Kagami Uchiha's Fall

The key was, he really had taken flight now. It was just that this particular state was a little painful to look at.

In midair, Li Yi carefully adjusted the Mera Mera no Mi's power inside him. He released it from the soles of his feet, following the flow of chakra, and the flames behind his backside gradually disappeared. Instead, jets of fire burst from beneath his feet. Li Yi got a feel for his flight path. After all, he was a ninja, and his sense of balance was pretty well trained. It didn't take long for him to adapt to flying by shooting flames from his feet.

After Li Yi landed, he checked how much chakra he'd used. It was still a considerable amount. If Kakashi Hatake had been in his place, he'd probably already have collapsed from exhaustion.

Li Yi wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he seemed to need chakra to use the Mera Mera no Mi's power. When he'd first crossed over, he could only produce a tiny flame. That was probably because his spiritual energy was so strong that he'd barely managed to use it. Later, after learning how to refine chakra, he'd been able to develop and unlock the Mera Mera no Mi's power more effectively.

It was only after he learned Chakra Nature Transformation that the Mera Mera no Mi's power was fully unlocked. He could turn his body into fire, and even use some of the fruit's basic abilities directly.

If that was the case, could the same be true of Ryujin Jakka?

The Mera Mera no Mi required chakra to activate, but what did Ryujin Jakka require? The soul?

After all, every time Ryujin Jakka killed someone, it absorbed a wisp of their soul.

Perhaps he'd have to kill enough people before he could truly unleash Ryujin Jakka.

Now, Li Yi felt confident about the future. The Mera Mera no Mi's development had already given him the power to protect himself.

There were people in the Shinobi World who could counter him. For example, his Mera Mera no Mi's power would be greatly diminished against Water Release, especially when wielded by an exceptionally powerful user. But he could fly. How many people in the entire Shinobi World could do that?

What's more, the Ninjutsu he used by combining Chakra Nature Transformation with the Mera Mera no Mi's power seemed to surpass the power of ordinary Ninjutsu. Calling it a Kekkei Genkai wouldn't be an exaggeration.

In fact, the Fire Style he used by combining Chakra Nature Transformation with the Mera Mera no Mi could no longer be called Fire Style. Blaze Release seemed like a much better name.

When Li Yi returned to camp, Kagami Uchiha still hadn't come back. He didn't know what Kagami and Danzo were discussing, but that was the business of the higher-ups. Li Yi was just a foot soldier now; there was no point worrying about it.

As Li Yi was mulling things over in his tent, a Konoha Ninja suddenly appeared outside and called, "Li Yi, Lord Danzo requests your presence!"

Li Yi stepped out of the tent and saw a Konoha Ninja wearing an animal mask. He didn't say anything, and headed for Danzo's tent.

When Li Yi arrived, he found Danzo alone. As soon as he entered, Danzo said, "Li Yi, Kagami told me you've reached the level of a Jonin. He asked me to recommend you alongside him. Have you mastered Chakra Nature Transformation?"

Li Yi hadn't expected that to be the matter at hand. "Lord Danzo, I've mastered Chakra Nature Transformation."

Danzo nodded. "Good. I'll recommend you to Hiruzen. Also, Kagami has gone on a mission. Wait for your appointment to come through before making any plans."

Li Yi had no objections. Only after leaving Danzo's tent did he realize why Kagami hadn't been around: he'd gone on another mission.

The next few days should be relatively quiet. Li Yi planned to refine his control over the Mera Mera no Mi's power. Once he became a Jonin, his missions would probably be more difficult, and finding time to practice Ninjutsu would be much harder.

Two days later, Li Yi was summoned to Danzo's tent again. Danzo also brought out the Hokage's appointment. From then on, Li Yi was officially a Jonin of Konoha.

Danzo said with satisfaction, "Kagami has trained a fine student. Li Yi, from now on..."

But before he could finish, someone burst in. The newcomer dropped to one knee and said, "Lord Danzo, something terrible has happened! The Third Raikage ambushed Lord Kagami. Lord Kagami is now gravely wounded and near death!"

"What!" Danzo and Li Yi cried out at the same time.

A group of ninjas hurried in, carrying Kagami Uchiha. Another ninja's hand glowed green as they pressed it against Kagami's chest, but the gaping hole in his abdomen stood out starkly.

Kagami was clearly barely breathing. Without that ninja's Medical Ninjutsu, he would already have been dead.

"Kagami!" Danzo cried, rushing over. Seeing Kagami's condition, he was heartbroken. Though the village ostracized the Uchiha, Kagami truly wasn't one of them.

Besides, the Second Hokage's three students were Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.

He, Danzo, along with Kagami Uchiha and Akimichi Kufū, had been on the same team. The three of them had caught the Second Hokage's attention and become his subordinates. Whenever they had questions about Ninjutsu, the Second Hokage had taught them without reservation. If Hiruzen and Danzo would later become bitter rivals, then in the early days, Danzo and Kagami Uchiha had been true comrades.

Li Yi walked over too. Looking at Kagami on the stretcher, he was overcome with sadness. His teacher had treated him well and taught him everything he could. And now, in the blink of an eye, he'd died on the battlefield.

"Cough, cough!" Kagami coughed. His face flushed red, and he struggled to sit up. Looking at Danzo and Li Yi, he said, "Kumogakure has joined the fighting. The Third Raikage is incredibly strong, with extraordinary Nintaijutsu. I couldn't even break through his defenses. Cough, cough."

Kagami gave them what information he could about the Third Raikage. When he mentioned One-Finger Nukite in particular, he stated plainly that even his Susanoo couldn't withstand it.

"Kagami, ah... I'll make sure this information is recorded!" Seeing Kagami still trying to share everything he knew, Danzo spoke with sorrow. One of his teammates probably wasn't going to make it.

Kagami gave a bitter smile, then suddenly reached up and gouged out his pair of Mangekyo Sharingan. "Danzo, weren't you always envious of my eyes? I'll give you one of my Mangekyo. I only ask that you help my student, Li Yi, withstand the pressure from the clan! Li Yi, congratulations on becoming a Jonin. I'm afraid I won't be able to watch you grow any further. I'm giving you this eye, my student. I hope that with it, you'll let me see how you grow in the future."

After Kagami finished speaking, his hand fell limply to his side. Already at the end of his strength, he finally died.