NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Chapter 9
"A seven-year-old with a fully evolved Sharingan? How long are you going to let him run unchecked?"
In the Hokage's office, four of Konoha's most powerful figures had gathered. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, sat at the head of the room, flanked by his advisors Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. Opposite them stood the ever-sinister Shimura Danzo.
Sarutobi exhaled deeply from his pipe. "That child, Uchiha Kagami, is simply attending the Academy and excelling. Danzo, I've told you before—stay out of the affairs of the Ninja Academy."
Danzo's response was a sharp, humorless laugh. "Have you forgotten what those eyes mean? Have you forgotten the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Koharu glanced at Hiruzen uneasily. "If Kagami's talents continue to grow, it's only a matter of time before he awakens the Mangekyō. That kind of power..." She trailed off, a shadow of fear in her voice.
Hiruzen's expression darkened. "I have a plan in place," he replied firmly.
Danzo scoffed. "A plan? You should've let me take him under my wing. With the right guidance, I could ensure his loyalty to the village."
"Your methods would turn him into a weapon, not a shinobi," Hiruzen countered. "I've called Jiraiya back to the village. Uchiha Kagami will train under him."
"Jiraiya?" Koharu echoed, exchanging a glance with Homura. Both nodded in approval. "If anyone can guide that child down the right path, it's Jiraiya."
Danzo clenched his fists, his patience fraying. "You're playing with fire, Hiruzen. That boy has darkness festering within him. He could destroy us all if he strays from your idealistic path."
Hiruzen met Danzo's glare without flinching. "Uchiha Kagami has done nothing wrong. I believe he can grow into a shinobi who embodies the Will of Fire."
Danzo didn't respond. Instead, he spun on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Hiruzen sighed, the weight of leadership pressing down on his shoulders. "Let's hope I'm right," he murmured to himself.
---
### **Uchiha Clan Compound*
Uchiha Kagami emerged from a steaming medicinal bath, the sharp scent of herbs clinging to his skin. His grandmother informed him of a visitor waiting outside.
"Kagami-kun," greeted Uchiha Fugaku, his usual stoic demeanor softened by a rare smile.
"Clan Leader." Kagami offered a polite nod, though he held little respect for Fugaku's indecisive nature.
Fugaku handed him a small, elegant invitation. "Tomorrow is my son's seventh-day celebration. I hope you'll attend."
Kagami raised an eyebrow. "Your son? Have you chosen a name?"
"Itachi," Fugaku replied proudly. "Uchiha Itachi. He's a strong, healthy boy."
"I'll be there," Kagami promised, though his expression remained neutral.
As Fugaku departed, Kagami stared at the invitation, a chill running through him. **The birth of Uchiha Itachi marked the countdown to the Uchiha clan's annihilation.**
"A dozen years," Kagami whispered to himself, his gaze hardening. "That's how much time I have left."
---
### **A Clash of Power and Potential**
Later that night, Kagami's consciousness slipped into the spiritual realm. There, a sinister presence awaited—Ryomen Sukuna, his cursed tenant.
"Kid," Sukuna's voice rumbled, dripping with malice. "That swordsman you met earlier today… how strong is he compared to the rest of this village?"
Kagami's mind turned to Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha. "Sakumo? He's formidable, slightly stronger than the Sannin, but weaker than the Third Hokage at his peak."
Sukuna let out a dark chuckle. "This village is full of surprises. Little brat, let me borrow your body for five minutes. I'll show you what real power is!"
Kagami ignored him, focusing instead on the seal that bound Sukuna. A ball of cursed energy hovered between them. With a smirk, Kagami pulled it into his hand and swallowed it whole.
"How are you stealing my power?!" Sukuna growled, his frustration palpable.
Kagami shrugged nonchalantly. "You're nothing special, Sukuna. Eat your fill, and in two years, I'll rip your strength out entirely."
The King of Curses snarled, his malevolence filling the air. But Kagami simply muted him, silencing his protests with a flick of the seal's power.
Returning to his training, Kagami summoned a ball of pure chakra into his palm. He'd been experimenting with adding elemental chakra to the Rasengan, aiming to create something uniquely his.
As he funneled fire nature into the sphere, a small flame sparked at its center.
*Boom!*
The explosion sent him flying backward, though Kagami landed gracefully. Undeterred, he tried again. "If wind chakra can create the Rasenshuriken," he mused, "what would fire chakra make? A Rasengan that burns hotter than Amaterasu?"
The challenge was thrilling. Each failure brought him closer to a breakthrough. Kagami's Sharingan spun wildly as he analyzed the chakra flow.
"One day," he murmured, the chakra sphere glowing brighter in his palm. "I'll create something that will leave this village—and the entire shinobi world—burning in my wake."