I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Dismissal of Fugaku as Uchiha Patriarch

"Uchiha Shisui?!"

Uchiha Yatsushiro and Inabi took half a step back, while the rest of the Uchiha present exchanged shocked glances.

In their minds, Shisui had been missing for over six months, and no body had ever been recovered. His presumed death had forced the clan to halt their coup attempt against Konoha's leadership.

Now, seeing Shisui reappear at a crucial clan meeting, their first reaction was disbelief.

But there was no mistaking it—his face, his chakra signature, and the effortless grace of his presence all confirmed it. If Shisui had returned, did that mean their coup still had a chance?

Suppressing his emotions, Yatsushiro asked sternly, "How do you prove that you're Shisui? Show us your Mangekyō Sharingan."

Shisui looked slightly uneasy—he couldn't use his Mangekyō anymore.

Inabi scoffed. "You're not Shisui. You're just some imposter using his name! Besides, Shisui betrayed the clan once before."

Shisui's expression darkened. In an instant, he activated his Body Flicker Technique, and before Inabi could react, a dozen afterimages surrounded him. A sharp blow from the hilt of Shisui's tantō struck his abdomen, forcing him to his knees in pain.

Seeing this, Tekka Uchiha quickly activated his Sharingan, casting a genjutsu toward Shisui. But the moment their eyes met, Tekka's expression twisted in agony. When he broke free, a look of fear flickered in his eyes—his genjutsu was far weaker than Shisui's.

Yatsushiro and Inabi exchanged glances and nodded.

Shisui's unmatched speed, combined with his overwhelming genjutsu prowess, left no doubt—this was the real Shisui. But why had he stayed hidden for so long? What was he planning?

Most of the Uchiha remained puzzled, but a few wore knowing smiles. They had long suspected that the mysterious newcomer, Lihuo, was actually Shisui in disguise. Otherwise, why would a mere three-tomoe Sharingan user be so highly regarded?

Uchiha Yashiro, seated cross-legged in the front, studied Shisui carefully before speaking.

"We recognize that you are Shisui. So tell us—will you lead the clan in a coup and take the seat of Hokage?"

Shisui glanced at the subdued Inabi before calmly stating, "I have no intention of leading a coup."

Yatsushiro narrowed his eyes. "Why? Is this about your disappearance? If you use your Mangekyō to control the Nine-Tails, our success is all but guaranteed."

Shisui gave a bitter smile. "I'm sorry… I no longer have my Mangekyō Sharingan."

Yatsushiro's eyes widened in shock. The loss of the Mangekyō was devastating—Shisui's strength far exceeded theirs, yet even he had been stripped of his power. But more importantly, where had it gone?

Reading their thoughts, Shisui continued, "Danzo stole my eyes. Even if we seize control of the Jinchūriki, the village has contingencies. A coup will only lead to the annihilation of the Uchiha."

Understanding the hopeless disparity in power, Yatsushiro and the others sighed in resignation.

Then Shisui spoke again. "That's why I plan to lead the Uchiha out of Konoha. If the village refuses to accept us, then we will build our own future elsewhere."

Yatsushiro frowned. "Why should we abandon everything our clan has built? The village won't allow us to leave—it would be seen as rebellion. If we must fight, we might as well fight for control."

Shisui's voice turned firm. "If a few of us create a diversion, the rest of the clan can escape unnoticed. I've already found a relocation site near the Land of Fire's border, close to the Nekomata clan's village."

Yatsushiro hesitated, but Shisui's tone hardened.

"This isn't a request. It's an order. Unless you can defeat me, you will obey."

Unlike before, Shisui's words carried an unmistakable finality. He was no longer the idealistic shinobi who spoke of the Will of Fire. Now, he resembled another Uchiha legend—Madara himself.

Seeing the resolve in Shisui's eyes, Yatsushiro and the others exchanged resigned nods.

Moments later, Shisui stepped onto the clan's ceremonial stage.

"By the decision of the elders and myself, Fugaku Uchiha is hereby dismissed as clan head. He is unfit to lead. From now on, I will guide the Uchiha to a new future."

---

Ichiraku Ramen

Naruto took a final slurp of his ramen, savoring the warmth as he drained the last of the broth.

Patting his stomach, he grinned at Teuchi. "Thanks, old man. You're one of the few people in the village who doesn't treat me like an outcast."

Teuchi smiled warmly. "You'll always be welcome here, Naruto. I'm sure people will come to understand you one day."

Naruto chuckled and shook his head before heading out. Teuchi and Ayame exchanged puzzled glances—something about Naruto seemed different today.

Walking down the dimly lit streets, Naruto spoke to the massive chakra beast sealed within him.

"Hey, Kurama, did you notice? No patrols tonight. That means Uchiha is about to clash with the old man. It's the perfect time for us to slip away."

Kurama yawned, clearly uninterested. "Finally. Took you long enough."

Reaching the base of Konoha's outer wall, Naruto scanned the area. All he needed to do was scale the ten-meter structure, and beyond it lay the vast forests of the Land of Fire.

He took a step, ready to jump—

In an instant, two masked figures from Anbu Black Ops appeared before him.

"Naruto Uzumaki," one of them spoke firmly. "The village is under lockdown. For your safety, we will escort you home."

Naruto frowned but quickly forced a smile. "Oh, sure! You guys must be Grandpa Hokage's guards, right?"

The two Anbu exchanged cautious glances as Naruto obediently followed them.

But as they reached a wooded path, Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke.

"A Shadow Clone?" One of the Anbu cursed. "Damn it! The kid tricked us!"

His partner gritted his teeth. "This is bad. The Hokage gave explicit orders to watch him tonight."

"If we fail this mission, we can kiss our promotions goodbye. Find him—now!"

One Anbu vanished into the darkness using the Hiding in Camouflage Technique, while the other raced to alert Captain Kakashi.

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