Just Like You

Chapter 6: Just Like You

Kagami returned home in a daze. He remembered that when his affinity was tested, that tall old man hugged him excitedly, very, very happy.

Afterward, he instructed Kagami to focus on practicing hand seal speed and Fire Release nature transformation in the coming days, while Lightning and Earth could be set aside for now. After all, as a member of the Uchiha Clan, Fire Release techniques were naturally the most abundant; Lightning and Earth might not have many, or even any at all.

On the other side, Shisui had successfully invited Itachi out. Looking at Itachi, Shisui spoke with a serious gaze.

"Itachi, that Kagami—I tested him."

Itachi nodded and replied expressionlessly.

"Mm, what were the results?"

Shisui looked at Itachi with a hint of amusement.

"He seems just like you? Or rather, similar?"

Itachi didn't understand Shisui's meaning and smiled wryly.

"Shisui, what do you mean by that? Be clearer."

Shisui let out a light laugh.

"I used genjutsu to probe him back then. After all, he's still a child who hasn't even touched ninjutsu, so he didn't notice my illusion at all. In the genjutsu, I asked him why he was getting close to you. Guess what he said? He said, 'To protect myself.'"

Itachi looked at Shisui with some surprise.

"He saw through it?"

Shisui nodded.

"Mm, he probably did. The increasingly tense situation between the Uchiha and Konoha—he might even have guessed that the Uchiha Clan Head, your father, would push you toward Konoha's side. That way, you'd be both Konoha's man and the Uchiha's man. To survive the coming conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha, getting close to you is undoubtedly a very good choice. I really didn't expect the Uchiha to produce another child like you, with such sharp insight and a terrifying grasp of the bigger picture at such a young age."

Shisui breathed a sigh of relief. Earlier, they'd suspected Kagami was an eye bought by Konoha, but now it seemed otherwise—instead, they'd discovered something pleasantly surprising.

"This is good too. It's a good thing for the Uchiha. Once that child grows up, if something happens to us, he can take over guarding the Uchiha and Konoha."

But Itachi wasn't as optimistic as Shisui. He shook his head and said.

"No, Shisui. Having someone like this is good for both the Uchiha and Konoha, but did you notice? Isn't that child's prediction too pessimistic? He said himself that getting close to me was for self-preservation. So, what kind of situation would require self-preservation? I'm afraid, in his view, the Uchiha and Konoha are destined to cross swords."

Shisui sighed and spoke helplessly.

"Itachi, you know as well as I do that the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha is growing more tense by the day. Him making that prediction is actually normal."

Pausing, Shisui looked toward the direction of the Hokage's Office and said worriedly.

"The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha is like a taut string. That string won't hold much longer—at most two years, and it will snap. We have to ease the tension between Konoha and the Uchiha before that, or else you know what happens, Itachi."

Itachi spoke with a firm gaze.

"I won't let that happen!"

The next day, Kagami got up early as usual, packed everything, and headed toward the Ninja Academy, starting his new day.

For Kagami, what the Ninja Academy taught was still monotonously dull. Throughout the entire day, Kagami spent most of his time spacing out.

Soon, school was over.

This time, Kagami didn't go with Sasuke to his house to find Itachi. Instead, he obediently went home, waiting for the person who had made an appointment with him yesterday to arrive.

Before long, Kagami's door opened. Uchiha Takashi stood at the entrance to Kagami's room and spoke to him.

"Uchiha Shisui from the Anbu is looking for you. Are you close with him?"

Kagami answered honestly.

"Before, when I went to Sasuke's house, I'd occasionally see Shisui-nii looking for Itachi-nii. Gradually, we got familiar. He's here today because I asked Shisui-nii to teach me."

Uchiha Takashi nodded, indicating he understood. Kagami's relationship with Itachi was only at the level of acquaintance, but with Sasuke, they could be called good friends. Many people knew that Kagami often played with Sasuke.

"Uchiha Shisui is a true genius. He carries the title 'Body Flicker Shisui,' a name earned during the Third Shinobi World War. He's a real strong one. Study hard under him."

Kagami replied.

"Yes, yes, I will, Father."

As he spoke, Kagami stood up and headed outside.

At the door, Shisui was dressed as usual, still in his Anbu uniform. Seeing Kagami, he waved him over.

"Follow me."

Kagami followed.

After a while, Kagami followed Shisui to a clearing in the forest. Several training targets were 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 touching ninjutsu, Kagami had practiced physical exercises and shuriken every day. Kunai were something he definitely knew how to use, and he used them well.

Shisui smiled slightly and handed the kunai to Kagami.

"Give it a try."

Kagami didn't say much more. This was training—once Shisui knew his ability, he could tailor the session accordingly.

Taking the Kunai, Kagami eyed the distant target and hurled it with force.

Whoosh!

Dead center!

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

"What about this?"

Kagami took them and threw again.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The two Kunai squeezed together, striking the bullseye simultaneously.

This time, the approval in Shisui's gaze was even clearer.

"To pull this off at your age... you really are a genius."

Hearing this, Kagami felt a little embarrassed.

"I can't compare to you, Shisui-brother."

That was the truth. Kagami had some understanding of Naruto's world. He knew that across Uchiha history, if you ranked geniuses, Shisui and Itachi both stood at the top—the real kind, no dilution.

As for him, his ninjutsu talent was uncertain. He'd only just started learning. He didn't yet know whether his own "genius" label had any substance to it.

Shisui looked at Kagami with encouragement.

"You can afford to be more confident."

With that, Shisui pulled out three Kunai and handed them to Kagami.

"Try it."

Then, with lightning speed, Shisui retrieved the Kunai from the distant target.

Kagami took a deep breath. Two Kunai was about his current limit. Three...

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

He threw them all at once, but this time, only one Kunai hit the bullseye.

Shisui didn't scold him. Instead, he spoke approvingly.

"Not bad. Your Kunai work is excellent!"

Kagami gave a slight smile.

Shisui continued, "I know your Kunai level now. So next—do you know how to condense Chakra? No, wait—do you already have Chakra?"

Kagami nodded. "Yes, Shisui-brother."

Shisui chuckled and shook his head. "I underestimated you. Then do you know your Chakra nature?"

Kagami raised a hand, and a wisp of blue Chakra gathered on his fingertip. "Mm. My father tested it for me yesterday. It's Fire, Lightning, and Earth."

Shisui stared at Kagami in surprise.

"Three natures?"

Kagami nodded in confirmation. "Mm."