Lanzd of Fire, Konoha Village
The grand banquet was imminent. Tomorrow would be Princess Tsunade's hundred-day celebration, with high-ranking officials from the Five Great Shinobi Villages gathering in Konoha once again.
The streets were adorned with floral arrangements and bustling with activity. Countless shops had sprung up, colorful welcome banners fluttering in the wind - a scene of grand spectacle.
Atop a certain tall building, a solitary figure stood on the rooftop in contemplation, silently gazing down at the extraordinarily lively village.
Lights decorated the streets with vibrant colors. The evening breeze carried faint laughter as he watched quietly, as if he were a person from another world.
After an unknown length of time, another figure appeared beside him with a "swish", breaking the silence.
"Kagami, let's eat together after this ends." The newcomer spoke with a smile, the faint scent of alcohol wafting from him the moment he appeared.
"Clan Head... you've been drinking?" Uchiha Kagami's tone carried surprise.
"Tsk! How many times must I say this? Call me 'Captain' when we're outside! 'Clan Head' sounds too distant!"
Uchiha Hikaku waved his hand, draping an arm over Kagami's shoulder. His cheeks were flushed red. "Besides, you're now one of Lord Tobirama's direct disciples. In terms of status, you far surpass this mere clan leader... hic... When you eventually join the higher ranks and become Hokage, I might have to address you as... Lord Kagami! Hahaha..."
Kagami slightly furrowed his brows. "Captain Hikaku, tonight is a critical moment. Security duties are of utmost importance. The banquet hasn't concluded yet - how could you drink alcohol?"
"Ah! Right, right! Lord Kagami's reprimand is justified!" Hikaku slapped his own face, grinning. "I neglected my duty! Deserve punishment! Deserve punishment! I'll toast you three drinks later!"
Kagami subtly shifted his shoulder forward, creating distance between them. "Captain, I appreciate the sentiment, but I wish to be alone afterward."
Hikaku paused, sensing Kagami's unusual mood. "Kagami, are you angry? Come now, such a festive occasion! I was just joking under the influence! Don't take it to heart."
"I'm not angry. I simply want to be alone." Kagami shook his head, forcing a strained smile. "I'll gather with everyone another time."
"Alright then... don't dwell on it..." Hikaku patted Kagami's shoulder before leaving, muttering to himself, "What's happening today? First Shisui skips the gathering, now even Kagami..."
After Hikaku left, Kagami flicked his sleeve toward the vacated spot. A wind release chakra gust dispersed all traces of alcohol.
His gaze regained its tranquility, though loneliness lingered beneath the calm as he looked down at the streets again.
Suddenly, his expression shifted. He instantly vanished, leaving only a slowly falling leaf where he'd stood.
A conflict erupted between Kirigakure's delegation and villagers.
"Say 'pencil mustache' again, you brat!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu clenched his fist, glaring fiercely at a child across the street, cross-shaped veins bulging on his forehead. Behind him, several Kiri guards detected his anger and quickly formed a security perimeter, isolating the growing crowd of villagers.
Beside Gengetsu, a black-haired man sighed helplessly and pressed a hand on the Mizukage's shoulder. "You're the Second Mizukage now. Show some dignity."
"Yuki Sora! Are you taking the brat's side too? Don't you know my lifelong pet peeve?" Gengetsu's anger remained unabated. "I said not to mention that nickname in front of me! This brat keeps shouting it! This is deliberate provocation!"
Across the street, a child hid behind two Konoha ninja, making mocking faces.
The black-haired man scanned the increasingly tense surroundings. "We're guests in Konoha. Why bother with a child?"
"Fine, fine! You're the magnanimous one! You're the diplomat!" Gengetsu shook his sleeves irritably, venting on his companion. "If you're so outstanding, why did the old man choose me as Mizukage before dying?"
At that moment, Uchiha Kagami landed lightly in the crowd, hand resting on his sword hilt. "Disorder is prohibited within Konoha!"
Gengetsu glanced over casually, then froze. His pupils constricted abruptly, face paling as cold sweat streamed down his temples. He instantly retreated dozens of meters, reacting as if facing a mortal enemy.
"You... you... why are you here?!" he shouted from the distance.
Kagami frowned in confusion, baffled by the Mizukage's reaction.
Not only him, but the entire Kiri delegation appeared perplexed, unsure why their leader was behaving so erratically.
Yuki Sora covered his face in embarrassment. The man who stood as Kirigakure's strongest shinobi now trembled before someone with chakra levels below Kage-tier.
"Lord Mizukage, we don't seem to have met before." Kagami ventured cautiously.
Gengetsu finally realized his mistake, exhaling shakily. The resemblance was uncanny - black eyes and hair, similar bone structure. But upon closer inspection, the facial features differed slightly from that demonic youth six years prior.
Rubbing his eyes, Gengetsu slowly returned. The memory remained too vivid - especially that mocking smirk that still made his scalp tingle.
"Apologies. I mistook you for someone else."
A derisive chuckle suddenly echoed from the street.
"How amusing. The Mizukage frightened by Konoha's fledgling. Kirigakure's decline becomes evident."
A bandage-wrapped man with vulture-like eyes emerged, limbs abnormally elongated. Only his sinister eyes showed through the wrappings.
"Long time no see, Mu." Gengetsu crossed his arms, pure killing intent flashing in his gaze. "Heard your Lord Ishikawa died. Congratulations on becoming Tsuchikage."
"Likewise." The Second Tsuchikage locked eyes with Gengetsu, mutual gazes conveying lethal intent.
Kagami felt the situation growing precarious. The atmosphere resembled a powder keg needing only a spark. These two youngest Kage could reduce the street to rubble instantly.
As panic set in, a hand patted his back. A deep, resonant voice sounded:
"The village contains no battle arenas for you two. If you wish to fight, take it to the Land of Wind after the banquet."
Tobirama Senju emerged behind Kagami in loose blue ceremonial robes.
"Lord Second!" Kagami's eyes shone with gratitude, tension draining away.
"Leave this to me." Tobirama stated without turning, sleeves folded as he approached the belated Iwagakure delegation.
Kagami immediately nodded, assisting other Konoha ninja in dispersing onlookers. Only after normalcy returned did he relax.
Silently retreating to an alley, he closed his eyes briefly.
A figure materialized soundlessly beside a kunai embedded in the cliff face.
Uchiha Kagami opened his eyes. The world here lay in perfect silence, accompanied only by cool night breezes - an oasis removed from worldly clamor.
His lowered gaze took in the panorama below. Konoha's streets glittered with festive lights, the distant Uchiha compound equally illuminated and lively. Yet he alone stood atop the deserted Hokage Monument, silently surveying the village from above.