Chapter 35: The Broken Arm
Joyful moments always proved fleeting. After wandering Konoha with Kushina, darkness fell rapidly. Reluctantly escorting her home, Kagenori walked alone toward Orochimaru's underground base.
His own house, unused so long, would likely be dust-filled. Cleaning for one night seemed troublesome—better return directly to the base.
Walking along, he reflected on his conversation with Uzumaki Mito. He could sense her treating him as a junior, yet couldn't reciprocate viewing her as an elder. No matter how deeply she loved Kushina, it didn't change her willingness to harm her for Konoha's sake.
Moreover, Mito's malice detection troubled him immensely—she could accurately discern his lies.
Was there any method to deceive her? He pondered deeply, seeking countermeasures.
While lost in thought, two figures blocked his path. Looking up, he frowned—the Uchiha clan emblem identified them clearly.
"Hey, who's this? Uchiha Kagenori, isn't it?"
"What Uchiha Kagenori? He bears no Uchiha name—just a bastard."
"Hahaha! Right! Look at me—completely forgot!"
The two Uchiha mocked him openly.
Expression darkening, Kagenori ignored them, attempting to detour around. But they successively blocked him.
"In such a hurry? Did we strike a nerve?"
"Aren't we right, bastard?"
...
"Move," Kagenori demandedlowly.
Hearing this, they laughed uproariously. The Uchiha before him—Yūto—reached to shove him. Kagenori instantly seized his wrist.
Though Yūto was older, Kagenori's rigorous training made him far stronger. As he tightened his grip, Yūto's face contorted painfully.
"Release me! Let go!"
Ignoring him, Kagenori increased pressure. The Uchiha behind him—Kazuma—seeing the situation deteriorating, punched toward the back of Kagenori's head.
Without turning, Kagenori kicked backward, sending Kazuma flying. His hand maintained its hold on Yūto's wrist.
Eyes slightly lowered, his gaze bypassed Yūto entirely. "Move aside now."
Yūto's expression turned savage. Despite the pain, he refused to yield. "You're just our Uchiha clan's castoff—a bastard! How dare you speak to me like that? Die!"
Drawing a kunai with his left hand, he stabbed toward Kagenori's head.
"Too slow."
Tilting his head, Kagenori evaded the thrust. Simply raising his knee, he struck Yūto's abdomen forcefully.
"Cough!"
Abdominal agony nearly bulged Yūto's eyes, the kunai clattering to the ground. Maintaining his wrist grip, Kagenori elbowed his head. Staggering dizzily, Yūto collapsed.
"Yūto!"
Kazuma rushed to help him up. Wiping his mouth corner, Yūto glared furiously. "Kazuma! Together—teach this bastard a lesson!"
He hurled several shuriken at Kagenori. Instantly unsheathing his katana, Kagenori's blade flashed, severing all projectiles mid-air.
Both Uchiha drew kunai, attacking simultaneously. But in a blink, Kagenori vanished before them.
"What? Body Flicker?"
"Where?"
A chilling voice sounded behind them. "Not Body Flicker—pure speed. I said: you're too slow!"
Using his sword's back, Kagenori ruthlessly struck Yūto's kunai-wielding right arm. It instantly deformed irregularly—completely shattered.
"AHHH!"
Screaming, Yūto curled groundward, clutching his arm while rolling.
Seizing Kazuma's kunai-wielding right arm from behind, Kagenori kicked his knee, forcing him kneeling. Planting his right foot on Kazuma's back, his other hand maintained the arm lock.
Softly, he whispered, "Konoha's rules forbid attacking comrades. You struck first—using kunai. Now, self-defense justifies breaking one arm each, correct?"
To Kazuma, his voice sounded demonic. "No! Don't!"
Ignoring him, Kagenori pressed downward. A grinding fracture echoed—Kazuma's right arm shattered. Like Yūto, he rolled groundward, clutching the break.
Gazing down coldly, Kagenori remarked, "So weak—Uchiha, huh."
Despite his arm's destruction, Yūto remained defiant, glaring resentfully. "The Uchiha clan won't spare you!"
Shaking his head contemptuously, Kagenori observed, "Look at you two—sixteen or seventeen years old, yet no Sharingan awakening after arm breaks. Not awakened yet?"
"If all Uchiha were like you, I wouldn't worry about your harassment."
Their pale faces flushed crimson. As they prepared retorts, they witnessed an unbelievable sight—Kagenori activated his Sharingan, scarlet eyes regarding them with a faint smile. "Honestly, the Uchiha Sharingan proves quite useful."
Turning to leave, he paused, glancing back. "By the way—as Konoha's security force, don't you Uchiha love pressing charges?"
"I'll await your visit. Remember—find me at Orochimaru's base. Surely you know Orochimaru? Ask other Uchiha—you'll learn."
They naturally knew Orochimaru—one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin. They'd never expected Kagenori not only possessed the Sharingan none of them had awakened, but also became Orochimaru's student.
Observing their wretched states, Kagenori sneered, muttering "two idiots" before departing.