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:
---
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."
---
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.
---
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."
---
"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.
---
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."
---
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.
---
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.
---
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."
----
Chapter 39: The Three-Man Squad, Kosuke Maruboshi
---
Shisui beamed with his usual innocent smile.
"I don't know."
"But I do know one thing—no matter what decision you make, I'll always stand by your side, Brother!"
Kagami chuckled lightly.
"You're as indecisive as ever."
"Well, Grandma already told me ages ago—just listen to Brother, and everything will be fine!"
"Then listen carefully: if you can't master water-walking in three days, forget about leaving the house afterward."
"What?! That's so unfair!"
With a pout, Shisui shuffled toward the pond, glancing back at every step.
His thoughts drifted: Itachi is so cute. I just want to play with him...
---
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe while Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki stood before him.
Minato wore an apologetic expression, scratching the back of his head.
Meanwhile, Kushina stood tall, arms crossed.
"What's the problem? Can't I go on missions with Minato?" she demanded.
Minato shifted uncomfortably, trying to soften her blunt tone.
Hiruzen sighed, looking down at the report in his hand. "You're saying you want to leave the village for missions?"
Kushina raised her chin. "That's right! Why not?"
"You're the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina," Hiruzen reminded her, setting the report down.
"So what?!" she shot back. "I've got full control over the Nine-Tails now!"
"Keep your voice down!" Minato interjected nervously, glancing around.
Hiruzen's brows furrowed as he regarded her with concern. "How about this—I'll grant you more freedom to move around the village. But leaving it..."
"Not enough!" Kushina interrupted, pointing a finger at him.
Hiruzen turned to Minato for support, but the young ninja averted his gaze, pretending not to notice.
"Fine, Hokage-sama," Minato finally spoke up. "I've honed my sealing techniques to ensure Kushina's safety on the field."
Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You do realize, Kushina, that your presence in the village is a deterrent against enemy invasions? As long as you're here, no other village dares to act recklessly against Konoha."
Kushina tilted her head thoughtfully, then grinned.
"Don't be silly! Everyone's afraid of you, Old Man! Not me!"
The Hokage almost choked on his pipe smoke.
"Still," Kushina continued, puffing her chest, "if you're getting old, why not just stay behind and let me handle it? I'll be the village's first female Hokage someday, you know!"
---
Hiruzen studied her for a moment before exhaling a long plume of smoke.
She reminded him of her younger self—the girl who boldly declared her dream in front of her classmates.
Hiruzen wanted every Konoha ninja to aspire to the Hokage's ideals, to unite under its banner.
Even Uchiha Kagami, he thought. If that boy sought the Hokage title to unite the village, he might accept it.
But Kagami was different. His attitude toward Konoha's civilians was cold, disdainful even.
How could the oppressed become the oppressors? Hiruzen mused bitterly.
The old Hokage looked at Minato and Kushina, and a thought struck him:
Perhaps they could form a bond with Kagami.
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen made a decision that Danzo Shimura and the elders would undoubtedly oppose.
---
"Once Kagami recovers, you three will form a team," he declared, meeting their gazes.
"You'll respond to emergencies across all battlefields."
"What?!" Kushina's shout echoed through the room.
Hiruzen raised a hand to silence her.
"However, I will assign an experienced ninja to guide you. That's my condition."
Kushina hesitated for a moment, then broke into a wide grin.
"Deal! Old Man, you won't regret this!"
She grabbed Minato's arm and dragged him out.
"Let's go! We need to check on that brat Kagami and make sure he's not slacking off!"
Minato shot the Hokage an apologetic smile before being hauled away like a reluctant accessory.
---
That evening, Hiruzen left his office and ventured deep into the Konoha Forest.
Beside a quiet mountain spring, he waited.
Before long, a gaunt, unassuming man emerged from the shadows, kneeling respectfully.
"Lord Hokage," the man greeted.
Hiruzen regarded him with a mix of admiration and sorrow.
"Kosuke Maruboshi," he said after a pause. "There's a mission only you can handle."
"I'll gladly take on any task, no matter how dangerous," Maruboshi replied earnestly.
"Don't be so eager to throw your life away," Hiruzen chided gently.
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"I'm forming a team: Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Uchiha Kagami."
Hiruzen deliberately revealed Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—normally a top-secret fact.
"I need you to join them as their mentor. Especially to guide Kagami. He's..." Hiruzen trailed off, searching for the right words.
"He's an incredible young man," Maruboshi offered.
"Yes," Hiruzen agreed with a faint smile. "Incredible, but also... complicated."
The Hokage's eyes drifted toward the village lights in the distance.
"Maruboshi, that boy is disconnected from the village. I need you to be a bridge between him and Konoha."
"If he can become like his grandfather Kagami, I could rest easy in the afterlife, knowing I've upheld the will of the First and Second Hokages."
Maruboshi bowed deeply.
"I'll do my best, Lord Hokage."
---
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