Uchiha

After his explosive performance on the first day, no one dared to get close to Kagami Uchiha for the next few days.

He would feign sleep during the day to practice the Rasengan within his Mental Space.

In the evenings, he would return home to train in Nintaijutsu, and once night fell, he would study theoretical knowledge, maintaining seven hours of deep sleep every day.

Kagami Uchiha's life was quite fulfilling.

Kakashi, who had originally intended to graduate early, temporarily abandoned the idea after his crushing defeat.

He doubled his already inhuman training regimen, waiting to wash away his shame once his strength surged.

Taking advantage of a rare moment when Hatake Sakumo was home, Kakashi voiced the doubts buried in his heart.

"Father... Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan is very different. I've seen other Uchiha ninjas use the Sharingan... but..."

Kakashi couldn't quite articulate that strange, inexplicable feeling.

Hatake Sakumo, having looked into the situation, smiled and patted his head: "It feels more fierce, doesn't it?"

Kakashi didn't feel that was quite right, but he couldn't think of a better adjective.

"I have Uchiha comrades as well. Their clan's eyes aren't as easy to awaken as the Hyuga's; it seems they require a special event or intense mental stimulation to awaken them."

"That boy named Kagami, awakening the Sharingan at such a young age, must have experienced something painful. Kakashi... you should help your comrade and assist him in overcoming his plight."

A hint of confusion appeared in Kakashi's small, dead-fish eyes.

That guy... he doesn't look like the type to be harboring deep resentment...

Although Kagami Uchiha didn't cause trouble at the Ninja Academy, his hobby was bullying Obito Uchiha.

This resulted in Obito Uchiha no longer provoking him, choosing instead to hang out with Asuma and his group every day to plot how to get revenge on Kagami Uchiha.

With one less person buzzing in his ear, Kakashi actually felt a bit more relaxed.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Kakashi stated his primary purpose.

"Father, I want to learn your swordsmanship!"

Rubbing Kakashi's hair, Hatake Sakumo felt deeply gratified.

In truth, he wasn't very keen on Kakashi graduating early either, but the Ninja Academy... really had nothing left to offer that made it necessary for Kakashi to stay, which was why he had previously agreed to apply for early graduation on his behalf.

Now that Kakashi wasn't bringing it up, it seemed he wanted to defeat that youth first.

His thoughts were much like those of the Third Hokage; both felt that the two children could forge a bond through their rivalry.

"Alright. Since your foundation is solid enough, I will officially teach you the secret taijutsu passed down through the Hatake Clan for generations: the Thousand Years of Death!"

"Haha, just kidding. I'll teach you swordsmanship!"

At nightfall, just as Kagami Uchiha finished his taijutsu training and stepped out of the training ground, a member of the Uchiha Clan flickered into existence before him.

"Kagami, the Elder wants to see you."

The Uchiha Clan was not like the Hyuga Clan, where the heads of the branch families held more power than the clan leader.

Normally, the leader of the Uchiha Clan was the supreme authority.

But Fugaku had only just become the leader and was still too young, so many clan matters were still decided by an elder from the previous generation.

It was much like... the future relationship between the Third Hokage and Namikaze Minato.

This clan elder was a member of the Radical Faction, advocating for the use of force to seize the status the Uchiha deserved.

Having been to the elder's courtyard more than once, Kagami Uchiha waited in the living room.

Before long, a lean man in his forties or fifties with a hideous scar on his face walked out.

Elder Shenhuo, the leader of the Hawk Faction.

The Uchiha would not listen to the weak; if Fugaku had not awakened the Mangekyo, Shenhuo would be the strongest in the Uchiha Clan right now.

"Elder Shenhuo." After a simple greeting, Kagami Uchiha sat down indifferently.

Shenhuo nodded inwardly; he was very satisfied with this Uchiha junior.

Cold-blooded, decisive, and arrogant—he was the ideal Uchiha cub.

He was very much like the Uchiha Izuna he admired.

"I heard about what happened at the Ninja Academy. You did well, Kagami."

"You've also met the Third Hokage. What is your impression of him?"

Kagami Uchiha was silent for a moment before saying calmly:

"He is an outstanding ninja with excellent leadership skills."

"He is generous and possesses great strength."

"A very objective analysis." Elder Shenhuo nodded: "Good. You haven't been influenced by those ignorant clansmen who think the Third Hokage is just an incompetent old man."

Shenhuo said sternly: "I have many grievances against Sarutobi Hiruzen, but I must admit, among our generation, only he is worthy of the position of Third Hokage."

"Your grandfather originally had a chance too... what a pity..."

Kagami Uchiha shook his head, passing judgment on the ancestor who shared his name: "Even if Ancestor Kagami hadn't passed away, he wouldn't have vied for the position of Hokage against the Third Hokage."

"...That is true. Kagami, you already possess the mindset of a clan head."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen already has intentions of stepping down. The Fourth Hokage will likely be one of the Sannin. Given your age... we should be able to vie for the Fifth Hokage."

Just as Shenhuo was about to hold forth, Kagami Uchiha propped himself up on his knees and stood.

"Elder, is this the only reason you summoned me—to discuss matters meant for the clan meeting?"

"In the time of the First Hokage, you thought of vying for the Second. During the Third, you want to vie for the Fifth. You always pin your hopes on the next time. In my eyes..."

Kagami Uchiha looked directly into Shenhuo's eyes without a hint of fear: "You are no different from Clan Head Fugaku."

"I am leaving. You should save these complaints for the clan meeting."

"Wait a moment."

Uchiha Shinra remained expressionless, his voice deep: "Judging by your tone, do you still intend to vie for the Fourth?"

"No, I have no interest in being Hokage."

Kagami Uchiha turned his head, saying indifferently: "Since when has the Uchiha Clan needed the title of Hokage to prove itself?"

"Elder Shenhuo, I despise this cowardly mindset of the clan members, and that includes you."

"I am grateful for your gifts, but do not expect me to act according to your arrangements, and there is no need for you to lecture me."

Having said that, Kagami Uchiha turned back and continued walking without stopping until he reached the entryway, where Uchiha Shinra's voice reached him.

"I will wait for you at the training ground tomorrow to pass on all of my ninjutsu to you."

"An old man like me is indeed unqualified to boss you around, but let me be of some use at least."

"For the future of the Uchiha!"

Kagami Uchiha paused his steps.

"I understand."

Bathed in the moonlight, Kagami Uchiha walked through the clan grounds, where some shops were already preparing to close.

"Kagami! Are you happy at the academy?"

"I heard about it! You defeated the genius of the Hatake Clan, didn't you! Haha, as expected of Kagami!"

"Remember to stop by my place tomorrow morning, I've prepared Red Bean Soup for you!"

Along the way, the Clan Members greeted him warmly.

Kagami Uchiha responded to each of them with a smile, a complete contrast to the coldness he showed Uchiha Shinra.

The temperament of the Uchiha Clan, influenced by their Dojutsu Power, tends to become more isolated and cold as one grows stronger, but the ordinary Clan Members are no different from regular people.

Counting those who haven't awakened their eyes, there are over two thousand people...

Obito... Itachi...

A wretch like me can't even imagine it.

How could anyone lay a hand on these neighbors, the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children who share this Blood Relation...

When he arrived home, his Grandmother was still coaxing little Shisui.

Shisui's parents had sacrificed themselves after giving birth to him, leaving only three people in this household.

Compared to the orphans of ordinary ninja, the lives of Uchiha orphans are much better.

Like how Kagami could be adopted, those from less fortunate backgrounds are looked after by the other Clan Members.

After all, even the Second Hokage acknowledged that the Uchiha are a clan with more love than the Senju.

Lost love turns into hatred...

Then, wouldn't it be fine if the Uchiha never lost anything?

The fate of this clan shall be protected by me!

"Grandmother, I'm home."