Chapter 36: Slash – Crimson Eye
News from the Iwagakure frontlines quickly reached Orochimaru's camp.
As he read the report, Orochimaru fell into deep thought.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was supposed to be Kushina, wasn't it?
No matter how muddle-headed Hiruzen-sensei might be, he'd never allow an Uchiha to become a Jinchūriki.
Something unusual was clearly at play.
But...
Defeating the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, clashing head-on with Dust Release...
Forcing Ōnoki into agreeing not to invade the Land of Fire for half a year...
This kid's growth is absurdly fast!
Another piece of confidential intelligence reached him as well.
Danzo had ordered Minato to reinforce the Wind Country battlefield, but Minato had disobeyed.
The Iwagakure front was relatively secure, yet Minato still chose not to assist Orochimaru. His intentions were clear.
"Heh."
Orochimaru burned the confidential message from the Foundation, letting out a cold chuckle.
"A mere shadow hiding behind the old man... if you've chosen to stay in the dark, don't even dream of stepping into the light."
After some contemplation, Orochimaru penned a letter by hand and entrusted it to his summoned white snake.
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At the Land of Fire Border.
After several days of rest, Kagami's bandages were mostly removed, except for the support brace on his arm.
The newly grown skin was pale and tender, making Kagami look even more striking.
A small white snake slithered up to him, delivering a scroll.
*"Kagami-kun, greetings.
I've heard of your injuries and feel deeply concerned, though I am unable to leave the frontlines due to pressing conflicts.
I have authorized Minato to escort you back to the village to recover.
As your senior, I regret my inability to protect you.
Enclosed is a scroll containing a self-developed chakra activation technique. Please study it carefully."*
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Kagami quietly unrolled the scroll, finding Orochimaru's notes on cellular stimulation through chakra—a precursor to his later regeneration techniques.
The technique was valuable—comparable to Jiraiya's secret Hair Needle Barrage.
At this stage, Orochimaru hadn't yet become involved with Danzo or been corrupted by his influence. His thoughts weren't yet deranged.
Perhaps his actions now weren't as sinister as they seemed...
Orochimaru likely sought to curry favor with powerful allies as part of his ambition to become Hokage.
So when had Orochimaru fully descended into darkness?
The exact moment was unclear, but it undoubtedly occurred after Minato was chosen as the Fourth Hokage.
Orochimaru might not have truly desired the position, but he yearned for Hiruzen's acknowledgment.
Put simply: I don't need it, but you mustn't deny me.
With his status, Orochimaru could have acquired any test subjects he wanted. Why would he target ordinary villagers from the village? And as intelligent as he was, how could he have been caught red-handed?
This didn't make him a saint—Orochimaru was undoubtedly malevolent—but at least for now, he retained some restraint out of respect for his teacher.
Kagami refused to rely on past knowledge to define the people he encountered in the present. As Minato had said, people change.
Of course, Danzo was the exception.
Since the day Tobirama died, Danzo's character had been cemented—a man consumed by discontent and regret.
He was driven solely by Tobirama's ideology, desperate to prove his worth.
But when Danzo inevitably realized that Hiruzen would never pass the Hokage title to him…
That was when he, too, would spiral into madness, working alongside Orochimaru to continue their experiments on Wood Release and Sharingan.
Kagami wouldn't allow this vile man to taint the power of the Sharingan.
---
The time would come to rid himself of Danzo during this war.
Perhaps the Rain Country would make a fitting grave for him.
---
Before long, Minato arrived, accompanied by Kakashi.
"Yo, Kagami-senpai! You're looking rough—" Kakashi teased as he entered.
Kagami shot him a frosty glare. "Do you think I can't kill you with one arm?"
"Of course you can! Definitely can!" Kakashi replied quickly, stepping closer to examine Kagami's right arm.
"I heard you scared off Ōnoki of the Two Scales! That's incredible—completely outrageous!"
---
I nearly died just to withstand one of his techniques.
Now the story's been twisted into me scaring him off?
Seeing Kagami's furrowed brow, Minato explained, "That's the narrative Iwagakure is spreading."
"A new Uchiha prodigy who not only defeated the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki but also forced the Third Tsuchikage to retreat, establishing a half-year truce."
"You've even earned yourself a nickname."
A setup for adulation, no doubt.
Kagami had never taken the so-called half-year truce seriously. He had already planned to tip off Kumogakure about Iwagakure's vulnerability—though someone else had beaten him to it.
Curious, Kagami raised an eyebrow. "What nickname?"
"Slash – Crimson Eye!"
Kakashi mimicked slashing with exaggerated movements, his tone filled with envy.
"Such a cool nickname! Just like my dad's!"
---
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Not exactly the most auspicious nickname…
Massaging his temples, Kagami turned to Minato. "Why'd you bring Kakashi back?"
Placing a hand on Kakashi's head, Minato replied with a smile, "After careful thought, I've decided it's not right for someone his age to be on the battlefield unless absolutely necessary."
"Wait, what?!"
Kakashi's surprise was evident. Before coming here, Minato hadn't said anything like that. He'd even picked him up during patrol, claiming there was an important mission.
"Orochimaru-sama sent word authorizing me to escort you back for recovery. I figured I'd take Kakashi along as well."
"I heard from Kushina that there's a girl at the academy always asking about Kakashi's whereabouts."
"And another Uchiha boy inquiring about you and Kakashi."
Kakashi thought back. There were plenty of girls at the academy who followed him around, but the most persistent was likely Rin.
As for the Uchiha boy, it could only be Obito.
"But I'm already a Chūnin! Minato-senpai, don't you trust my abilities?" Kakashi complained, feeling this decision undermined his capabilities.
"Kagami's already made a name for himself. I need to do the same!"
Kagami observed Kakashi closely. His father's survival, combined with guidance from Minato and Jiraiya, had kept him from descending into darkness.
Instead, he'd developed into a sharp-tongued, black-humored, lazy, and nonchalant young man.
And a fan of Icha Icha Paradise.
Hmph. If you'd seen how the original timeline unfolded, you'd be kneeling in gratitude.
"Kagami! What's with that look?!"
"Don't just stay silent! That's the look of someone staring at trash, isn't it?!"
Kakashi was all too familiar with that gaze—he'd used it on Obito many times.
Now the tables had turned.
"Don't fuss, Kakashi."
Kagami flicked Kakashi's forehead with his left hand, a soft tap.
"You're still far from ready. Go back and play ninja games with them."
"What the—?! What did you say?!"
Watching his two junior brothers bicker, Minato's face softened into a maternal smile.
Placing a hand on each of their shoulders, he declared, "Alright, consider this a temporary leave. Prepare yourselves."
Swish!
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