Chapter 26: The Legacy of the Mangekyō
The key point was, he was flying. His current method was just… unorthodox.
Hovering in the air, Akatsurugi carefully adjusted the flow of chakra, redirecting the Flame-Flame Fruit's energy. The jet of fire from his backside sputtered and died, replaced by controlled bursts of flame from the soles of his feet. He wrestled with the new balance, but as a shinobi with excellent core control, it didn't take him long to stabilize his flight path.
When he landed, he felt the significant chakra drain. It was substantial. Someone like Hatake Kakashi would have been completely depleted.
Akatsurugi wondered if it was just his perception. The Flame-Flame Fruit's abilities seemed intrinsically tied to chakra. Back when he first arrived, he could only produce a feeble spark, likely due to his raw spiritual energy barely activating it. Learning chakra refinement had given him the fuel to develop and release the fruit's power more effectively. And now, mastering chakra nature transformation felt like removing the final lock. Full elementalization and the fruit's basic abilities were finally his.
By that logic, would the same apply to Ryūjin Jakka?
But while the Flame-Flame Fruit's key was chakra, what was Ryūjin Jakka's? The soul? It did absorb a wisp of spiritual energy with every life it took.
Perhaps only by accumulating enough souls could he truly awaken the sealed sword.
For now, Akatsurugi felt a surge of confidence. With the Flame-Flame Fruit's development, he finally had a reliable means of self-preservation.
In the entire shinobi world, there were counters to him. Powerful Water Release users could suppress his flames. But he could fly. How many in the ninja world could truly challenge him in the air?
Furthermore, his new techniques—a fusion of nature-transformed chakra and the fruit's essence—transcended standard Fire Release. It wasn't an exaggeration to call it a Kekkei Genkai, a "Flame Release" all his own.
When he returned to camp, Uchiha Kagami was still absent. Akatsurugi didn't know what his teacher was discussing with Danzō, but that was the business of the high command. He was just a foot soldier; it was pointless to dwell on it.
As he was lost in thought, a Konoha shinobi appeared outside his tent. "Akatsurugi," the ninja stated, "Lord Danzō summons you."
Akatsurugi emerged and followed the masked shinobi to Danzō's tent. He found Danzō alone.
"Akatsurugi," Danzō began, "Kagami has informed me you possess Jōnin-level strength and has requested a joint recommendation for your promotion. Have you mastered chakra nature transformation?"
Akatsurugi hadn't expected this. "Lord Danzō, I have mastered it."
Danzō nodded. "Good. I will recommend you to Hiruzen. Also, Uchiha Kagami has been dispatched on a mission. You may make your own arrangements until your official appointment is processed."
Akatsurugi had no objections. Leaving Danzō's tent, he realized why he hadn't seen his teacher. Another mission.
The next few days would be relatively free. Akatsurugi planned to perfect his control over the Flame-Flame Fruit. Once a Jōnin, mission difficulty would spike, and finding time for dedicated training would be harder.
Two days later, Danzō summoned him again, this time holding an official scroll from the Hokage. From that moment, Akatsurugi was a full-fledged Jōnin of Konoha.
Danzō offered a rare, approving look. "Kagami has trained a fine disciple, Akatsurugi. In the future—"
He was cut off as a shinobi burst into the tent, dropping to one knee. "Lord Danzō! Emergency! The Third Raikage ambushed Lord Kagami! He's… he's critically wounded!"
"What?!" Danzō and Akatsurugi exclaimed in unison.
A team of medics rushed in, carrying a stretcher bearing Uchiha Kagami. One medic had a hand glowing green, pressed desperately against Kagami's chest, but the gaping, horrific wound in his abdomen was unmistakable. He was clinging to life by a thread, sustained only by the medic's frantic efforts.
"Kagami!" Danzō shouted, rushing to the stretcher's side. His face, usually a mask of stern control, was etched with genuine grief. While the village often sidelined the Uchiha, Kagami had always been the exception. He was one of them.
He, Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, and Akimichi Tokujō had been a team under the Second Hokage's direct command. They were his chosen guards, his students. The bond forged in those days was real. However complex his relationship with Hiruzen had become, his camaraderie with Kagami had been true.
Akatsurugi approached, his heart sinking as he looked at his teacher on the stretcher. A wave of sorrow washed over him. This man had been endlessly kind, teaching him wholeheartedly. And now, in the blink of an eye, he lay dying on a battlefield stretcher.
Ahem! Uchiha Kagami coughed, a faint flush of color returning to his pale face. He struggled to sit up, his eyes finding Danzō and Akatsurugi. "Kumo… has joined the war. The Third Raikage… is monstrously strong. His ninjutsu… is exceptional. I couldn't… breach his defense." He coughed again, a wet, rattling sound, and began relaying everything he'd learned about the Third Raikage, especially the terrifying "Hell Stab." He stated bluntly that even his Susano'o had been pierced.
"Kagami, enough… I'll record it," Danzō said, his voice thick with emotion. Seeing his comrade spending his final moments prioritizing intelligence was heartbreaking. He was fading fast.
Uchiha Kagami offered a weak, bitter smile. Then, with a sudden, shocking movement, he raised a trembling hand to his own face. There was a sickening, wet sound.
"Danzō," he gasped, his voice a ragged whisper. "You always… envied these eyes. I give you… one. I only ask… you shield my student, Akatsurugi… from the clan's pressure." He then turned his fading gaze to Akatsurugi. "Akatsurugi… congratulations on becoming a Jōnin. I'm afraid… I cannot witness your future growth. This Mangekyō… is my final gift. Carry this eye… let me see… how far you'll go."
He held out his hand. Nestled in his palm, glistening with blood, was a single, tomoe-less eye, its pupil shaped like a distinct, four-pointed pinwheel.
His arm fell limp. Uchiha Kagami, the shinobi who had transcended his clan's prejudices, was gone.
Silence engulfed the tent, broken only by the crackle of the lantern and the heavy breathing of those present. Danzō stared at the Mangekyō Sharingan in Kagami's hand, his expression unreadable. Akatsurugi stood frozen, the weight of his teacher's final act and his final, impossible gift settling upon him, a legacy etched in blood and sacrifice.