Chapter 38: Clan and Village
Due to the Sand Village adopting a defensive strategy, Orochimaru had no choice but to withdraw his forces and fortify their position after failing to make progress in the Wind Country campaign.
Meanwhile, on another front of the western battlefield, Ōnoki and the Third Raikage, A, were locked in a fierce showdown, putting the conflict there on hold for the time being.
This temporary stalemate granted Minato Namikaze a brief respite. Although he had been scheduled to return to the western battlefield, he was now placed on standby to be deployed based on the needs of other fronts.
At the same time, the name "Uchiha Kagami" began to spread like wildfire.
While part of this was thanks to Iwagakure's propaganda machine, much of it was driven by the Uchiha clan itself.
Within the Uchiha, it was particularly the faction led by Kagami's uncle, Uchiha Jinhi, that capitalized on this opportunity. They spared no effort in amplifying Kagami's growing fame:
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Conversations Around Konoha:
Sweet Shop Owner: "Tetsushin-san, you're on patrol today?"
Uchiha Tetsushin: "You've heard about Kagami defeating the Four-Tails and forcing the Tsuchikage to retreat, haven't you?"
Florist: "Shōjin, would you like to check out our latest chrysanthemums?"
Uchiha Shōjin: "Indeed. If Kagami had killed Ōnoki, we'd be sending these flowers as offerings to Iwagakure by now."
Ramen Stall Owner: "Four bowls of ramen, is it?"
Uchiha Patrolman: "Yes. Four, just like the Four-Tails Kagami defeated. I hear Iwagakure's already looking for a new Jinchūriki."
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Summing it up, the narrative spreading throughout Konoha was that the recent easing of tensions on the western front was solely due to Kagami's extraordinary performance.
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One sunny afternoon, Uchiha Mikoto arrived at Kagami's residence, carrying her infant son, Itachi.
"Shisui, take Itachi to play near the entrance," Kagami said from a reclining chair in the courtyard, his eyes fixed on a scroll detailing Orochimaru's chakra activation techniques.
"My apologies for not offering tea, Mikoto-san. Grandmother is unwell, and I've been occupied."
Mikoto smiled gently, stealing a glance at Shisui holding the baby before responding, "You're too formal, Kagami. It's I who have intruded."
"Why are you here?" Kagami's tone was indifferent, his attention still on the scroll.
Mikoto hesitated before speaking, her voice carrying a hint of worry. "You've probably heard the rumors spreading around the village. Fugaku has asked me to request that you and Jinbei-ossan restrain the clan members."
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"Restrain them?" Kagami finally looked up, his gaze piercing as it landed on Mikoto.
Before marrying Fugaku, Mikoto had been a Uchiha elite, a three-tomoe Sharingan user known for her strength.
But under Kagami's gaze, she instinctively averted her eyes, unable to hold his steady, cold stare.
"Do you know why Fugaku made this request?" Kagami asked, his voice calm but firm.
Taking a deep breath, Mikoto steeled herself. This didn't feel like a conversation with a junior but rather with a commanding elder.
"There is tension between the Uchiha clan and the village leadership. Fugaku has been working hard to ease that tension, and there has been progress.
"After all, wasn't the fact that Hiruzen allowed Jiraiya-sensei to take you under his wing a gesture of reconciliation between the village and the Uchiha?
"Both Fugaku and the Hokage are striving for unity. You've directly benefited from these efforts. Why, then, are you choosing to distance yourself from the village?"
Mikoto's voice rose slightly. "You are a member of the Uchiha clan, but you're also a Konoha shinobi. You should not be confined by the narrow perspective of clan loyalty!
"The Uchiha cannot hope to stand against the village. Do you not see that?"
Mikoto's words tumbled out in a rush, as if afraid she'd lose her nerve if she stopped.
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Kagami's expression didn't waver. His gaze remained steady and unyielding, as if staring into the depths of an icy abyss.
"And what authority do you claim to speak to me?" he asked quietly.
"As the wife of the Uchiha clan leader and the head of the Konoha Police Force, representing the Hokage, the villagers, and the Uchiha clan!" Mikoto replied, though her voice wavered.
Kagami let out a quiet laugh, devoid of warmth.
"I'll say this once," he began, his tone calm but carrying an edge that sent shivers down Mikoto's spine.
"The only reason Fugaku still holds the title of clan leader is because I have allowed it.
"You do not represent the Uchiha.
"And I couldn't care less about the Hokage's or the villagers' opinions."
Kagami rose slightly from his reclined position, his aura shifting dramatically. It felt as if a monstrous dragon had awakened, its oppressive presence pressing down on Mikoto.
"You should be grateful you are an Uchiha," Kagami said, his voice quiet but laced with deadly intent.
"If you weren't, I would've killed you by now."
The sheer force of Kagami's killing intent hit Mikoto like a tidal wave. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and she couldn't muster a response.
Kagami turned back to his scroll, dismissing her presence entirely.
"This is your only warning," he said coldly. "Do not bring such foolishness before me again."
"You should be grateful for my mercy this time."
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Mikoto's pale face turned even whiter as she staggered to her feet. She knew Kagami's words were not empty threats.
"I… I understand. Forgive me, Kagami-san. I'll take my leave."
She hurriedly exited, clutching her son to her chest, as if escaping from the den of a predator.
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Shisui, holding Itachi in his arms, tilted his head curiously.
"Brother, did you and Mikoto-nee argue?"
Kagami turned a page in his scroll, not even glancing up. "Shisui, what do you think about the relationship between the Uchiha and the village?"
Shisui hesitated, surprised by the question.
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Kagami studied his younger cousin, remembering the tragic path Shisui had once walked.
In another timeline, Shisui had faltered, choosing to end his life rather than confront the harsh reality of the Uchiha's fate.
He had handed over his Mangekyō Sharingan to Itachi, hoping to prevent conflict, only to die without ever realizing the truth.
That the village leadership, led by Hiruzen and Danzo, had no intention of resolving tensions with the Uchiha.
They didn't want peace with the Uchiha—they wanted to erase them.
"Brother, I…" Shisui began, but Kagami cut him off.
"Think carefully, Shisui. A decision will have to be made one day."
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