By the time he turned six, the boy who once ran barefoot through gardens had changed.
Not in spirit — but in sharpness.
His movements were cleaner. His eyes, more focused.
And his presence… quieter, but heavier — like a drawn bowstring that never slackened.
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But even a storm needs the sun.
And his came in the form of friends — unpredictable, bright, and reckless friends.
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His Circle
Riku – A brash, white-haired boy with earth-style jutsu and a smile like a punch to the face. "You think too much," he'd say. "Come hit something!"
Aiko – The granddaughter of a medical-nin. Quiet but terrifying with chakra scalpels. "I'll patch you up," she'd say sweetly, "after you collapse."
Tama – A fūinjutsu prodigy with bad eyesight and a big heart. Always carried exploding tags… and never labeled them correctly.
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Together, they trained.
Together, they failed.
Together, they pushed him.
And for the first time in either of his lives, he wasn't the one walking ahead alone.
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Missions and Lessons
Their team began taking D-rank missions, then gradually harder ones under the ANBU's watchful eye — always just far enough to feel danger, never far enough to break.
Catching bandits near the coast
Escorting merchant scrolls across whirlpool-laced rivers
Capturing rogue summons gone mad
He learned to think on his feet, to protect, not just dominate.
And more than once, it was Riku who pulled him out of his own head with a punch.
Or Aiko, who reminded him that kindness wasn't weakness.
Or Tama, who made the seals fun again.
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His Essence responded with quiet satisfaction.
His chakra grew steadier.
But the Emperor Eye… still slept.
And that was fine.
Because he was not alone anymore.
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"This… is what I never had in my first life," he whispered one night, watching them argue over who burned dinner.
"And I'll protect it — whatever it costs."
The sky over Uzushiogakure was cloudless that evening — too clear for his liking.
He sat beside his grandfather, Ashina, on the cliff where the sea met sky in endless blue. The wind tugged gently at their robes, carrying the salt and weight of unspoken things.
He didn't speak right away.
Ashina didn't push him.
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"Grandfather…" he finally said.
"What would you do if you knew something terrible was coming — not just a battle, but something meant to erase everything?"
Ashina's brush paused mid-scroll. He looked at the ink. Then at Akashi.
"Why do you ask that?"
There was no fear in his voice. Only the quiet steel of a man who had lived through storms.
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Akashi hesitated, then whispered,
"I remember things I shouldn't. From a place far beyond this world. And I know that… when I turn six, the enemies of Uzushiogakure will strike."
"They'll come in numbers and strength our people can't stop alone."
"If nothing changes, the village… it will be destroyed."
The words hung in the air like the edge of a blade.
Ashina didn't react with disbelief.
Nor with panic.
Only silence.
And then, finally:
"So… you see it too."
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That stopped the boy cold.
"You… knew?"
Ashina sighed, his voice low and worn like old paper.
"I've seen the signs. Intercepted enemy scouts. Quiet whispers from old allies gone distant."
"Something's brewing near the borders. Something coordinated."
"I had hoped… that I was wrong. That maybe age was making me paranoid."
He looked at his grandson — truly looked.
"But if you saw it, then it's not paranoia. It's prophecy."
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"Why haven't you told the council?"
Ashina smiled bitterly.
"Because power breeds arrogance. The younger councilmen believe Uzushiogakure's seals make us untouchable."
"They forget that paper and chakra are no match for coordinated steel… not without will behind it."
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Akashi clenched his fists. The Essence inside him stirred — not in fear, but in readiness.
"Then we'll prepare. Quietly. I have time. I'll train harder. Learn faster. If we can't stop the storm… we'll redirect it."
Ashina chuckled softly.
"You sound older than I ever did, child."
"You carry something ancient in you. But remember: You are still a boy. Don't let that fire burn you too soon."
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They sat in silence as the sun dipped low.
Two Uzumaki. One wise with age. One burdened by rebirth.
Both aware that time was running out.
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