha Madara, to anyone outside of Konoha, seemed like any other boy. Inside the village, however, he was a symbol of risk. Despite being a normal seven-year-old, he bore the same name and blood as the Legendary Traitor, the Ghost of the Uchiha. This connection cast him as an outcast. In truth, only a few things kept the villagers from venting their fear and hatred upon the boy.

Those safeguards were Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Mikoto, and the Yondaime Hokage, each for their own reasons. Itachi and Shisui, like older brothers, trained Madara and spent time with him whenever possible. If they weren't on missions, they were with Madara and Sasuke. Mikoto treated Madara as another son, no different from Itachi and Sasuke.

The influential members of the Uchiha clan saw Madara as a potential asset. If he could become like the original Madara, his power would be immense. Without someone like the Shodai Hokage to oppose him, the clan could use him to dominate the shinobi world.

Madara sat in a chair across from Mikoto. Despite the villagers' rejection, he managed to maintain a cheerful demeanor, a resilience that pleased Mikoto.

"Did you have fun playing with Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui?" Mikoto asked, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Madara's eyes sparkled. "No! We played hide and seek, but Itachi and Shisui kept using Genjutsu to hide!"

Mikoto chuckled, but her amusement was interrupted as Shisui entered, his expression grave. "Mikoto-san, Itachi needs to speak with you. It's urgent."

Mikoto's smile faded as she nodded and left the room. Shisui knelt in front of Madara, ruffling his hair with a reassuring smile.

"How about you head to your room and rest? We've got a long day ahead tomorrow," Shisui said gently, but Madara sensed the firmness behind the suggestion. He knew it was more of an order than a request. With a nod, he obliged.

As Madara made his way through the house, unease prickled at the edges of his young mind. Something was wrong, but he couldn't quite grasp what. Pushing the thought aside, he entered his room.

Madara's room was spacious, with a king-sized bed draped in a fuzzy red blanket that looked invitingly soft. Multiple large white pillows were propped neatly against the headboard, creating a cozy nook. Madara kicked off his small black shinobi sandals and hopped into bed, the mattress sinking slightly under his weight.

Reaching over to his dark-brown nightstand, he grabbed a hefty book with a dark grey cover, its serious tone contrasting sharply with the bold, white bubble letters spelling "TAIJUTSU" on the front. Below the title, a white outline of a figure performing a punch added a dynamic touch. The spine of the book mirrored this design, ensuring its title stood out even when shelved. The back cover featured the Uchiha clan symbol, a red and white fan, adding a splash of color and a nod to his heritage. Inside, the pages were filled with detailed descriptions, illustrations, and techniques, making it a treasure trove for martial arts enthusiasts and aspiring ninja.

Madara, unlike other seven-year-olds, had no interest in fairy tales. Since he could walk, his fascination lay in the art of battle. To him, combat was a "dance," not a fight. His dream was to become the strongest Uchiha, surpassing even the legendary Madara. His ambitions were supported by Mikoto and everyone around him, except for Sasuke, who believed he should be the strongest, with Madara following in his footsteps.

Madara read for about an hour, the weighty tome absorbing his attention until sleep finally overtook him. He was blissfully unaware of the tense conversation occurring just outside his house.

-Outside-

In the moonlit yard, Itachi, Shisui, and Mikoto stood in a triangular formation. Mikoto's face was etched with shock, while Itachi and Shisui wore expressions of somber resolve.