Naruto: Life as Kagami Uchiha

"..."

Danzō was completely stunned.

"Brother, if you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

Before he could refuse, Uchiha Kagami gave him a warm smile and instantly trapped him with praise.

"Danzō, didn't you just bravely volunteer to act as bait for Hiruzen? It seems you're not a coward after all."

"Konoha needs talents like you—people who are unafraid of sacrifice. Come with me to rescue Lord Tobirama."

"I… I…"

Danzō was speechless.

He suddenly realized just how foolish he had been earlier.

Why did he feel the need to show off when he saw Hiruzen taking the spotlight?

And now, look what happened—he was stuck. If he refused, it would mean that everything he had said earlier was nonsense.

Everyone would think that as a ninja, he had no real resolve. His so-called determination to protect Konoha would be seen as empty words.

At this point, his only hope was Hiruzen. If someone as respected as Hiruzen refused, then Kagami wouldn't be able to force him.

However, when Danzō turned his head, he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen grinning at him with an encouraging look.

"Danzō, go without worry! The Will of Fire will protect you. If you die, I'll have a hero monument built for you in Konoha!!"

Koharu Utatane added, "You can do it, Danzō! You'll be Konoha's hero!"

Torifu Akimichi said, "Don't be afraid, Danzō! You'll die on the battlefield just like your grandfather, protecting Konoha!"

Danzō felt like he was about to cough up blood.

His so-called comrades had just set him up.

It wasn't that they were intentionally targeting him—it was just that he had put on such a fearless act earlier that everyone truly believed he wasn't afraid of death.

Now, he really had no way out.

Danzō took a deep breath, about to say something—

But then, Uchiha Kagami walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and smiled meaningfully.

"Just kidding. Although Lord Tobirama has already appointed Hiruzen as the next Hokage, you will be his right-hand man in the future, ensuring he doesn't go astray."

"Your role is far too important, so you can't come die with me."

"Uh… Thank you."

Danzō's expression was complicated.

He suddenly felt like he had narrowly escaped death.

[Ding! System Notification!]

[Danzō Shimura's favorability +1. Reward: 10 Chakra points, Wind Release: Vacuum Wave, Wind Release: Continuous Vacuum Wave!]

Kagami's eyes lit up.

After thinking for a moment, he leaned in and whispered a few words to Danzō.

"Brother, before I go, let me share some heartfelt advice."

"Go ahead."

"Hiruzen is well-loved in the village, but he's too indecisive to be Hokage. I, however, think you're decisive and far more suited for the position."

Danzō's eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"

"I swear on the Uchiha name."

"Thank you."

Danzō believed him.

If any other Uchiha had said this, he would have thought they were mocking him.

But Kagami wasn't like the arrogant fools of his clan. And given that these were his final words before going to his death, there was no way they were fake.

[Ding! System Notification!]

[Danzō Shimura's favorability +5. Relationship upgraded from "Superficial Friend" to "Close Confidant." Reward: 50 Chakra points, Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere, Special Trait—Darkness of the Ninja World!]

[Darkness of the Ninja World: When wearing this aura, your presence becomes cold and intimidating. Whenever you seek information, you will always obtain it—by any means necessary.]

Kagami thought to himself that Danzō was a good guy.

He wasn't the original Uchiha Kagami. His soul carried memories from modern times, which had completely overwritten his original self. The vast amount of information required time to fully integrate.

And of course, this Favorability System was his cheat ability.

As the name suggested, increasing favorability would grant various rewards.

There were also randomly generated [Favorability Quests], which provided generous rewards and were often specific in nature.

[Ding! System Notification!]

[Favorability Quest: Rescue the Second Hokage, Change Senju Tobirama's Fate. Supporting the mission counts as completion.]

[Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan, Senju Tobirama Favorability +20, 2000 Chakra Points]

This quest had appeared just three minutes ago.

Normally, he would have rejected it since his current strength wasn't enough.

But this time, the reward was a Mangekyō Sharingan—far above the three-tomoe Sharingan. And these missions didn't refresh on a fixed schedule.

Who knew when the next one would appear or if the rewards would change?

More importantly, Senju Tobirama surviving was critical.

As the only Uchiha currently favored by the Second Hokage, saving him would ensure that Tobirama valued him greatly.

In the future, this would have a massive impact on both Konoha and the entire ninja world.

Thus, Kagami now had access to nearly all of Danzō's early ninjutsu.

Along with techniques from Hiruzen and the others, his chakra reserves had surged to 2000 points—comparable to an elite jōnin.

A massive explosion suddenly erupted behind him.

Thick smoke billowed into the sky, birds scattered in panic, and Hiruzen's group turned pale.

"Lord Tobirama is fighting Kinkaku and Ginkaku! We need to break through now!"

"Kagami, stay safe!"

"You have to survive!!"

Watching Hiruzen and the others retreat, Kagami took a deep breath and rushed toward Tobirama's location.

Soon, he arrived at a battlefield.

The trees had been blasted apart, and a massive crater lay in the center.

Scattered around were severed limbs and bloodied corpses.

Senju Tobirama slumped against a slope, pale-faced and coughing blood.

It was obvious that Tobirama had lost.

And he had lost fast.

In his weakened state, he had only managed to kill a few jōnin from the Kinkaku Force. Kinkaku and Ginkaku remained largely unscathed.

Kinkaku sneered, "So this is the strength of the great Second Hokage? Pathetic. Finish him."

To ensure there were no last-minute surprises, they sent two Cloud Jōnin forward to deliver the killing blow.

Tobirama spat out blood, his hands clenched, his gaze dim.

Yet deep in his eyes, there was still hope for the future.

"So… this is the end? Cough, cough…"

"Such a pity… I won't get to witness Konoha's golden age. Hiruzen, don't let me down."