Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 120: Shisui, You're My Target

Konoha.

The Uchiha training grounds.

During the lazy afternoon break, the ever-restless Naruto would always look for something fun to do.

"Naruto-kun, what are you looking at?"

Little Hinata leaned closer, gazing up at the same tree that Naruto was staring at.

More precisely, Naruto was watching the cicadas chirping in the branches.

"Hey, Hinata," Naruto said offhandedly, his eyes still on the tree.

"Cicadas are really pitiful, you know?"

"My mom said cicadas stay underground for many years. When they finally climb out, they only live for a short time.

They get to see the world outside, but then they die so soon."

Hinata didn't quite understand. But if Naruto-kun thought it was pitiful, then it must be true.

…

"Why do you think a cicada's life only begins after it emerges?"

A familiar voice interrupted. A warm hand settled atop both Naruto's and Hinata's heads.

Uchiha Kagami looked at the cicada and spoke evenly.

"Maybe, to them, their life underground was their true existence. Perhaps they were quite content there."

"And this brief time they have outside is just for the sake of continuing their species."

"To fulfill that purpose and pass on… I'd say that's a pretty perfect and happy life."

Naruto turned to look at him, his blue eyes clear and innocent.

"Really?"

Kagami gave a faint smile and shook his head.

"I don't know. I'm not a cicada."

"I just want to remind you not to judge other beings by your own standards."

"And don't waste your time seeking validation from those who don't matter."

"…Huh?"

Naruto's eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"I don't get it, Sensei. What are you talking about?"

Kagami ruffled Naruto's hair, giving him a light smack on the back of his head.

"You don't need to understand. Just remember it."

…

"Sensei!"

Sasuke walked over, clearly seeking attention.

"Mm."

Kagami glanced at Sasuke and nodded.

This kid worked hard. Kagami trained him at the same intensity he endured when he was younger.

But while Kagami had been driven by internal and external pressures, Sasuke simply pushed himself.

What Kagami liked most about Sasuke was his pride in his clan.

Plus, the boy's tactical mind was sharp—he picked up Kagami's underhanded tricks all too well.

If only Shisui could be as obedient as Sasuke, Kagami thought.

…

Kagami squatted down, checking Sasuke's bone structure.

In the shinobi world, children didn't stunt their growth from training too early. With proper conditioning and medicinal baths, Sasuke's physical strength already rivaled others his age. Only Naruto and Karin were slightly ahead.

When talent is combined with hard work, the results are simply unstoppable.

"Before long, you can start training Eight Gates with Might Guy," Kagami said.

"Ugh, no way! I want to train with you!" Sasuke protested.

He'd seen Guy in his green jumpsuit running around the village, and it wasn't exactly his idea of cool.

What Sasuke aspired to be was a powerful and elegant Uchiha, like his Sensei!

But Kagami shook his head.

"You're too weak, Sasuke."

"I've taught you the basics. You need to open at least four gates before you're eligible for my next level of training."

…

Sasuke pouted, clearly not happy.

Suddenly, the sound of clinking chains broke the air.

"Curly Demon King, taste my Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

Karin cried out, swinging her chains.

But Kagami caught them effortlessly, tossing her aside.

The red-haired girl slammed into a tree, leaves scattering everywhere.

"Karin, don't imitate Kushina's way of speaking. You don't have a Flying Thunder God husband to back you up," Kagami said.

"Ugh…" Karin pulled her head out from the tree and shook it off.

Her face turned red at Kagami's words, and she gave Sasuke a dreamy look.

"Sasuke-kun, would you learn Flying Thunder God for me?"

Sasuke's face darkened. "I'd like to learn it, but not for you!"

"I want to learn it too! Isn't it my dad's technique? Shouldn't I learn it first?" Naruto chimed in.

…

"Sorry, Naruto.

With your scatterbrained nature, you'll never learn Flying Thunder God, and even if you do, it won't help you much.

Go master your clan's rasengan first," Kagami said.

He scanned the training grounds. Currently, only Naruto's small group and Hinata and Neji were present. The older kids were all out on missions.

Shisui had asked everyone to gather here today.

By the way, a few days ago, Shisui received a gift: the sword Sode no Shirayuki.

Apparently, it was given because that date marked the day Shisui would have died in another timeline.

"Shisui, explain it to them," Kagami said.

At seventeen, Shisui was already a Konoha jōnin. Without relying on Kotoamatsukami, he was much stronger than in the original timeline.

He had mastered Flying Thunder God.

While Kakashi was still at the stage of using Flying Thunder God Slash, Shisui had already advanced to Flying Thunder God: Second Step—essentially flashing twice in quick succession.

His reaction speed was only slightly behind Minato's, which was impressive for someone once known as Shunshin no Shisui.

Naturally, his title had changed.

He was now called the Black Flash of the Uchiha.

Together with Konoha's Yellow Flash and Neko no Sato's Orange Flash, Left Wheel, they were the Three Great Flashes of the Land of Fire.

Shisui hadn't liked the title at first. But without using Flying Thunder God…

He couldn't outrun Left Wheel's speed in a straight line!

The cat hadn't been lying—eating more really did make him run faster.

Now weighing half a ton, Left Wheel had hit a plateau and couldn't gain any more weight.

…

"My brother has decided to host a grand tournament across the shinobi world," Shisui began.

"There are no age or strength restrictions. Teaming up is allowed. Anyone can participate.

You're all familiar with the academy's ranking system, right?

The tournament will have three stages.

Anyone who survives the first stage—even if they're from another nation—will qualify to become a registered shinobi of Konoha."

Shisui spoke slowly, pausing for questions.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses.

"So it's a selection process.

May I be bold enough to speculate that Kagami-sama intends to use this as a precursor to uniting the shinobi world?"

Shisui looked at Kagami, unsure how to respond.

Kagami shook his head.

"Unifying the shinobi world was never hindered by the so-called Four Nations Alliance or the First Hokage—oh, I mean the First Wood Shadow.

What an unimaginative name."

"You don't need to overthink it. For me, this is just a way to kill time—a stage play for my entertainment."

…

Stars practically sparkled in Sasuke's eyes.

This was what he had always dreamed of.

The entire shinobi world—just a stage for the Uchiha to shine!

"Can we participate too?!" Naruto's fists clenched, his excitement reaching a fever pitch.

"I'll prove to everyone that I'm a ninja greater than my dad!"

"Tch, we haven't even graduated yet. You're not even a ninja," Sasuke retorted, pouring cold water on Naruto's enthusiasm.

…

"I said there are no restrictions.

Naruto, of course you can participate," Kagami said with a faint smile.

The reason Kagami excluded Hashirama from participating wasn't solely because of his strength.

It was mostly because of his personality. If he were involved, the fights would lose their edge.

Shisui looked uneasy.

"Brother… are you serious?"

Yamato and the others were one thing, but Naruto and his group were only six or seven years old!

Kagami remained calm.

"When I was their age, I was already on the battlefield."

Though Kagami said that, he didn't intend to truly endanger the kids. This was just a controlled-risk opportunity for them.

If any real danger arose, Kagami would intervene, and so would Minato.

Shisui, you're the real target here, yet here you are, worrying about everyone else.

End of Chapter

---

Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin

[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]

*Thank you*