Born as the second child to Uchiha Mikoto and Fugaku, Sasuke did not receive the attention from his father usually directed to his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, making the younger brother somewhat jealous and insecure about his own ability. His dreams are to become as strong as his older brother, a member of the Konoha Military Police Force, and to receive recognition from his father, namely the statement “As expected from my child.”

Just short of entering the Academy a young age, Sasuke requests with his brother that his Father be present at the entrance ceremony. Their Father only agrees to go once Itachi mentions he will reject his own personal mission in favor of Sasuke; a mission that will allow Itachi entrance to the ANBU division of Konoha.

Sasuke greatly admires his older brother and his abilities, trying his very best to imitate him and impress him, even if he happens to get hurt accidentally. He cannot complete a kunai aiming test, ending with a hurt ankle instead,

Though Sasuke works hard and gets good grades, he still cannot get his Father to praise him properly. He does, however, earn a personal training session from Fugaku once their father starts suspecting Itachi of disagreeing with his ideals, and teaches Sasuke the Fireball Jutsu, a technique that in their clan is a right of passage to adulthood. Sasuke cannot complete the technique on his first try, but dedicates himself to the task, so that his Father may recognize his talent.

After a short and reassuring conversation with his Mother, Sasuke requests his Father come back with him to their previous training location, where he is finally able to perform the FireBall Jutsu. Fugaku leaves him with the ominous phrase of “dont follow after your brother,” before departing.

Shortly before the massacre, Sasuke is able to discover some tension exists between Itachi and his Father, eavesdropping on a meeting concerning where Itachi lies on the issue and watching as his brother is accused of murdering another Uchiha Clan member, Shisui. When Itachi loses his composure and attacks the men before him, Sasuke calls out for him to stop, prompting Itachi to forcibly halt himself and apologize for his actions and his words. He gets a short glimpse of the Mangekyo Sharingan, leaving him further confused.