Choice

Kagami Uchiha had completely repurposed his current class time for rest.

Listening to the teacher's lecture on the podium actually improved the quality of his sleep, allowing him to dedicate his entire night to training.

The Ninja Academy teachers could do nothing about this; after all, even though he slept every day, he remained the undisputed top student in both theory and practical combat at the end of every semester.

They had even taken the initiative to suggest applying for early graduation on his behalf, but Kagami Uchiha wasn't interested.

The brats here were pleasant to talk to, the bento boxes were delicious, and the sleep was excellent—why would he want to graduate?

Why bother becoming a genin, catching cats and dogs, or eating Ration Pills while escorting merchant caravans?

Although the relations between various countries were still tense, the catalyst for the Third Shinobi World War had yet to emerge.

That catalyst was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.

During the Third Kazekage's reign, Sasori's parents had been killed by Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, while on a mission.

Considering the Alliance Agreement signed between the Wind and Fire Countries, the Third Kazekage forbade Sasori from seeking revenge.

Of course, it was also possible that the Third Kazekage knew Sasori was no match for the White Fang and didn't trust him to take action.

Consequently, Sasori transferred that hatred onto the Third Kazekage, eventually finding a way to kill him and refine him into a Human Puppet.

After that, Sunagakure couldn't find their Kazekage, and as the search dragged on, they began fighting with Konoha.

Then, other shinobi villages joined the fray, marking the start of the most brutal Third Shinobi World War.

This was the first time since the inception of the village system that all Five Great Shinobi Villages had participated in a war.

It also served as the crucible that forged boss-level units like Uchiha Obito and Kabuto Yakushi for the Fourth Shinobi World War.

The Yellow Flash, the AB Combo, Scorching Release Pakura, Copy Ninja Kakashi... many powerhouses also made their names in this war.

It was ironic that the most famous Sharingan user of the Third Shinobi War turned out to be an outsider, Kakashi.

It seemed that by the end of the war, Shisui had also grown up; that kid...

He hoped that his early education could change the boy's saintly nature.

School let out.

Kakashi, who had skipped class for the day, leaned against the gate. When he saw Kagami Uchiha walking over, he straightened his posture.

"Kagami, my father wants to see you. Please!" As he spoke, he bowed ninety degrees in greeting.

Even when he had been beaten miserably by Kagami Uchiha in the past, Kakashi had never been this humble.

The Medicinal Bath was scheduled after Kagami Uchiha's training, so there was enough time.

Hatake Residence.

A few lamps provided little light, making the inner hall appear somewhat dim.

Kagami Uchiha walked in alone and saw the man who had made the name Konoha's White Fang famous throughout the shinobi world.

His once tall and sturdy frame now looked like a skeleton barely holding up skin and flesh.

His white hair was withered, and his eyes held almost no light.

At thirty-something, the prime of a ninja's life, Hatake Sakumo was instead filled with the stench of decay.

"You must be Jing-kun. Kakashi mentions you often." His voice was hoarse, as if finishing a complete sentence was a struggle.

"Hello, Hatake Jonin."

Kagami Uchiha didn't like making small talk, so he waited for Hatake Sakumo to speak.

"Kakashi relayed your words to me. Jing-kun, your Sharingan possesses more insight than any Uchiha I have ever seen."

"I truly cannot understand. Could I borrow your wisdom for a moment..."

"Tell me... what is the right thing to do?"

Kagami Uchiha frowned slightly; he wasn't cut out for psychological counseling.

He decided to get straight to the point.

"Hatake Jonin, do you know who leaked the details of that mission?"

"...I have a rough idea."

"It must have been the Hokage's Assistant, Danzo."

"The Third Hokage didn't stop what Danzo did; that is simply the state of things." Kagami Uchiha stated the facts directly.

"You want to commit suicide because your idealized image of the Third Hokage has shattered, right?"

"Idealized image... what does that mean?"

"It means you couldn't see him for who he truly is. From your perspective, the Third Hokage was always a perfect, benevolent elder."

"Jing-kun's metaphor is quite apt..."

"So... why was the Third Hokage unwilling to help me..."

"How could he help you? The news had already been made public. Would you have had him go out and say that companions are more important than the mission?"

"Then what about the missions from the Daimyo and the nobles? Who would trust Konohagakure anymore?"

"Are you saying missions are more important than comrades?"

"Then what about the Will of Fire he has always advocated, the idea of cherishing one's comrades? How will the people in the village view him?"

"This was an unsolvable problem from the start."

Hatake Sakumo remained silent.

Kagami Uchiha said slowly, "The Third Hokage is human, and as long as one is human, there will be selfishness. He cannot overturn the very foundation of his own standing just for you."

"Besides, this incident of yours is actually a good thing for the Third Hokage's faction. After all, someone with a stain on their record is no longer qualified to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage."

"I never thought about becoming the Fourth Hokage!" Hatake Sakumo's voice rose slightly.

"Whether you want it or not is irrelevant; what matters is that you have the capability."

Kagami Uchiha's cold gaze shattered the last shred of Hatake Sakumo's illusions.

"From their perspective, acting this way is not a problem. I suspect even they didn't expect that you would develop thoughts of suicide because of it."

"They only wanted a blade with a stain, not a vessel that could become the 'King'."

"In my opinion, after this battle, they will move you from the light into the shadows to handle some unspeakable tasks."

"They... what would they want me to do..."

Kagami Uchiha pointed at himself and smiled, "Isn't that easy to guess? They'd use you to deal with the Uchiha."

"We Uchiha are the greatest source of instability in their eyes."

"Jing-kun, we are all comrades from the same village, why..."

"There is no 'why.' As long as people gather together, there will inevitably be conflict."

"Only by subjugating their own kind can people truly experience the feeling of being superior."

"This is the poison known as power."

"...To think I am so much older than you, yet I see things far less clearly than you do..."

"That's normal; you haven't received the right education."

"I did spend a few years at the Ninja Academy..."

"That is not what I am talking about." Kagami Uchiha waved his hand impatiently. He had said too many lines today, which didn't fit the aloof persona of an Uchiha.

"I won't try to enlighten you. If you truly cannot bear it, suicide is indeed a good way to escape."

"Besides, Kakashi lost his mother long ago; losing a father wouldn't make much of a difference."

Kagami Uchiha had said so much, but in reality, it was that final sentence that played the decisive role.

Could Kakashi, who wasn't even a ninja yet, really adapt to a life without a father?

Hatake Sakumo was a war orphan. Having had no parents since he could remember, he actually found it difficult to imagine the pain of losing them.

If Kakashi were already a ninja, he could comfort himself and believe that Kakashi could endure it...

He hadn't eaten for several days. He moved his body with difficulty and, facing the cross-legged Kagami Uchiha, performed a Dogezā.

"What should I do? Please, tell me."

Hatake Sakumo was a blade; once left to think for himself, he easily hit a dead end.

He was still accustomed to finding someone he trusted and acting according to their instructions.

The corners of Kagami Uchiha's mouth curled up slightly.

"It's very simple. No matter what decision you make, even if it's wrong, you must stick to it."

"Go and beat up everyone who says you were wrong. Tell them that comrades are more important than missions!"

"If they don't submit, beat them until they do. Breaking their limbs is fine, and if you're still angry, you can kill one or two."

"At most, you'll spend a few years in prison. Given your achievements, they won't sentence you to death."

"I understand..." Hatake Sakumo pondered for a moment, then looked up at Kagami Uchiha.

"Jing-kun, it seems you have already chosen which side to stand on between the Uchiha and the village."

Kagami Uchiha shook his head.

"It is not a matter of which side I choose."

"It is a matter of which side chooses me, so that they may become the victor."