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Uchiha Kagami was so stunned by the sudden news that he started stuttering. He shut his eyes for a moment, steadied himself, then opened them again and looked at the Second Hokage.
"You're saying… you want me to stop Aki from killing members of our clan?"
The Second Hokage shook his head. "With your current strength, you wouldn't even be able to scratch Aki, let alone change his mind. The only ninja who's seen Aki's Mangekyō Sharingan in action is the Monkey—Hiruzen. He told me what happened when Aki awakened it, and based on what I gathered… if Aki really wanted to kill your clan members, it'd be effortless for him."
Kagami couldn't help but envy him. "In front of the Mangekyō Sharingan, no matter how many tomoe you have, it's all like ants facing a god. Sir, do you know what kind of jutsu Aki used while in the Mangekyō state?"
The Second Hokage replied, "Black flames. He can manipulate them freely without even forming hand signs, and they can teleport through space at will. That's all he used, but I've never seen Madara use those, so I can't be sure if they're unique to your clan or just something Aki developed on his own."
Kagami thought for a moment, then said, "I honestly have no idea. Before Madara-sama fought the First Hokage, he destroyed all documents related to the Mangekyō. If any records did survive, they're definitely not in Konoha."
The Second Hokage nodded. "For jutsu not even you know to suddenly appear in Aki's hands… and don't forget, I've been monitoring Aki since the day he was born. I've never seen him train in these techniques. Sure, without the Mangekyō he might not be able to use them, but how the hell did he master them the moment he awakened it? Are we really supposed to believe it's just because he got angry? I'm not buying it."
He picked up a folder from the table and handed it to Kagami. "These are records of certain elders from your clan acting out of line. I believe once you give this to them, they'll know what to do."
Then, watching Kagami flip through the file, he added, "I'm not against Aki taking out these scumbags in the village—but not now. This war's at a critical point, and the last thing we need is chaos inside the village. You know how fragile things are right now."
After days of travel, the three finally arrived at a village on the border of the Land of Fire. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his two silent, brooding companions and said, "I'm gonna head into the village to buy some supplies. You two wait here." With that, he jumped off the carriage and ran off.
As Sarutobi disappeared into the distance, Aki turned to the still-deep-in-thought Kagami and said, "You're not surprised by my eyes, huh, Uchiha Kagami?"
Kagami snapped out of his thoughts, looked up at Aki—who was sitting higher up—and when he saw those Mangekyō Sharingan eyes, he immediately turned his gaze elsewhere.
Aki smirked. "The Second Hokage really favors you, huh? I've always wondered how you managed to earn his trust, Kagami."
Kagami didn't dare meet Aki's eyes. He looked at the ground and said, "I was just lucky to be recognized by him. But didn't you earn his trust too, sir?"
Aki chuckled coldly. "Sometimes, I really want to kill someone, you know that? I didn't think the Second Hokage would see through me when I returned to the village. What did he say to you? Mind telling me?"
Somehow, Kagami found the courage to look Aki in the eye. He said seriously, "You lied to the Second Hokage before. You're planning to deal with some of the clan elders this time, aren't you? Back when you were training under him, I saw you sneaking into gambling dens, and I also saw Uchiha Mine show up more than once. What exactly are you scheming?"
Aki froze, then his eyes returned to normal as he gazed up at the sky. "Sometimes, there's so much darkness I don't even want to learn it. But in Konoha, and in a clan like the Uchiha, I really don't know what the right path is. Yeah, I lied to the Second Hokage about some things, but looking at it now, it's not like it really changes anything. When we get back to the village, I hope you won't try to stop me."By the time he finished speaking, his voice had gone cold, and he looked down at Kagami with icy eyes.
After nearly fifteen days on the road, the three finally made it back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Aki refused Hiruzen's offer to help and instead had Kagami lead the carriage back to the Uchiha compound.
When he got home, he saw several clan elders arguing with his mother, Nanako. Aki coldly glared at them and shouted, "Get the hell out of my sight!"
One of the elders sneered at him. "You're not even the clan head yet and you're already acting so arrogant. If we let you become head, what kind of life will we have? You little punk—"
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind the elder, pressing a blade to his neck and growled, "The young master told you to leave."
Another elder, sitting cross-legged, narrowed his eyes at the man with the blade. "Uchiha Mine, what's the meaning of this? Is your father Onizuka planning to rebel?"
Just then, a booming voice came from behind Aki. "Since when is following the clan head's orders considered rebellion? Old Ghost, are you really going to defy the will of the late Uchiha Hikaru?"
The elder who insulted Aki earlier jumped in. "No one was there when Hikaru died. How can we trust the Second Hokage's one-sided story and just hand the clan head title to Aki? He's not qualified!"
Nanako, who had been sitting silently, suddenly spoke up. "Do you remember what happened to those in the clan who said my husband wasn't qualified—when my father, Uchiha Madara, was still alive?"
Her words sent a chill through the room. Every elder instantly shut their mouths. Two of them turned to look at the man sitting across from Nanako.
The man scoffed and said, "Madara-sama is dead. That's not a threat anymore. And I still say Aki isn't qualified. Even with the purest bloodline, he's not fit. But if you remarried me—"
"Enough. If you don't want to die right here and now, get the hell out." Aki glared coldly at him.
The man laughed mockingly. "I watched you grow up, Aki. You really think having the Second Hokage's backing means you're untouchable? The Uchiha clan doesn't answer to Senju Tobirama. I'm going to hold a public tribunal soon. I suspect you murdered the last clan head just to awaken those cursed eyes of yours!"
Aki's expression didn't change. He gave a cold laugh. "A public trial, huh? Sounds fun. I'll be there."
The man stood, motioned for the others to leave, and as he walked past Aki, he muttered, "You couldn't even awaken your Sharingan when your father died. You're useless. And this time, the Second Hokage won't be able to save you."
Watching him leave, Aki muttered, "No one in this world can save you anymore." Then he turned to Onizuka and said, "Do you know a barrier technique that can trap everyone inside?"
Onizuka blinked in surprise, then nodded. "There's one, yeah. But it's got a big drawback—when it's cast, the four casters can't move. Plus, they either all have to be inside the barrier or all outside. It's pretty restrictive."
Aki nodded. "That'll do. When the time comes, you and Mine…"
"Sir, isn't this a bit rushed? We just brought Hikaru's body back to the village and now we're already holding a public trial for Aki…"
The man laughed. "I've never liked that brat. His father only became clan head because of Nanako—just because she's Madara's daughter. Once I take Aki down in this trial and force Nanako to marry me, who in the clan will question my authority? And Aki—cripple him and that's enough. I don't mind keeping a useless idiot around. You really think the Second Hokage will start a war over a cripple? If we don't act now, once the Second Hokage returns from the frontlines, it'll be too late."
He dismissed everyone and returned to his room.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him, making him jump. He looked back and sneered. "Well, well… Uchiha Kagami. Shouldn't you be licking the Second Hokage's boots? What're you doing back here?"
Kagami said coldly, "The Second Hokage gave me an order—Aki is the next clan head."
The man laughed. "No way. This is my golden opportunity. The Second Hokage's stuck on the battlefield, the ANBU are gone, and you think you can stop me from becoming clan head?"
Kagami pulled the file from his robe and tossed it at the man. "The Second Hokage told me to give you this. He also said—you will never be clan head."
The man glanced through the file and burst out laughing. "So what? By the time he gets back, I'll already be in charge. You think he'll just kill me in public? Don't forget, this is Konoha, not his personal playground."
Seeing he couldn't talk any sense into the man, Kagami turned to leave. As he reached the door, he muttered, "If you want to die, don't drag the rest of the clan down with you. I'll go talk to the other elders."
Three days later.The Uchiha Clan Tribunal.
Uchiha Mine stood beside Uchiha Chise and Uchiha Ame, looking up at Kagami who stood on a rooftop. "So, what's your decision?"
Kagami looked down at the packed main hall, filled with nearly every member of the Uchiha clan. He jumped down and faced Mine directly.
"Do you guys even understand what'll happen if Aki loses control? If he goes on a rampage, what do you think will become of the Uchiha?"
Ame replied coldly, "We either rise from destruction—or perish in it. The young master's will is our direction forward!"
Chise added, "You're his guardian. What's your answer?"
Looking at the three of them, so resolute, Kagami could only nod helplessly.
Mine nodded back. "Ten minutes. Then we release the barrier jutsu and seal off the Uchiha compound."With that, he turned and left.
Chise glanced at Kagami as she walked away. "Don't disappoint us."
Watching her leave, Kagami muttered to himself, "As if I'd ever betray my vow. The young master is the future of the Uchiha."
"....."