[Shape The Multiverse] Ch 3: A Happy Family

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After Five Years and Some Months (few weeks from 6 years)

A boy with black hair and striking red eyes sat beneath a tree near a modest house. This was Amon—more than five years since his rebirth.

With his soul fully fused into his new body, every memory, emotion, and experience from these years had melded into him. This was truly him now, shaped anew by his second life.

"...Sigh. just looking at these eyes, I thought you'd give me some incredible power, system," Amon muttered, scolding the voice only he could hear. "Don't red eyes usually symbolize great strength or something?"

[A mutation occurred accidentally while enhancing your bloodline,]
 the system replied in its usual flat tone.

"Great. So, not deliberate, just an accident," Amon grumbled, leaning back against the tree. Still, he couldn't deny it—these red eyes were so cool.

"In just a few weeks, I'd be joining the Ninja Academy." he whispered to himself.

"I already know the basics of ninjutsu, but… it's not these basics the reason I'm going. I can____" 

"AMON! Uchiha Amon, get in here right now!"

Amon straightened up at the sharp call, immediately standing and heading toward the house. He knew that voice too well. It was unmistakable—and ignoring it would only make things worse.

"Mom, what's up?" he asked, trying his best to give her an innocent smile as he approached.

Inside, his mother, Uchiha Mari, stood with her arms crossed, her dark eyes fixed on him.

"I asked you to watch your brother while I was at work," she said, her tone stern. "Why do you keep leaving him alone?"

Amon hesitated, looking for an answer. He had slipped away to practice the ninjutsu techniques his father had left him. His father had already died in the war, leaving behind his training scrolls and some savings for their family of three.

"I was only gone for a little while. Akira's four now; he's practically a grown-up," Amon said with a cheeky grin, attempting to lighten the mood.

But his expression faltered under his mother's stern gaze. "I'm sorry, Mom," he apologized sincerely, knowing better than to argue—experience had taught him that it was a battle he'd never win.

Mari sighed, her features softening as her anger ebbed away. "I know you've been training again," she said, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy. "You remind me so much of your father… but Amon, you're pushing yourself too hard. You'll have plenty of time to train at the Academy. For now, just relax, enjoy being a kid, and please… keep an eye on your brother."

Amon nodded, his heart aching slightly at the mention of his father. "I'll do better, Mom. I promise."

Mari leaned closer, inspecting Amon carefully. "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Any aches or pains?"

"No, Mom. I'm fine," Amon replied with a heartfelt smile. Her care always managed to reach a part of him he thought he'd buried long ago.

"Good. Take care of your body," Mari said gently, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. It was a small gesture, but one brimming with love and tenderness.

As she returned to her work, Amon's eyes lingered on her retreating figure. Over the years, he had come to know the warmth of a mother's love—a love he had never experienced before this life. Mari's unwavering care for him and Akira was a light in his world, grounding him in ways he never thought possible.

The saying "a mother's heart is boundless" came to mind, and Amon finally understood its depth.

But despite her kindness, Amon knew he couldn't tell her the truth. His training wasn't just for the Academy. It wasn't about making her proud or fulfilling a childish dream.

It was about survival.

He turned inward, grappling with the ever-present fear that loomed over him.
If I don't grow strong enough, if I can't gain real power... this beautiful life will shatter.

Being part of the Uchiha clan came with incredible potential—like the Sharingan—but it also painted a target on his back. Amon knew the future, and this knowledge cast a heavy shadow over his new life.

He'd worked tirelessly to piece together the world's timeline, and the discovery had shaken him to his core: Uchiha Itachi would join the Ninja Academy in just a few weeks—at the same time as him.

That revelation was a grim reminder. "I have only seven years to change everything," Amon thought. "Or we'll all die."

Lost in his thoughts, Amon barely noticed the approaching footsteps until his little brother's cheerful voice pulled him back to reality.

"Brother, come on! Show me the new jutsu you learned this time!"

Akira, his little brother, ran up to him, beaming with excitement.

"Alright, alright. Calm down, kid." Amon smiled, his worries momentarily easing. His family meant everything to him; their love grounded him.

"I just learned a new E-rank ninjutsu," Amon said, forming a series of hand seals: Tiger → Boar → Ox → Dog.
"Clone Jutsu!"

In an instant, a second Amon appeared beside him.

Akira's eyes sparkled with amazement. "Whoa! There are two of you now!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands in excitement.

Amon chuckled, enjoying his brother's awe. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Brother, that's really amazing!" Akira's eyes were shining with admiration. "I want to do that too!"

Amon chuckled, patting his brother's head. "I'll teach you one day after you grow up."

They spent a while laughing and practicing together before Amon finally guided Akira back to his room.

"Alright, little guy, time for a break. I'll show you more later," he said, his voice soft with affection.

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With his brother now back in his room, Amon had a moment of solitude to consider his next moves.

He knew he had accumulated a substantial amount of system points. From the day he was born, a small trickle of points had steadily gathered, and now the reservoir had grown into something significant. The thought of finally spending them, of unlocking his potential, sent a thrill through him.

After all, this was the "Max Level System"—a tool designed to elevate everything to its peak. It wasn't just about raw power; it was about perfection, about reaching heights that others could only dream of.

And Amon was ready to start climbing.

"System, display my panel," Amon commanded, a spark of excitement in his voice as he anticipated the possibilities ahead.

A glowing screen materialized in front of him, displaying his stats, abilities, and options. His eyes scanned over, already strategizing on what he could maximize to give him the edge he needed.

This was the start, and Amon knew that each point spent would bring him closer to the power he needed to protect his family—and prepare for the coming tragedy.

Knowing what lay ahead made every quiet moment with his family bittersweet. Their laughter felt fragile, like glass, under the weight of the storm he knew was coming.

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