Chapter 8: Is He Thirteen?

[Ding! System Notification!]

[Sarutobi Hiruzen's Favorability +3, Danzo's Favorability +2. Acquired: Shiki Fūjin, Self-Cursing Seal, and Halo Trait—"Ninja Professor"!]

[Ninja Professor: Whenever you actively study ninjutsu, as long as it follows logical theory, you are guaranteed to learn it!]

"My god! This trait is broken!"

Uchiha Kagami was stunned.

Even with his usual calm demeanor, he couldn't help but feel excited.

As long as the ninjutsu followed logical principles, he could learn it instantly? That meant he could master whatever he wanted without grinding for favorability points!

But more importantly...

It seemed like the ninjutsu he obtained through favorability wasn't restricted by age.

"I need to test this 'Ninja Professor' trait somewhere private. I'll head home first."

After thinking it over, Uchiha Kagami started walking toward the Uchiha clan's district, relying on his hazy memories.

It was located to the east of Konoha—not too far, but not exactly close either.

(Note: The Uchiha clan was forced to relocate to the outskirts of Konoha after the Nine-Tails incident due to suspicions from the higher-ups.)

Before long, he arrived home.

It was a relatively spacious courtyard with a two-story wooden house in the center.

Just as he pushed open the gate, he saw a tall, young man in his twenties standing at the entrance, bowing respectfully.

"Welcome home!"

"...Uh, are you my servant?" Kagami asked, puzzled.

The young man widened his eyes, tears forming at the corners. "Father, what are you saying?! I'm your son!"

"...Huh?"

"But you look as old as me! You're joking, right?!"

"Father, I'm only thirteen!"

"???"

"This guy is thirteen?!"

Kagami was dumbfounded.

He looked the young man up and down.

Aside from his unusually mature appearance, his facial features and hairstyle did resemble Kagami's by about seventy percent.

Then, remembering the early-maturing art style of the Naruto world, Kagami decided to accept reality.

"Father, are you okay? Did you lose your memory?" Uchiha Shifū asked, concerned.

"...Yeah, kind of. My spiritual energy was unstable when I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and it affected my memory. Some things are starting to come back now."

Kagami shook his head.

This wasn't even a lie—some related memories had indeed surfaced just now.

And memory loss from awakening the Mangekyō wasn't unheard of. Even Tobirama wouldn't suspect him over that.

"I see... You've suffered, Father," Shifū sighed.

"Where's Soso?"

"I'm sorry, Father. She wasn't feeling well and couldn't come to greet you."

"Not feeling well?"

Shifū walked closer, his face struggling to contain his excitement. He whispered,

"Yes, Father. I have good news—Soso is pregnant. Just before you returned from your mission."

"...Pregnant?" Kagami suddenly realized something.

"Wait, you're thirteen! How old is Uchiha Soso?"

"Soso and I are the same age—thirteen."

"...You beast!"

"Huh?!"

Shifū looked confused.

"Father, you might not remember, but in the Warring States period, the average life expectancy was only thirty. To ensure the survival of the clan, most ninja got married and had children by fifteen."

"Thirteen isn't that extreme. Besides, weren't you the one who told me to marry and have children early? I was just following your instructions."

"...Still! Thirteen? That's just criminal!"

Kagami couldn't help but complain.

He had modern memories now.

Even though most of his original memories hadn't returned yet, it was hard to adjust so quickly. But he held back his frustration and continued questioning.

"Did you name the child yet?"

"We were going to wait for you, but when Lord Hiruzen returned, he said you and the Second Hokage had died in battle. So we named the child this morning."

"What name?"

"Shisui. Uchiha Shisui."

"..."

Kagami froze.

He had considered that Shisui might be his descendant.

But he hadn't expected him to be his grandson.

Thinking back to the original Naruto timeline, the term "descendant" was always used. If Shisui were his son, wouldn't people just say so outright?

Plus, if he were his son…

Given Kagami's close relationship with Hiruzen, how could Hiruzen not know whether Kagami had a son or a grandson? That wouldn't make sense.

On top of that, a memory had just resurfaced.

Two years ago, some Uchiha had inherited Madara's ideology and tried to stage a coup to take control of Konoha.

Tobirama had swiftly crushed the rebellion.

But out of respect for Kagami, the ringleaders were only imprisoned.

(Note: This event actually happened, but the specific names and timing are fan interpretations.)

This failed coup led Tobirama to tighten surveillance and restrictions on the Uchiha.

Because of that, Kagami had grown deeply concerned about the clan's future.

The Uchiha were arrogant, battle-hungry, and completely lacking in emotional intelligence.

He feared that if he died on the battlefield, the Uchiha's situation would only get worse.

So…

He urged Shifū to marry and have children as soon as possible.

But Shifū wasn't Kagami himself.

His understanding of Kagami's ideals was imperfect, and over time, with Danzo and Hiruzen's influence, Shisui's beliefs had completely changed.

Looking at it this way, things suddenly made a lot more sense.

The ages were weird, sure—but at least it all checked out logically.

Shifū noticed Kagami's silence and nervously asked, "Father, do you dislike the name? You can rename him if you want."

"No, Shisui is fine."

Kagami shook his head, then said seriously, "But once he's born, I want to personally guide him. He will be the future of the Uchiha clan!"

"Of course! It would be an honor."

"By the way, has Uchiha Fugaku gotten married yet?"

"Not yet, but I heard Lord Fugaku has his eye on a girl named Uchiha Mikoto. She just turned fourteen this year."

"...Fugaku is nearly twenty, right?"

"Yes."

"Another beast!"

"(⊙_⊙)??"

Shifū scratched his head and hesitantly reminded him,

"Father, you might have forgotten because of your memory loss, but… you got married at twelve and had me right after. If we're comparing who's worse… we can't beat you."

"...You looking for a beating?" Kagami threatened.

"...Yes."

"I'll grant your wish."

"Wait, no—ahhh!!"

Screams of pain echoed through the courtyard.

But Shifū was actually happy.

Because it felt like his father was back.

—

(Note: Shisui is portrayed as the same age as Kakashi here because Kakashi became a Jōnin at twelve, and Shisui never broke that record. Meaning, at the latest, he became a Jōnin at thirteen. Additionally, during the Third Shinobi War, Shisui intimidated Ao—who was already a veteran Jōnin. It makes more sense if Shisui also had the Mangekyō by then, which is why he's set to be born in Konoha Year 37.)

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