Uchiha

After his explosive performance on the first day, no one dared approach Kagami Uchiha over the following days.

He dozed during the day while practicing the Rasengan in his mental space.

In the evening, he went home to train in Nintaijutsu. At night, he studied theory. Every day, he got seven hours of deep sleep.

Kagami Uchiha's life was quite fulfilling.

Kakashi, who had originally planned to graduate early, temporarily abandoned that idea after his crushing defeat.

He doubled his already inhuman training regimen, waiting to make rapid progress and wipe away his humiliation.

Taking advantage of Hatake Sakumo's rare free time at home, Kakashi voiced the question that had been bothering him.

"Father... Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan is very different. I've seen Uchiha ninja use the Sharingan too... but..."

Kakashi still could not clearly put that inexplicable feeling into words.

Hatake Sakumo understood what had happened and smiled as he patted his son's head. "It felt more fierce and vicious, didn't it?"

Kakashi felt that was not quite right, but he could not think of a better description.

"I have Uchiha comrades too. Their clan's eyes don't awaken as easily as the Hyuga's. It seems they can only awaken after experiencing some special event or intense mental stimulation."

"That child named Kagami awakened his Sharingan at such a young age. He must have gone through something painful. Kakashi... you should help your comrade and help him out of his predicament."

There was a trace of confusion in Kakashi's tiny dead-fish eyes.

That guy... doesn't look like someone burdened by deep sorrow...

Although Kagami Uchiha did not cause trouble at school, his hobby outside class was bullying Uchiha Obito.

As a result, Uchiha Obito had stopped provoking him lately. Every day, he gathered with Asuma's group to discuss how to get revenge on Kagami Uchiha.

With one less person pestering him, Kakashi actually felt a little more at ease.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Kakashi stated his real purpose.

"Father, I want to learn your swordsmanship!"

Ruffling Kakashi's hair, Hatake Sakumo felt greatly relieved.

In truth, he had not really wanted Kakashi to graduate early either. It was just that the Ninja Academy... truly had nothing left worth keeping Kakashi there for, which was why he had agreed to apply for early graduation on his behalf.

Now that Kakashi was no longer bringing it up, it seemed he intended to defeat that boy first.

His thoughts were similar to the Third Hokage's. He believed the two children could forge a bond through competition.

"Good. You've built up a decent foundation already, so I'll formally teach you the secret body technique passed down through the Hatake family for generations: Thousand Years of Death!"

"Ha ha, just kidding! I'll teach you swordsmanship!"

After nightfall, Kagami Uchiha had just walked out of the Training Ground after finishing his taijutsu training when an Uchiha clansman appeared before him in a Body Flicker.

"Kagami, the elder wishes to see you."

The Uchiha Clan was not like the Hyuga Clan, where several members of the Main Family held more authority than the clan head.

Normally, the Uchiha Clan's clan head was its highest authority.

But Fugaku had only just become clan head and was still too young. Many clan matters were still decided by an elder from the previous generation.

It was like... the relationship between the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze in the future.

And this clan elder was the leader of the clan's hawkish faction, advocating the use of force to seize the status Uchiha deserved.

It was not his first visit to the elder's courtyard. Kagami Uchiha waited in the living room.

Before long, a lean man in his forties or fifties, with a vicious knife scar across his face, emerged.

Uchiha Shinka, leader of the hawks.

The Uchiha did not heed the weak. If Fugaku had not awakened the Mangekyo, Shinka would now be the strongest member of the Uchiha Clan.

"Shen Huo Elder." After a simple greeting, Kagami Uchiha sat cross-legged with an indifferent expression.

Shinka nodded to himself. He was very satisfied with this younger Uchiha.

Cold-hearted, decisive, arrogant—this was the ideal Uchiha child in his eyes.

He greatly resembled Lord Uchiha Izuna, whom Shinka admired.

"I know what happened at the Ninja Academy. You did very well, Kagami."

"You have met the Third Hokage as well. What is your impression of him?"

Kagami Uchiha fell silent for a moment before replying calmly,

"He is an outstanding ninja with exceptional leadership ability."

"He is broad-minded and possesses great strength."

"A very objective assessment." Uchiha Shinka nodded. "Good. You have not been influenced by those ignorant clansmen who think the Third Hokage is merely a useless old man."

Shinka's expression grew serious. "I have many grievances against Hiruzen Sarutobi, but I must admit that among our generation, only he deserved the position of Third Hokage."

"Your grandfather originally had a chance as well... unfortunately..."

Kagami Uchiha shook his head and gave his judgment of the ancestor who shared his name. "Even if Ancestor Kagami had not passed away, he would not have fought the Third Hokage for the position."

"...That is true. Kagami, you already think like a clan head."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is already considering stepping down. The Fourth may come from among the Three Legendary Sannin. Given your age... we should be able to vie for the Fifth Hokage."

Just as Shinka was about to continue at length, Kagami Uchiha rose, bracing himself on one knee.

"Elder, did you summon me merely to discuss matters that should be brought up at a clan meeting?"

"During the First Hokage's time, you thought of competing for the Second. During the Third Hokage's time, you aim for the Fifth. You always place your hopes on the next opportunity. In my view..."

Kagami Uchiha fearlessly met Shinka's eyes. "You are no different from Clan Head Fugaku."

"I'm leaving. Go air those complaints at the clan meeting."

"Wait."

Uchiha Shinka remained expressionless as he said in a low voice, "From the sound of it, do you intend to compete for the Fourth?"

"No. I have no interest in becoming Hokage."

Kagami Uchiha turned his head and said calmly, "Since when did the Uchiha Clan need the title of Hokage to prove itself?"

"Shen Huo Elder, I despise this cowardly mindset among the clansmen. Even you are like this."

"I am grateful for your gifts, but do not expect me to act according to your arrangements. Nor do I need your lectures."

After saying that, Kagami Uchiha turned back around and continued walking. When he reached the entrance hall, Uchiha Shinka's voice came from behind him.

"Tomorrow, I will wait for you at the Training Ground and teach you all of my ninjutsu."

"An old man like me truly has no right to order you around, but at least let me serve some purpose."

"For Uchiha's future!"

Kagami Uchiha halted.

"I understand."

Beneath the moonlight, Kagami Uchiha walked through the clan district. Some shops were preparing to close as well.

"Kagami! Have you been enjoying school?"

"I heard you defeated that Hatake genius! Ha ha, just as expected of Kagami!"

"Remember to stop by Auntie's place tomorrow morning. I made red bean soup for you!"

Along the way, the clansmen greeted him warmly.

Kagami Uchiha responded to each of them with a smile, completely unlike the cold indifference he had shown Uchiha Shinka.

The Uchiha Clan's temperament was affected by ocular power. The stronger they became, the more solitary and cold they grew. But ordinary Uchiha clansmen were no different from regular people.

Including those who had not awakened their eyes, there were more than two thousand of them...

Obito... Itachi...

Even someone as rotten as me cannot imagine it.

How could I raise my hand against these neighbors, elders, women, and children who share my blood...

When he arrived home, his grandmother was still soothing young Shisui.

Shisui's parents had died after he was born, leaving only three people in this household.

Compared to the orphaned children of ordinary ninja, Uchiha orphans lived far better lives.

Kagami, for instance, could still be adopted. Those from poorer families were also looked after by other clansmen.

After all, even the Second Hokage had acknowledged that the Uchiha were a clan more loving than the Senju.

Lost love becomes hatred...

Then the Uchiha simply must never lose anything.

I will protect this clan's fate!

"Grandma, I'm home."