Preconceptions in People's Hearts

Konoha Hospital.

"Is this your new disciple?"

Tsunade, whose chest was broad enough to embrace all things, folded her arms and looked at Uchiha Kagami, who was seated by the window, questioning Jiraiya.

Uchiha Kagami always wore clothes bearing the clan crest, so Tsunade knew he belonged to the Uchiha Clan without needing an introduction.

To be honest, influenced by the Second Hokage, she did not particularly like the Uchiha either.

Jiraiya had just finished Namikaze Minato's surgery. Seeing that his beloved disciple was in stable condition, he finally had the time to pay attention to the others.

By the window, Kakashi and Uchiha Kagami were peeling oranges. Kakashi carefully removed every strand of pith.

Uchiha Kagami, on the other hand, split an orange in half and ate half of it, peel and flesh together.

The oranges here were not treated with much pesticide, so eating them with the peel was more nutritious. The taste was just a little strange, but Uchiha Kagami did not care.

"Haha, I haven't decided yet. But I owe you one this time. Thank you, Jing-kun!"

Uchiha Kagami nodded in response. "I just felt that I could help, so I acted without thinking. I'm really sorry."

Kushina had stayed by Minato's hospital bed the entire time. Hearing that, she shook her head. "The Nine-Tails almost escaped this time. We have you to thank for helping us. Once Minato wakes up, we'll properly show our gratitude."

"Haha, the way you put that makes you sound like a married couple~" Jiraiya teased.

Seeing Kushina's red hair begin to drift upward, Jiraiya hurriedly shut his mouth.

If Kushina lashed out in embarrassment, he would never be able to withstand it.

"Opening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age—you really are something, brat~" Tsunade stared at Uchiha Kagami, her meaning unclear.

Uchiha Kagami nodded matter-of-factly. "That's right. I really am something."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly, seeing through something.

"You little brat... have you killed before?"

Having endured countless battles, she could tell whether someone had killed before. There was a subtle change in their presence.

Uchiha Kagami was slightly stunned, but did not deny it. "Last year, one of the clan elders took me to kill a bandit gang."

In the eyes of ordinary people, those vicious bandits were nothing more than experience points for new ninja.

Konohagakure deliberately left some small bandit groups intact so ninja could use them for practice, lest they enter the battlefield without even knowing how to kill.

To adapt to the process as early as possible, Uchiha Kagami had actually gone with Shenhuo when he was five.

The disgust in Tsunade's eyes deepened.

He was so young, yet he had already begun killing people. The Uchiha...

More importantly, Kushina had mentioned the Nine-Tails' final roar. That name had seemed somewhat familiar to Kushina, so she had asked her cousin Tsunade about it.

Madara.

That name was a nightmare to Tsunade... No, to all of Konohagakure.

Did the Nine-Tails think this brat resembled Madara?

In terms of talent, this brat was even more terrifying than Uchiha Madara as described by the Second Hokage.

At seven years old, he had already awakened the Three Tomoe. Virtually everyone who knew about it believed Uchiha Kagami could reach the Mangekyo level.

The Three Tomoe corresponded to a Jonin of Konohagakure. The significance represented by the Mangekyo went without saying.

Moreover, this brat's Spiritual Energy was so powerful that it was inconceivable. He could already influence the Nine-Tails...

Uchiha Kagami knew what she was thinking, and he did not regret revealing his Dojutsu Power.

Konohagakure did not have the confidence to break with the Uchiha. If they dared to move against him at this juncture, then regardless of how he died, the enraged Uchiha would blame the Higher-ups of Konohagakure.

Especially since he had displayed combat power that suppressed Uchiha Fugaku in front of so many clan members.

He now represented the future of the Uchiha.

Of course, there were still risks.

But if he became constrained by the slightest risk, he would no longer be an Uchiha.

He was not as arrogant as Sasuke Uchiha, but expecting Uchiha Kagami to keep a low profile was unrealistic.

Tsunade asked again:

"Brat, does taking a life bring you pleasure?"

She wanted to use this question to probe Uchiha Kagami's true nature.

Uchiha Kagami frowned at her.

"I'll become a ninja. Whether they're bandits or ninja from an enemy nation, they're all enemies who need to be killed."

"Killing enemies is normal. I don't understand why Lady Tsunade is asking me this."

Tsunade's brows furrowed even more deeply.

"You little brat... you have no reverence for life!"

She let out a derisive laugh.

Uchiha Kagami tilted his head slightly. His gaze toward Tsunade turned cold, and the feigned respect vanished.

"From what position are you judging me?"

"I don't think I need to hold reverence for the lives of my enemies, and I don't think you have the right to judge me!"

Boom!

The floor of the hospital room trembled as powerful Chakra erupted around Tsunade.

She clenched both fists and glared at Uchiha Kagami, enunciating every word.

"Wha--t did--you--say!"

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared. Uchiha Kagami placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

He knew that Tsunade already had her fatal weakness. Dealing with her would be simple.

"Enough! Don't you know where you are?"

Jiraiya's expression turned stern, a rare sight, and he stopped them in a low voice.

"Tsunade, go outside first!"

Tsunade glanced at Uchiha Kagami, reined in her Chakra, and gave Kushina a look. The two of them left together.

With a long sigh, Jiraiya put a smile back on his face and moved closer to Uchiha Kagami.

He crouched down to meet Uchiha Kagami's eyes and said calmly, "You're not a child. It won't hurt to tell you some things."

"Tsunade's grandfather died young because of the ancestor of your Uchiha Clan..."

"Her grandfather was the First Hokage."

"So..."

"Preconceptions in people's hearts are a mountain," Uchiha Kagami said flatly.

Jiraiya mulled over the sentence, then smiled. "That's a pretty good line. Can I put it in my novel?"

"Yes... You should understand that many people in the village can't let go of the past and hold prejudice against your clan."

Jiraiya placed a hand on Uchiha Kagami's shoulder. "I know there is a divide between the village and the Uchiha. Resolving it doesn't just require the Uchiha to make an effort—the village has to change as well."

"So, are you willing to become my disciple, Kagami?"

His gaze was ardent and utterly sincere.

If he had been adopted by the Third Hokage, perhaps he really could have stood on the side of the village.

But Uchiha Kagami understood very well that the conflict between Konohagakure and the Uchiha was irreconcilable, because of Uchiha Madara and because of the Second Hokage.

It could even be traced back to Indra and Asura, and then to Kaguya Otsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths.

If hatred could be dispelled so easily, the world would not have remained embroiled in endless conflict.

This battle would ultimately end with one side suffering a complete defeat.

Even so...

A sincere smile appropriate for a child appeared on Uchiha Kagami's fair face.

"Of course I am! Teacher Jiraiya!"