Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 3: My Fire, Your Regret

"Uchiha Kagami, hailed as a once-in-decades genius of the Uchiha clan!"

A few kids gathered together, listening intently, with bruised and battered Asuma paying particular attention.

Though Obito Uchiha disliked Kagami and was disliked by him in return, seeing even the Third Hokage's son getting beaten up made him feel a sense of pride in his clan.

"Since he beat up Asuma, it means it's not just me he's targeting!"

"I heard his Uchiha-style taijutsu is already at the level of the police force, and he's already mastered Fire Release jutsu!"

Kakashi, who hadn't initially been paying much attention, became a little more interested at this point.

Many Uchiha clan members didn't participate in the village's ninja ranking evaluations, but being a police force member was generally accepted as proof of at least chunin-level combat ability.

Could a five or six-year-old really reach that level?

Thinking about his own strength, Kakashi realized it wasn't impossible.

He was already planning to apply for early graduation, and his father believed he possessed strength comparable to an average chunin.

---

That afternoon, there was a practical combat lesson that all students had to participate in.

To allow recovery time, the Third Hokage decided to extend the usual three-year curriculum to six years.

However, most of the current students were born after the Second Ninja War and were only around five or six years old, with few upperclassmen.

Only a few years later, the Third Ninja War would break out, reverting the curriculum back to three years.

---

Asuma wasn't the type to run and tell after getting beaten up; he wanted to settle the score himself.

So he sought out Obito to gather information.

But Obito, usually defeated with just one or two hits, didn't know much and could only offer some mixed rumors.

"Asuma, Kagami won't participate in actual combat training," Rin Nohara said kindly, tending to Asuma's wounds as he and Obito planned.

"He's a new student, so today he'll only be demonstrating shuriken throwing."

"And besides…you were the one who provoked him first. Just let it go."

"How can I just let it go?" Asuma groaned in frustration. Getting beat up would've been fine on its own, but...

But that guy actually insulted Kurenai!

Unforgivable!

---

"Next match: Kakashi versus Uchiha Obito!"

In the arena, the teacher began calling names.

Kakashi sighed. Why did he keep facing Obito and Guy?

He didn't care for these boring practice sessions and often ended up fighting these two underdogs.

Obito, however, lit up upon hearing his name.

"Yes! This time, I'm definitely going to beat you, Kakashi!"

Boring…

"Hold on."

A voice cut through suddenly as Uchiha Kagami stepped forward from the crowd.

"Sensei, I'd like to take Obito's place."

"Huh? Kagami, you've only just enrolled…"

Ignoring the teacher, Kagami walked straight up to Kakashi, a finely crafted small blade sliding out of his dark blue sleeve into his hand.

Kakashi's pupils narrowed.

The blade was only about 60 to 70 cm long—not something a child could hide in a sleeve.

That's… a ninja tool summoning technique!

With a father like Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi knew more than the average student, which was why he felt there was no need to waste time in the academy.

Kagami smirked. "Obito's been bringing shame to the Uchiha. An Uchiha shouldn't be an underdog."

"This is my reward from the clan elder. I'm here to defeat you and reclaim Uchiha's position at the top."

"Shirayuki, a beautiful blade."

As one of the oldest ninja clans, the Uchiha had treasures unmatched by other families, despite many being taken by Madara. This was a weapon on par with the Kusanagi blade, crafted from chakra metal.

Even Orochimaru had managed to collect a few Kusanagi swords, so naturally, the sword-skilled Uchiha would have some as well.

Kagami had absorbed a lot of Sukuna's spiritual energy, displaying remarkable swordsmanship talent and…

This aptitude made the clan elders view him as the next Uchiha Izuna!

Madara was beyond their reach, but only those who lived through that era truly understood…

Hashirama and Madara had reached levels beyond any ninja.

---

Watching Kagami approach, Kakashi took his own sword case off his back.

Just from Kagami's stance and aura, even without the blade drawn, Kakashi could feel his sharpness…

He wouldn't shy away from this fight; his actions already conveyed his willingness to accept the challenge.

"Hold on!"

The teacher stepped between them, laughing wryly, "It's fine if you want a sparring match, but no ninja tools!"

"And Kagami, don't bring something that dangerous here!"

The teacher, an experienced chunin, noticed the explosive tag Kagami was holding in his other hand.

Why did you have an explosive tag?

"Really? I thought it'd be easier to distract him with the blade and hit him with an explosion," Kagami replied, reluctantly putting the tag back and attaching the blade to his waist.

Kakashi, now noticing the tag, felt a bead of cold sweat form on his forehead.

Is this guy… insane?

Kagami took his stance and beckoned to Kakashi.

"Come on."

Kakashi frowned, saying indifferently, "You're the challenger here."

---

Kagami smirked, as if reminded of something amusing.

"Just a friendly reminder, the last guy who said that… was cut in half."

---

"Form the Seal of Confrontation! The Seal of Confrontation!" the teacher shouted, trying to make his presence felt.

Kagami complied, raising two fingers, then motioned for Kakashi to bring it on.

---

How arrogant…

Kakashi returned the Seal of Confrontation.

Before the teacher could even call "begin," the next moment—

Boom!

A cloud of dust erupted as the two small figures clashed.

Kakashi's body flashed, his fist aiming straight at Kagami's chest.

Kagami sidestepped and swiftly grabbed Kakashi's wrist, attempting to throw him.

Kakashi wasn't so easily handled. Planting his left foot firmly, he stabilized himself and aimed an elbow strike at Kagami's abdomen.

Kagami let go, leaping back to avoid the attack.

"You're strong." That brief exchange told Kakashi Kagami was "at least as strong as him."

Kagami threw a palm strike toward Kakashi's face, laughing, "You're not bad."

---

Their movements were lightning-fast, punches and kicks weaving and shifting in a flurry of techniques.

Every clash echoed with a dull thud, tension filling the air.

"Incredible!"

"Kakashi's amazing! And that new student is amazing too!"

"They're so fast! I guess Kakashi was holding back all this time!"

"This is youth!!!"

---

"Are these really students?" Even the chunin teacher was in awe of the strength displayed by these two.

Kakashi was strong, as he had always known…

But the Uchiha boy matched him effortlessly!

And judging by their expressions… Kagami seemed more relaxed.

---

In the Hokage's office.

When there was no urgent business, Hiruzen Sarutobi enjoyed using his Telescope Jutsu to observe the academy, keeping an eye on these young seedlings as they grew.

Watching the fierce battle in his crystal ball, he felt Konoha's future was bright and promising.

Being a ninja was a dangerous career, and competition like this was natural.

Bonds would grow through this competition, forming the branches that connected the leaves of Konoha!

The relationship between the Uchiha and the village could perhaps change, starting with these children!

Holding onto his hopes for the future, Hiruzen didn't scold Danzo for barging in without knocking.

After observing for a while, Danzo muttered in a low voice:

"That Uchiha kid is a genius."

"Indeed." Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, smiling, "Kakashi's talent is already high, but I didn't expect this child to be so strong."

Since Minato Namikaze had already begun to show great promise, Hiruzen refrained from calling Kakashi "the best."

After all, even Kakashi couldn't quite measure up to Minato.

---

"Hiruzen, this kid is a typical Uchiha. I've investigated—he's close to the radical faction within the Uchiha."

Hiruzen's relaxed expression slowly tightened.

"…Give him a few years in school, and he'll understand the importance of his comrades in the village."

"You still don't understand. The more talented the Uchiha, the more uncontrollable they are!"

Danzo's tone was cold. "Let me train him in secret. Only my methods can make him useful to the village."

Hiruzen shook his head without hesitation, "Impossible. I will never allow a child of the village to join Root."

More importantly… now was not the time to provoke tensions with the Uchiha.

In the shadows, Danzo's single eye glinted darkly.

"Have you forgotten Lord Tobirama's warning? The Uchiha are born of evil! Your dream of reconciliation is impossible!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage." Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, smoke swirling around him.

---

"Hiruzen… you'll regret this!"

*Bang!

With a loud bang of a door closing, the conversation ended unpleasantly.

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