Chapter 60: The Mangekyō
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"Lord Kagami, you've returned."
The camp's shinobi greeted him with deference. Over the years of war, Kagami Uchiha had risen to the position of Deputy Commander of the Northern Battlefront.
It was a temporary wartime role, but his fame had become so great that the higher-ups had no choice but to grant him this title.
The forces under his command consisted mostly of notable clans such as the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka. His own clan members had been sent to the Eastern Battlefront.
Six months ago, Kirigakure officially entered the war, seeking to carve out a piece of Konoha's strength.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had begun to make a name for themselves as a fearsome special unit.
Konoha was now fighting on four fronts. The Northern and Western fronts were the most grueling, with Iwagakure and Kumogakure's combined strength posing a significant challenge.
Danzo had taken the opportunity to repeatedly lambast Kagami during strategy meetings, accusing him of destabilizing the situation by killing the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Fortunately, Kagami never heard those remarks. If he had, Danzo would have been long dead.
The old rat had gone into hiding, evading Kagami's reach, like vermin lurking in the shadows.
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Just as Kagami sat down in his tent, hurried footsteps approached.
"Lord Kagami, Jiraiya-sama has requested your presence immediately. It's an urgent matter!"
Kumogakure has attacked?
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When Kagami lifted the flap of the command tent, a heavy tension filled the air.
Inside were Jiraiya, Fugaku Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi stood stiffly, lifeless and numb, his expression mirroring the one his father bore years ago.
Kagami cast a glance at Fugaku and spoke bluntly:
"Why are you here?"
"That can wait," Jiraiya interjected grimly. "Kagami… Obito has fallen."
Kagami's expression didn't shift. He had deduced as much when he didn't see Obito in the tent upon entering.
Observing Kakashi closely, Kagami noticed something peculiar: both of Kakashi's eyes were intact, though his chest was heavily bandaged.
It seemed that the exchange of eyes between Kakashi and Obito in the original timeline had been circumstantial, rather than part of Madara's machinations.
Had events followed the same path as before, Kagami would have found it odd.
He stepped forward, standing directly in front of Kakashi.
Kakashi's lifeless eyes slowly lifted to meet his.
"Kagami… Obito is gone…"
"I know," Kagami replied coldly. "And?"
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Kakashi fell silent for a long time before rasping out his words:
"Where were you? Why didn't Minato-sensei respond to me…?"
"I was so close… so close to saving him!"
Tears streamed down Kakashi's face, soaking his mask and falling to the ground.
For days, he had been silent, refusing food or drink.
Now, in Kagami's presence, his emotions finally broke free.
SMACK!
The sound of Kagami's slap echoed through the tent as Kakashi collapsed to the ground.
"Kagami! What are you doing?!" Jiraiya exclaimed.
Ignoring him, Kagami placed his foot on Kakashi's chest, his gaze icy and condescending.
"You think Minato and I are supposed to revolve around you?"
"You think you deserve to be constantly shielded by others?"
"Always thinking it's someone else's responsibility to save you. 'If only Kagami were here.' 'If only Minato were here.'"
"Why?"
Kagami leaned down, grabbing Kakashi by the collar and bringing their faces close.
"You call yourself a shinobi? You abandoned yourself the moment you lost a friend. Pathetic!"
He pointed outside.
"This is war. A battle for survival. While I'm standing here talking to you, more Konoha shinobi are probably dying out there."
"Obito was nothing special. Neither are you. And neither am I."
"If you want to cry, go do it somewhere else. I don't have time to listen to your whining."
With that, Kagami shoved Kakashi backward with his foot, sending him sprawling out of the tent.
Rin immediately followed, concerned for her teammate.
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"Kagami… your methods are too harsh," Jiraiya said with a sigh.
He didn't condone Kagami's approach, but he didn't stop him either. He couldn't bear to see Kakashi fall into despair, but he also knew Kagami's harshness might just be what was needed.
Turning to Jiraiya, Kagami spoke with an air of indifference.
"You're mistaken. That wasn't a motivational tactic. I just felt like scolding him."
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After a brief pause, Jiraiya shifted the topic to Fugaku.
"During your absence, Kumogakure launched several skirmishes. Iwagakure has been relatively quiet, so Fugaku was sent to temporarily fill your role."
Kagami raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping onto his face.
"Oh? So I suppose that makes Fugaku the new Deputy Commander now?"
Fugaku's stoic expression didn't waver as he replied, "This is Lord Hokage's directive."
"Mirror, you've been through much these past years. It's time for you to take a well-deserved rest."
Kagami's eyes narrowed, his smile widening.
"Oh, I'm sure this was all for my benefit."
Jiraiya patted Kagami on the shoulder.
"Take some time for yourself, Kagami. Even the strongest need to rest. Besides, Minato and Kushina have had their breaks too. You've earned yours."
"I'll handle myself just fine, Jiraiya… sensei."
Kagami exited the tent, glancing back at Fugaku with a smirk.
"Fugaku, come along. There are some things I need to discuss with you."
"As do I," Fugaku replied evenly, following him out.
Watching the two leave, Jiraiya couldn't shake a sense of foreboding.
But this was a matter for the Uchiha. It wasn't his place to interfere.
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Kagami walked far from the camp, Fugaku silently trailing behind him.
At a large tree, Kagami stopped, turning to face Fugaku with a sly grin.
"So, you've awakened the Mangekyō but still chose to align with Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Fugaku's eyes sharpened, though he quickly calmed himself.
"You noticed… I see. Your eyes are truly formidable."
As he spoke, Fugaku activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
The tomoe spun into the shape of a three-bladed shuriken.
"This cursed power… If I could, I would prevent you from awakening it."
"I've glimpsed the future, Kagami. If the Uchiha rebel, there will be no victory. We must wait, bide our time until we are strong enough."
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Kagami crossed his arms, his grin widening mockingly.
"Such shallow foresight. Your so-called vision of the future is based on nothing but your limited perspective."
"The future isn't something you foresee. It's something I create."
"Enough talk, Fugaku." Kagami beckoned with a hand.
"Come at me with everything you've got. Don't disappoint me by dying too easily."
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