Kagetsu Uzumaki
Kagetsu Uzumaki was one of the few children sent away with her parents when the Hidden Eddy Village fell into crisis.
Her father, in order to buy time for her and her mother to escape, perished in battle against the Hidden Mist shinobi pursuing them.
Afterward, mother and daughter relied on Kagetsu's rare ability—Kagura's Mind's Eye, an advanced sensory technique that only a few of the Uzumaki could use—to constantly evade capture. They barely survived the chaos of the Second Shinobi World War, only to draw unwanted attention from Takigakure ninja. Their vibrant red hair and sealing techniques betrayed their clan heritage.
From then on, their lives became an endless flight.
But misfortune never comes alone. While Kagetsu was treating her mother's injuries, they were discovered by a Grass ninja. Once word spread of her chakra reserves and unique Uzumaki vitality, she became a coveted target.
The number and strength of their pursuers grew day by day. Eventually, her mother too died protecting her.
Remembering this, Kagetsu suddenly sensed someone entering the range of her perception. She immediately stood, quickly gathered her belongings with practiced hands, and fled to a new hiding spot.
She had grown accustomed to this cycle—no, not just for days, but for years.
It wasn't that she refused to resist, but that she lacked the strength. Despite her powerful chakra and Kagura's Mind's Eye, her ninjutsu talent was painfully poor.
Ironically, the very reason she was sent out of Uzushiogakure in the first place was because of these awakened abilities. The elders believed they would help her survive. None could have foreseen that they would instead become the curse that marked her for death.
Her mother's last wish was for her to go to the Land of Fire. Though Kagetsu hesitated, she knew that Konohagakure might be her only refuge.
Still, her mother's words haunted her: "Konoha cannot be fully trusted. If they had truly valued our alliance, Uzushiogakure would never have fallen so easily."
Her mother had never told her the full story, but the bitterness was clear. It left Kagetsu conflicted—Konoha was perhaps her safest option, yet also the last place she wanted to go.
She tried many times to cross into the Land of Fire but was blocked at every attempt. The borders of Grass and Taki were too heavily patrolled in wartime. For now, she remained trapped between them.
Kagura's Mind's Eye helped her avoid ambushes, but how long could she keep this up? Several times, exhaustion made her consider surrendering. Each time, however, she remembered her parents' sacrifices and forced herself onward.
Finally, when she stopped to rest, she spread out a worn map on a flat stone. After studying it, her frustration boiled over.
"Bang!" She slapped the map with her palm.
Her choices were few. She could attempt a dangerous crossing through Grass or Taki to reach the Land of Fire, or take a far longer detour toward the Land of Earth—risky in its own way. Neither option seemed survivable.
As she brooded, a calm voice spoke behind her:
"By your expression, you want to go to Konoha, don't you? How about coming with us?"
Kagetsu stiffened. She hadn't sensed anyone approaching. Whirling around, she drew the kunai her mother had left her and pointed it with trembling hands at the speaker.
A boy stood there, cloaked in strange fabric that bent the light around him.
Shirō had been searching for her for days, keeping to the shadows after dealing with the Takigakure shinobi. Now, at last, he had found her.
"Who?!" Kagetsu demanded, fear thick in her voice.
Shirō raised both hands and stepped back lightly. "Easy. I'm a shinobi from Konoha. I don't mean to harm you."
Her kunai did not waver.
"Haa… this is troublesome," Shirō muttered, scratching his cheek. "How should I prove it? Right… sealing jutsu."
He quickly wove hand signs and displayed a basic Uzumaki sealing technique—one Kushina had told him was unique to their clan.
But Kagetsu's eyes narrowed. "That means nothing. Our fūinjutsu has long since been stolen and spread outside."
Shirō clicked his tongue. "True enough. Then, I'll try another way."
In a blur, he vanished from her sight. Before she could react, her kunai was twisted from her grip and held cold against her throat.
"See? If I wanted you captured, I'd have done it already," he said flatly, before tossing the kunai back to her.
Kagetsu's breath came fast. "…Who are you?"
"Finally willing to talk, huh?" Shirō smiled faintly. "I'm from Konoha. Emiya Shirō. Not that you'd know me. Here—my forehead protector."
He produced the Konoha headband from beneath his cloak.
Silence.
"I know it's hard to trust," he sighed. "But you don't have many choices. Come with us, and you'll understand. I don't want to force you, Kagetsu, but if you resist, I will knock you out for your own good."
Kagetsu hesitated, then lowered her gaze. "…I understand. I'll cooperate."
"Good. Little Flower—her safety is your responsibility."
"Yes, Lord Shirō."
A patterned snake slithered out from beneath his cloak, coiling protectively near Kagetsu's feet.
Her eyes widened. "A… Summoning Beast?"
"Mm. My companion," Shirō explained. "She knows some jutsu and will guard you if enemies appear. Now then—what's your name?"
"Kagetsu Uzumaki," she said softly. "You can call me Katsuki."
"That was quick acceptance," Shirō remarked with a raised brow.
"Do I have another choice?" she replied bitterly.
"Probably not," he admitted with a chuckle. "But don't worry. Konoha has another Uzumaki—someone very highly regarded. I'm sure you've heard of her."
Kagetsu's eyes flickered, just for a moment.
"Unlike other villages," Shirō continued, his voice turning serious, "Konoha won't treat you like a tool. At least… not as long as she's there."
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