UCHIHA SAISUMI || NARUTO FANFICTION

03: The Weight of Memory and Mission

[A/N] Please don't forget to leave a vote to motivate me haha

SAISUMI'S POV

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood before the entrance to my old clan's estate, the words "UCHIHA CLAN" on the signboard stirring a flood of memories.

Each leaf that fluttered to the ground seemed to whisper echoes of my past, drawing me back to moments long forgotten but never truly gone. I felt a pang of guilt as I crossed the threshold into my former home. 

I could almost hear the laughter of children and the calls of the elders, their voices from a time before everything changed. 

"Saisumi-chan, Saisumi-nee-chan," they would say, but I ignored the phantom echoes, knowing they were just figments of my memories.

I made my way to the lake, a place filled with poignant recollections. The scene before me shifted as if on a reel, and I found myself reliving a memory from my childhood. My six-year-old self was performing the Uchihas' signature jutsu with the excitement and pride of my older brother's encouragement.

 "Oh, good job, Saisumi!" he had cheered, lifting me onto his shoulder. We laughed together, but the illusion shifted again to my graduation day.

The clan had gathered to celebrate, and the atmosphere was joyous. Sasuke was perched on Itachi's shoulder, while I played in the water with my brother. Back then, we were blissfully unaware of the fractures that would soon tear our world apart.

The vision of our happiness was abruptly interrupted by a voice in my mind. "It's for the greater good, Saisumi. If Sasuke clings to his goal, he will grow stronger. Let Itachi handle his own issues and focus on your mission. Do not let emotions control your actions."

I closed my eyes, troubled by how my sensei could always read my thoughts. "I understand, sensei," I replied, "but I worry that the conflict between the brothers might lead to even greater problems."

There was a brief pause before the response came. "That is the way of the world. Let Sasuke find his own way. He will not grow if you intervene."

He was right. Sasuke had his path, and I had mine. My mission was paramount, and everything would fall into place as planned.

"For my revenge," I whispered, staring at the familiar façade of my old home.

I spent several hours reminiscing at the clan's grounds before making my way to meet my childhood friend. He was training alone in the forest. "I guess his team must have left," I mused to myself as I observed him, covered in dirt and sweat. A smile of pride touched my lips at his dedication.

He threw three kunai, but before they could hit their targets, I intercepted them mid-air. He widened his eyes in surprise, his mouth falling open in confusion.