Kagaya returned home in a daze. He vaguely recalled that when his chakra natures were revealed, his tall, imposing father had hugged him tightly, overjoyed.
Afterward, Takayuki instructed Kagaya to focus on practicing hand-sign speed and fire nature transformation in the coming days, putting lightning and earth on hold for now. After all, as an Uchiha, fire-based ninjutsu were the most prevalent, while lightning and earth techniques were scarce, if they existed at all.
Meanwhile, Shisui had successfully arranged to meet with Itachi. Looking at him, Shisui spoke with a serious gaze.
"Itachi, I tested Kagaya."
Itachi nodded, his expression neutral. "And the result?"
Shisui looked at Itachi with a hint of amusement. "He's… kind of like you? Or at least, close."
Itachi didn't understand what Shisui meant and gave a wry smile. "Shisui, what are you talking about? Be clearer."
Shisui chuckled lightly. "I used genjutsu to probe him. He's just a kid who hasn't even touched ninjutsu yet, so he didn't notice my technique at all. In the genjutsu, I asked why he's trying to get close to you. Guess what he said? He said it's for self-preservation."
Itachi looked at Shisui in surprise. "He figured it out?"
Shisui nodded. "Yes, he must have noticed the growing tension between the Uchiha and Konoha. He might even have guessed that the clan leader—your father—could send you to Konoha's side. That way, you'd be both an Uchiha and a Konoha shinobi. To survive the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, getting close to you is a smart move. I never expected the Uchiha to produce another child like you, with such sharp insight and a terrifying sense of the bigger picture at such a young age."
Shisui let out a sigh of relief. They had suspected Kagaya might be a spy planted by Konoha, but now it seemed otherwise. Instead, they had discovered something pleasantly surprising.
"This is good. It's a boon for the Uchiha. Once that kid grows up, if anything happens to us, he could protect both the Uchiha and Konoha."
Itachi, however, wasn't as optimistic as Shisui. He shook his head. "No, Shisui. Having someone like him is good for both the Uchiha and Konoha, but don't you see? His mindset is too pessimistic. He said he's approaching me for self-preservation. What kind of situation requires self-preservation? In his view, the Uchiha and Konoha are destined to clash violently."
Shisui sighed helplessly. "Itachi, you know as well as I do that the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha is growing increasingly tense. It's not surprising he'd make such a prediction."
Pausing, Shisui looked toward the Hokage's building in the distance, his voice heavy with worry. "The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha is like a taut string, and it won't hold for long. At most, two years before it snaps. We have to ease the tension before then, or you know what will happen, Itachi."
Itachi spoke with firm resolve. "I won't let that happen!"
The next day, Kagaya woke up early as usual, got ready, and headed to the Ninja Academy to start his day.
For Kagaya, the lessons at the academy remained predictably dull. He spent nearly the entire day daydreaming.
Soon, school was over.
This time, Kagaya didn't go with Sasuke to his house to find Itachi. Instead, he returned home obediently, waiting for the person he had made an agreement with yesterday.
Shortly after, the door opened, and Takayuki stood at the entrance to Kagaya's room. "Uchiha Shisui from the Anbu is here for you. Are you close with him?"
Kagaya answered honestly, "When I used to go to Sasuke's house, I'd occasionally see Senior Shisui visiting Senior Itachi. Over time, we got familiar. He's here today because I asked him to train me."
Takayuki nodded, understanding. Kagaya's relationship with Itachi was only surface-level, but he and Sasuke were close enough to be considered good friends, a fact many were aware of.
"Uchiha Shisui is a true genius, known as 'Shisui of the Body Flicker,' a title he earned during the Third Great Ninja War. He's a genuine powerhouse. Learn well from him."
Kagaya replied, "Yes, yes, I will, Father."
As he spoke, Kagaya got up and headed outside.
At the door, Shisui was dressed in his usual Anbu attire. Seeing Kagaya, he waved. "Come with me."
Kagaya followed.
Soon, they arrived at a clearing in a forest, with several targets set up in the center. Shisui pulled a kunai from the pouch at his waist.
"Do you know how to use a kunai?"
"Yes," Kagaya replied.
Before learning ninjutsu, Kagaya had spent every day training his physical stamina and shuriken skills. He was not only familiar with kunai but quite skilled with them.
Shisui smiled faintly and handed the kunai to Kagaya. "Try it."
Kagaya didn't say much. This was training, and showing Shisui his abilities would help tailor the instruction.
Taking the kunai, Kagaya aimed at the distant target and threw it with force.
"Swish!"
It hit the bullseye perfectly!
A hint of approval flashed in Shisui's eyes. He pulled out two more kunai and handed them to Kagaya. "How about this?"
Kagaya took them and threw again.
"Swish! Swish!"
Both kunai landed together, striking the bullseye.
This time, the approval in Shisui's eyes was even more evident. "To achieve this at your age… you really are a genius."
Kagaya felt a bit embarrassed. "I can't compare to you, Senior Shisui."
That was the truth. Kagaya knew enough about "Naruto" to understand that, in Uchiha history, Shisui and Itachi ranked among the top geniuses—true prodigies with no exaggeration.
As for himself? His ninjutsu talent was still uncertain. He had only just begun learning, and he didn't know whether his "genius" title held any real weight.
Shisui looked at Kagaya encouragingly. "You can be more confident."
With that, he pulled out three kunai and handed them to Kagaya. "Try this."
Then, with incredible speed, Shisui retrieved the kunai from the distant target.
Kagaya took a deep breath. Two kunai were already near his current limit. Three kunai…
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
He threw them simultaneously, but this time, only one hit the bullseye.
Shisui didn't reprimand him. Instead, he said approvingly, "Not bad. Your kunai skills are impressive!"
Kagaya gave a small smile.
Shisui continued, "I've seen your kunai skills. Now, do you know how to channel chakra? Wait—no, you already have chakra?"
Kagaya nodded. "Yes, Senior."
Shisui chuckled and shook his head. "I underestimated you. Do you know your chakra natures yet?"
Kagaya raised a hand, a faint blue chakra gathering at his fingertips. "Yes, my father tested me yesterday. They're fire, lightning, and earth."
Shisui looked at Kagaya in surprise. "Three natures?"
Kagaya nodded. "Yes."