Now, during class time, Uchiha Kagami had completely devoted it to resting.
Listening to the teacher's explanations on the podium actually improved the quality of his sleep, allowing him to dedicate the entire night to training.
The academy instructors could do nothing about it. After all, even if he slept every day, he still ranked first by a landslide in both theoretical exams and practical combat at the end of each term.
They had even offered to help him apply for early graduation, but Uchiha Kagami refused.
Why would he want to graduate? The kids here were fun to talk to, the lunchboxes were delicious, and the naps were great. Why bother graduating?
Becoming a genin to chase cats and dogs, escort merchant caravans, and survive on ration pills? No thanks.
Although tensions between the nations were still high, the trigger for the Third Great Ninja War had yet to appear.
That trigger was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
Sasori's parents had been killed by Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, during the Third Kazekage's reign.
Considering the alliance treaty between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, the Third Kazekage forbade Sasori from seeking revenge.
Of course, it was also possible that the Third Kazekage knew Sasori was no match for the White Fang and didn't trust him to succeed.
So, Sasori redirected his hatred toward the Third Kazekage and, using some method, killed him and turned him into a human puppet.
Afterward, the Sand Village, unable to find their Kazekage, eventually started a fight with Konoha.
Then, the other villages joined in, leading to the brutal Third Great Ninja War.
This was the first time all five great villages participated in a war since the establishment of the ninja village system.
It also set the stage for the Fourth Great Ninja War, cultivating bosses like Uchiha Obito and Kabuto Yakushi.
The Yellow Flash, the A-B Combo, Pakura of the Scorch Style, Copy Ninja Kakashi… many powerful figures rose to fame during this war.
It's almost laughable that the most famous Sharingan user during the Third War was actually an outsider, Kakashi.
It seems that by the end of the war, Shisui had also grown into his own. That kid…
Hopefully, the education from a young age can change his overly compassionate nature.
After school.
Kakashi, who had skipped class all day, leaned against the doorway. When he saw Uchiha Kagami approaching, he straightened up.
"Kagami, my father wants to meet you. Please!" He bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
Even when Kagami had beaten him badly in the past, Kakashi had never been this humble.
The medicinal bath was scheduled after Kagami's training, so there was still time.
Hatake Residence.
A few lamps provided little light, making the interior seem dim.
Uchiha Kagami walked in alone and saw the man known throughout the ninja world as Konoha's White Fang.
The once tall and robust figure now looked like a skeleton draped in skin.
His white hair was dry and brittle, and his eyes had almost no light left in them.
In his thirties, the prime of a ninja's life, Hatake Sakumo was instead filled with an aura of decay.
"You must be Kagami. Kakashi often mentions you," he said, his voice hoarse, as if even speaking a full sentence was exhausting.
"Hello, Hatake-sensei."
Uchiha Kagami wasn't one to initiate conversations, so he waited for Sakumo to speak.
"Kakashi relayed your words to me, Kagami. Your Sharingan possesses greater insight than any Uchiha I've ever met."
"I can't figure it out… May I borrow your wisdom?"
"Tell me… what is the right thing to do?"
Uchiha Kagami frowned slightly. He wasn't cut out for psychological counseling.
Might as well get straight to the point.
"Hatake-sensei, do you know who leaked the details of this mission?"
"...I have a rough idea."
"It was probably the Hokage's advisor, Danzo-sama."
"Danzo did it, and the Hokage didn't stop it. That's the situation," Kagami stated bluntly.
"You're thinking of committing suicide because your idealized image of the Third Hokage has shattered, right?"
"Idealized image… What do you mean?"
"It means you can't see him for who he truly is. In your eyes, the Third has always been a perfect, benevolent elder."
"Kagami's analogy is quite apt…"
"So… why didn't the Third Hokage help me…"
"How could he? The news was already public. Should he have said that comrades are more important than missions?"
"Then what about the tasks entrusted by the daimyo and nobles? Who would trust Konoha anymore?"
"Or should he have said that missions are more important than comrades?"
"Then what about his cherished Will of Fire, the belief in valuing comrades? How would the villagers see him?"
"This was an unsolvable problem from the start."
Hatake Sakumo fell silent.
Uchiha Kagami continued slowly, "The Third is human. As long as someone is human, they have selfish desires. He couldn't overturn his own principles just for you."