Chapter 8: Choice

During class time now, Uchiha Kagami mostly just took naps.

Listening to the teacher's lectures made for better quality sleep, allowing him to focus entirely on his training at night.

The teachers couldn't do much about it. Even with all his napping, Kagami still ended up at the top of the class in both theory and combat every term.

They had even offered to help him apply for early graduation, but Kagami wasn't interested.

The kids here were entertaining, the lunches were good, and the naps were restful. Why graduate?

Becoming a genin would mean chasing cats and dogs or escorting merchants, not to mention surviving on ration pills. Why bother?

Although tensions were high between nations, the trigger for the Third Great Ninja War hadn't happened yet.

That would be the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.

During the Third Kazekage's rule, Scorpion's parents had been killed by Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, on a mission.

Because the Wind and Fire Nations were allied, the Third Kazekage didn't allow Scorpion to retaliate.

Perhaps the Third Kazekage also knew Scorpion was no match for White Fang and didn't want him to act recklessly.

So Scorpion redirected his hatred toward the Third Kazekage, eventually killing him and turning him into a human puppet.

When the Hidden Sand couldn't find their Kazekage, they started clashing with Konoha.

Other villages soon joined in, leading to the brutal Third Great Ninja War.

It was the first war since the ninja village system began that involved all five major villages.

It also paved the way for the Fourth Great Ninja War, producing future bosses like Obito Uchiha and Kabuto Yakushi.

This war also gave rise to many powerful names: the Yellow Flash, the AB Combo, Yagura with Scorch Release, the Copy Ninja Kakashi… countless strong individuals made a name for themselves during this conflict.

Ironically, the most famous Sharingan user of the Third War was an outsider, Kakashi.

By the end of the war, Shisui had also grown powerful. That kid…

I hope his early upbringing changes his overly kind nature.

…

After school.

Kakashi, who had skipped class for the day, waited by the door. When he saw Kagami approaching, he stood up straight.

"Kagami, my father wants to meet you. Please." He bowed at a 90-degree angle.

No matter how badly Kagami had beaten him before, Kakashi had never lowered himself like this.

The timing worked out since Kagami's medicinal bath was scheduled after his training.

The Hatake residence.

A few dim lights barely illuminated the room, casting a shadowy gloom over the interior.

Kagami walked in alone and saw the famous White Fang of Konoha.

The once tall and robust Sakumo Hatake now looked like a skeleton wrapped in flesh.

His white hair was withered, his eyes nearly lifeless.

Only in his thirties, the prime of a ninja's life, yet he exuded a stifling aura of decay.

"You must be Kagami. Kakashi often talks about you." His voice was hoarse, as if even completing a sentence took effort.

"Hello, Hatake-san."

Kagami wasn't one for small talk, so he waited for Sakumo to speak.

"Kakashi passed along your words. Kagami, your Sharingan has sharper insight than any Uchiha I've seen."

"I don't understand… Could you lend me your wisdom?"

"Tell me… what's the right thing to do?"

Kagami frowned slightly. He wasn't cut out for emotional counseling.

Better to get straight to the point.

"Hatake-san, do you know who leaked the details of this mission?"

"…I have a guess."

"It was likely Danzo, one of the Hokage's advisors."

"Danzo did it, and the Hokage didn't stop him. That's the situation, plain and simple," Kagami stated matter-of-factly.

"So because your idealized image of the Third Hokage was shattered, you want to die, right?"

"Idealized image…?"

"Meaning you couldn't see him for who he truly is. In your view, the Third has always been perfect—a kind, benevolent elder."

"Your analogy is… fitting."

"Think about it. How could the Third help you? The information is already public. Is he supposed to say that comrades are more important than missions?"

"If he did, then the missions from daimyo and nobles would stop. Who would still trust Konoha?"

"Or should he say missions are more important than comrades?"

"But then what about his long-promoted Will of Fire, the importance of comrades? How would the villagers see him?"

"This is an unsolvable problem."

Sakumo fell silent.

Kagami continued, "The Third is human, and all humans have self-interest. He wouldn't overturn his principles just for you."

"And besides, what happened to you is actually convenient for the Third's faction. Someone with a tarnished reputation can't compete for the position of Fourth Hokage."

"I never wanted to be the Fourth Hokage!" Sakumo's voice rose slightly.

"Whether you wanted to or not doesn't matter. What matters is that you have the capability."

Kagami's cold gaze shattered the last of Sakumo's illusions.

"From their perspective, their actions aren't wrong. They likely never imagined you'd even consider suicide over this."

"They just wanted a stained blade, not a tool that could turn into a 'gem.'"

"In my opinion, after this incident, they'll probably move you to the shadows, using you for under-the-table work."

"What would they have me do…?"

Kagami pointed at himself, smiling. "Isn't it obvious? They'd use you against the Uchiha."

"We Uchiha are the biggest perceived threat to them."

…

"Kagami, we're all comrades in the same village. Why…?"

"There is no 'why.' When people gather, there will always be conflict."

"Only by subduing others can humans feel the thrill of superiority."

"That's the poison called power."

"…To think I'm so much older than you, yet I still lack your clarity."

"That's normal. You've never been educated."

"But I did attend the academy for a few years…"

"We're not talking about the same thing." Kagami waved his hand dismissively, feeling he'd already said too much today. Not very fitting for the cool Uchiha persona.

"I won't try to counsel you. If you can't bear it, suicide is indeed an easy escape."

"Kakashi already lost his mother. Losing his father wouldn't change much."

…

Kagami had said a lot, but it was that last sentence that struck the deepest chord.

Could Kakashi, who wasn't even a ninja yet, truly adapt to life without a father…?

As an orphan of war who'd never known his parents, Sakumo couldn't fully understand the pain of losing them.

If Kakashi were already a ninja, he could convince himself that his son would endure…

Sakumo hadn't eaten in days. With great effort, he moved to kneel before Kagami.

"Please, tell me what I should do."

Sakumo was like a blade. Left to his own thoughts, he'd quickly spiral into despair.

He was still used to finding someone he trusted and following their guidance.

Kagami's lips curved slightly.

"It's simple. No matter what choice you make, even if it's wrong, stick to it."

"Go beat up everyone who says you're wrong. Show them that comrades are more important than missions!"

"Fight until they submit. Break their limbs if you have to. If that's not enough, kill a couple of them."

"At worst, you'll end up in jail for a few years. With your service record, they won't give you a death sentence."

…

"I understand…" After a pause, Sakumo looked up at Kagami.

"Kagami, it seems you've already chosen between the Uchiha and the village."

Kagami shook his head.

"It's not about which side I choose."

"It's about which side chooses me… to be the victor."

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