Chapter Text
Ace stared at the unconscious man with raven-black hair, dressed in strange black clothes. He couldn’t sense any immediate danger from him—perhaps because the man was still unconscious—but something in his gut told him that this person would eventually become important to him.
Maybe that was why he had dragged him to his hideout. It had been easy, since the man felt as light as a feather, almost weightless. Ace had prepared food while waiting for the man to wake up.
Slowly, Sasuke’s eyes fluttered open. The first thing he saw were tree branches and leaves above him.
He didn’t move at first, sensing someone nearby. The last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was checking the runes, hoping to find more clues about the Otsutsuki clan. He had touched a wall, and then he felt as if he were being pulled into it, before everything went black.
His Rinnegan told him that he was now in a different world.
The situation both intrigued and horrified him. This was an entirely new realm, one dominated by pirates and marines, a far cry from his world, which was ruled by the era of ninjas.
“If you’re awake, stop pretending and get up.” A child’s voice cut through his thoughts.
Sasuke, his expression as indifferent as ever, sat up. He glanced toward the source of the voice and saw a five-year-old boy with raven hair, freckled cheeks, and silver eyes, watching him warily.
The child’s eyes were full of caution, as if ready to fight at any moment if Sasuke made a move.
Sasuke didn’t underestimate the child simply because of his age. Why would he? From the moment he saw him, Sasuke could tell the boy was strong—though not strong enough to defeat him. After all, Sasuke was as powerful as the Kages, if not more so.
“Thank you for keeping me safe,” Sasuke said, his voice calm and sincere.
The child looked at him in surprise, clearly not expecting such gratitude.
Ace had known the man was awake the moment he stirred, but he hadn’t expected the man’s reaction. Unlike most adults, who would have dismissed him due to his age, Sasuke remained on guard, even after realizing he was just a five-year-old. Ace appreciated that. The man hadn’t underestimated him, and that was something Ace valued—especially for someone as young as he was.
After all, Ace hated it when people looked down on him.
“No problem. But how did you even end up passing out in the middle of the forest?” Ace asked, genuinely curious about how the man had ended up in this place.
Sasuke let out a sigh, though his face remained expressionless. “I was on a mission, but something went wrong, and I woke up here.”
“Mission?” Ace tilted his head, clearly confused. “Are you a marine or a pirate?”
Sasuke shook his head. “I’m a ninja. I have nothing to do with marines or pirates.”
Ace blinked in confusion, clearly unfamiliar with the term.
“Ninja?” he repeated, “What is that? Never heard of it.”
It was Sasuke’s turn to blink. Alright, so ninjas weren’t common in this world. “A ninja is someone trained in stealth, combat, and special techniques,” he explained, his voice still calm. “We carry out missions that involve espionage, assassinations, and protecting people.”
Ace's eyes widened with interest. "That sounds... cool!” he said, his voice filled with excitement. “You must be really strong if you can do all that.”
Sasuke nodded, not denying it. After all, it was the truth—he was the second strongest, after Naruto.
“Then can you train me?” Ace suddenly asked, his silver eyes locking onto Sasuke’s eyes. He could feel that the man in front of him was much stronger than others he had encountered.
Sasuke thought for a moment before nodding. “I could do that, but only until I find my way back to where I came from.”
He wasn’t sure why, but there was something about this kid that made him want to help. Maybe it was the determination in his eyes or how Ace reminded him of his best friend, Naruto, when he was a child—so eager, so full of potential.
“Yes!” Ace exclaimed, his voice full of excitement as he jumped up. His silver eyes sparkled with joy, and he couldn't contain the wide grin spreading across his face.
‘Looks like I got one very cheerful apprentice.’ Sasuke thinks as he watches Ace jump in joy.
After the mentor and disciple had finished eating, Sasuke stood up and closed his eyes for a moment. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a simple hut—its structure basic but functional. It was small, made of wood and stone, but it would serve their purpose for now.
Once the hut was in place, Sasuke activated his Rinnegan, his eyes glowing with power. A subtle shift in the air occurred as he used the dojutsu to conceal the hut from plain sight, cloaking it with a barrier that would keep it hidden from anyone passing by. It was a basic technique, but effective.
Ace watched, impressed by the display of power. “That was amazing,” he said, his eyes wide with awe. "How did you do that?"
Sasuke didn’t reply at first, just walking into the hut and setting his things down. “It's a technique,” he said casually, “One of many.”
Ace followed him inside, the small hut feeling cozy despite its simplicity. He was eager to begin training, but for now, he was content to rest. The fact that Sasuke had agreed to teach him felt like a small victory, and he was determined to make the most of it.
As night fell, Ace waved his hands enthusiastically before heading out of the hut.
"I’ll be back tomorrow for training!" he called over his shoulder, excitement still evident in his voice.
Sasuke watched him go, his expression neutral.
Once Ace was out of sight, Sasuke closed the door and turned his attention inward. He activated his Rinnegan, the eyes glowing with a subtle power as they scanned the surroundings. He focused on gathering as much information as he could about this strange new dimension.
His eyes flickered as the Rinnegan's abilities kicked in, pulling data from the environment, the energy around him, and the subtle flow of life that moved through this world.
As he sifted through the data his Rinnegan gathered, a thought struck him.
‘This world has a shitty medical system!’ he thought, frustrated. The lack of advanced healing techniques, especially compared to his own world, was glaring.
There were no signs of any major medical ninjutsu, no specialized techniques for life-threatening injuries or rapid recovery. It was a world where people relied on crude methods like potions, bandages, and basic remedies that wouldn’t stand a chance against serious wounds or diseases.
He was used to a world where the medical capabilities of ninjas were far more advanced, where healers could manipulate chakra with pinpoint precision to mend bones, repair internal damage, or even cure illnesses with just a touch. Here, it seemed they had nothing of the sort.
‘If someone gets seriously injured here, they’re as good as dead,’ Sasuke thought, feeling a hint of disdain. ‘This world is primitive in more ways than one.’
Sasuke continued to analyze the flow of chakra, he realized something important. The chakra in this world was dense, similar to the way it was in his own world.
The energy wasn’t weak by any means—there was plenty of it—but there was something missing. It wasn’t enough to open a portal to another dimension, not with the power he needed.
‘The chakra here is dense, but it’s not the right kind,’ Sasuke thought, his brow furrowing. ‘It’s not concentrated enough to create the rift I need to return home.’
In his world, there were specific locations with an exceptionally high concentration of chakra, places where the energy was thick and abundant—places like the Valley of the End, or the ruins of the Uchiha clan’s old temple. Those kinds of places were capable of channeling immense amounts of energy, making dimensional travel possible. But here, no such place seemed to exist.
‘Sensing chakra is one thing, but harnessing it to open a portal is something else entirely,’ he mused. ‘I need to find a place where the energy is more focused, more concentrated. Only then can I open a rift.’
Sasuke deactivated his Rinnegan, the faint glow of his eyes fading as he let out a quiet breath. It seemed like he would be in this world for a long time. He wasn’t sure how long it would take to find the place with denser chakra, but for now, he had no choice but to bide his time.
He could spend that time teaching Ace. In fact, it might be the perfect opportunity. While training the boy, he could continue searching for the right place to open a portal. It would keep him busy, give him a purpose—if nothing else, it would help pass the time.
Sasuke rubbed his temples, a gesture that had become second nature whenever he was deep in thought. ‘What am I going to teach him?’
Sasuke leaned back, his thoughts focused on the task at hand. ‘I’ll train him in the fundamentals of combat first—how to fight, how to read an opponent, and how to use chakra. Once he has a basic grasp of that, we can move on to more advanced techniques.’
It wouldn’t be easy, but Sasuke wasn’t expecting it to be.With a final sigh, Sasuke stood up, his resolve hardening. Tomorrow, I’ll start his training.
For now, though, he needed rest. Tomorrow would be the first step in what could be a long journey—both for Ace and for himself.
The next morning, Sasuke stood outside the hut, waiting for Ace to arrive. It didn’t take long before the eager child appeared, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Ready for training?” Ace asked, his silver eyes gleaming.
Sasuke nodded once, motioning for Ace to come closer. "First lesson. You need to learn how to gather chakra inside you and control it. Without it, you won’t be able to defend yourself or use any of the techniques that will help you survive."
Ace’s expression was serious now, his youthful excitement replaced with determination. “I’m ready!”
Sasuke crossed his arms, observing the boy. "Chakra is the energy that powers everything. In your world, you may rely on physical strength or tools, but here, chakra is the foundation. If you want to fight, you need to learn how to harness it."
Ace nodded again, his attention fully on Sasuke. “How do I do that?”
Sasuke considered the best way to explain it. “First, close your eyes and focus on your body. Feel the energy inside you. It’s already there, but you need to bring it to the surface. Don’t force it, just… allow it to flow.”
Ace shut his eyes, furrowing his brows in concentration. Sasuke could see the child trying, his small frame tensing as he focused, but it was clear he didn’t quite know what to do with the chakra within him.
“You’re trying too hard,” Sasuke said, his tone calm but firm. “Relax. Chakra flows naturally. It’s a part of you, but you need to stop thinking of it like it’s something foreign. Let it move through you. Focus on your breathing—inhale deeply, then exhale slowly. As you do, try to sense the flow of energy.”
Ace took a deep breath, following Sasuke’s instructions. He relaxed his muscles and focused on the feeling inside his body. Slowly, he began to sense something—a warmth deep within him, an energy that pulsed with every breath.
“That’s it,” Sasuke said, noticing the slight shift in Ace’s posture. “Feel it. Don’t force it—just let it flow naturally.”
Ace’s eyes snapped open, a spark of understanding in them. “I think I can feel it!”
Sasuke nodded approvingly. “Good. Now, try to gather the chakra in your palms. It’s a simple first step. Imagine the energy flowing from within you to your hands, like a current moving through water.”
Ace extended his hands out in front of him, closing his eyes again, focusing. He seemed to concentrate deeply, his small hands trembling slightly as he tried to pull the chakra into them.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sudden burst, Ace’s palms seemed to glow faintly—just a small shimmer of energy, but it was there.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "You're getting it."
Ace opened his eyes, looking at his glowing palms with wide-eyed awe. “Did I do it?”
“You did,” Sasuke replied, nodding.
Two months passed, and Sasuke found himself impressed. He would admit it—Ace was a prodigy. It didn’t take long for the boy to master the basics of chakra control. What had started as a struggle to gather chakra into his palms now seemed effortless for Ace. He could focus and manipulate the energy with ease, controlling it like it was second nature.
Sasuke watched as Ace calmly gathered chakra into his hands, shaping it into small orbs and controlling the flow without a hitch. The boy had surpassed all expectations, and Sasuke couldn’t help but acknowledge the raw talent in front of him.
‘He’s learned faster than most,’ Sasuke thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed Ace’s technique. ‘It’s almost like he was made for this.’
Ace was like a sponge, soaking in every bit of knowledge Sasuke offered. He had a natural affinity for learning, absorbing new concepts and techniques with a speed that was nearly impossible to match. From basic chakra control to advanced techniques like creating simple chakra constructs, Ace was picking it all up with surprising ease.
Sasuke didn’t have to repeat lessons or go over things multiple times. Ace paid attention to every detail and applied it immediately. Whether it was learning how to channel chakra into his legs for enhanced speed or using it to enhance his senses, the boy quickly mastered each new concept, eager to improve.
Ace was absolutely delighted as he stood triumphantly atop the tree branch, his small frame balanced effortlessly on the narrow surface. A wide grin spread across his face as he looked down, realizing he wasn’t falling. He could feel the flow of chakra in his feet, connecting him to the tree like he was rooted to the earth itself.
“I did it! I’m actually walking on a tree!” Ace shouted, his voice filled with excitement. He shifted his weight slightly, testing his newfound ability, and, sure enough, he didn’t even wobble.
Sasuke, who had been observing from a distance with his usual impassive expression, gave a small nod of approval. Ace had just mastered tree-walking—an essential chakra control technique Sasuke had introduced to him. The boy had picked it up in just a few days, astonishing Sasuke with how quickly he was progressing.
Ace, still grinning, shifted his focus to the nearby pond. With the same concentration, he took a deep breath and stepped onto the water’s surface. To his utter amazement, his feet didn’t sink. Instead, he stood on the water, chakra flowing smoothly into his feet, keeping him balanced.
“I can walk on water, too!” Ace laughed, spinning around on the surface like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly in admiration. ‘He’s a natural.’ Ace’s chakra control was beyond his age, and he had picked up the advanced skill of walking on water even faster than Sasuke had anticipated.
“Very good,” Sasuke said simply, his voice steady and calm. It wasn’t much, but for Ace, it felt like a victory.
Ace had quickly learned that Sasuke’s praise was never given lightly.
His teacher didn’t offer false encouragement. If you weren’t doing well, you wouldn’t hear much from him, but if you succeeded, there was always a quiet acknowledgement.
His words were sparse, but they were meaningful—unlike other people, Sasuke didn’t speak just to fill the silence. When he praised, it was earned, and Ace appreciated that more than anything.
There were no empty compliments, no meaningless words of encouragement.
If Ace was doing something wrong, Sasuke would quietly correct him. There were no harsh criticisms, only clear directions on how to improve.
His teacher was a man of few words, never one to speak unless it was absolutely necessary.
Ace noticed it quickly—Sasuke wasn’t the type to start conversations, but he never stopped Ace from talking either. Whether it was stories about his life, his dreams, or random things that popped into his head, Sasuke always listened. Even if he didn’t say much back, it was clear he paid attention.
“You talk too much for someone so small,” Sasuke had once said, his voice flat but not unkind.
Ace had just laughed. “Well, you never talk, so someone has to!”
Sasuke didn’t reply, but there had been the faintest twitch of his lips, almost like a smile. It was those little things that showed Ace Sasuke cared, even if he didn’t say it out loud.
Most of the time, their silence was comfortable. Sasuke would nod or hum softly if Ace asked a question or made a joke, and that was enough. Sasuke’s actions—teaching him, guiding him, and being there—spoke louder than words ever could. For Ace, even the smallest moments with his teacher felt important.
Despite being quiet most of the time, Ace quickly learned that his teacher could be very sarcastic when he wanted to be. Sasuke didn’t use sarcasm often, but when he did, it was sharp and to the point, always catching Ace off guard.
One time, after struggling to get a technique right, Ace had groaned loudly and flopped onto the ground. “Why is this so hard?” he complained, glaring up at the sky.
Sasuke, standing nearby with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. “Maybe because whining about it isn’t part of the training.”
Ace shot up, blinking in surprise, before pouting. “I wasn’t whining!”
Sasuke gave a faint smirk. “Sounded like whining to me.”
Another time, Ace had proudly declared that he was getting faster at dodging attacks. “Did you see that? I dodged almost everything you threw at me today!” he boasted, hands on his hips.
Sasuke nodded, his face neutral. “Yeah, you did… except for the ten times you didn’t.”
Ace froze for a moment before groaning. “Come on! That’s still progress, right?”
Sasuke didn’t reply right away, but his smirk gave him away.
Though his sarcasm could be frustrating, Ace secretly liked it. It made Sasuke feel more human—less like a strict teacher and more like someone Ace could look up to. And while Sasuke didn’t laugh outright, Ace could sometimes catch the tiniest glimmer of amusement in his eyes, which only made Ace work harder to impress him.
Ace might not have noticed it himself, but Sasuke had. The boy wasn’t as weighed down as he’d been when they first met. Back then, Ace’s silver eyes had been dim, like the light in them had almost gone out. He was guarded, hesitant, and carried a sadness that Sasuke recognized all too well.
Now, though, there was a small change. Ace’s eyes weren’t fully alive yet, but there was a spark—a tiny flicker of life that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Sasuke saw it in the way Ace talked more freely, his voice lighter when he rambled about his goals or asked endless questions about training. He saw it in the way Ace smiled after a successful lesson, even if it was small and fleeting. The change was subtle, but Sasuke noticed everything.
‘But the brat was still feral,’ Sasuke thought with a slight, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. He had learned early on that Ace was raised by mountain bandits, and it showed in the boy’s rough edges. Whether it was the way Ace ate like he hadn’t seen food in days or how quick he was to act on instinct instead of thought, the boy’s wild upbringing was plain to see.
“Slow down,” Sasuke had told him more than once during meals, watching as Ace shoveled food into his mouth with no regard for manners.
“But it’s good!” Ace argued through a full mouth, his words muffled. “And it’ll get cold if I don’t eat fast!”
Sasuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “No one’s taking it from you. Eat like a human, not a wild animal.”
Ace only grinned in response, clearly unbothered, and kept eating at the same pace.
Then there was Ace’s tendency to leap before thinking—something Sasuke found both frustrating and oddly endearing. During training, Ace would often throw himself headfirst into a task, even if it meant crashing into a tree or landing face-first in the dirt. He didn’t seem to mind the bruises, though; he’d just laugh it off and try again.
Sasuke couldn’t help but shake his head at the boy’s recklessness, though he had to admit it was impressive how quickly Ace bounced back from failure. ‘Resilient, just like Naruto,’ Sasuke thought. ‘But still feral.’