I Want to Protect You

"Ka... Kamizuki-sama!!"

The young ninja beside Mikoto added the honorific naturally.

A twelve-year-old Jonin, with a recorded tally of nearly twenty enemy Jonin killed and countless small-scale battles won.

In the two years since becoming a ninja, he had completed over a hundred battlefield missions, with more than half being A-rank or S-rank—a terrifying combat record.

Even the legendary powerhouse of Sunagakure, the puppeteer Chiyo, had publicly declared that she had once been forced to retreat by his hand!

Even without all that...

The oppressive aura Kamizuki radiated just by standing there made it impossible for anyone to ignore him.

His very existence was like the heavens showing off a masterpiece they had created!

Mikoto snapped back to reality and squeezed out a smile that was awkward but polite.

"Aha... long time no see, brother."

Kamizuki repeated coldly, "Who told you to come here?"

Anyone could see that he was very angry.

When he returned to the village to report and be promoted to Jonin, he had specifically told Sarutobi Hiruzen that even after she graduated as a ninja, she was not allowed to come to the battlefield.

And yet...

Mikoto stood up, wiped away her smile, and met Kamizuki's gaze.

"I am a ninja, why can't I come!"

Kamizuki's lips curled into a cold sneer: "A ninja?"

"You have absolutely no talent for being a ninja."

She stepped closer, meeting his icy stare without fear: "I graduated from the academy at the top of my class, and I am an Uchiha who possesses the Sharingan!"

"What right do you have to say that!"

Her pitch-black pupils were dyed a vivid crimson, and two tomoe swirled within them.

Two tomoe!!

In the original timeline, Uchiha Mikoto was a registered Konoha Jonin before she married, and she had forged a friendship with Kushina on the battlefield.

She was by no means just an ordinary, gentle housewife, but a powerful ninja!

"Heh... you're a hundred years too early to play the rebel with me."

Bang—!

Without even activating his Sharingan, the mere pressure of his invisible killing intent forced Mikoto to stumble back repeatedly, while the young ninjas nearby were so terrified they trembled uncontrollably, unable to move!

"Kamizuki..."

Orochimaru frowned, but his call went unanswered.

Kamizuki walked toward Mikoto step by step, his eyes cold: "What's wrong? You can't even withstand a sliver of my killing intent, so who gave you the courage to come here?"

"Or is it... that you think I'll give you special treatment, and you want to come here to be my dead weight?"

"Kamizuki, that's going too far."

Orochimaru's expression turned serious as he sternly rebuked him: "Your talent is not capital for belittling others!"

Mikoto fell silent for a moment, breathing lightly to calm her emotions, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile that didn't match her usual personality.

This smile bore a striking resemblance to Kamizuki's.

"Always like this... brother, you really have no new tricks!"

She raised her head again, locking eyes with him once more.

"Trying to use vicious words to keep me away from danger—can't you just be honest about what you're thinking?"

"That such a childish guy can be called a genius..."

"It really makes one unable to help but laugh! Uchiha Kamizuki!"

The commotion here drew the attention of everyone in the camp, and they began to gather around.

Some Jonin placed their hands on their ninja tool pouches or gathered Chakra at their feet, preparing to use the Body Flicker Technique to intervene.

"The siblings... both have such sharp tongues."

Jiraiya muttered to himself.

The outburst everyone expected from Kaminazuki did not occur.

He looked at Mikoto with indifference.

"I don't want you to die; there is nothing difficult to admit about that."

"You lack the talent to be a ninja and are unfit for the battlefield. I have said this before."

Mikoto gritted her teeth and retorted, "Then I will say it again!"

"I am not some fragile trinket that needs careful preservation! I am an Uchiha, too!"

"Is that so..."

Kaminazuki raised his hand. In an instant, his finger hovered before Mikoto's brow, a sharp, blood-red blade of chakra pressed against her skin!

Genuine, unmistakable killing intent!!

"Take your finger away!"

"Stop!"

"What are you doing!!"

Swish, swish—

Orochimaru unleashed his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, dozens of serpents coiling around Kaminazuki's legs with a hissing sound.

Tsunade pulled Mikoto into her arms, her eyes glaring daggers at Kaminazuki.

A hand landed on his shoulder, Jiraiya's face filled with grim severity: "Even if it is you, if you dare to raise a hand against a comrade..."

Kaminazuki completely ignored the three of them, looking at the terrified Mikoto as he spoke calmly.

"Why."

"At such close range, your Sharingan could clearly see my slowed movements, and your taijutsu is more than enough to dodge."

"Why did you do nothing?"

"Did you think I wouldn't kill you?"

Kaminazuki lowered his finger and let out a sneer of disdain: "Setting aside the myriad of transformation techniques... even if it were truly me, I could be controlled by some special jutsu."

"As a ninja, one must view anyone who threatens their life as an enemy that must be killed!"

"Parents, siblings, lovers, sons... no matter who it is!"

Kaminazuki's expression twisted, a rare lapse in his composure: "Utterly foolish... Uchiha Mikoto! How many times must I tell you!"

"Staying alive is the most important thing of all!!"

"Kaminazuki, your way of thinking is too—"

Realizing that Kaminazuki had no intention of actually harming Mikoto, Jiraiya raised his hand, intending to pat Kaminazuki on the shoulder and offer some guidance...

BOOM!!!!

A terrifying, immense force slammed into him, reminding Jiraiya of the brutal beatings he received whenever he was caught peeping at Tsunade's bath.

The crisp sound of ribs snapping was clear, and his body flew far away, his soul trailing slowly behind.

Did you really think I wouldn't dare to strike!

So noisy!

Shaking off the snakes coiled around his legs, Kaminazuki turned around.

"If you understand, get lost."

"No."

The young girl raised her head once more, stubborn, as crystalline tears rolled from her scarlet-rimmed eyes.

Amidst the growing shock of everyone present...

Those eyes...

The third tomoe manifested!!

Kaminazuki paused and looked back, a strange glint in his own eyes.

"I know, but... you are the only one I cannot accept."

Drip... drip...

Tears fell to the ground, splashing outward.

"I promised Mom and Dad that I would protect you."

"Even if it means death, I will protect you!"

You didn't see the look in their eyes as they left, nor did you hear the voices heavy with apology, reluctance, and unease...

The one who cannot understand is you, brother!!

The strongest of the new generation of Uchiha who dominated the battlefield, the undefeated young genius...

No, in my eyes.

All this time, you have been the one who needed protection!

Uchiha Kamizuki lowered his eyes, looking away.

--

--

A three-tomoe Sharingan at twelve... a younger sister...

Her talent is not beneath that of Uchiha Kamizuki!!

Amidst the crowd, a Konoha ninja lowered his head, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

Too many operations against Uchiha Kamizuki had failed; his growth rate had already exceeded the window for capture.

Uchiha Mikoto... it's not just her talent; being female makes her even better suited for...

The news must be sent out as soon as possible!