Sukuna's slashing attacks were a type of attack that was extremely effective against ninjas with weak physical bodies.
Even without considering monstrous individuals or those possessing Mangekyō Sharingan, Sukuna alone would be capable of massacring the entire shinobi world.
"Elder Bokuto, my body is still too weak. I want to undergo medicinal baths." Said Kagami
Aside from regular training, medicinal baths were an important method for improving physical condition.
However, such treatment required continuous use, and it would take at least several years before any significant results could be seen. Even the Uchiha clan could not produce these resources in large quantities.
They had to exchange resources with other clans just to obtain medicinal herbs, which made the process troublesome.
The only time he had received such treatment was when he was a child.
This was also the reason why Uchiha Kagami chose to show his 'determination.' By proving his own value, Bokuto would be motivated to invest more in him. Even the most caring people would not invest endlessly if they could not see your worth.
Bokuto thought for a moment, then touched the wound on his cheek. "Very well. But the medicinal baths must be continued for at least two years, without interruption. Which mean you won't be able to graduate early or take on missions."
"Hah? When did I ever say I wanted to graduate early?" Uchiha Kagami laughed. "With three precious years of training time, only a fool would graduate early just to rush out and fight those lunatics."
"…You're right." Answer Bokuto baffled
***********
2 Years later
What was supposed to be a secret mission had now become common knowledge. Sakumo Hatake had abandoned the mission to save his comrades.
Over the past two years, Kakashi had trained relentlessly but he still couldn't defeat that boy. In fact, it felt like the gap between them wasn't closing at all… it was only getting wider.
Sometimes, he couldn't understand why Uchiha Kagami refused to graduate early, even though he was already far stronger than the academy instructors.
At the very least, Kakashi had no intention of challenging him.
He had never seen his father like this before so broken, completely devoid of spirit.
Without realizing it, Kakashi found himself standing before Uchiha Kagami, who was calmly eating his bento beneath a large tree."…Which is more important Comrades… or the mission?"
Kagami swallowed a piece of chicken and looked at him. He had already heard about Sakumo Hatake. And to be honest, he found this kind of internal conflict among Konoha's so-called heroes rather amusing.
When only a few old weeds remained, it would be much easier to pull them out. "Of course the mission is more important. We're supposed to be shinobi."
Kakashi hesitated. That was the answer most people would give and even he had once believed it. "…Then what if you have to abandon your comrades for the mission…?"
Kagami set down his lunchbox. "That depends on the importance of the mission… and the level of those comrades. If you're talking about your father's case, then I think he was wrong."
Kakashi lowered his head. "…So you think so too…?"
"A powerful shinobi allowing himself to be judged and condemned by a group of weak civilians…" Kagami's tone remained calm. "If it were me, I'd just pick a few of the loudest ones and kill them. No more public outrage after that."
"My father would never raise a blade against innocent villagers!" Kakashi snapped.
"Yes… he will not." Kagami stood up. After two years of growth and with the help of medicinal baths he was now taller than Kakashi.
He grabbed Kakashi by the hair and forced him to look up. "Your father is a weak man who lost himself when his ideals collapsed. If he had any courage, he would act against the ones truly responsible..."
"…What do you mean…?" said Kakasih confused
Kagami's lips curved slightly. From an outsider's perspective, Hatake Sakumo's death would never be caused by mere insults from villagers. He wasn't that weak.
The real reason behind Sakumo's suicide was the collapse of his belief in the Will of Fire the very thing he had upheld his entire life.
Konoha's leadership, who constantly preached the importance of comrades, had made their stance clear by allowing him to be condemned.
The Hatake clan had originally been a samurai family during the Warring States era. And Sakumo Hatake was, at heart, more samurai than shinobi. He chose death because he realized he had sworn loyalty to the wrong people.
His faith had shattered.
And lacking the resolve to raise his blade against the Third Hokage and the others… he chose to end his own life instead.
"Let me make it simple." Kagami shook Kakashi slightly by the hair, forcing him to focus. "Your father is thinking about suicide. Instead of wasting time asking questions, you should go to him now."
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. He had never even considered that possibility.
The situation was serious but suicide? Without another word, he broke free and ran, not even saying goodbye as he rushed out of the academy gates.
Kagami watched him leave, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had no intention of putting in much effort to save Sakumo. If Kakashi failed, then so be it. And if Sakumo lived, perhaps he could become a useful piece someone who would never agree with the Third Hokage's faction again.
Nearby, Obito and Rin, who had always cared deeply for Kakashi, approached hesitantly.
Even though he clearly didn't want to, Obito spoke up."…Kagami… what did you say to Kakashi?"
"K-Kagami-kun… Kakashi, he…" Rin said
Kagami glanced at them, then looked at Obito. "Goggles. If a mission required you to sacrifice your comrades, what would you choose?"
"Of course we can't sacrifice our people!" Obito answered immediately. "I'd complete the mission without letting anyone die!"
Time and experience could change a person.
Obito was the kindest among the Uchiha and that was exactly why Uchiha Madara would one day choose him. The Uchiha, with their deep emotions, became truly terrifying once they fell into darkness.
Kagami then turned to Rin. "And you?"
Rin thought for a moment before smiling gently. "If someone has to be sacrificed to complete the mission… I hope it would be me."
That was… a pure expression of the Will of Fire.
"Rin! I'll protect you no matter what!" Obito declared.
There was no absolute right or wrong in the Will of Fire. Its value depended on how people chose to act upon it.
To sacrifice oneself for the sake of future peace was something worthy of respect. But many leaders had long forgotten that original purpose even Hashirama Senju.
The village was meant to protect children… yet in the end, he was willing to kill even his closest friend to protect it.
No one could have everything. Uchiha Madara understood that and chose to walk away.
Victory without sacrifice was impossible. And sacrifice always bred hatred.
"…Then what about you, Kagami?" Obito asked, gathering his courage. "If it were mission or comrades which would you choose?"
"If one side must be sacrificed…" Kagami answered calmly, "then I would kill the one who gave the order."
"…That really does sound like you…" Obito exhale
"Wait weren't we asking about Kakashi?" said Rin
Kagami shook his head. "There's no need to know. In situations like this, choosing either option is not wrong… but choosing neither is also right."
"…That makes no sense." said Obito
"Well, you're a goggle-wearing idiot. Of course you wouldn't understand."
"The goggles are one thing, but why add 'idiot'? Can't you just call me by my name?!"
"Talk to me when you have eyes like mine." The three tomoe of his Sharingan began to spin slowly. In the next instant Obito collapsed. "Ah… not again…" he groaned weakly before losing consciousness. Every few days, Kagami would make him 'sleep' with his eyes power. The Sharingan was terrifying. But was it really necessary to show off like that?
Kagami did enjoy showing off but this wasn't just for display.
Uchiha Obito was the key. The link between Uchiha Madara and the White Zetsu.
By injecting a trace of oculars power each time… One day he might reach that legendary shinobi. Obito was nothing more than a tool.
***********
Now, Uchiha Kagami spent all of his class time resting.
Listening to the teacher's explanations on stage actually helped him sleep more soundly, allowing him to use the entire night for spiritual training.
The academy teachers could do nothing about it. Even though he slept through class every day, he still ranked first in both academics and practical combat at the end of every semester.
They had all offered to help him apply for early graduation, but Kagami refused. The lunches were good, and he could sleep peacefully. So why graduate?
Why bother becoming a low-ranking ninja just to chase cats and dogs, or escort caravans while eating military rations?
Although relations between nations remained tense, the true cause of the Third Great Ninja War had yet to be revealed.
It all began with the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
Sasori's parents had been killed by Sakumo Hatake the White Fang of Konoha during a mission under the Third Kazekage's leadership.
Considering the alliance treaty between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, the Third Kazekage would never have allowed Sasori to take revenge.
Of course, it was also possible that the Kazekage knew Sasori was no match for the White Fang and chose not to let him act.
In the end, Sasori redirected his hatred toward the Third Kazekage. Somehow, he killed him and turned him into a human puppet.
After that, Sunagakure failed to locate their missing Kazekage. During the search, conflict with Konoha began to escalate.
Soon, other ninja villages were drawn into the fighting. And thus began the Third Great Ninja War, the most brutal conflict in shinobi history.
For the first time since the establishment of the hidden village system, all five great ninja villages were involved in a single war.