When I Make It Big, You'll Regret It

"Kagami Uchiha, hailed as a once-in-several-decades genius of the Uchiha Clan!"

Several little brats huddled together, and the bruised and swollen Asuma listened especially intently.

Although Uchiha Obito hated Kagami Uchiha and was hated by him in return, seeing that even the Third Hokage's son had been beaten up filled him with a sense of pride in their clan.

He beat Asuma too, so he wasn't targeting me!

"I heard his Uchiha Style Body Technique has already reached the level of a Military Police Force Member, and he's even mastered Fire Release Ninjutsu!"

Kakashi, who had not cared much before, was now somewhat interested.

Many members of the Uchiha Clan did not participate in the village's ninja rank evaluations, but anyone who became a Military Police Force Member was assumed to possess Chunin-level combat ability.

A five- or six-year-old child could reach that level?

But after thinking of himself, Kakashi felt it was not impossible.

He had already planned to apply for early graduation, and his father also believed he possessed strength no weaker than that of an ordinary Chunin.

The afternoon practical combat class was mandatory for all students.

In order to recuperate and rebuild, the Third Hokage had changed the original three-year system into a six-year one.

However, this batch of students had mostly been born after the Second Shinobi World War. They were generally only five or six years old, and there were hardly any upperclassmen.

Then, only a few years later, the Third Shinobi World War broke out, and the six-year system was changed back to three years.

Of course, Asuma was not the sort to run crying to tattletale after getting beaten up. He wanted to win back his dignity himself.

So he sought out Uchiha Obito to gather information.

But Obito had only lasted one or two moves whenever he was bullied. What could he possibly know? All he could offer were rumors of uncertain truth.

"Asuma, Kagami won't be participating in practical combat training."

Rin Nohara, who was bandaging Asuma's wounds, kindly reminded the two conspirators.

"He's a new student. Today, he'll only be demonstrating shuriken throwing."

"Besides... you were the one who provoked him. Just let it go."

"How can I let it go?!"

Asuma wailed unwillingly. If he had merely gotten beaten up, he could have accepted that.

But...

But that guy had insulted Kurenai!

He could never forgive him!

"Next match, Kakashi versus Uchiha Obito!"

The teacher began calling names from the center of the field.

Kakashi felt somewhat helpless. Why did he always end up facing Obito and Gai?

He already disliked these boring practical drills, yet he kept running into the two dead last students.

Unlike Kakashi, Obito burst into flames the moment he heard his name.

"Oh!! This time, I'll definitely beat you, Kakashi!!"

Boring...

"Wait."

A voice suddenly rang out as Kagami Uchiha stepped out from the crowd.

"Teacher, I request to take Uchiha Obito's place."

"Huh? Kagami, you've only just enrolled..."

Kagami Uchiha walked straight toward Kakashi. From within his loose dark-blue long sleeve, an exquisitely sheathed short sword slid into his hand.

Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly.

Though the short sword was only sixty or seventy centimeters long, it could not have been hidden in a child's sleeve.

That was... the Ninja Tool Summoning Technique!

With a father like Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi knew more than ordinary students. That was also why he felt there was no need to waste time at the Ninja Academy.

The corners of Kagami Uchiha's lips curled up as he smiled. "Uchiha Obito has disgraced our clan. As an Uchiha, he actually became dead last."

"This is the reward the clan elders gave me. They want me to defeat you and reclaim first place for the Uchiha."

"Sode no Shirayuki. A very beautiful blade."

As the oldest ninja clan in the shinobi world, the Uchiha Clan's finest treasures had been taken away wholesale by Uchiha Madara, but their remaining collection still far surpassed what other clans could hope to match.

This was a "Kusanagi Sword"-class weapon forged from Chakra Metal.

Even Orochimaru had managed to collect several Kusanagi Swords. How could the Uchiha Clan, a clan skilled in swordsmanship, possibly have none?

Kagami Uchiha had devoured and digested a great deal of Sukuna's spiritual energy. The swordsmanship talent he displayed, along with...

Such talent made the clan elders see him as the next Uchiha Izuna!

They did not dare compare him to a monster like Uchiha Madara. Only those who had truly lived through that era would understand...

Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara had long surpassed what a ninja could possibly achieve.

Watching Kagami Uchiha approach step by step, Kakashi removed the sword case from his back.

From Kagami Uchiha's stance and bearing as he held the sword, Kakashi could sense its sharpness even before it was drawn...

He would not avoid a fight. That action already showed he was willing to accept the challenge.

"Wait!"

The teacher stepped between them and said with a bitter smile, "It's fine if you want to spar, but you can't use ninja tools!"

"And..."

"Kagami, don't take out something so dangerous!!"

The teacher was an experienced Chunin and had spotted the Exploding Tag pinched between Kagami Uchiha's other fingers.

Why did you have an Exploding Tag?!

"Not allowed? I was planning to use the sword to draw his attention, then hit him with one. It would've been much easier."

Kagami Uchiha had no choice but to put away the Exploding Tag and hang the short sword at his waist.

Only then did Kakashi notice the Exploding Tag, and a trace of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

This guy... was a lunatic...

Kagami Uchiha assumed a stance and beckoned Kakashi over.

"Come."

Kakashi frowned and said coolly, "You're the challenger."

Kagami Uchiha seemed to recall something and smiled.

"A kind reminder: the last person who said that was cut in half at the waist."

"Seal of Confrontation! The Seal of Confrontation!" the teacher shouted at the top of his lungs, trying to reinforce his presence.

Kagami Uchiha followed the advice readily, extending two fingers before curling them at Kakashi.

So arrogant...

Kakashi raised the Seal of Confrontation.

Before the teacher could even call the start, in the very next instant—

Boom!

A cloud of dust exploded as the two small figures collided.

Kakashi flashed forward, driving a swift straight punch directly at Kagami Uchiha's chest.

Kagami Uchiha twisted aside to evade the punch, then swiftly seized Kakashi's wrist with his right hand. Using the momentum, he turned and tried to throw Kakashi away.

Kakashi was obviously not so easy to handle. He stomped his left foot hard against the ground to steady himself, then drove his other elbow toward Kagami Uchiha's abdomen.

Kagami Uchiha had no choice but to release him and leap several steps backward, dodging the strike.

"You're strong." That brief exchange was enough for Kakashi to conclude that Kagami Uchiha was no weaker than him.

Kagami Uchiha drove a palm toward Kakashi's face and smiled. "You're not bad either."

Their movements were lightning-fast, fists and kicks flying as their techniques shifted unpredictably.

Every collision produced a dull impact, and the air was thick with tension.

"So amazing!"

"Kakashi is amazing! That new student is amazing too!"

"They're so fast! Has Kakashi never been serious before?!"

"This is youth!!!"

"Are... are they really students?" Even the teacher, a Chunin himself, was stunned by the strength the two children displayed.

He had always known Kakashi was strong...

But that Uchiha boy was actually keeping up with him completely!

And judging by his expression... Kagami Uchiha seemed to be more relaxed.

--

Inside the Hokage Office.

Whenever there was nothing urgent to handle, Hiruzen Sarutobi liked to use the Telescope Technique to observe the Ninja Academy and keep an eye on the growth of its young seedlings.

Watching the two fight fiercely within the crystal ball, he only felt that Konoha's future was flourishing and bright.

Being a ninja was a high-risk profession. This kind of competition was normal.

Bonds would grow through such competition and become the branches connecting the leaves!

Perhaps the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village could begin to change with these children!

Filled with anticipation for a bright future, the Third Hokage did not rebuke Danzo for entering without knocking.

After silently watching for a while, Danzo said in a low voice:

"That Uchiha brat is a genius."

"Yes." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke and smiled. "Kakashi's talent is already remarkable. I didn't expect this child to be so strong as well."

Since Minato Namikaze had already begun to show his brilliance, the Third Hokage did not call Kakashi the most talented.

After all, compared to Minato, even Kakashi fell a little short.

"Hiruzen, this brat is a typical Uchiha. I've investigated him. He is close to the radicals within the Uchiha Clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's relaxed brows slowly drew together.

"...As long as he spends a few years at the academy, he'll understand the importance of the village and his companions."

"Don't you understand? The more talented an Uchiha is, the more uncontrollable they are!"

Shimura Danzō said gravely, "Let me train him in secret. Only my methods can turn him into someone useful to the village."

Without hesitation, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "Impossible. I will never allow the village's children to join Root."

More importantly... this was not the time to intensify the conflict with the Uchiha.

From the shadows, Danzo's one eye was sinister.

"Have you forgotten the Second Hokage's instructions?! The Uchiha are a clan born evil! The reconciliation you dream of is impossible!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage." Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly as smoke curled before him.

"Hiruzen... you will regret this!"

Bang!

With the thunderous slam of the door, the conversation ended on a sour note.