Better Yet

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

Risuke Uchiha, formerly Tobirama Senju, was hailed as a child prodigy. At the age of three, he had begun his training, as standard for most clan kids. Sasuke began his training at the same time, of course, but he didn't have the same levels of dedication, raw talent, or experiences of a past life to help guide him as Risuke did. 

His older brother, Itachi, had recognized it on their first day of training and had informed their father as soon as he noticed it. Fugaku was, obviously, ecstatic. Two of his three sons were geniuses and the third was above average, at least. 

Risuke was already outdoing what Itachi had been able to do at his age, but to him, that was expected. He had been Tobirama at one point, of course, he should be better than Itachi. The clan, however, didn't know that. Rumors regarding his and Itachi's skills began to circulate the clan, making the question arise, who would be the next clan head? Unlike many of the other clans in Konoha, the Uchiha didn't choose their clan heir by which child was the oldest, it was which child was the strongest. Generally, the oldest still ended up being the clan heir because they had more time to gather skill, but occasionally there would be a toss-up. It was generally decided by the age at which they became jonin. If there was a disagreement or they became jonin at the same age, it came down to a spectated spar. 

Risuke's genius grabbed the attention of his father, even more so than Itachi's had. Sasuke, of course, felt left out and jealous because of it. So while Fugaku spent his time training Risuke, Mikoto doted on Itachi for his kindness and Itachi doted on Sasuke for his innocence. 

Mikoto loved Risuke like any mother who loves their child, but he wasn't normal. Risuke didn't play in the park with the other children his age (something even Itachi had done at his age), he didn't come to her for hugs when he got hurt. Nothing about him was child-like. Which, while it made raising him a breeze, was hurtful to her motherly instincts. And to a mother who cared so much for the happiness and wellbeing of her children, it bothered her. Perhaps even more than having Itachi go to war at such a young age, because she knew Risuke would go to war as well. But unlike Itachi, he would thrive in it.

Itachi thought that there was something wrong with his youngest brother. The youngest was supposed to be protected, not be the protector. But that wasn't the case for Risuke. Risuke was strong, stronger than Sasuke by a large margin, and would likely surpass him by the time he was 11 or 12. Despite his frosty attitude and odd habits, Itachi loved him. Perhaps he wasn't the doting older brother figure he was to Sasuke, but that wasn't what Risuke needed from him. Risuke needed someone who would understand the pressures put on him by the clan and their father. He needed a guide to life as a prodigy. He would be to Risuke what Shisui was to him. 

Fugaku loved his sons. While he wasn't the most affectionate father, he had to balance both the weight of clan head and being a father. Above all, he wanted the best for his sons. Itachi had been a gift, he had thought, but then Risuke came along. He was faster, stronger, smarter, and more dedicated than Itachi had been at the same age. Barely three years old, and Risuke had already started unlocking his chakra pathways. The boy was truly amazing. He couldn't help but wonder why Sasuke hadn't turned out like his brothers. Perhaps it was only due to some absurd luck that both Itachi and Risuke had turned out to be geniuses. Perhaps were they normal, they all would have been like Sasuke. It wasn't that Sauke was bad per se, he just wasn't exceptional.

Sasuke wasn't sure about his younger brother. As twins, they were almost always together. But Risuke didn't like to play Ninja Tag with the other kids. Risuke liked to read dusty old scrolls or train. His father loved Risuke and was proud of him, and that hurt Sasuke. Their father never said 'well done, Sasuke.' It was always Risuke or Itachi. But Risuke protected him. Risuke was strong.