Naruto: Life as Kagami Uchiha (AU)

Land of Wind, Sunagakure.

Inside the Kazekage's office, the atmosphere was unbearably tense.

Not long ago, they had received devastating news—two of their elite puppet masters had fallen in battle. The shock still hadn't worn off.

But more than anything, they were furious.

That's right. Even though Sunagakure was considered the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, that didn't mean they could tolerate such a loss.

Their numbers were already limited, and puppet masters required an immense investment of resources to train.

Now, two of their finest had been slain. How could they possibly accept this?

A barefoot man fears nothing, but we barely have any shinobi to begin with, and now you're killing them too?

This is intolerable!

"Konoha has gone too far!"

"I propose we strike immediately, Kazekage-sama! Before they realize what's happening, we should hit them where it hurts!"

"That's right! We should kill that so-called elite jōnin, Hatake Sakumo! At least make them pay some interest on our losses!"

The room erupted in heated arguments.

But when the Third Kazekage spoke, the voices fell silent.

"Ebizō, what do you think?"

"Kazekage-sama, you must not act recklessly for now." Ebizō's voice was calm but firm. "My sister has already gone after Hatake Sakumo. According to our scouts, he just fought a battle and is completely exhausted. I believe Konoha's White Fang is as good as dead."

Ebizō smirked with confidence. "But that alone is not enough. That jōnin wasn't particularly outstanding in Konoha before, yet he was able to kill both 'Centipede' and 'Viper,' two of our master puppet users. This proves that Konoha's strength runs deeper than we imagined."

"But Konoha won't just sit idly by while Hatake Sakumo is killed. They will definitely send reinforcements, and whoever they send will be someone of significant standing, though likely not as strong as the Second Hokage."

"With my sister's strength, unless the Second Hokage himself arrives, anyone else who comes will die. Losing two elite jōnin… even Konoha won't be able to stomach that loss. And our village's honor will be preserved."

The Third Kazekage nodded in agreement. "Ebizō speaks wisely. With Elder Chiyo's strength—"

"As long as the Second Hokage doesn't personally intervene, no one else can stand against her. The White Secret Technique has been renowned throughout the shinobi world for years. Ordinary shinobi wouldn't be able to counter it. We only need to wait for good news—"

"Kazekage-sama! Bad news!!"

Before he could finish, a panicked shinobi barged into the room. His face was filled with anger and fear, but he wasted no time getting to the point.

"Elder Chiyo's mission failed! She was killed by Konoha's Uchiha Kagami! Our advance forces were nearly wiped out! I was the only one who managed to escape!"

A heavy silence filled the room.

"...What?!"

"Chiyo is dead?!"

"That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The Third Kazekage and Ebizō both shot to their feet.

Ebizō, in particular, was far more shaken and enraged. As Chiyo's younger brother, he refused to believe this could be true.

But no matter how much he wished otherwise… the fact remained.

After verification, Chiyo was confirmed dead.

"Uchiha Kagami! I will never forgive you!!"

Ebizō trembled with grief and fury, his eyes brimming with tears. "Kazekage-sama, you must go to the battlefield immediately and kill Uchiha Kagami! I swear this is not personal revenge—Sunagakure has suffered too great a loss! We cannot afford this!"

"But think about it," the Third Kazekage hesitated. "Uchiha Kagami and Hatake Sakumo nearly wiped out our entire advance force, yet they deliberately left a single survivor to report back. Doesn't that seem… suspicious? This could be a trap."

"And so what? You are the Strongest Kazekage!"

"With your Magnet Release, no one in the shinobi world dares to underestimate you—not even the Third Tsuchikage. Two mere jōnin, how could they possibly be your match?"

The Third Kazekage fell silent.

Just a moment ago, you were certain your sister would win.

Now she's dead, and you want me to go next?

You really think I'm going to just walk into the same fate?

Besides…

Uchiha Kagami wasn't just any jōnin.

He had once slain Kinkaku and driven Ginkaku into retreat.

Now, even Chiyo had fallen to him.

Even as the Strongest Kazekage, he had to admit—this was a dangerous opponent.

Honestly? He really didn't want to go.

Seeing his hesitation, Ebizō immediately broke into tears, nearly falling to his knees in desperation.

"Kazekage-sama, I have dedicated my life to Sunagakure…!"

"I may not have achieved much, but I have worked tirelessly for this village! Now, my sister is gone. Who else can take on this responsibility? Only you!"

"I swear, this isn't personal vengeance! Our losses are too great! If news of this spreads, the villagers will lose faith in us, and the village will fall into chaos! Sob!"

"We must give the people an answer. And only you can deliver it! It's not like I can go—I'm just an intelligence officer! Of course… if you insist on sending me, I will accompany you."

"I don't fear death… I only fear being blamed as a coward after I die. Sob sob~~!"

The Third Kazekage's expression grew darker with every word.

This old man and Chiyo had the highest prestige in the village—no one dared to contradict them.

And considering Sunagakure already had so few jōnin left…

With his Magnet Release, he was the only one capable of flight.

Looking at all the facts, there really was no one more suitable than him.

Now, he had no choice.

He had to go to the battlefield.

Without another word, he summoned his Iron Sand wings. With a powerful flap, he soared towards the battleground in Amegakure.

Of course…

He wasn't going entirely unwillingly.

As much as he hated to admit it, Ebizō was right.

The village had lost too much. Their advance forces were nearly annihilated. Two master puppet users had fallen. And now, even the esteemed Elder Chiyo was dead.

They had to answer for these losses.

And he wasn't afraid.

After all, he was the Strongest Kazekage.

His Magnet Release was the perfect balance of offense and defense—there was no true counter to it. Even if he couldn't win outright, he was confident he could at least escape unscathed.

With his Iron Sand wings carrying him swiftly—

He arrived at the battlefield in no time.

There, he spotted two young shinobi.

One in a standard green Konoha jōnin vest.

The other in a gray, old-fashioned battle coat.

The first had a tense expression. The second was calm and composed.

Yet neither showed any fear.

Uchiha Kagami smiled faintly.

"As expected of the Strongest Kazekage, you really dare to come here alone? Aren't you afraid this will be your last battle? If you die, Sunagakure might not survive the aftermath."

"The shinobi of Sunagakure do not fear death or sacrifice!"

The Third Kazekage's gaze was sharp with admiration—but in the next instant, his killing intent erupted.

"I am not some old man who only knows how to talk. And I don't think I'll be the one dying today."

"On the other hand, two genius Konoha shinobi… Do you really think you can stand against me?"

"I hope you don't wet your pants in fear."

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"

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