Chapter Text
The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays over Konoha as a nine-year-old Sasuke Uchiha practically sprinted down the street, his school report clutched tightly in his hands. His breath was light with excitement, his dark eyes gleaming. He had worked so hard, pushing himself every single day to be the best in every subject, and now he had proof of his efforts.
"Father will be proud of me for sure," he thought, his small fingers tightening around the edges of the paper. The image of his father giving him a nod of approval, maybe even a rare smile, kept his feet moving even faster.
As he turned a corner, he nearly bumped into two familiar figures walking down the path. Itachi and Shisui, both clad in their shinobi gear, seemed to be heading towards the police station.
“Sasuke?” Itachi stopped, tilting his head slightly in question.
“Sasuke-kun, what’s with that look? Did you finally unlock the Sharingan?” Shisui teased, crossing his arms with a playful grin.
Sasuke huffed but didn’t let the teasing ruin his excitement. He held up the report proudly. “No! But look! I got my school report today! I was top of my class in everything!”
Itachi’s expression softened into a small but genuine smile. “That’s great, Sasuke. I’m proud of you.”
Shisui whistled, snatching the paper from Sasuke’s hands before he could protest. “Top in everything? Wow, wow, looks like we’ve got a genius in the making. Hey, Itachi, this kid’s coming for your title!”
Sasuke puffed up slightly at the praise. “I’m going to show it to Father!” he announced.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged a glance, but before either could say anything, Sasuke was already rushing off towards home.
---
At dinner, the usual quiet hum of the Uchiha household was broken only by the sound of chopsticks against bowls. Sasuke sat with his back straight, waiting for the right moment to bring up his achievement.
Fugaku, seated at the head of the table, turned his attention to Itachi. “Your mission this morning was successful, I assume?”
“Yes, Father,” Itachi responded simply.
Fugaku nodded approvingly. “Good. The Hokage has been pleased with your work lately.”
Sasuke hesitated. He knew better than to interrupt when his father was speaking about something important, but he also wanted to be acknowledged. His mother, Mikoto, noticed and sent him an encouraging look. But Fugaku never turned his attention to Sasuke, never asked how his day had gone.
Dinner continued, Fugaku praising Itachi now and then, discussing future responsibilities, but Sasuke’s moment never came.
---
Later that evening, Sasuke stood in his father’s study, clutching the report tightly in his hands. Fugaku glanced at him, waiting for him to speak.
“Father, I got my school report today,” Sasuke said carefully.
Fugaku remained silent, expectant.
“I was top of my class in all subjects.” Sasuke’s voice carried a note of hope, his hands gripping the paper tightly.
For a long moment, there was silence. Then, Fugaku finally spoke. “That is expected of an Uchiha. It is not something to be proud of yet. You still have a long way to go.”
Sasuke’s grip on the report slackened, the excitement in his chest deflating like a punctured balloon. He barely heard as Fugaku continued speaking.
“Itachi was already performing at an advanced level at your age. You should not be satisfied with simply being top of your class.”
Sasuke swallowed, forcing a small nod. He didn’t want to look up—didn’t want anyone to see the sting in his eyes.
Mikoto sighed softly when Sasuke returned to his room, but she said nothing. She had tried to talk to Fugaku about giving Sasuke more encouragement, but her husband was stubborn, and she didn’t want to undermine him.
---
That night, Sasuke sat on his bed, staring at his school report in the dim candlelight. His chest felt tight, and his throat burned with unshed tears, but he refused to let them fall. Crying over something like this was childish. He needed to be better. Stronger.
He stood abruptly and left his room, walking toward Itachi’s. He slid the door open without knocking.
Itachi, who had been organizing some of his gear for his upcoming mission, turned to him. “Sasuke?”
“Train with me tomorrow, Nii-san,” Sasuke said quickly. “I want to get stronger.”
Itachi paused. Then, with a small sigh, he shook his head. “I have a mission this weekend, Sasuke. You’ll have to wait until I return.”
Sasuke’s shoulders dropped. Normally, he would have complained or demanded another time, but tonight, he just clenched his fists and turned away. “Yes, Nii-san. Never mind,” he muttered, walking back to his room.
---
The next morning, Itachi left early, but before he did, he spoke with Shisui. “Sasuke seemed upset last night. Keep an eye on him for me.”
Shisui raised an eyebrow. “Did something happen?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling.”
Shisui sighed. “Alright, I’ll check on him.”
---
Later that morning, Shisui made his way over to Sasuke’s house. Finding the younger boy sitting outside, he grinned and plopped down next to him.
“So, how did your big mission of showing your school report to Fugaku-sama go?” he teased lightly. “Did he put you up on his shoulders and call you the pride of the clan?”
Sasuke stiffened. He didn’t answer, instead standing abruptly and walking away without a word.
Shisui blinked in surprise, watching as Sasuke disappeared down the path leading to one of the clan’s training grounds. His usual energetic attitude was nowhere to be seen.
“…Guess that answers that,” Shisui muttered to himself, frowning slightly. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but Sasuke’s reaction didn’t sit right with him.