Through New Eyes

Later, standing in front of the mirror, she nodded at her reflection. The high-collared blue shirt and white shorts were identical to Sasuke's original outfit, though the bandages wrapped around her arms and legs added a practical touch. The bandages weren't just for show; they served as protection for the countless scrapes and burns she'd endured while pushing herself to the limit during her grueling training sessions. With a supply pouch strapped to her right thigh and the faint warmth of the Sharingan's power lingering in her eyes, she felt ready for the day ahead.

It was no wonder nobody had ever noticed Sasuke's true gender before. There wasn't anything remotely feminine about her choice of clothing. But she wasn't complaining. The loose fit of the shirt and shorts made it easier to move during combat, and she found the practicality of the outfit far more comfortable than the restrictive garments she'd worn in another life. If anything, it reminded her of how important functionality was over appearances—a lesson she was learning all over again.

Today marked the beginning of her personal hell. The past few months had been spent training, acclimating to this new body that, despite its familiarity, wasn't truly hers. It wasn't just about physical adjustment. Muscle memory had been her saving grace in many areas, but the mental toll of the transition was far more taxing. Her nights were filled with restless dreams of battles fought as another person and a gnawing unease about the identity she now inhabited.

The Sharingan was her greatest asset and her greatest burden. Over those months, she had honed its use, carefully balancing the activation of the bloodline limit to avoid suspicion while still mastering its abilities. The visual clarity it provided during her training was invaluable—whether it was perfecting her shuriken trajectory or correcting her chakra flow during Fireball Jutsu practice. Yet, there was no denying the added scrutiny it would bring.

She knew the "higher-ups" had already noticed. There was no way they wouldn't keep an eye on a flight risk like her, an Uchiha who had awakened the Sharingan before even becoming a Genin. Her performance had placed her squarely on their radar, and she was well aware of how Konoha operated when it came to valuable tools.

She could have hidden it, of course. Kept her Sharingan dormant, pretended to be just another Uchiha scraping by. But what good would that do? It was only a matter of time before her Sharingan was exposed, and trying to conceal it would only make her motives seem more suspect. Transparency was the better option, even if it meant painting a target on her back.

'I mastered the leaf exercise yesterday, and I should be on track for tree-walking soon,' she thought, mentally cataloging her progress. Her chakra control was improving, though it still wasn't perfect. Every step forward felt like a battle against herself, but at least she was moving.

She turned from the mirror and grabbed her pouch, securing it with a practiced motion. Her hands moved with the precision of someone who had performed the task a thousand times, though she couldn't help but note how different they felt. Smaller, lighter, yet undeniably strong.

The walk to the academy was uneventful, though the weight of the day ahead pressed heavily on her. Today was graduation day—the culmination of months of preparation, and the first real test of whether she could hold her own in this world. She'd worked tirelessly to ensure she was ready, but the uncertainty lingered. No amount of training could prepare her for the unknown variables: the teachers, her classmates, the missions that lay ahead.

Her mind drifted to the training grounds, the memories of the past few months flashing vividly in her mind. The thunk of shuriken hitting their mark, the searing heat of the Great Fireball Jutsu, the ache in her muscles after hours of taijutsu drills. She'd pushed herself to the brink, knowing that survival demanded nothing less.

As she approached the academy, the faint hum of conversation and laughter reached her ears. She glanced around, noting the familiar faces of her peers. They were oblivious to the weight she carried, the duality of her existence. To them, she was just another Uchiha—a prodigy, perhaps, but nothing more.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the academy gates, her expression neutral but her resolve unshaken. The day ahead loomed like a storm on the horizon, but she was ready. She had to be.

"Let's get this over with," she muttered under her breath, her crimson eyes flickering briefly before returning to black.

She pushed open the door to the classroom, the familiar smell of ink, wood, and chalk filling her senses. The room was alive with the chatter of her classmates, their voices blending together in a cacophony of excitement and nervous energy. She could feel the eyes of her peers on her, but she paid them no mind, moving toward her assigned seat with purposeful strides.

As she settled into her desk, adjusting the pouch at her side, she heard a familiar, overly bright voice call out her name.

"Sasuke! Hey, Sasuke!" Sakura's voice cut through the buzz of conversation, and before she could even respond, the pink-haired girl had appeared at her side. "You ready for graduation today? I was thinking after the ceremony, we could go out! Just the two of us, maybe have dinner, or go do something fun!"

Sasuke barely spared her a glance, her face neutral as she continued to unpack her pouch. The corner of her lip twitched in annoyance, but she didn't let it show. "I'm busy, Sakura. Go bother someone else," she muttered, her tone curt and dismissive, as if she were already over the conversation before it had even started.

Sakura blinked, surprised at the cold response, but her smile didn't falter. "Come on, Sasuke! I really think we could have a great time! You never know unless you try, right?"

Sasuke shot her a brief, cold look before turning her attention back to the task at hand. "I said no. Drop it."

Sakura's face flushed, her persistence not quite defeated, but clearly frustrated. She didn't say another word, instead grumbling under her breath as she shuffled off to join some of the other students.

Before Sasuke could enjoy the silence, Kiba's loud voice cut through the air.

"Where's Iruka-sensei? Isn't he supposed to be here? The ceremony's about to start!"

A wave of murmurs swept through the room, everyone growing impatient. "Maybe he's late," Hinata suggested quietly, glancing at the door nervously.

"Typical," Shikamaru groaned from the back, his hands behind his head as he lay back in his seat. "Iruka-sensei's always running late. It's not a big deal."

Before anyone could respond, the door to the classroom suddenly swung open, and both Iruka and Mizuki stepped in. Iruka flashed a quick, apologetic smile to the class as he entered, wiping his forehead with his sleeve, clearly out of breath.

"Sorry for the delay," Iruka said, his voice carrying the usual warmth, but there was a slight tension in his tone. "I was having a conversation with the Hokage regarding the final details for the graduation material. But now that we're here, let's get started."

Mizuki, standing behind him, gave a short nod, his usual laid-back attitude now tempered with a more professional air. "Let's begin, everyone. It's time for the graduation exam."

Iruka quickly walked to the front of the room, pulling a scroll from his pouch. "I'll be calling names, and then we'll get started. Please respond when I say your name."

Sasuke could feel the eyes of her classmates on her as she straightened up, preparing for whatever the exam would throw her way. Graduation day was supposed to be a triumph, but the nervous energy in the air was palpable. She knew this moment would define the first step of her career as a shinobi.

Iruka scanned his scroll. "Hinata Hyuga," he called, his voice steady. Hinata stood up, giving a small, nervous bow before walking to the front.

Sasuke's mind drifted, the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders. She was ready, wasn't she? She had trained relentlessly for this moment. But there was always that uncertainty, that nagging question of whether it would be enough.

Iruka continued calling names as the room filled with the sounds of students answering, their excitement rising. The ceremony was underway.