Chapter 6: The Hokage's Gaze
At the edge of Konoha's woods, the air still crackled with residual energy. The constant thunderous sounds had finally ceased, leaving behind a scene of devastation—downed trees and spreading flames.
After performing the final sword form of Thunder Breathing, Kagenori stood motionless for a moment, his body trembling from the ordeal. Then, as the system released its control, nature's sounds returned to his awareness—the crackle of fire, the groaning of damaged trees.
[Thunder Breathing simulation complete. Rewards distributed. System releasing control.]
When Kagenori regained control of his body, he collapsed violently to the ground, curling into a fetal position as convulsions wracked his frame.
Pain—everywhere.
It hurt so profoundly he couldn't even muster the strength to scream.
Regret washed over him. He shouldn't have chosen the woods for this transformation. Now, unable to move even a finger, with flames raging around him, he faced death by fire if he didn't find help.
As he lay there, the heat intensified around him. Survival instinct forced him to move.
Fortunately, he'd chosen a spot near the river. If he could just reach the water...
But his progress was agonizingly slow, his body screaming with every inch gained. He felt his clothes smoldering, the heat intensifying against his skin.
Just as he neared the river's edge, several figures materialized before him. With great effort, he lifted his head, his pupils contracting at the sight of the man leading them.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Though Kagenori had expected Konoha's forces to notice the disturbance, he never anticipated the Hokage himself would come. Still, at least he would be saved now. Whatever consequences followed could be dealt with later.
As his tense spirit relaxed, darkness claimed him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen studied the scene with a furrowed brow, his eyes lingering on Kagenori's unconscious form with deep puzzlement. The devastation clearly resulted from powerful lightning-style techniques, yet only the boy lay amidst the destruction. The burns on Kagenori's hands indicated lightning-nature usage, but the scale of damage suggested chūnin-level capability at minimum.
How could a mere academy student accomplish this?
The Hokage's feelings toward Kagenori were complicated. While the boy's parents had technically defected, their crime was more elopement than true betrayal—a conflict with the Uchiha clan rather than Konoha itself. Yet with the Uchiha refusing to acknowledge him and villagers directing their resentment toward the clan onto this convenient target, Kagenori had become a political inconvenience.
With tensions between the Uchiha and village growing increasingly strained, and war potentially brewing in the ninja world, Sarutobi needed the Uchiha's power. Thus, he'd chosen to ignore Kagenori's plight—a regrettable but necessary compromise.
Now, however, he had to reconsider Kagenori's value. If the boy truly possessed such power... and if those lightning techniques could be taught to other Konoha ninja...
"Extinguish the flames," Sarutobi commanded the ANBU surrounding him. "Then take him to the ninja hospital for treatment."
As ANBU operatives used water-style techniques to douse the fires, one carefully lifted Kagenori's unconscious form and vanished toward medical care.
...
Meanwhile, at Uzumaki Mito's residence, a dejected Kushina returned after her rejection. The newly-arrived girl was staying with the former Jinchūriki while adjusting to life in Konoha.
"Kushina," Mito greeted with gentle warmth, "how was your first day at the academy? Did everything go well?"
Kushina's lips trembled as she whispered, "Grandma Mito..."
Seeing the girl's distress, Mito gathered her into an embrace on the nearby couch. "What happened, child?"
Between sniffles, Kushina recounted her day—the "Tomato" taunts, her retaliation against the bullies, and how she'd approached Kagenori only to be rejected.
Mito murmured, "Kagenori?"
"You know him, Grandma Mito?" Kushina asked, curiosity cutting through her misery.
"Yes, I know of him," Mito replied, her voice growing somber.
How could she not? Kagenori's father came from the Senju clan, same as her husband Hashirama. Though the Senju had disbanded and integrated with Konoha's population after the village's founding, she still felt connection to those of Senju blood.
When Kagenori's parents fled Konoha, Mito had pleaded for mercy with Sarutobi Hiruzen, but to no avail. The Uchiha clan's influence proved too significant for the Hokage to ignore. Later, when Kagenori returned alone, Mito had proposed adopting him, but Sarutobi refused again, citing both her position as the First Hokage's widow and the boy's status as the child of "traitors" rejected by the Uchiha.
Sometimes, Mito barely recognized the man Hashirama had chosen as successor.
Stroking Kushina's hair, Mito asked gently, "Do you understand why Kagenori refused your friendship?"
Kushina's voice quivered. "He said, 'I'm shunned by the entire village. If you befriend me, you'll be isolated too.' Then he told me to ask for a seat change and left."
Mito's eyes grew distant. "Shunned by the whole village?... Oh, Hiruzen, the boy has done nothing wrong."
Her deep sigh carried generations of sorrow. Though her heart ached for Kagenori's circumstances, her current position left her powerless to intervene.
Looking at Kushina's downcast expression, Uzumaki Mito felt thoughtful. Perhaps there were ways to help both these lonely children, even within the constraints politics had created.