Prejudice in People's Hearts

Konoha Hospital.

"Is this your new disciple?"

The well-endowed Tsunade stood with her arms folded, looking at Kagami Uchiha sitting by the window as she questioned Jiraiya.

Kagami Uchiha had always worn clothes bearing his clan crest, so Tsunade knew he was from the Uchiha Clan without needing an introduction.

To be honest, influenced by her second grandfather, she did not particularly like the Uchiha either.

Having just finished Minato Namikaze's surgery and seen that his beloved disciple was stable, Jiraiya finally had the mind to pay attention to other matters.

By the window, Kakashi and Kagami Uchiha were peeling oranges. Kakashi meticulously removed every bit of pith.

Kagami Uchiha, meanwhile, split an orange in half and ate one half, peel and all.

The orange peels here had no pesticides anyway, and eating them with the peel was more nutritious. The taste was a little strange, but Kagami Uchiha did not care.

"Hahaha, I haven't decided yet. Still, we really had you to thank this time. Thank you, Kagami-kun!"

Kagami Uchiha nodded. "I only stepped in because I felt I could help. I acted rashly, and I'm truly sorry."

Kushina had been keeping watch beside Minato's bed. Hearing that, she shook her head. "The Nine-Tails nearly escaped this time. Thanks to your help, once Minato wakes up, we'll properly thank you."

"Hahaha, that sounds like something a married couple would say~" Jiraiya teased.

Seeing Kushina's red hair starting to float faintly, Jiraiya hurriedly shut his mouth.

He would not be able to take it if Kushina lashed out in embarrassment.

"Awakening the Three-Tomoe at such a young age... You really are something, kid~" Tsunade stared at Kagami Uchiha, her meaning unclear.

Kagami Uchiha nodded as if it were only natural. "That's right. I really am something."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, having noticed something.

"You brat... Have you killed someone?"

Having fought through countless battles, she could tell whether someone had killed before. There was a subtle difference in the feeling they gave off.

Kagami Uchiha paused slightly but did not deny it. "Last year, a clan elder took me to wipe out a gang of Mountain Bandits."

To ordinary people, vicious Mountain Bandits were little more than experience points for newly graduated ninja.

Konoha deliberately kept some small bandit groups around for ninja to train against, so they would not reach the battlefield without even knowing how to kill.

To get used to it sooner, Kagami Uchiha had actually gone with Shen Huo when he was five.

The disgust in Tsunade's eyes deepened.

Killing people at such a young age... The Uchiha...

More importantly, Kushina had mentioned the name the Nine-Tails cried out at the end. It seemed familiar to her, so she had asked her cousin Tsunade about it.

Madara.

To Tsunade... no, to all of Konoha, that name was a nightmare.

Did the Nine-Tails think this brat resembled Madara...?

In terms of talent, this brat was even more terrifying than the Uchiha Madara her second grandfather had described.

A seven-year-old with the Three-Tomoe—nearly everyone who learned of it believed Kagami Uchiha could reach the Mangekyo.

The Three-Tomoe was comparable to a Konoha jonin. What the Mangekyo represented went without saying.

And this brat's spiritual energy was unbelievably powerful. He could already affect the Nine-Tails...

Kagami Uchiha knew what she was thinking, and he did not regret exposing his ocular power.

Konoha did not have the ability to completely break with the Uchiha. If they dared lay a hand on him at a time like this, no matter how he died, the enraged Uchiha would blame Konoha's higher-ups.

Especially after he had displayed, before so many clan members, combat power capable of suppressing Uchiha Fugaku.

What he represented now was the Uchiha's future.

Of course, there were still risks.

But if he became timid over a little risk, he would not be an Uchiha.

He was not as arrogant as Uchiha Sasuke, but expecting Kagami Uchiha to keep a low profile was unrealistic.

Then Tsunade asked again.

"Does taking a life make you happy?"

She wanted to use this question to probe Kagami Uchiha's true nature.

Kagami Uchiha frowned at her.

"I will become a ninja. Whether they are Mountain Bandits or ninja from enemy nations, they are merely enemies who need to be killed."

"Killing enemies is normal. I don't understand why Lady Tsunade would ask that."

Tsunade's brow furrowed even more deeply.

"You brat... You have no reverence for life!"

With a derisive snort.

Kagami Uchiha tilted his head slightly. His gaze toward Tsunade turned cold, and his pretended respect vanished.

"From what position are you judging me?"

"I don't think I need to revere the lives of my enemies, and I don't think you are qualified to judge me!"

Boom!

The hospital room floor trembled as powerful chakra burst forth from Tsunade.

She clenched both fists and glared at Kagami Uchiha, enunciating every word.

"What—did—you—say!"

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared. Kagami Uchiha placed a hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

He knew that Tsunade already had a fatal weakness. Dealing with her would be easy.

"Enough! Can't you tell where you are?!"

Jiraiya rarely looked so serious as he barked out a low reprimand.

"Tsunade, go outside first!"

Tsunade glanced at Kagami Uchiha, withdrew her chakra, and gave Kushina a look. The two left the room together.

With a long sigh, Jiraiya's smile returned. He moved closer to Kagami Uchiha.

He crouched down and met Kagami Uchiha's eyes. "You're not a child. It won't hurt to tell you some things."

"Tsunade's grandfather died young because of the ancestor of your Uchiha Clan..."

"Her grandfather was the First Hokage."

"So..."

"Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain," Kagami Uchiha said lightly.

Jiraiya savored the words, then smiled. "That's a great line. Can I put it in my novel?"

"Yes... You should understand that many people in the village cannot let go of the past and hold prejudice against your clan."

Jiraiya placed a hand on Kagami Uchiha's shoulder. "I know there is a divide between the village and the Uchiha. It is not something the Uchiha alone need to work on. The village needs to change as well."

"So, would you be willing to become my disciple, Kagami?"

His gaze was blazing, utterly sincere.

If the Third Hokage had adopted him, perhaps he truly could have stood on the village's side.

But Kagami Uchiha understood clearly that the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha was irreconcilable, because of Uchiha Madara, and because of the Second Hokage.

It could even be traced back to Indra and Ashura, and further still to Kaguya Otsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths.

If hatred were so easily resolved, the world would not be endlessly plagued by conflict.

This battle would ultimately end only with one side's complete defeat.

Even so...

A childlike, sincere smile appeared on Kagami Uchiha's fair face.

"Of course I'm willing! Teacher Jiraiya!"