TranslatorFanfictBlack tea is not sweet

Chapter 794: Kagami: I Thought It Was a Sleeping Cop!

Chapter 794: Kagami: I Thought It Was a Sleeping Cop!


On the first day of the preliminary rounds, the fifth match, Konoha’s rising star and one of the favorites to win the championship, Uchiha Kagami, finally stepped onto the stage.


The audience immediately erupted into cheers, quickly creating an electrifying atmosphere.


This showed just how popular Kagami was in Konoha Village right now.


Kagami entered the arena first, assigned number 2, waiting for his opponent to arrive.


◆━⊰✧⊱━◆


In the distance,


The Sunagakure group, preparing themselves, also watched with great curiosity.


What else could they do? Sunagakure wanted to obtain the Rinnegan or Konoha’s secret ninjutsu, and to do so, they at least needed to make it into the top two.


Therefore, they had to closely monitor their strong competitors.


Although Sunagakure didn’t have the informational advantage of the host village, Konoha, which knew all the top participants, they certainly weren’t unfamiliar with Konoha’s well-known core ninja.


And Kagami, without a doubt, was one of the best—someone who needed to be watched especially closely.


"Your friend is about to take the stage."


Chiyo nudged Danzō beside her and whispered.


This time, more than twenty members of the Sunagakure delegation had arrived in Konoha, but only she, Danzō, and five others had actually registered for the Ninja Championship.


The other three Sunagakure ninja were also veterans long experienced in battle, but they were only average Jonin-level.


The other eight elite Jonin didn’t register—they were hidden among the delegation and spectators, ready to assist Chiyo and the others in escaping Konoha at the end.


Without Kage-level strength, even if they participated, it would be difficult to win all the way through.


Chiyo and Danzō both knew this, so it was better to keep the elite ninja as backup forces.


Of course, all of this was contingent on them winning the championship and claiming the most valuable prize.


"Hmph! Just a former teammate. I don’t feel anything for him anymore, especially since I lost my eye because of him..."


Danzō scoffed quietly, replying in a vague tone.


"He’s much more popular than you just because he’s better-looking?"


"Impossible! He’s only slightly more handsome than me..."


Danzō was deeply dissatisfied.


In terms of appearance, in his youth he had a handsome, honest face. Though slightly inferior to Kagami, the difference wasn’t huge—he could still be considered one of the most handsome men in Konoha.


Far better than that monkey Hiruzen.


"Alright, I didn’t say you were ugly. More importantly, who’s his opponent? Do you know him?"


Chiyo calmed Danzō with a smile while focusing intently on Kagami’s opponent.


"Mudō. Seems he’s the head of Hōzuki Castle in the Land of Grass. I saw information about him once while on a mission there." Danzō said, recognizing Kagami’s opponent.


"The head of the castle in the Land of Grass? That prison town?"


"Yes."


"How strong is this guy?"


"He was already a Jonin years ago—now he’s probably an elite Jonin."


Being able to manage an entire prison city alone clearly meant Mudō wasn’t weak.


Don’t think there are no escape attempts in the ninja world. Even with their chakra sealed by secret techniques, many criminals still manage to escape.


As the warden, if Mudō didn’t have some tricks up his sleeve, he’d have been killed long ago.


"Elite Jonin, huh? Good—this will test Kagami’s current strength level..."


Chiyo’s mind raced.


She hadn’t expected Kagami to face such a strong opponent in his first match.


As an elite Jonin mastering inherited secret techniques, every generation’s head of Hōzuki Castle was considered one of the rare powerful fighters below Kage level.


This should be enough to test Kagami’s true strength, right?


"Then you might be disappointed."


"What do you mean?"


"I mean, that Hōzuki Castle warden is no match for Kagami at all..."


Danzō didn’t know how strong Kagami was now.


But he knew exactly how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan was—a strength beyond the comprehension of ordinary ninja.


As far as he knew, Kagami had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!


"I know that. But at least they’ll fight for a few rounds—we’ll definitely get to see his strength. Are you saying this match will end quickly?"


"I’m not sure, but it seems it’ll be extremely fast..."


"How fast?"


"You’ll see once you watch..."


"..."


As Danzō and Chiyo quietly analyzed and conversed.


◆━⊰✧⊱━◆


On the arena.


Kagami and Castle Warden Mudō were already in position, ready to fight.


"Never expected my first match would be against the famous Uchiha ninja!"


Mudō looked at Kagami across from him and sighed, with a slightly mocking tone.


Truthfully, he didn’t know much about Kagami—he only knew he was an Uchiha ninja and a student of the Second Hokage; but just those two identities alone were incredibly impressive!


Like a disciple taught by Bodhi himself—could such a person possibly be a loser?


Even if he were a loser, it would only be relative.


Don’t look at Mudō, who was considered one of the best experts in the Land of Grass—but in Konoha, he might not even pass the Anbu captain exam.


"The draw was fair, no cheating." Kagami explained seriously.


"I know, I’m just complaining about my bad luck!"


Mudō certainly knew the draw was fair. At least for himself, Konoha didn’t need to use petty tricks in a place like this.


"Castle Warden Mudō, please guide me!"


Kagami politely bowed, then immediately entered a defensive stance.


"I dare not guide the Second Hokage’s student, but for the survival of the Mudō clan, I will use my full strength in this battle."


Mudō knew he likely couldn’t defeat Kagami.


That man grew up surrounded by ninja techniques. Even a single high-level Uchiha fire technique was no weaker than their inherited secret techniques.


Their starting points and accumulated strength were too far apart.


Mudō hadn’t come to the World’s Greatest Ninja Championship to win.


He had realized the changes sweeping across the ninja world.


He guessed Konoha would soon dominate the entire world.


To preserve his clan’s status as castle warden and gain advantages in the new system Konoha would lead, as head of Hōzuki Castle, he needed to demonstrate certain strength and value now.


Even if he lost, as long as he showed his strength and worth, this ninja championship journey would be worthwhile!


"So, Kagami, please use your full strength—don’t hold back!"


"Understood!"


Kagami answered firmly, giving slight praise for Mudō’s bold attitude.


"Both sides ready!"


The ninja referee began giving instructions.


"Three, two, one..."


"Begin!"


As soon as the signal was given, both sides attacked instantly.


Mudō immediately averted his gaze, not daring to look Kagami in the eyes. The Sharingan’s genjutsu was unmatched in the world—he wasn’t foolish enough to stare directly into a Sharingan.


At the same time, he didn’t hesitate and immediately unleashed his strongest inherited fire technique.


"Katon: Gokatei! (Fire Release: Hellfire Prison)"


Deep crimson chakra flames exploded outward, forming a solid fire whip that rose like a fire serpent, dancing and expanding beside Mudō.


As known, ninja techniques that alter chakra’s nature to become visible to the naked eye were already considered extraordinary.


Let alone this Gokatei technique—it could even restrain Kage-level experts, making it worthy of being called a secret technique.


In some ways, it was almost as strong as Adamantine Chains.


"Kagami, be careful!"


Mudō shouted, deliberately warning him. He didn’t want to kill the Second Hokage’s student—if that happened, the entire Hōzuki Castle might be wiped out.


Yet, he didn’t hold back the technique at all.


The next second, the fully charged Gokatei transformed into a red fire chain engulfing Kagami, bringing intense heat and overwhelming force.


The stunning visual effect made most of the audience tense.


But compared to the tense audience,


The one even more confused was Mudō himself.


When he unleashed his technique, he imagined countless ways his opponent might counter.


But in the end, he realized—he had miscalculated!


At that moment, a giant orange skeletal Susano’o claw rapidly formed and swung toward him.


The Susano’o’s bone claw was immensely powerful!


Its terrifying speed and force shattered layers of air like a massive wall. All the Gokatei’s fire chains instantly shattered—like an ice statue hitting steel—and exploded into countless tiny sparks!


"What?!?"


"Wait—I—!"


Mudō was utterly shocked. He immediately wanted to surrender and hastily retreated to dodge.


Unfortunately, it was too late.


In the blink of an eye, the Susano’o’s bone claw destroyed all the fire techniques and struck Mudō.


The immense force exploded outward, and Mudō was flung to the right like a bullet.


He flew dozens of meters and crashed hard into the right-side wall!


He was severely injured, knocked unconscious, and completely lost his combat ability...


Kagami truly admired Mudō, and he followed his request—he didn’t hold back and attacked seriously.


He activated Susano’o immediately!


The inherent arrogance of the Uchiha and Kagami’s cautious behavioral habits weren’t contradictory.


One was natural disposition, the other a learned habit.


He just hadn’t expected that the seemingly powerful fire prison technique would be so fragile, shattered instantly by a single swipe of the Susano’o’s bone claw.


Thankfully, Kagami held back slightly and pulled back just in time.


Otherwise, the Susano’o’s bone claw could’ve killed his opponent in one hit!


Kagami wouldn’t show mercy to enemy village ninja.


But against regular participants, he bore no ill will, so killing wasn’t necessary.


◆━⊰✧⊱━◆


The match was over.


Too quickly!


So fast that the referee and most of the audience didn’t even have time to react.


They had initially seen Mudō’s fire technique looking incredibly strong and assumed there’d be an intense, thrilling battle. After all, this was only the first day of the preliminaries—most spectators wanted to see high-quality, exciting fights.


Who would’ve thought the match would end in an instant?


Come on, they hadn’t even taken their pants off—why so fast?


Yet, Kagami’s fans, who had already realized what happened, immediately began cheering and celebrating enthusiastically.


They didn’t care whether their idol won quickly or slowly—they only cared that their idol won.


But for the other participants, Kagami’s performance in this fight was truly a bit terrifying. It instantly made everyone feel the terrifying pressure of the Uchiha clan.


"That?"


Chiyo’s pupils shrank in shock.


"That’s Susano’o!"


Danzō gritted his teeth—he recognized it instantly.


Even though he hadn’t stabbed it with a kunai, he was certain it was real Susano’o!


"Is that Mangekyō Sharingan power? Sensei seemed to have died from Susano’o’s power..."


"Don’t praise that bald guy—he’s no match for Uchiha Madara’s Susano’o!"


"You... you can’t insult sensei like that... never mind. So Kagami also has the Mangekyō Sharingan?"


"Yes."


"No wonder he suddenly became so strong—this will be a bit troublesome!"


Chiyo frowned.


She had thought Kagami’s strength was only elite Jonin level, but she never expected the man to be this powerful.


"I already told you. He and Sarutobi Hiruzen will be tough opponents on your path to champion—they won’t be easy to defeat."


"Can I win?"


"There’s a chance. You’ve mastered Tailed Beast power—it’s not impossible to win. You just need to plan carefully..."


"What’s the plan?"


"I know their weaknesses. Later, you just need to do this... then that... then this..."


Danzō, the advisor, began giving detailed instructions and advice.


Though his heart was filled with guilt and a hint of satisfaction, to complete his mission, Danzō still chose to betray his friends, revealing their weaknesses one by one.


"Why are you smiling while talking?"


"Nothing, I was just thinking of something pleasant..."


◆━⊰✧⊱━◆


At the same time, on the high podium.


Lux and the others were also watching Kagami’s first victory.


"Kagami can use Susano’o?"


Lux was slightly curious. If he remembered correctly, when Kagami awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he only had one eye.


Logically, an Uchiha ninja who had never obtained a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan shouldn’t be able to activate Susano’o.


How did Kagami manage it?


"I had the Uchiha clan implant another Mangekyō Sharingan into him, and I also borrowed Yin power from Madara’s Rinnegan—only then could I help him activate Susano’o."


Tobirama already knew the limitations of a single Sharingan eye.


Without Susano’o, Mangekyō power would be reduced by over half.


So some time ago, he experimented with various methods to help Kagami activate Susano’o.


Fortunately, Kagami’s own spiritual strength was already strong enough—he only needed opportunity and a key. With two supports—one from the second Mangekyō Sharingan and one from Rinnegan Yin power—breaking the Susano’o activation limit wasn’t difficult.


"Oh, so you’re really spoiling Kagami!"


"It’s not spoiling. Helping a student develop to their fullest potential is a teacher’s duty."


Tobirama spoke nonsense with a serious face.


"What? Are you really set on making Kagami the next Hokage?"


"There’s that thought. And evil Madara had the same idea..."


"What about Danzō then?"


"Hmm—"


Tobirama fell silent. Right now, Kagami indeed seemed like the best Hokage candidate; but Danzō in this world wasn’t bad either. Although Danzō in the original world had done many wrong things, this timeline had changed.


Parallel World 2’s younger Danzō not only showed outstanding performance but had also silently endured suffering as a spy.


He had once made great promises to him.


He couldn’t dismiss all his sacrifices over unclear accusations!


"Why aren’t you speaking anymore?"


"Lord, do you think the Hokage position could be changed into a rotating system?"


Tobirama’s sincere question slightly surprised Lux.


Then, he couldn’t help but laugh.


Tobirama could always come up with something new!