Prejudices in the Human Heart

Konoha Hospital.

"Is this your new disciple?"

Tsunade, with her ample bosom, crossed her arms as she looked at Kagami Uchiha, who was sitting by the window, and questioned Jiraiya.

Kagami Uchiha was always wearing clothes with the clan crest, so even without an introduction, Tsunade knew he was from the Uchiha Clan.

To be honest, influenced by her Second Grandfather, she didn't particularly like the Uchiha.

Having just finished the surgery on Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya only had the mental capacity to focus on other matters once he saw his beloved disciple's condition stabilize.

By the window, Kakashi and Kagami Uchiha were peeling oranges. Kakashi meticulously removed the white strings from the orange.

Kagami Uchiha, on the other hand, split the orange in half and ate half of it, skin and all.

The orange peels here didn't have any pesticides, so eating them with the skin was more nutritious; it just tasted a bit strange, but Kagami Uchiha didn't care.

"Haha, I haven't decided yet, but thanks to you being here this time, thank you, Jing-kun!"

Kagami Uchiha nodded in response: "I just felt I could be of help and acted rashly. I truly apologize."

Kushina had been keeping watch by Minato's hospital bed. Hearing this, she shook her head: "The Nine-Tails almost broke out this time. Thanks to your help, once Minato wakes up, we will properly show our gratitude."

"Hahaha, that sounds just like a married couple~" Jiraiya teased.

Seeing her red hair faintly beginning to float, Jiraiya quickly shut his mouth.

If Kushina were to strike out in embarrassment, he wouldn't be able to handle it.

"To have awakened the Three Tomoe at such a young age, you really are something, kid~" Tsunade's gaze fixed on Kagami Uchiha, her expression ambiguous.

Kagami Uchiha nodded as if it were only natural: "That's right, I am indeed quite something."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, having noticed something.

"You brat... have you killed someone?"

Having been through countless battles, she could distinguish whether a person had killed before by that subtle shift in their aura.

Kagami Uchiha was slightly taken aback, but he didn't deny it: "Last year, the clan elders took me to wipe out a nest of bandits."

To ordinary people, those bandits were vicious and evil, but in reality, they were just experience points for new ninjas.

Konoha intentionally kept some small bandit groups around specifically to let ninjas practice, so they wouldn't be unable to kill when they reached the battlefield.

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

The disgust in Tsunade's eyes deepened.

Starting to kill at such a young age, Uchiha...

Most importantly, Kushina had mentioned the Nine-Tails' final cry. Kushina seemed somewhat familiar with that name, so she had asked her elder cousin, Tsunade.

Madara.

For Tsunade... no, for the entire Hidden Leaf, this name was a nightmare.

Did the Nine-Tails think this brat was like Madara?

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

A Three Tomoe at seven years old—everyone who learned of it believed that Kagami Uchiha could reach the realm of the Mangekyo.

A Three Tomoe was equivalent to a Hidden Leaf Jonin, so the implications of the Mangekyo went without saying.

Moreover, this brat's Spiritual Energy was incredibly strong; he could already influence the Nine-Tails...

Kagami Uchiha knew what she was thinking, and he did not regret exposing his ocular power.

The Hidden Leaf did not have the confidence to break ties with the Uchiha. If they dared to make a move against him at this juncture, regardless of the cause of his death, the enraged Uchiha clan members would pin the blame on the Hidden Leaf's higher-ups.

Especially since he had demonstrated combat power capable of suppressing Uchiha Fugaku in front of many clan members.

He now represented the future of the Uchiha.

Of course, there were still risks.

But if one were to be held back by a little risk, they wouldn't be an Uchiha.

Although he wasn't as arrogant as Sasuke Uchiha, expecting Kagami Uchiha to keep a low profile was unrealistic.

Tsunade asked once more:

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

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

Kagami Uchiha looked at her, frowning.

"I am going to be a ninja. Whether they are bandits or ninjas from enemy nations, they are simply enemies that need to be killed."

"Killing enemies is a normal thing. I don't understand why you would ask that, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade's brow furrowed even deeper.

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

He let out a scoff.

Kagami Uchiha tilted his head slightly, his gaze toward Tsunade turning cold. The feigned respect was gone.

"From what position are you judging me?"

"I don't feel the need to hold reverence for the lives of my enemies, nor do I believe you have the qualifications to judge me!"

BOOM!

The hospital floor trembled as a powerful surge of Chakra erupted from Tsunade's body.

She clenched her fists, glaring at Kagami Uchiha, and spoke word by word.

"What—did—you—say!"

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan manifested in his eyes, and Kagami Uchiha pressed his hand onto the hilt of the blade at his waist.

He knew full well that the current Tsunade had a fatal flaw; dealing with her would be simple.

"Enough! Can't you tell what kind of situation this is?"

Jiraiya's expression was uncharacteristically stern as he shouted a low command to stop them.

"Tsunade, you go out first!"

Tsunade glanced at Kagami Uchiha, withdrew her Chakra, and gave Kushina a look. The two of them walked out the door together.

With a long sigh, Jiraiya put a smile back on his face and leaned in toward Kagami Uchiha.

He crouched down to meet Kagami Uchiha's gaze and said calmly, "You aren't a child; it wouldn't hurt to tell you a few things."

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

"Her grandfather was the First Hokage."

"So, you see..."

"Prejudice is a mountain in people's hearts," Kagami Uchiha said indifferently.

Jiraiya pondered the sentence for a moment, then laughed. "That's a very good line. Can I add it to my novel?"

"Yes... you should understand that many people in the village cannot let go of the past and hold prejudices against your clan."

Jiraiya placed a hand on Kagami Uchiha's shoulder. "I know there is a rift between the village and the Uchiha. This doesn't just require effort from the Uchiha; the village must also make changes."

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

His gaze was burning, incomparably sincere.

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

However, Kagami Uchiha understood very well that the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha was irreconcilable, because of Uchiha Madara, and also because of the Second Hokage.

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

If hatred were so easily resolved, the world would not be in a state of endless strife.

This battle would ultimately have to end with the complete defeat of one side.

Even so...

A sincere smile, the kind a child should have, appeared on Kagami Uchiha's fair face.

"Of course I am willing! Teacher Jiraiya!"