Naruto: Life as Kagami Uchiha (AU)

"Come on!!"

Uchiha Kagami's eyes narrowed slightly.

He was just about to act, but his movements froze.

Looking down, he noticed that at some point, the ground had cracked open in two large holes, and his feet were bound by surging iron sand.

"As long as I have iron sand, I can do anything!"

"Uchiha, you're the foolish one. Crushing minerals underground to create iron sand is child's play for me. Now, die!!"

"Iron Sand World Method!!"

The Third Kazekage shouted coldly.

A massive amount of iron sand erupted from the ground.

Controlled by his Magnet Release, the iron sand transformed into countless spikes, densely packed, leaving no room to escape.

However…

Before the Third Kazekage could revel in his triumph,

A massive surge of chakra erupted from Uchiha Kagami.

An indescribable aura soared into the sky as a crimson skeletal form enveloped his body, forming ribs, arms, and eventually a skull.

"Get lost!!"

Uchiha Kagami roared.

His right hand shaped a giant chakra blade and swung it lightly.

With a tearing sound—

In an instant,

The iron sand covering the sky was completely shattered.

Standing within his fully formed Susanoo, Uchiha Kagami crossed his arms, his gaze aloof, exuding the arrogant pride of the Uchiha.

"Mere iron sand is nothing compared to me."

"That last move was decent, but not enough to decide the battle. Third Kazekage… can you still dance?"

"It's not over yet!"

"My Magnet Release… is far stronger than you think!"

The Third Kazekage refused to admit defeat.

But his eyes grew more solemn.

This Uchiha in front of him was unbelievably strong. Not only had he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he could also wield both Amaterasu and Susanoo with ease.

This was far beyond Kage level.

Even he, known as the strongest Kazekage, found this battle extremely difficult.

But there was no other choice.

As a Kage, running away was never an option. He had to give his village an answer—this was his duty as their leader.

Clang!

Clang! Clang!!

He controlled even more iron sand.

Shaping it into cones and cylinders, he launched relentless attacks.

But all were effortlessly blocked by Susanoo, unable to even push Kagami back. A deep sense of helplessness crept into the Kazekage's heart.

"Why won't you surrender, Lord Kazekage? If you do, you can live." Uchiha Kagami advised.

"No! If this were a private duel, I could admit defeat. But this is war! As a Kage, I cannot lose, and I will never surrender!!"

The Third Kazekage was resolute, gritting his teeth. "Uchiha of the Leaf, you may be powerful, but I must keep fighting! For my village, for the future of Sunagakure, even in death, I will not waver!"

"Alright, I respect your choice."

Uchiha Kagami sighed.

Yet deep down, he was moved.

Watching his opponent, who clearly had the chance to escape but refused to do so,

He couldn't help but think of his elder brother, Tobirama. If he hadn't been rescued, Tobirama would have met the same fate.

And as the Hokage...

Tobirama could have chosen to flee, but he didn't.

At first, Kagami hadn't fully understood that decision. But now, seeing the Third Kazekage make the same choice,

He was starting to understand—

The true weight of the title "Kage."

But unfortunately, the Hokage position wasn't for him. At least for now, Uchiha Kagami only wanted to become stronger, so that when the Ōtsutsuki eventually appeared, he wouldn't be powerless.

And war was the best way to grow stronger—there was no better method.

Personally, he had no grievance against the Kazekage, but unfortunately, they were still forced to fight to the death. War was merciless and cruel.

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Tsunami!!"

The Third Kazekage roared.

Spreading his arms wide, he poured every last bit of his remaining chakra into his technique.

Countless waves of iron sand surged forward, constantly crushing minerals to replenish themselves, creating an endless tide that crashed toward his enemy.

At this moment…

The iron sand truly resembled a vast ocean.

It reshaped the entire landscape within a two to three-kilometer radius, burying every shrub and landmark, leaving no trace of the previous terrain.

Even Susanoo…

Was completely swallowed, vanishing from sight.

But the Kazekage's attack was not over yet. With his Iron Sand Wings spread, he descended rapidly toward the battlefield.

"Uchiha of the Leaf, be buried under the iron sand! Take this—"

"Iron Sand: Grand Burial!!"

The Third Kazekage slammed both hands onto the ground.

A violent surge of chakra swept across the entire iron sand ocean.

Boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Ten consecutive shockwaves echoed.

The entire iron sand ocean compressed tenfold.

This move was incredibly powerful. The immense pressure even caused large cracks to appear on the first form of Susanoo, as if it was about to collapse…

But the next moment, an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted again.

The skeletal Susanoo was now covered in tendons and flesh, its sword gleaming even brighter. With a single swing, a massive portion of the iron sand was cleared away.

Seeing this, the Third Kazekage was both shocked and disheartened.

"Even… even this failed?"

"The legendary Susanoo truly is extraordinary. Its defense and offense have completely surpassed my Magnet Release. The Uchiha Clan is truly fearsome…"

"Lord Kazekage, you are already strong enough."

Uchiha Kagami spoke sincerely. "Your combat awareness and battle experience are worthy of the title 'Strongest Kazekage.' Your Magnet Release makes you nearly invincible… but unfortunately, you ran into me."

"Thanks, but enough with the pleasantries. Kill me already!"

"Kill you? Why?"

"You… why aren't you killing me?"

"I intended to at first, but I've changed my mind. I'm taking you back to Konoha, Lord Kazekage… as the first-ever Kage-level 'honored guest' to receive our village's hospitality."

"What? Are you trying to humiliate me?! I won't let you!!"

"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"

The Third Kazekage's fury erupted.

He tried to control his remaining iron sand to pierce his own throat.

But the moment Kagami's Sharingan spun, his spirit was instantly invaded.

Before he could take his own life, he collapsed unconscious.

Of course, Kagami wasn't acting without reason…

Because he had realized something crucial—

Killing a Kage wasn't that difficult, but capturing one alive was an entirely different challenge.

At least…

In the era after Hashirama and Madara, very few had accomplished such a feat.

And now, the "Strongest Kazekage" had not only been defeated but was being taken prisoner back to Konoha.

Just imagine—

The sheer impact of such news would shake the ninja world for years, making a living prisoner far more valuable than a dead one.

Just as Kagami was deep in thought…

Surveying the devastated battlefield, buried under iron sand,

A sudden realization struck him, and panic set in.

"Shit! Where's Sakumo?!"

"Damn it, that guy was already drained of chakra earlier. Did he just get buried alive?!"

....

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