98 Chapter 99 : Kurogane's Reasons?

As the excitement among the Uchiha clan members reached its peak, a burst of jubilation erupted at the entrance.

"It's Kurogane! Kurogane is here!"

"It's Brother Kurogane! It's really Brother Kurogane!"

"Hello, Kurogane-san!"

All heads turned in unison, revealing the entrance of Uchiha Kurogane, the prodigy of the Uchiha clan. 

A wave of cheers erupted as everyone acknowledged him as the most formidable genius within their clan.

At the age of fifteen, he had already attained the rank of Konoha Jōnin and awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Many Uchiha aspired to follow in his footsteps, viewing him as the pinnacle of their clan's talent.

Parents within the Uchiha clan often set Kurogane as the benchmark for their children's education, making him a role model.

Naturally, Kurogane held a high prestige among the younger generation. As the cheers echoed around him, Kurogane couldn't help but display a satisfied smile, standing proudly as he waved and nodded in acknowledgment.

In this moment, the adoration from the crowd was something Kurogane relished. 

Being a Uchiha prodigy since childhood, he had opened his Sharingan at the age of ten, achieved Konoha Chūnin at twelve, and now, at fifteen, boasted the Three Tomoe Sharingan and the status of Konoha Jōnin.

A few days prior, the Uchiha clan elders had shared with him a significant revelation— the opportunity to acquire eyes believed to belong to the gods, similar to the legendary Uchiha of ancient times.

Filled with ambition, Kurogane basked in the admiration of his peers, considering himself a paragon not only for the Uchiha but also for Konoha as a whole.

His accomplishments and reputation as a genius had earned him widespread recognition and worship. The Uchiha clan was proud of him, and he believed Konoha should be equally proud.

However, everything changed with the arrival of Kazuhiko in Konoha. Following Kazuhiko defeating the Third Hokage, the clan elders convened meetings to discuss the situation. 

They relayed the news to the Uchiha clan members and even introduced them to the new head of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Kazuhiko, describing him as a true genius comparable to Lord Hashirama.

Expressing a sense of regret, the elders emphasized that such a prodigy did not belong to the Uchiha clan. They cautioned against provoking the Uzumaki clan during patrols.

Yet, the elders' warnings proved to be misplaced. The Uchiha clan, once considered a dominant force in Konoha, felt a sense of entitlement, especially in the aftermath of the Senju family's decline.

Despite the elders' instructions to avoid confrontation with the Uzumaki clan, the ordinary Uchiha members, who had grown up in an environment of arrogance, were unaccustomed to war and had not witnessed true battles.

Consequently, they harbored negative sentiments toward the Uzumaki clan.

This particularly pertains to Kurogane, once hailed as a prodigy in the Uchiha clan. Despite the elders singing his praises, Kurogane harbored a rebellious spirit.

Even without any personal interaction, Kurogane instinctively rejected the idea of Kazuhiko.

From that day forward, whispers circulated within the clan. "The ultimate genius is Kazuhiko of the Uzumaki clan!"

"His talent surpasses even Kurogane, the pride of our family."

"He defeated the Third Hokage; Kurogane is no match for him."

"Rumor has it that Kazuhiko's potential rivals that of the First Hokage."

Originally, Kurogane, the Uchiha family's shining genius, had basked in the adoration since childhood.

But as discussions about Kazuhiko intensified within the clan, Kurogane's discomfort grew. Each remark felt like a bite on his gums, causing veins on his hands to bulge, even the Sharingan occasionally revealing itself involuntarily.

"Uzumaki... Kazuhiko!"

Even while walking through Konoha, he sensed the peculiar glances of fellow ninjas.

Though unspoken, Kurogane felt their eyes saying, "Is he the Uchiha genius? Doesn't seem to compare to the Uzumaki clan's leader."

"The true genius is Kazuhiko. Compared to him, what kind of genius is Kurogane?"

In reality, the other ninjas merely went about their routine patrols and tasks, offering normal greetings to Kurogane.

It was Kurogane's paranoia that fueled the imagined comparisons to Kazuhiko.

One day, during patrol, he stumbled upon a clash between the Uzumaki and Uchiha clans.

Eager to prove his worth, Kurogane demanded the Uzumaki clan be taken to the Konoha Police Force for a confrontation.

Though he initially sought the Uzumaki clan head, he settled for an elder upon insistence.

Luckily, Sarutobi Asuma of the Sarutobi clan had longstanding grievances with the Uzumaki clan.

Kurogane understood, given that Kazuhiko was responsible for injuring Sarutobi Hiruzen, Asuma's father.

Their shared animosity led to Anbu operatives avoiding alerting Uzumaki clan elders, deliberately obstructing Uzumaki Fumito.

Once sworn enemies in Konoha, Kurogane envisioned humiliating Kazuhiko in front of everyone.

But just as he reveled in the fantasy, a voice interrupted, "Is this the Konoha Police Force? I, Kazuhiko, have come to pick up someone!"

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