Sasuke Uchiha A New Dawn

The funeral pyre crackled, casting an eerie glow on the faces of the remaining Uchiha. I stood amongst them, a hollow shell of the boy I once was. My eyes, though filled with unshed tears, remained fixed on the flames, a chilling mask of indifference covering my true emotions.

"Sasuke," a voice, soft and hesitant, broke through the somber silence. It was Sakura, her eyes wide with concern.

I turned to face her, my gaze emotionless. "What is it, Sakura?"

She hesitated, her lips trembling. "I... I'm sorry, Sasuke. I know there are no words..."

I cut her off, my voice flat and emotionless. "There are no words, Sakura. Nothing anyone can say will bring them back."

I turned away, the cold wind biting at my exposed skin. I could feel her gaze on me, a mixture of pity and concern. I didn't need her pity. I needed strength. I needed to become stronger.

Later that day, I found myself at the training grounds, my movements a blur of motion as I practiced the Uchiha's signature swordsmanship techniques. My mind, however, was elsewhere. The memories of my "other" life, the glimpses of the future, continued to haunt me. I saw Naruto, his youthful exuberance tempered by the weight of responsibility, training tirelessly under Jiraiya's tutelage. I saw Sakura, her medical ninjutsu improving by leaps and bounds, her dedication unwavering.

But I also saw the darkness, the looming threat that cast a long shadow over the future. I saw myself, older, scarred, burdened by the weight of my choices. The knowledge, a gift and a curse, weighed heavily on my mind.

I had to become stronger, much stronger. I had to prepare for the future, for the battles yet to come. But I couldn't afford to attract attention. I had to play the part of the grieving survivor, the younger brother overshadowed by his brother's genius.

The next day, during a team mission, I deliberately allowed myself to be outmaneuvered by my opponents. I feigned exhaustion, my movements sluggish, my chakra reserves seemingly depleted.

"Are you alright, Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine," I muttered, forcing a weak smile. "Just a little tired."

Sakura, ever observant, gave me a worried look. "You should rest. We can handle this."

I nodded gratefully, though the gratitude was feigned. I knew they were concerned, but I also knew they were underestimating me.

As we retreated, I allowed a surge of chakra to flow through my veins, a fleeting glimpse of my true power. I suppressed it immediately, the facade of weakness snapping back into place.

This charade, while initially difficult, proved surprisingly effective. The more I concealed my true strength, the faster I seemed to progress. It was as if the universe itself was rewarding my restraint, accelerating my growth in ways I couldn't fully comprehend