NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3
"Uchiha Kagami is known as a genius the Uchiha clan only sees once in decades!"
A group of younger students gathered around, and Asuma, with a bruised face and nose, listened closely.
Although Uchiha Obito disliked Uchiha Kagami and vice versa, when he saw the Third Hokage's son being beaten, he actually felt a sense of pride in his clan.
He also beat Asuma, so it wasn't targeting me!
"I heard that his Uchiha fluid technique has reached the level of a security guard, and he has mastered fire ninjutsu!"
Kakashi, who originally didn't care much, now became slightly more interested.
Many Uchiha clan members don't participate in the village's ninja rank assessments, but becoming a guard means being assumed to have the combat power of a Chunin.
Can a five or six-year-old child really reach this level?
But thinking about himself, Kakashi realized it wasn't impossible.
He had already planned to apply for early graduation, and his father believed his strength was on par with an ordinary Chunin.
...
In the afternoon, all students were required to participate in practical class.
To allow students to recuperate, the Third Hokage decided to extend the original three-year system to six years. However, most of this batch of students were born after the Second Ninja War, around five or six years old, and only a few upperclassmen remained.
A few years later, the Third Ninja World War broke out, and the six-year system was reduced back to three years.
...
Asuma wasn't the type to snitch after being beaten. What he wanted was to get back at them himself.
So he sought out Uchiha Obito for information.
But when Obito was bullied, he had only been knocked down a few times. What did he know? All he could provide were rumors that were hard to verify.
"Asuma-san, Kagami-san won't be participating in the actual combat training."
Nohara Rin, who was bandaging Asuma's wound, kindly reminded the duo.
"He's a freshman and will only demonstrate shuriken throwing today."
"Besides... it was you who provoked them in the first place, so forget it."
"How can we just let it go?"
Asuma whined, unwilling to let it go. If it was just about being beaten, that would be one thing.
But that guy actually insulted Kurenai!
Never forgiven!
...
"Next match, Kakashi vs. Uchiha Obito!"
During the break, the teacher began calling the roll.
Kakashi felt a little helpless; he always seemed to run into Obito and Gai.
He didn't like these boring actual combat exercises, and yet he always found himself facing the bottom two students.
Unlike Kakashi, Obito became excited when he was called.
"Oh!! I'll definitely defeat you this time! Kakashi!!"
Boring…
"Wait a moment."
A voice suddenly sounded as Uchiha Kagami walked out from the crowd.
"Teacher, I request to replace Uchiha Obito."
"Hey? Kagami, you just entered school..."
Uchiha Kagami walked straight toward Kakashi, slipping a small sword with an exquisite scabbard from his wide navy blue long sleeves, and held it in his hand.
Kakashi's pupils shrank slightly.
Although the sword was only about sixty or seventy centimeters long, it was impossible to hide such a weapon in a child's sleeves.
That's… Ninja Tool Summoning!
With a father like Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi knew more than the average student, which is why he felt there was no need to waste time at a ninja school.
Uchiha Kagami raised his lips and smiled, saying, "Uchiha Obito has brought shame to our clan. As an Uchiha, he's become the last one."
"This is the reward given to me by the elder. He asked me to defeat you and take back the first place that belongs to Uchiha."
"Sode no Shirayuki, a very beautiful sword."
As the oldest ninja clan in the ninja world, although the best of the Uchiha clan was taken by Uchiha Madara, the remaining collection was beyond what other clans could hope for.
This was a "Kusanagi Sword" level weapon made of chakra metal.
Orochimaru was able to collect many Kusanagi swords, so how could the Uchiha clan, who were skilled in swordsmanship, not have a few?
Uchiha Kagami absorbed a lot of spiritual energy and showed great talent in swordsmanship, which made the clan elders see him as the next great Uchiha.
They didn't dare to imagine a monster like Uchiha Madara. Only those who had truly lived through that era knew…
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were simply on a level beyond what an ordinary ninja could achieve.
...
Looking at Uchiha Kagami advancing, Kakashi removed the sword basket from his back.
From the way Uchiha Kagami held the sword and his aura, even before drawing it, Kakashi could sense its sharpness...
He would not avoid the fight, showing that he accepted the challenge.
"and many more!"
The teacher walked between the two and said with a wry smile, "You can spar, but no ninja tools!"
"and..."
"Kagami-san, don't bring out anything so dangerous!!"
The teacher, a senior Chunin, noticed the detonating tag in Kagami's other hand.
"Why a detonating tag?"
"No way? I thought I'd use the sword to distract him and then hit him with the tag. It would save a lot of trouble."
Uchiha Kagami reluctantly put the detonating tag back and hung the small sword around his waist.
Kakashi, realizing the danger, also noticed the detonating tag and felt cold sweat trickle down his forehead.
This guy... is he crazy?
Uchiha Kagami took a stance and waved to Kakashi.
"Bring it on."
Kakashi frowned and said indifferently, "You're the one challenging me."
...
Uchiha Kagami couldn't help but smile.
"Just a friendly reminder, the last person who said that was beheaded."
...
"Seal of Opposition! Seal of Opposition!" the teacher shouted loudly, trying to increase his presence.
Uchiha Kagami accepted the challenge, extended two fingers, and motioned Kakashi to come at him.
...
So arrogant...
Kakashi raised his hand in opposition.
Before the teacher could shout "Start," the next moment—
Bang!
A cloud of smoke and dust exploded as the two small figures collided.
Kakashi flashed, throwing a swift punch straight into Uchiha Kagami's chest.
Uchiha Kagami dodged by turning sideways, quickly grabbing Kakashi's wrist, using the momentum to spin around, and tried to throw him.
Kakashi was no easy opponent. He stomped his foot to stabilize himself and used his free hand to elbow Kagami in the abdomen.
Kagami had no choice but to release his grip and leap back a few steps to avoid the attack.
"You're very strong," Kakashi said, briefly sizing up Kagami. "You're not inferior to me."
Kagami grinned. "You're not bad either."
...
The two exchanged blows in a flurry of fast punches and kicks.
Every collision created a dull sound, and the air around them was charged with tension.
"Amazing!"
"Kakashi's awesome! That new guy is awesome too!"
"Too fast! So this is Kakashi when he's serious!"
"This is youth!!!"
...
"Is this... really the level of these students?" Even the teacher, a Chunin, was shocked at the strength on display from the two kids.
Kakashi was already strong, but this Uchiha boy wasn't at all inferior!
And judging from his expression... it seemed like Uchiha Kagami was more relaxed.
---
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen often used a telescope technique to observe the Ninja Academy and monitor the growth of these young students.
Watching the two spar in the crystal ball, he felt optimistic about the future of Konoha.
Ninjas lived dangerous lives, and such competitions were normal.
Bonds were forged through competition, becoming the branches that connected the leaves!
The changing relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village could start with these children.
Feeling hopeful, the Third Hokage didn't mind that Danzo had entered without knocking.
After watching silently for a while, Danzo spoke in a low voice.
"This Uchiha boy is a genius."
"Yes," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile, taking a puff from his pipe. "Kakashi is talented, but I didn't expect this kid to be so strong."
As Minato Namikaze began showing his skills, the Third Hokage no longer felt like he was the best.
After all, compared to Minato, even Kakashi seemed a little lacking.
...
"Hiruzen, this brat is a typical Uchiha. I've already investigated, and he's close to the radical faction in the Uchiha clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's relaxed expression faltered.
"...As long as he stays in school for a few years, he'll understand the importance of the village and its partners."
"Don't you understand? The more talented the Uchiha, the more uncontrollable they are!"
Danzo's voice was cold. "Let me train him in secret. Only my methods can make him useful to the village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately shook his head. "Impossible. I'll never allow the village's children to join the Root."
More importantly... he couldn't afford to escalate tensions with the Uchiha now.
Danzo's one good eye glinted dangerously in the shadows.
"Have you forgotten what Tobirama-sensei taught us? The Uchiha are born cursed! Reconciliation is impossible!"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze hardened as he exhaled smoke.
...
"Hiruzen... you'll regret this!"
With a loud bang of the door closing, Danzo stormed out. Their conversation ended unpleasantly.