Sei

Chapter 44: Sei

"Shisui-bro, let's go home."

"Home."

Kagato's face was blank, his frost-cracked hands steadying Shisui on his back as his equally frost-cracked feet carried them towards the Uchiha compound.

Last night, a ninja had died. His death wouldn't significantly impact the world, but it would leave a seven-year-old child completely alone.

Sigh, Big Brother Shisui, can you teach me ninjutsu?

Huh? Me?

That was the beginning of Kagato and Shisui's connection.

It was then, under the setting sun, that a six-year-old child made a request to an Anbu member, and the Anbu member agreed.

From that day on, Kagato gained an older brother who was almost family. At that time, Kagato didn't dare to slack off on his training. He had to work hard, and even harder, because he was determined to protect his parents and his Shisui-bro during the Night of the Uchiha Clan Extermination.

But he never imagined that disaster would strike so quickly. Two Root members under Danzō became the fuse that ignited everything.

Within two months, his parents and Shisui were gone, one after another. He no longer had a home; he had completely lost the place he could call home.

Therefore, Kagato didn't go home. He carried Shisui to the training ground where they often spent their time. He gently set Shisui down, pulled out a kunai, and squatted on the ground, digging.

Perhaps, even now, only this familiar training ground could barely be called "home."

Shisui had no family either, so Kagato could bury him himself.

However, his hands, which had been frozen in the river water all night, were already incredibly fragile. Before long, blood began to flow from his palms, down his hands, and drip onto the soil, staining some of it crimson.

Itachi had already returned when Kagato found Shisui's body. He needed to report Shisui's death to the village.

So, Kagato was alone here to bury Shisui.

"Drip."

Suddenly, something other than blood dripped onto the ground. Kagato touched his face.

"Are these tears?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sky suddenly began to rain.

"Drip, drip, drip."

"Ah, it's just rain."

The rain soaked Kagato, flowing down his cheeks. No one knew if they were tears or raindrops.

The rain fell heavily. People hurried to collect their laundry from the lines and took shelter in their homes.

"It suddenly started raining; I almost didn't manage to get my laundry in."

"Sigh, it's so cold. I really wish the weather would warm up."

"Well, I had something to do, but with this rain, there's nothing I can do. I'll just wait at home for now."

People looked at the sudden downpour, discussing it with resignation.

Uchiha compound.

Itachi stood at his doorstep, gazing at the heavy rain outside, lost in thought.

"Brother, brother, when the rain stops, will you teach me ninjutsu? Kagato is already so strong; I can't fall behind."

Sasuke ran out from the house and went behind Itachi, pestering him to teach him ninjutsu.

Itachi turned around, his face breaking into a smile, and gently tapped Sasuke's forehead.

"Sasuke, after the rain stops, brother has other things to do. Next time, okay?"

"Mmm."

Sasuke puffed out his cheeks, looking at Itachi with dissatisfaction.

Hokage's Office.

The Third Hokage sighed as he looked at the heavy rain outside.

"Shisui is dead. Is this the only way Shisui could stop the Uchiha? And now, after his parents just passed, Shisui is gone too. That child..."

The rain grew heavier.

In the darkness.

Danzō spoke coldly.

"Shisui is dead? If that's the case, then Uchiha Kagato cannot be allowed to live. He has already lost all his support; it will be as easy as flipping my hand to kill him."

Two days later.

Kakashi arrived at Kagato's home but didn't find him. He had heard about Shisui's death and couldn't help but want to check on Kagato.

The death of his parents, the death of his companion, the death of the older brother who taught him—this experience was too similar to his own. Kakashi knew very well how painful that would be, so he wanted to see Kagato, to pat his shoulder and tell him that everything would get better.

But unfortunately, Kakashi did not see Kagato.

Uchiha training ground.

Kagami knelt before a tombstone, on which he had crookedly carved a few words: "Tomb of Uchiha Shisui."

To accomplish all this, Kagami's hands were covered in dried blood and had lost all sensation.

If he remained here without timely treatment, his hands might be completely ruined.

"Are you despairing of this world?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind Kagami.

Kagami turned his head slightly to look back. There were three people: one was a masked man with a red-patterned mask, another was a male wearing black and red cloud robes with black rods embedded in his face, and the last person was also wearing black and red cloud robes but was a mature woman with purple hair.

Obito (Madara), Heavenly Dao, Konan.

The one who had just spoken was Obito, or rather, the masked man.

Kagami ignored them. Although Obito had killed his comrade, Kagami was now utterly heartbroken. He had lost count of how many times he had considered erecting a tombstone for himself. He had no interest in thinking about anything else; he was tired, truly tired.

"Join Akatsuki."

Obito spoke again. He hadn't intended to invite Kagami personally, but in the end, he couldn't resist coming himself. Kagami's experience only further solidified his belief that this world was false. Obito could empathize with that look of utter despair; at the moment Rin died, his own feelings were much the same.

"Not interested. Get lost."

Kagami's reply was simple and direct, even a bit rude.

With thoughts of death consuming him, how could he care about anything else? Those who truly wish to die don't care about anything. For the past few days, Kagami hadn't sought anyone out or bothered anyone. He had no lingering attachment to this world. It would be best, best if he could just quietly die here.

"Don't you want revenge on Danzō?"

However, Obito, having experienced a similar despair, knew very well what such a despairing person cared about most: hatred!

As expected, Kagami's eyes brightened slightly.

"Can your Akatsuki help me kill Danzō?"

"First, you need to join."

Kagami remained unmoved.

"You need to promise me first."

"Alright, I promise you, when you seek revenge on Danzō, our Akatsuki will send someone to assist you."

Heavenly Dao nodded in agreement.

Currently, Kagami lacked the ability to take revenge on Danzō. Although he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, he couldn't control it at all. He didn't even know what his Mangekyo's abilities were. Therefore, to get revenge, he needed to borrow the power of Akatsuki.

"However, before your revenge, you need to help us complete the formation of Akatsuki. We still don't have enough members. Until Akatsuki is fully formed, I won't send anyone to assist your revenge."

"Fine."

Kagami didn't care about the time; he could wait. Besides, Kagami didn't just want to kill Danzō; he wanted Danzō to experience the same pain he had. Simply killing Danzō was far from enough!

Danzō, wasn't he supposed to protect Konoha? Then let him protect it well!

Although Kagami had promised Shisui he wouldn't personally attack Konoha, that didn't mean Kagami couldn't destroy it. The Akatsuki organization was a great choice for this. If Danzō wanted to protect Konoha, then Kagami would destroy Konoha fiercely. If Danzō wanted Sharingan, then Kagami would eventually pluck out every single Sharingan from him, one by one.

If Danzō wanted to become Hokage, then Kagami wouldn't let him live to see that day.

"Then show them the negation of Konoha."

Heavenly Dao spoke.

Kagami understood what Heavenly Dao meant. He mustered all his strength, raised his now-numb hands, and without hesitation, removed the Konoha forehead protector from his forehead. He took out a kunai and deeply scratched a mark onto it.

From today on, he was a rogue ninja of Konoha.

Heavenly Dao walked up to Kagami and handed him a ring.

"From today on, you are Uchiha Kagami of Akatsuki."

Kagami took the ring. On it was inscribed a single character: "Sei."

Good morning, everyone! A new day, and I hope you all have a good mood!

Starting from this chapter, Kagami officially leaves Konoha, and the Akatsuki arc will now begin.