Just Like You

Kagami returned home in a daze. He remembered how, when his attributes had been revealed, that tall old man had excitedly picked him up and hugged him, overjoyed—truly overjoyed.

Afterward, he instructed Kagami to spend the coming days practicing his Hand Seals and Fire Release Nature Transformation. He could set Lightning and Earth aside for now. After all, as a member of the Uchiha Clan, he would definitely learn more Fire Release techniques, while there might not be many Lightning or Earth Release techniques—or even any at all.

Meanwhile, Shisui had also successfully arranged to meet Itachi. Looking at Itachi, Shisui spoke with a solemn expression.

"Itachi, I tested that Kagami kid."

Itachi nodded and replied expressionlessly.

"Mm. How did it go?"

Shisui looked at Itachi with a hint of amusement.

"He seems to be just like you. Or at least, almost?"

Itachi did not understand what Shisui meant and said with a bitter smile,

"Shisui, what do you mean? Be more specific."

Shisui chuckled softly.

"I tested him with a genjutsu. After all, he's still just a child who hasn't even come into contact with ninjutsu, so he didn't notice my genjutsu at all. While he was in it, I asked him why he was approaching you. Guess what he said? He said it was for self-preservation."

Itachi looked at Shisui in surprise.

"He figured it out?"

Shisui nodded.

"Mm. He should have. He saw how the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was growing increasingly tense. He may have even guessed that the Uchiha Clan Head—your father—might send you over to Konoha's side. That way, you'd belong to both Konoha and the Uchiha. If he wanted to survive the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha, approaching you would undoubtedly be an excellent choice. I truly never expected the Uchiha to produce another child like you, someone with such sharp insight and an astonishing grasp of the bigger picture at such a young age."

Shisui let out a sigh of relief. Before this, they had suspected that Kagami was an informant bought off by Konoha. Now it seemed that was not the case. Instead, they had discovered something that brought them a pleasant surprise.

"That's good, too. This is a good thing for the Uchiha. Once that child grows up, he can protect the Uchiha and Konoha for us if anything happens."

Itachi was not as optimistic as Shisui, however, and shook his head.

"No, Shisui. Having someone like him is a good thing for both the Uchiha and Konoha. But haven't you noticed? Isn't that child's prediction far too pessimistic? He said he approached me for self-preservation. What kind of situation would require him to protect himself? In his eyes, the Uchiha and Konoha are probably destined to come to blows."

Shisui sighed and replied helplessly,

"Itachi, you know that the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha has grown increasingly tense. It's only natural that he would make such a prediction."

After a pause, Shisui looked toward the Hokage's Office and said worriedly,

"The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha is like a tightly drawn bowstring. That string won't hold for long. At most two years—it's bound to snap. We have to ease the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha before then. Otherwise, you know what will happen, Itachi."

Itachi spoke with a resolute gaze.

"I won't let that happen!"

The next day, Kagami got up early as usual. After getting everything ready, he headed toward the Ninja Academy and began another new day.

To Kagami, everything taught at the Ninja Academy remained just as monotonous as ever. He spent almost the entire day daydreaming.

Soon, school was over.

This time, Kagami did not go home with Sasuke to look for Itachi. Instead, he obediently returned home and waited for the person with whom he had made an agreement the day before.

Before long, Kagami's door opened. Uchiha Takashi stood outside his room and said,

"Anbu's Uchiha Shisui is looking for you. Are you close with him?"

Kagami answered honestly,

"When I used to go to his house with Sasuke, I would occasionally see Big Brother Shisui visiting Big Brother Itachi. Over time, we became familiar with each other. He came to see me today because I asked Big Brother Shisui to train me."

Uchiha Takashi nodded to show that he understood. Kagami and Itachi could only be considered familiar acquaintances, but Kagami's relationship with Sasuke could be called that of good friends. Many people knew that Kagami often played with Sasuke.

"Uchiha Shisui is a true genius. He bears the title Body Flicker Shisui, a name he earned during the Third Shinobi World War. He's a true powerhouse. You must study hard under him."

Kagami replied,

"Yes, yes. I will, Father."

As he spoke, Kagami rose and walked outside.

When he reached the entrance, Shisui was dressed as usual, still wearing his Anbu uniform. Upon seeing Kagami, he waved him over.

"Follow me."

Kagami followed him.

A while later, Kagami followed Shisui to an open space in a forest. Several targets had been set up in the center of the clearing.

Shisui pulled a Kunai from the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

"Do you know how to use a Kunai?"

"Yes."

Before coming into contact with ninjutsu, Kagami had practiced physical training and shuriken every day. He naturally knew how to use a Kunai, and he was quite good with one.

Shisui smiled faintly and handed the Kunai to Kagami.

"Give it a try."

Kagami said nothing more. This was training. Only after showing Shisui what he could do would Shisui know how to train him.

Taking the Kunai, Kagami stared at the distant bull's-eye and threw it with all his strength.

Whoosh!

It struck the bull's-eye dead center!

A trace of approval appeared in Shisui's eyes. He pulled out two more Kunai and handed them to Kagami.

"How about this?"

Kagami took them and threw them again.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The two Kunai flew side by side and struck the bull's-eye at the same time.

This time, the approval in Shisui's eyes was even more apparent.

"To be able to do this at your age—you really are a genius."

Kagami felt a little embarrassed when he heard that.

"I can't compare with you, Big Brother Shisui."

That was the truth. Kagami had some understanding of Naruto. He knew that, looking across the history of the Uchiha, Shisui and Itachi ranked among the very best when it came to talent. They were genuine geniuses, without any exaggeration.

As for him, his talent in ninjutsu was still uncertain. He had only just begun learning, and he did not yet know whether his reputation as a "genius" held any water.

Shisui looked at Kagami encouragingly.

"You can afford to be a little more confident."

As he spoke, Shisui pulled out three Kunai and handed them to Kagami.

"Give it a try."

Then Shisui moved with incredible speed and retrieved the Kunai from the distant bull's-eye.

Kagami took a deep breath. Two Kunai were more or less the limit of his current ability. As for three Kunai—

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

He threw them all at once. However, this time, only one Kunai struck the bull's-eye.

Shisui did not blame Kagami. Instead, he praised him.

"Not bad. You're excellent with Kunai!"

Kagami smiled faintly.

Shisui continued,

"I know your level with Kunai now. Next, do you know how to gather Chakra? No, wait. You already have Chakra?"

Kagami nodded.

"Yes, Big Brother Shisui."

Shisui chuckled and shook his head.

"I underestimated you. Then do you know your Chakra attributes?"

Kagami raised one hand, and a wisp of blue Chakra gathered around his finger.

"Mm. My father tested me yesterday. Fire, Lightning, and Earth."

Shisui looked at Kagami in surprise.

"Three attributes?"

Kagami nodded.

"Mm."