By the time Kamikawa arrived at Uchiha Izumi's house, it was already completely dark.
"Kamikawa-kun, you're late."
The moment he stepped inside, Izumi came up to him like a housewife, brushing the snow off his shoulders and helping him remove his scarf and coat.
"Sorry, sorry. Something came up."
Kamikawa apologized as he took off his ninja boots. Honestly, he never liked these things—comfortable enough, sure, but exposing the toes? If not for the Tiangang Art protecting him, he probably couldn't stand wearing them.
"Forget it. You're here now, that's what matters."
Izumi handed him a pair of slippers.
"Go sit by the kotatsu first. I'll heat up the food."
As she spoke, she carried the dishes into the kitchen one by one.
Kamikawa sat down casually, activating his technique to extend his perception and scan the surroundings. Only after confirming there was no surveillance did he shift his focus to the system.
"System, open my status panel."
[Ding. Opening system panel.]
Host: Shimizu Kamikawa
Gender: Male
Chakra Attributes: Fire, Lightning, Earth, Yin, Yang
Chakra Volume: 30 Kakashi-units
Secret Art:
Tiangang Art (Level 4 — grants protective energy barrier and blink ability)
Ninjutsu:
Fire Release: Great Fireball TechniqueFire Release: Phoenix Flower JutsuFire Release: Great Dragon Fire TechniqueShadow Clone JutsuThree Basic TechniquesBody Flicker TechniqueSummoning Jutsu (no contract yet)
Genjutsu:
Kyōka Suigetsu (Complete Hypnosis — once seen, affects the target's senses directly without chakra interference; effective even on chakra perception in this world)
Taijutsu:
Konoha basic taijutsuTiangang Art techniquesUchiha-style shurikenjutsuKunai throwing
Nature Transformations: Fire, Lightning, Earth
Inventory:
Zanpakutō: Kyōka SuigetsuKunai ×15Shuriken ×11Clothing (various)Storage scrollSubstitute logs ×9
Looking at the panel, Kamikawa paused.
When did I gain Yin and Yang attributes? And this massive chakra… is it because of the Tiangang Art?
He stopped circulating the technique and exited Sage Mode.
Sure enough—
His chakra attributes reverted to Fire, Lightning, and Earth.
And his chakra volume dropped to 3 Kakashi-units.
In other words, the fourth level of Tiangang Art not only increased his base chakra, but also amplified it nearly tenfold.
"Looks like before long, I'll become one of those chakra monsters…"
Thinking this, Kamikawa glanced toward Izumi in the kitchen, a trace of seriousness in his eyes.
Less than two years remained before the Uchiha massacre.
And Uchiha Shisui would soon return from the Kirigakure border.
When that happened, Shisui would naïvely reveal his Mangekyō ability to Konoha's higher-ups—
and Danzō would take his eye.
When that time came…
it would be his moment to act.
Winter passed, and spring arrived.
Kamikawa was now in his sixth year, and the Academy welcomed a new batch of students.
"Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, fire will burn eternally. The light of the fire will illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. The Will of Fire shall never fade…"
On the stage, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, once again delivered his annual speech, tirelessly instilling the Will of Fire into the new students.
From the sixth-year classroom window, Kamikawa looked down at the scene with quiet disdain.
Illuminate the village? Let new leaves sprout?
More like burning the entire village to keep yourself shining while the Sarutobi clan thrives.
If he hadn't seen the Fourth Great Ninja War—with the Sarutobi clan practically fielding an entire army—he might've believed this old man's nonsense.
Hiruzen Sarutobi… you've rotted.
A parasite feeding on Konoha.
"Kamikawa-kun, what are you looking at…?"
Izumi walked up beside him, glancing at his deep black eyes. Realizing it wasn't a shadow clone, she looked surprised.
"Huh? You actually came in person today."
"It's nothing… just felt like showing up for once."
Kamikawa smiled faintly.
His gaze swept across the playground below—
Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Chōji, Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino—
Then he returned to his seat.
Including Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee from the previous year—
The "Konoha Twelve" were now complete.
"Kamikawa-kun, have you been troubled by something lately? Ever since the New Year, you've seemed a bit down…"
Izumi sat beside him, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine. Just… thinking about how fast time passes. It's already been six years. Even that little kid Itachi used to carry around… is in school now."
Kamikawa chuckled.
"Kamikawa-kun, giving people nicknames like that is rude. I've told you so many times—his name is Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke. Not 'Second Pillar.'"
Izumi corrected him seriously.
"Got it—Uchiha Second Pillar."
Kamikawa grinned.
"…Do whatever you want. Just don't let the clan head hear you…"
Izumi sighed helplessly, then leaned closer and whispered.
Then she returned to the earlier topic, gently taking his hand:
"But Kamikawa-kun… if something's bothering you, you have to tell me, okay?"
"…I will."
Kamikawa looked out the window again.
Sorry, Izumi…
What's coming next… it's better if you don't know.
At 5 PM, school ended.
For once, Kamikawa didn't go training.
Instead, he walked Izumi home.
"Kamikawa-kun, it's been a long time since we walked home together like this."
Izumi stepped ahead of him, hands behind her back, leaning slightly forward as she walked backward with a smile.
"Yeah… it really has."
Kamikawa walked beside her.
"From now until graduation, I'll walk you home every day."
"Really?"
Izumi's face lit up with joy—but then worry crept in.
"You still need to train though… is this really okay?"
"It's fine. Missing a little time won't matter."
Kamikawa smiled.
Just then, a childish yet arrogant voice sounded from behind them:
"Hmph! So you've finally realized the gap between you and my brother? No matter how hard you train, you'll never catch up to him!"