Chapter 24: The Uchiha in the Shadows
In an unknown underground chamber, an ancient and frail man leaned back on a stone chair. Tendrils extended from his back into the unseen depths of darkness. His crimson eyes shone like those of a god of death, but his name once invoked even greater fear than death itself.
The legendary ninja, Uchiha Madara.
A white mass emerged from the ground, breaking the silence.
"Lord Madara! The fighting has begun! The Leaf and Sand are clashing on the border, and the other villages seem to be stirring as well!"
A raspy chuckle filled with disdain echoed through the chamber.
"This is the nature of the ninja world. Even if we do nothing, humans will never coexist peacefully."
"Hashirama, the illusion of peace you created has utterly collapsed after your death."
Oh no, Madara-sama was starting another of his one-sided conversations with Senju Hashirama.
White Zetsu waited patiently until Madara finished his tirade.
"Did you complete the task I gave you?" Madara asked.
White Zetsu pulled out a piece of paper with several names and brief profiles.
"As you instructed, I've gathered intelligence on Uchiha children aged five to ten. Here's the list."
The first name on the list was Uchiha Kagami.
A prodigy who awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of seven. Even in the warring states era, Madara had rarely encountered such talent.
But he wasn't impressed.
Progressing quickly was less important than enduring long-term. Madara's extensive knowledge of the Sharingan told him that early awakening didn't guarantee great power. In fact, it often indicated the opposite.
The more he analyzed the list, the less confident he became in Kagami's suitability. The boy was too calm and calculating. Even if tragedy struck his loved ones, Madara suspected Kagami wouldn't succumb to hatred—at least not in the way required to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Madara's gaze settled on another name: Uchiha Obito.
Unlike Kagami, Obito was filled with emotion, brimming with kindness and naivety. Such feelings, once shattered by loss, could give rise to immeasurable hatred.
"The key to awakening the Mangekyō lies in profound loss," Madara murmured. "The more one loves, the greater the hatred they gain in return. Such is the curse of the Uchiha."
Madara issued his orders. "Focus on Obito. Investigate his life thoroughly. Find out what he treasures most."
"Roger! But honestly, Madara-sama, don't you think Kagami would make a better heir?" White Zetsu interjected. "If I didn't know you were still alive, I'd have thought he was your reincarnation. That overwhelming talent…"
"Silence," Madara growled. "True Uchiha power doesn't lie in three-tomoe eyes or flashy ninjutsu."
"Obito has potential far greater than Kagami!"
After a pause, Madara softened his stance slightly.
"Send a clone to make contact with Kagami as well. He can serve as a backup."
The comparison to Kagami lingered in Madara's mind. His resemblance to Izuna, both in appearance and swordsmanship, was uncanny. Could there really be something like reincarnation?
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The Hokage's Office
With tensions rising, Danzo Shimura was busy scheming behind the scenes, sowing discord among the other villages. Advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had also left for the Fire Daimyo's court to secure additional wartime resources.
Everyone recognized the signs: the Third Shinobi War was inevitable.
The Hokage's office was thick with smoke as Hiruzen Sarutobi studied reports from the frontlines.
The request to deploy Uchiha to the battlefield weighed heavily on his mind.
Among Konoha's leadership, Hiruzen harbored the least prejudice against the Uchiha—but that didn't mean he was free of it. He wanted to wield the Uchiha like a blade but feared the consequences if that blade grew too sharp and turned against him.
From Jiraiya's observations, Kagami's heart wasn't inherently evil. However, it was evident that Kagami cared more about the Uchiha clan than the village.
"This narrow-minded clan loyalty…" Hiruzen muttered. It was this very trait that disqualified Kagami from ever holding significant power in the village.
Even so, Orochimaru's plan presented an opportunity. If successful, it could end the conflict with the Wind Nation and possibly delay the onset of a full-scale war. The prospect of peace was too tempting.
After a long deliberation, Hiruzen summoned a subordinate.
"Prepare the Uchiha listed here for deployment to the western front."
Hiruzen had modified Orochimaru's proposed list, excluding the most radical Uchiha members and adding some moderates, including Uchiha Fugaku.
Hiruzen had spoken with Fugaku in-depth before. He believed Fugaku didn't want to deepen the rift between the village and the Uchiha and was willing to compromise to maintain stability.
As the sun set, Hiruzen met privately with Fugaku.
After some polite exchanges, Hiruzen cut to the chase.
"Fugaku, what do you think of Kagami?"
Fugaku hesitated briefly before replying, "He's an exceptionally talented ninja who treats his family and friends kindly. He's a remarkable child."
Despite their past conflict, Fugaku wouldn't speak ill of Kagami in front of outsiders.
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke. "He's kind to his clan, but only to them, correct?"
"Lord Hokage…"
Hiruzen raised a hand to stop him. "I had Jiraiya take Kagami as a disciple because I saw his potential. But over a year has passed, and it seems his mindset hasn't changed. He remains distant from the rest of the village."
Fugaku broke into a cold sweat, offering the usual platitude: "Lord Hokage, he's still a child. Perhaps he simply struggles to express himself."
"You know that's not what I want to hear."
Hiruzen's decades of authority bore down on Fugaku, making him feel like a scolded student.
"I will do everything I can to change Kagami's perspective," Fugaku promised, bowing low. "I'll help him build bonds with the village."
Hiruzen's stern expression softened into a smile.
"I'm counting on you, Fugaku."
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