Here's a bonus chapter for you all! Thank you so much for waiting. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading!
Konohagakure.
Kagami strolled through the streets of the village, flanked by members of the Uchiha Police Force.
Today felt different. The usual disdainful glances from villagers were noticeably fewer.
In fact, some even smiled at them—a rare sight indeed.
Ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, established the Konoha Police Force and entrusted its duties to the Uchiha clan, genuine and friendly smiles had become a rarity.
Kagami understood that Tobirama-sensei's actions were meant to show trust in the Uchiha clan, but he also knew it was a form of surveillance.
It was, in essence, trust on the surface but distrust at its core.
Kagami didn't blame his teacher. He understood his clan better than anyone.
The Uchiha clan yearned for peace and felt emotions deeply and sincerely.
Yet, arrogance and a sense of superiority were also prevalent among them.
As Kagami walked down the street, many villagers greeted him warmly.
"Kagami, is it true you saved Princess Tsunade the other night?" someone called out loudly.
A middle-aged man nearby chimed in, patting Kagami proudly on the shoulder.
"Yeah! One big fireball scared off those idiots from the Hidden Cloud Village!" The man spoke with such pride, as if he had been the one to do it.
Before Kagami could respond, an elderly woman sweeping the street interjected.
"What do you mean 'one big fireball'? That was Fire Release: Burn Your Whole Family Technique! Am I right, Kagami?"
Kagami scratched his head awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile.
At that moment, a widow selling fish poked her head out of her shop and shouted, "No way! I heard he burned all the Hidden Cloud ninja to ashes with one move!"
"Rubbish, you salty widow! It was a fire that burned down the entire Senju estate!" the old lady retorted, hands on her hips and voice loud enough to echo.
As the conversation grew increasingly absurd, Kagami quickly waved his hands, laughing helplessly as he bid farewell to the enthusiastic villagers and made a hasty retreat from the street.
Accompanied by a few members of the Police Force, Kagami finally escaped the clutches of the gossiping elders.
"Kagami-nii, you're amazing!" A young boy, the son of a neighbor, gave him a thumbs-up.
The boy was sixteen years old, living a peaceful life with his family. He had never been to war, nor had he awakened the Sharingan. In truth, Kagami envied him.
At least he didn't have to know the pain of loss—a pain that cuts to the very core.
With a bitter smile, Kagami patted the boy's shoulder but said nothing.
He was beginning to understand Rinjin's perspective.
Perhaps the Uchiha clan should never aspire to join the upper echelons of power, never seek to seize authority, and never cling together as a singular force.
Senju Hashirama, that great shinobi, had already set an example for them long ago.
To integrate—to integrate into the village like the Senju clan—might be the true path for the Uchiha.
And what Kagami needed to do was to set an example for his clan.
The Uchiha admired strength. So, he would become strong and use his actions to influence the behavior of his clan.
As this thought crossed his mind, Rinjin's dark face flashed in his memory.
"This time, I owe you," he murmured to himself.
The morning patrol ended quickly, and Kagami returned home, changing out of his shinobi gear to start cooking.
His wife had just given birth and was in a rather irritable phase. With his parents deceased, he had to cook every day after returning home.
This was one of the reasons he didn't take on missions or join the higher-ups.
Of course, it had absolutely nothing to do with him being both weak and lazy.
As Kagami donned an apron and began preparing a meal, a scar-faced clansman knocked on his door.
"Coming, coming," Kagami called out, setting down the fish and wiping his hands on his apron before opening the door.
"Kagami, the elders want to see you," the scar-faced man said coldly.
Hearing this, Kagami frowned and replied just as coldly, "I'm busy right now. I'll go after I finish eating."
Without waiting for a response, he shut the door firmly, ignoring the man's frosty expression.
Are you kidding me? My wife needs to eat! She has to eat before she can feed our son!
After finishing the fish soup and ensuring his wife was fed, Kagami finally changed back into his shinobi gear and left the house.
Arriving at the heart of the Uchiha compound, he entered a somewhat eerie courtyard where he met the so-called elders—essentially a group of stubborn old men.
Kagami recalled that Ryōta Uchiha was likely the great-grandson of one of them.
"What is it?" Kagami asked bluntly, a rare display of rudeness.
Among the three seated elders, the eldest cleared his throat and began speaking slowly.
"Kagami, you are the most talented among our clan and a disciple of Tobirama Senju.
We have high expectations for you."
The elder beside him, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, nodded and added:
"But ever since Tobirama's death, you've visited the Hokage building less and less.
Instead, you've been spending time with that brat who insulted our clan and even stopped us from dealing with him."
The third elder chimed in after the other two had finished:
"Let's put that aside for now. We just hope you'll consider the clan's interests. Remember, you are always an Uchiha first and foremost!
So, you should aim for greater power.
Look at your classmates—Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—completely talentless, yet they've managed to climb to the position of village advisors through their connections.
And you?"
Kagami listened silently, not uttering a word.
Seeing this, the eldest elder coughed twice and waved his hand dismissively.
"Go now. Think it over carefully!"
Kagami nodded perfunctorily and left without a second thought.
Walking home, his dark eyes were filled with pain and helplessness.
These so-called elders were still dreaming of seizing power and control.
Even if they became Hokage, then what? Would they elevate the clan above all others and drive out the other families?
Would Konoha ultimately be left with nothing but a proud and isolated Uchiha clan?
If that was the case, why didn't they just leave with Madara Uchiha in the first place?
The more they thought this way, the less likely the village leadership would allow them access to power!
With these thoughts, Kagami's resolve grew stronger. Only by mingling with the villagers and living in harmony could the Uchiha find their true path!
As he walked, his steps unconsciously led him to the Senju estate.
In his mind, he saw the chubby little girl from the other night, puffing up her cheeks and spitting fire everywhere.
"They're all blinded by power, yet that kid from another village is more clear-headed!" he muttered, complaining softly as he knocked on the Senju estate's door.
Soon, a servant led Kagami to Rinjin's younger sister, Sakuho Rie.
Explaining his purpose, Kagami expressed his desire to take the girl, who had great potential in Fire Release, as his disciple.
After all, the Uchiha were renowned for their mastery of Fire Release.
Upon hearing this, Rie's face fell, and she whined tearfully.
"Uncle Kagami, it's not that I don't want to agree, but my brother won't let me train in Fire Release anymore!"
She began crying loudly as she continued, "He… he said Fire Release has never defeated a named NPC and told me to learn Water Release instead!
What nonsense! He's just punishing me because I burned off his afro!"
Hearing this, Kagami recalled the previous incident and couldn't help but chuckle helplessly. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Nearby, Tsunade watched Rie with a blank expression. She had gotten used to this pair of troublemaking siblings.
Failing to take on a new student, Kagami politely bid farewell to Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade before leaving the Senju estate.
Root Division.
Danzō Shimura listened intently to his subordinate's report, his expression grim and his brows furrowed deeply.
Although public opinion hadn't completely shifted in favor of the Uchiha, many of the older Senju villagers had started to view Kagami more positively.
Saving the princess of Konoha was a favor they couldn't ignore.
With this in mind, Danzō let out a heavy snort and muttered,
"If this continues, the Uchiha will slowly gain the villagers' trust and eventually take control of Konoha!
This cannot happen. The Uchiha clan must not be allowed near power!
The key… the key lies with Kagami!"