Author's Note: I know that I shouldn't be starting a new story so soon but I wanted to share this plot so much. Ever since the revelation at Fourth Shinobi War, I wanted to try my hand in this. It was said that Obito was the mirror image of Naruto if he had given in to his despair and hatred when he had been ostracised by the village. So, for me, it was a kind of justice for him to be the one to give the necessary helping hand when it looked like there had been none for Obito or when it looked like there was no salvation for him. After all, most of the things that had been done to destroy lives (Naruto's parents and the Uchiha Clan) had been by Obito's hand. So for me, he had been one of the most important people to have contributed to the fallouts in the future.

Warning(s): This is a GENfic. I don't want to include any pairings to this since this is a future-building story, of course, that is aside from the canon pairings already established by this timeline. This will also include Semi-Smart!Naruto, a little AU-future [during the 4thwar], and a little tweak in history of the Third Great Shinobi War. This is also mostly written in Obito's POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto which is Masashi Kishimoto's.

Prologue

[Aperçu]

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Uchiha Obito glared at the ground defiantly.

He was walking through the market district of the civilian sector and was generally ignored – or unnoticed – by the general masses. The members of the Military Police Force merely gave him a passing glance before frowning and joined the majority in ignoring his existence. His and his father's voice hadn't been exactly quiet earlier. They'd probably woken up some neighbours in the district.

Kicking the pebble angrily, he glared at the ground at how unreasonable the man had been a while ago. He honestly didn't know what was wrong about wanting to be Hokage. His seven year old mind just saw it as a decent and honourable job. People even admired the person who held the position.

[Don't even think about it! Do you know what you are babbling about? Our clan–]

In fact, his father had flipped, so to say. His mother had gently shooed him out until his father calmed down. For some reason, the topic about any Uchiha attaining the Hokage title held some strain within the clan. Something he had recently discovered from his remorseful mother. Apparently, it had stemmed from the years where Konoha was first built and dated way back to his wayward ancestor.

But still, the man shouldn't have yelled so loudly for everyone to hear and degraded him so much. Sure, he still couldn't get the hang of using the Goukakyuu like they expected but he wasn't really a failure as an Uchiha, was he? No, his mother had told him so.

[They're wrong. Don't listen to them, Obito-kun.]

He would be starting the Academy in a week and his parents had warned him about mentioning his goal. It wouldn't do for it to reach the wrong ears, especially the Elders of the clan, who were looking for any imperfection that would tarnish the Uchiha name. He had been forewarned, so to speak, and as much as it aggravated him, he would abide by his parents' wishes. After all, he still loved and cared about them too much to choose defying some old codgers over them.

Sighing, he went to the park outside their neighbourhood. He didn't like the ones within the Uchiha district and be forced to deal with uptight cousins and disapproving Uchiha adults.

[That boy. I can't believe he's an Uchiha– Might be doomed for failure– What did we expect–]

Frowning, he collapsed on the swing seat rather heavily. He was still upset and it didn't help that his other clan members – mostly from the Police Force – were staring at him with mixed exasperation and slight displeasure, as if they should've expected whatever happened to have happened.

It honestly upset and angered him.

He hastily wiped the few stray tears that escaped his eyes, growing more annoyed and put out that such things still managed to affect him. Heck, he had been on the brunt end of it for the past year since his father had decided to teach him the famed Goukakyuu early. Which obviously didn't go well.

Thankfully, he had the swing set all to himself since the other children were too busy playing with themselves to bother with him. Though, he hoped that it had nothing to do with the white and red symbol signifying his clan. Most people were rather wary in interacting with them. Obito could hardly blame them since his clansmen weren't making it easy for them. And as much as the thought excited him, his first day in the Academy next week made him nervous.

He was typically used to the stereo-type attitude of most of the population in his village. They expected every Uchiha to be geniuses and knowing that they had already set rather high expectations for him to live up to, sent waves of queasiness down his stomach. His self-confidence had just taken a rather large beating this morning.

[Your cousin can already do the Goukakyuu– He's an Uchiha, of course, he's strong– They're a bunch of bastards but they know what they're doing–]

With the war already looming and growing in the horizon, the village was sombre and more dead-set in producing more skilled shinobi. It meant that their expectations would be higher than what he was truthfully ready for.

So intent about his thoughts, he didn't notice that someone had occupied the swing seat next to his.

It wasn't until he heard the sound of feet scuffing the ground, the creaking of metal, and the whoosh of displaced air beside him did he finally look at his swing seatmate. It was a boy with spiky and impossibly bright blonde hair. The swing was moving a little faster for him to identify the boy's eye colour and to really picture his features. Nonetheless, he watched in fascination as the boy continued to swing higher.

For a moment, Obito just stared and watched.

[High, free, couldn't his cousins loosen up–?]

As the boy's feet suddenly made a loud impact on the ground and an abrupt stillness descended, he instantly looked away. He didn't want to get caught and he knew from personal experience that being stared at was rather uncomfortable.

Then, the boy turned to him.

Obito wanted to sneak another glance and flinched at meeting the other's gaze. It wasn't because he had been caught staring in the end but because of the pair of mismatched eyes gazing back at him curiously. One was an unusual shade of intense violet while the other was an angry colour of ruby red. The latter unnerved him. If he didn't know any better, he would've deduced that the iris was bleeding. Much like how a Sharingan would look, he imagined, but it didn't contain the natural angry hue this boy's eye had.

[This is the pride of our clan, Obito. The Sharingan. Can you see why we are valuable to this village? We are superior even from those of the likes from those Hyuuga. As soon as you awaken these eyes, the clan will see your worth–]

"Erm, hi?" He waved weakly at the other boy.

But said other just smiled at him and waved back.

"I'm Obito," The Uchiha continued awkwardly.

The blonde blinked before grinning and nodding back at him. Obito scratched the back of his head in slight annoyance, not too used to awkward silences. At home, he usually filled them with random chatters with his mother but he really didn't know this boy.

[I'm gonna be a strong ninja, just like you and dad–]

"So, uh, what's your name?" He finally asked after the silence stretched a little longer for his liking.

The other boy tilted his head, a smile on his lips.

Obito pursed his own in return.

"If you didn't want to tell me, you could've just left me alone here," He stated in annoyance as he idly swung himself back and forth, turning away from the blonde boy. He was annoyed at the other boy. Because, for some reason, he felt like he had just been mocked. Or, that was how he viewed it, anyway.

[Who cares about pranks? You still don't know the Goukakyuu–]

He only paused from swinging when he felt a tug on his jacket.

Looking at the source, he was surprised to note that the blonde had called his attention again. But rather than make him feel stupid again, the blonde boy just tugged harder and insistently pointed at the sandy ground in front of them. Frowning, Obito sighed and finally gave in to the other boy's demand. As he looked, he was surprised to see a writing on it. Squinting in order to read the letters, he drew back in surprise.

"Natsuhiko," He breathed out and looked at the blonde.

The boy happily bobbed his head and gestured toward himself.

Obito then finally understood.

"Y-You can't talk?" Obito questioned in surprise, eyes wide with wonder, as the other boy cringed at the rather blunt statement. Nevertheless, the blonde rubbed the back of his neck as he grinned at Obito good-naturedly.

[Your father used to be so carefree. But this clan changed him, Obito-kun, I know he's only looking out for–]

The Uchiha blinked, stunned.

"So... you're name is Natsuhiko?" He asked for clarification.

The blonde nodded.

Obito grinned as he laughed. The boy wasn't mocking him. For the first time, he felt good about being wrong. After all those insults for the past year since his failure to execute the Goukakyuu, almost a year ago, that would assimilate him as a shinobi of his clan, he had been so high-strung about being proven wrong about things. Because he wanted to prove that he could do it and they were wrong. Not him.

[It's been months since you taught your son the Goukakyuu– This is a shame to the Uchiha name– He's young but he doesn't learn–]

He didn't know why they were making such a big deal about him not learning the Goukakyuu. In fact, his mother had told him that other members had learned the technique at a later age than his. He didn't understand why his clan was pressuring him. But then, a tired sigh escaped his lips. Of course.

[Control your unruly son. People are always looking for something to use against us and we don't need a stupid boy ruining our reputation. Teach him dignity and implore our pride. I won't stand for this... this impertinence from my very own kin. Teach him or leash him.]

The current clan head hadn't been too pleased about him, even going as far as to personally visit their household.

Obito knew that those pranks were harmless. He only did it because his clan was too tense, too serious, entirely too grim and people always thought of them as arrogant. He didn't want to be like that. He could remember the smile of old people he helped walk on the streets and remember their words that he was different from his clan. In a good way. Normally, children didn't want to be differentiated from family but Obito was exposed earlier to the flaws of his clan.

Entirely too exposed since those flaws were more evident in the wake of his so-called 'failures' to uphold the Uchiha dignity.

Only his mother and Aunt Mikoto didn't disparage him so thoroughly like how the rest seemed to do to him.

"Will you become my friend?" Obito questioned with a smile, it widened to a grin when the blonde slowly nodded with a curious look. He wouldn't admit it but he had asked out of recklessness and it wasn't until relief had seeped into his gut did he realized what he had just said. "I'm starting the Academy next week! I'm gonna be a great ninja! So great that my clan had no choice but to see how great I am!"

[When you finally learn to act like an Uchiha–]

The blonde didn't look at him sceptically or even mockingly about his declaration. He just suddenly had a very excited expression on his face.

"Don't tell me–!" Obito gasped.

The boy, Natsuhiko, nodded enthusiastically, a beaming grin on his lips.

"Yatta!" The Uchiha jumped out of his seat. "We can be classmates then! Oh, we can also learn jutsu together! Or, or maybe we can do some pranks around the Academy? Isn't this so cool? No, this is cool!" He babbled in excitement, earlier morose forgotten as he remembered why he had been so eager for the Academy.

[You're going to be a ninja, Obito-kun, make us proud–]

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If Obito had more situational awareness, he might have been suspicious at the fact that he had one of his potential classmates befriend him so early on. Or at least, he might have been doubtful why someone would want to be his friend when most of his clan looked down on him and other children were wary of him since he came from the Uchiha clan. But as it was, all he saw was a promise of having someone by his side and he wouldn't be forced to endure those expectations alone.

TBC..

o.o

Please read the reminder below for the concern that may arise in the story.

Important Reminder: I know that with Obito's age, his potential had yet to be truly awaken and realised. But during this time, the village is already swarmed with tension at the possibility of war at its doors. So everyone is edgy and apprehensive. The Uchiha Clan struck me as one of the most cautious people so they would no doubt take offense at even the smallest slight against them at this time of need. With Obito's rather naive and childish view of his clan at his age, not yet understanding what he is doing wrong, he mostly does things that intentionally goes against his clan [rebellious age].

And the Uchiha, one of the first lines of defense of the village [read: Military Police Force], needed to keep a strong front not only for the people but also against enemies. With Obito not taking things seriously at this age, they couldn't afford to let anything demean their name and consequently, the moral they established with the civilians, especially with the threat of war. So, their harsh, demanding, and pressuring attitudes may seem cruel, considering how young Obito was but think about how other people would think when they see an Uchiha who is a possible deadlast. They might think that one of their strongest clans is now producing weakening shinobis so they had to at least try to drill some things into him.

Also, the issue with the Goukakyuu no Jutsu. I know that it is at least a C-rank technique and the clan shouldn't expect Obito to be able to produce it an early age. I read once that it is a jutsu that officially commences a member of the clan into the shinobi line.

There is an incident with Kakashi where he was impressed with Sasuke being able to perform the technique but with Sasuke's time, it was simply because of the reason that there were no longer any Uchiha to compare to Sasuke's calibre so it was really hard to tell. The thing that might have impress him is because he was able to perform the technique without the aid of his clan. While the others, they had proper instructions about its execution. Remember also, this was during the time of peace. With Obito, they needed every upcoming genin Uchiha to learn this and his ability, or lack therefore (in their eyes) is frustrating them and his cheerful and lively attitude (which is contradictory to any average Uchiha) doesn't help. At the time of war, Konoha was willing to let any potential ninjas to graduate at a younger age [Obito became a genin at 9].

Last but not the least, I chose the name 'Natsuhiko' for a reason. And I'll give you a hint about Naruto's eyes, it's connected to the Kyuubi. Anyways, as for not being able to talk, it's Naruto decision and would be explained later on as the plot progressed. Naruto's character revolved around his loud personality and words and so, being apparently mute in this story, is a major part of the plotline.

That's all, so I hope I explained it for you well. Thank you for reading this!