Chapter 5: Uchiha
After his explosive performance on the first day, no one dared approach Uchiha Kagami in the days that followed.
During the day, he'd feign sleep while training the Rasengan in his mental space.
In the evenings, he'd work on physical ninjutsu, and at night he'd study theory, getting a solid seven hours of deep sleep each night.
Kagami's life was fulfilling.
Kakashi, who had initially planned to graduate early, temporarily gave up on the idea after his defeat.
He doubled his already intense training routine, waiting for his strength to soar so he could redeem himself.
Taking advantage of a rare moment when his father, Sakumo Hatake, was home, Kakashi voiced the question weighing on his mind.
"Father… Kagami's Sharingan felt different. I've seen Uchiha using the Sharingan before, but this…"
That feeling was hard for Kakashi to put into words.
Sakumo smiled, patting his head, "Did it feel more intense?"
Kakashi thought that wasn't quite right, but he couldn't come up with a better description.
"I have Uchiha friends. Their eyes aren't as easy to awaken as the Hyuga's; they usually need to go through something special or emotionally intense."
"That child Kagami… awakening his Sharingan so young, he must've gone through something painful. Kakashi, you should help him out of his hardships."
Kakashi looked a bit confused. That guy… didn't really seem like he'd gone through any deep suffering.
Although Kagami didn't cause trouble at school, he did enjoy bullying Obito Uchiha.
Lately, Obito hadn't bothered him, sticking with Asuma and others to plan revenge on Kagami.
With less noise around, Kakashi even felt a bit more at ease.
Brushing aside those thoughts, he voiced his main purpose.
"Father, I want to learn your swordsmanship!"
Sakumo ruffled his hair again, feeling proud.
He didn't want Kakashi to graduate early either. While the academy offered little to keep Kakashi there, he had only agreed to apply for early graduation because Kakashi insisted.
Now that he wasn't bringing it up, it seemed Kakashi was determined to defeat that other boy first.
Like the Third Hokage, Sakumo hoped the competition would build a bond between the two.
"Alright, you've got the basics down. I'll teach you the Hatake clan's secret taijutsu, the Thousand Years of Death!"
"Just kidding! Of course, I'll teach you swordsmanship!"
---
Later that night, Kagami finished his taijutsu training and had just left the training grounds when an Uchiha clan member appeared.
"Kagami, the elder wants to see you."
The Uchiha clan wasn't like the Hyuga, where a few branch families held more power than the clan leader.
Generally, the Uchiha clan leader was the highest authority.
But Fugaku had only recently become the clan head and was still young, so many decisions were made by an elder from the previous generation.
Similar to the future relationship between the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze.
This clan elder was from the radical faction, advocating for the Uchiha's rightful place through force.
Having visited the elder's estate before, Kagami waited in the living room.
Soon, a lean man with a scarred face, around his fifties, appeared.
Uchiha Jinhi, the hawkish leader of the Uchiha.
The Uchiha never followed the weak. If Fugaku hadn't awakened the Mangekyou, Jinhi would've been the clan's strongest.
"Elder Jinhi." After a simple greeting, Kagami sat down calmly.
Jinhi nodded in approval. He was pleased with this younger Uchiha.
Cold, decisive, proud—his ideal Uchiha cub.
A lot like the Uchiha Izuna he admired.
"I heard about what happened at the academy. You did well, Kagami."
"And you've seen the Third Hokage. What are your thoughts?"
After a moment of silence, Kagami answered,
"He's an outstanding ninja with remarkable leadership."
"Kind, with formidable strength."
…
"A fair assessment." Jinhi nodded. "Good, you haven't been swayed by ignorant clan members who see him as a useless old man."
Jinhi said solemnly, "While I have many grievances with Sarutobi Hiruzen, I must admit, among our generation, only he is worthy of being the Third Hokage."
"Your grandfather had a chance once… unfortunately…"
Kagami shook his head, judging his namesake ancestor. "Even if he hadn't passed, he wouldn't have competed for the Hokage title."
"…True enough. Kagami, you already have the mindset of a leader."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is already considering retirement. The Fourth Hokage may be one of the Sannin. As for your age… we should aim for the Fifth."
Just as Jinhi was about to continue, Kagami got up and said,
"Elder, is this clan meeting talk the reason you called me here?"
"First, you aimed for the Second Hokage during the First's time, then the Fifth during the Third's. Always hoping for the next time. From my view…"
Kagami looked Jinhi straight in the eye, unafraid. "You're no different from Fugaku."
"I'm leaving. Save your grievances for the clan meeting."
---
"Wait."
Jinhi's expression remained calm as he said, "From the sound of it, you want to aim for the Fourth?"
"No, I'm not interested in being Hokage."
Kagami turned around and replied, "Since when did the Uchiha need the Hokage's title to prove themselves?"
"Elder Jinhi, I despise the weakness in our clan's mentality, including yours."
"I appreciate your guidance, but don't expect me to follow your path, nor do I need your lectures."
With that, Kagami turned away and walked towards the entrance, stopping when he heard Jinhi's voice.
"Tomorrow, I'll wait for you at the training grounds to teach you all my jutsu."
"I might not have the right to lecture you, but let me be of some use."
"For the future of the Uchiha!"
Kagami paused.
"I understand."
---
Under the moonlight, Kagami walked through the clan's grounds as some shops prepared to close.
"Kagami! Enjoying school?"
"I heard you defeated the Hatake prodigy! Haha, that's our Kagami!"
"Be sure to stop by my shop tomorrow morning. I'll have some red bean soup ready for you!"
Along the way, clan members greeted him warmly.
Kagami responded with a smile, completely different from his cold attitude with Jinhi.
The Uchiha's nature, influenced by their dojutsu, made the strong more solitary and aloof. But ordinary Uchiha were no different from anyone else.
Including those who hadn't awakened their Sharingan, there were over two thousand of them…
Obito… Itachi…
I'm a terrible person, yet even I can't imagine…
How could anyone harm these people—neighbors, elders, women, children—with whom they share blood?
When he got home, his grandmother was cradling little Shisui.
Shisui's parents had died shortly after his birth, leaving only the three of them in this household.
Compared to most orphaned ninjas, Uchiha orphans lived a much better life.
Kagami was adopted, and others were taken care of by fellow clan members if they were less fortunate.
Even the Second Hokage acknowledged that the Uchiha had a greater capacity for love than the Senju.
Lost love turns to hatred…
Then the Uchiha should never lose their love.
I'll protect the fate of this clan!
"Grandma, I'm home."
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