Naruto: The Hidden Shadow Style

From Haseo's memories, the fates of the Second Hokage's disciples were actually quite fortunate—they all eventually became pillars of Konoha. Regardless of their causes of death, they had all lived long enough to be considered "elderly" by ninja standards.

Leaving aside those two who later became advisors and Danzo, who became Konoha's dark side, even Torifu Akimichi was still around during the Nine-Tails attack event, fighting alongside the Third Hokage.

...Everything except Kagami Uchiha.

Haseo remembered clearly that Kagami Uchiha indeed died young—only slightly over twenty years old. Yet in his mind, he wouldn't expect someone with Susano'o to die so young. So only after Sansho revealed this shocking truth did Haseo finally understand—it had all happened right in front of him.

Obviously, there was something wrong with his "memory." When a Uchiha faced circumstances dire enough to necessitate using Susano'o in battle, there were basically only two possible outcomes: either dominating mercilessly or getting killed.

Well, it wasn't like it changed anything.

Kagami was at best an acquaintance to Haseo, so regarding the news of his death, he felt merely astonished—but not particularly affected… Especially since he already had previously witnessed the death of the Second Hokage firsthand, always keeping in mind one fundamental truth:

On the battlefield, anyone might die. Thus, Kagami's death wasn't really unexpected.

"The camp got ambushed suddenly, the highest commanding officer was killed—the morale of Konoha will definitely drop again, and the newly-stabilized power structure within Konoha would inevitably fall into chaos once more… The Second Kazekage indeed delivered the fatal blow." Despite being a serious setback for Konoha, Haseo couldn't help but admit that the timing chosen by the Second Kazekage was perfect.

Based on Sansho's report, naturally Haseo assumed Kagami Uchiha must've fallen to the hands of the Second Kazekage.

But Sansho shook his head. "According to descriptions from ninja who witnessed last night's combat at the Forward Command Post, it was actually a young ninja who played the critical role in that engagement—who successfully overpowered Kagami Uchiha. He was about your age, wielding iron sand in battle, holding off—and even overpowering—Kagami's Susano'o."

Haseo opened his mouth… but no words came out.

Another name from legend. From this description alone, he immediately understood who that Sand ninja battling Kagami Uchiha had been last night. Although Haseo didn't know the name of that "young ninja," he knew exactly his future identity and title—the Third Kazekage, acknowledged as the strongest Wind Shadow in history.

Nothing said prodigies had to come from Konoha alone. Therefore, someone suddenly rising to prominence like this would be good fortune for Sunagakure, yet a terrifying nightmare for Konoha.

The Third Kazekage, with his Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, theoretically had the potential to stand up to Susanoo. Considering Kagami Uchiha's version of Susano'o wasn't very advanced yet, if his opponent had already mastered magnet techniques, then that future Wind Shadow might even hold superiority in abilities.

But then Haseo realized something was off about Sansho's way of describing things. What did she mean by a "ninja around his age"? Did this teacher actually expect him to rival the Third Kazekage?

Was she joking?

He hesitated to dwell on it, so he continued, "The Forward Command Post suffered heavy losses? Surely not everyone—including Kagami Uchiha—is dead... And even if Kagami Uchiha is gone, how can the Uchiha Clan still act so recklessly at a time like this?"

Haseo had already heard from Sansho that his techniques were particularly effective against the Sharingan. The implication was clear—the Uchiha were taking an openly opposing stance toward the village… all of which was a direct reaction to Kagami Uchiha's death.

"I can only say that Konoha suffered grave losses last night. As for the Uchiha issue… let's just say Kagami Uchiha's death came at the worst possible timing," Sansho said helplessly.

"Grave losses"—this phrase probably wasn't much different from saying they were nearly wiped out.

Unlike Haseo, Sansho had known Kagami Uchiha before. Yet she showed little grief—not out of coldness, but because she'd endured too many such tragedies already. At this moment, she had no choice but to focus entirely on managing this mess involving the Uchiha.

It really was a matter of timing.

Kagami Uchiha was the strongest link between the Uchiha and Konoha. His status as a second-generation disciple connected the otherwise loosely affiliated Uchiha Clan with the Hidden Leaf more closely than ever. From Haseo's impression, even if Kagami wasn't the official clan leader, as a second-generation disciple, he had become the de facto leading figure and symbol of the Uchiha. And now he was dead.

A bond held together by just one man was always bound to be fragile.

Even though Kagami Uchiha died in open battle, even average ninja couldn't help questioning the Third Hokage's response and handling of the situation. The Uchiha were undoubtedly reading far more into it.

After Konoha's founding and the establishment of the Five Great Nations system, the age of chaos ended, and people yearned for peace and stability. Yet at that time, Madara Uchiha suddenly betrayed Konoha. He regretted becoming part of the Senju family and decided to lead the Uchiha away from the village.

At that time, the Uchiha responded like this: Oh, that's what you think? Then go play on your own.

The Uchiha refused to go along with him.

Later, when Madara showed hostility toward Konoha and attempted an invasion, he was already completely estranged from the Uchiha Clan. Thus, after the First Hokage defeated him, although no Uchiha would publicly say something like "Good riddance," inwardly most thought Madara deserved to die.

Even though the Uchiha accepted the current order, their primary reason was weariness from the warring era. From beginning to end, the Uchiha lacked that sense of integration with the village that the Senju naturally possessed. These were deep-rooted traits shaped by leadership charisma, inclusiveness, and clan characteristics—things not easily changed.

The Uchiha were solitary and proud. Though as brave in battle as the Senju, the Uchiha never fully identified with the village itself. Together with Madara's betrayal, all of this kept the village wary of the Uchiha.

At a time like this, Kagami Uchiha appeared. He was actually an extraordinary individual—born into the Uchiha Clan, yet he became the disciple of the Second Hokage, who had hated the Uchiha the most.

Now that was a political signal anyone could see! Even a blind man could tell the cunning Second was showing goodwill toward the Uchiha clan. And there was absolutely no reason for the Uchiha to reject such kindness. Even after the Second's death, his policies lived on through his disciple Kagami Uchiha, who inherited part of the Second's legacy. As long as Kagami held a high-ranking position in Konoha, the clan would always have hope for change. That was just human nature.

But now Kagami's death made everything impossible. There was no longer a Second Hokage, nor would there ever be another Kagami Uchiha within the Uchiha Clan... Without bonds formed from shared experiences and battles fought side by side, who could expect the Third Hokage to trust other Uchiha members as much as he trusted Kagami?

Nobody would ever place that kind of trust again.

Later generations of Uchiha members never achieved the same political standing as Kagami Uchiha once held. In many ways, the tragedy of the Uchiha clan's eventual annihilation began with Kagami's unexpected death.

Those Uchiha who had truly survived the warring age and witnessed the reigns of two Hokages ought to have clearly seen how drastically their position had changed. Thus, they grew anxious—and eager to act. Now Konoha had a new leader. The Third Hokage wasn't the same as the First or Second. His position remained unstable, and his authority insufficient. To put it bluntly: if either the First or the Second were still in charge, Kagami Uchiha's death wouldn't have mattered—the Uchiha wouldn't even dare think of rebellion.

"In short," explained Sansho, "bringing back some ninja from the Front Line doesn't mean starting a direct conflict with the Uchiha clan… It hasn't come to that yet. It's just a safeguard in case the worst happens. Armed confrontation remains our last resort." After clarifying the general situation, Sansho led Haseo deeper into the underground space.

Indeed, her explanation was logical, Konoha's actions were reasonable, and no one really wanted an actual civil war.

The problem, however, was that the situation would escalate beyond anyone's control. What Konoha viewed as a simple precautionary measure, the Uchiha clan would interpret with suspicion—further intensifying tensions.

"This internal conflict at such a critical time could be deadly," Haseo couldn't help but think. Just like he'd hoped to stay out of all this, fate still pulled him straight into the mess.

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