Brothers

Chapter 8: Brothers

Kagami watched the direction Shisui had left in and smiled helplessly.

Today, Shisui had called him out to find out about his strength and talent, as well as his views on Konoha and the current state of the Uchiha. Yet he had learned nothing in return. All things considered, he had definitely gotten the short end of the stick.

Most importantly, Kagami had no idea how Shisui and Itachi would view him after learning what he was thinking.

Of course, Kagami did not regret it. He had his own bottom line. He only wanted to flee the coming night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre with the people he cared about. He would never become the blade that slaughtered the Uchiha Clan. Besides, he did not even have the qualifications for that, did he? As things stood, he could barely keep himself alive.

With that thought, Kagami also set off toward home.

In a dense forest.

Shisui had called Itachi out and told him about his conversation with Kagami.

Itachi's brows furrowed slightly. Beneath his calmness lurked a trace of anger that was difficult to detect.

"Shisui, according to what you said, he has clearly seen through the situation and understood the crisis. Why, then, is he still hung up on those petty clan grievances? The bigger picture should come first. There would be no Uchiha Clan without Konoha, and without Konoha, the Uchiha Clan would cease to exist as well. How foolish!"

In Itachi's view, if Kagami had been like most people, with such narrow horizons that he could see only the grudge between the Uchiha Clan and the village, then Itachi would not have blamed him for taking the Uchiha Clan's side. But the problem was that Kagami had clearly seen through everything and still intended to stand with the Uchiha Clan. Itachi could not understand it.

"If you want to preserve the Uchiha Clan, you first have to preserve the village!"

Itachi spoke those words with an exceptionally mature outlook.

What Itachi did not know was that, in Kagami's eyes, as long as Danzo remained alive, there could be no good outcome between the Uchiha and Konoha. If Kagami became involved, there were probably only two possible results: either Danzo would kill him as he had Shisui, or he would become a blade like Itachi, one that slaughtered the Uchiha Clan.

Kagami could not accept either option. Therefore, he had decided to firmly take the Uchiha's side and stay out of the matter.

Shisui, however, began to laugh. His smile was bright and sunny, unlike the meaningful smile he had worn while speaking with Kagami. This was a genuine, heartfelt laugh.

"No, Itachi. I think this is a good thing."

Itachi asked in puzzlement,

"Shisui?"

Shisui explained with a smile,

"Itachi, don't forget that we are both members of the Uchiha Clan. The current situation between the Uchiha and the village concerns Konoha's survival, so the two of us chose without hesitation to preserve the village first. The village comes before the clan. I believe this principle of ours is not wrong. But think about it carefully—isn't it too unfair to the Uchiha Clan?

"Isn't it a good thing that someone has appeared who considers the clan wholeheartedly? From now on, all we need to do is devote ourselves to finding a way to preserve Konoha."

Itachi looked at Shisui in disbelief.

"Shisui, are you saying that you believe Kagami is worthy of entrusting the Uchiha's safety to? We will work to preserve Konoha, while he works to preserve the Uchiha?"

Shisui said, "Mm-hmm."

Itachi still felt that something was wrong.

"Shisui, your idea is a good one. After thinking it over, I agree with you as well. But you and I both know that the situation between the Uchiha and the village can hold out for at most another two years. After that, it will inevitably explode. How old will he be in two years? Eight! How strong can an eight-year-old be? Even if he has excellent awareness and cares deeply about the clan, his one shortcoming is that he is too young."

Shisui shook his head.

"No, I mean in the future."

Itachi replied instinctively,

"The future? Once we get through this matter, we can naturally devote ourselves to striving for the clan. Wait! Shisui, do you mean—"

Shisui nodded and calmly said something Itachi found difficult to accept.

"Yes. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that I won't make it through this crisis between the Uchiha and the village. So I believe I have no future. That is why I am so happy to see a genius like Kagami appear in the clan. I want him to protect the Uchiha in my place in the future. And you, Itachi—you will protect Konoha in my place."

Half a month later.

On the Ninja Academy's training ground, Kagami was the first to cross the finish line.

Iruka announced without surprise,

"Kagami is first in this training exercise."

Sasuke crossed the finish line a few seconds after Kagami.

During the first year at the Ninja Academy, most of the training focused on physical fitness and things like shuriken.

In the half month since training had begun, Kagami had come first in every single exercise without exception. He was dazzling beyond compare.

Sasuke likewise came second in most of the training exercises.

The Uchiha twins had already become famous at the Ninja Academy.

That afternoon, after school, Kagami did not go home. Instead, he went to an empty training ground. Ever since Uchiha Takashi had taught him Hand Seals and Nature Transformation that day, Kagami came to the training ground every day to train for a while before returning home.

Snake–Horse–Monkey–Boar–Horse–Tiger.

This was the Hand Seal sequence for the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. It was a ninjutsu Kagami had asked Uchiha Takashi to teach him over the following days. Of course, Kagami could not release it yet. After all, he had not even mastered Nature Transformation.

"Mm, the progress isn't bad."

Half a month ago, Kagami had needed nearly two seconds to form a single seal. He had just learned them, so his movements were still extremely awkward and frighteningly slow. Now, he needed only a little over one second—about 1.2 seconds—to form one seal.

After gaining Chakra, Kagami's senses had continued to improve, and his sense of time was quite accurate.

After casting a ninjutsu, Kagami casually plucked a leaf and placed it in his hand. After a while, a flash of fire appeared at the very edge of the leaf, but it quickly went out.

"Still not enough."

This was Nature Transformation training, and Nature Transformation was extremely difficult. Mastering it was no easy task. At present, Kagami could only ignite a tiny spark at the very edge of the leaf. Once he could burn the entire leaf, his Nature Transformation would count as having reached the initial stage.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Four shuriken were thrown simultaneously. After colliding in midair, they struck the bull's-eye at the same time from a clever angle!

"Whew, not bad."

Kagami had improved fastest with shuriken. Throughout this half month, Shisui had come every day to teach him. At first, Kagami had been puzzled. After all, his ideals clearly did not align with Shisui's. He thought that even if Shisui did not ignore him, he would at least not grow close to him.

What Kagami had not expected was that Shisui had returned the next day as if nothing had happened and continued teaching him. For half a month, he had taught Kagami with great patience and seriousness. That was why Kagami's shuriken skills had improved so quickly.

In fact, it was not just his shuriken skills. Every improvement Kagami had made during this half month had been inseparable from Shisui's help.

Kagami did not know why. He only knew two things. First, Shisui was gentle and cheerful by nature. Even when fighting others, he usually stopped once the point had been made and rarely inflicted irreversible injuries. Someone like that was worth befriending wholeheartedly. Second, Shisui's kindness toward Kagami over this half month had even made Kagami think for a time that he had an actual older brother.

Knowing those two things was enough. He treats me like a brother, so naturally I will treat him like one too.