I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

After crossing his arms and barely blocking the attack, Naruto quickly distanced himself.

Right now, the one standing between him and Kakashi was none other than Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey, Might Guy, an elite jōnin renowned for his mastery of taijutsu and the Eight Gates technique.

With his current strength, let alone competing with Guy in the Eighth Gate, even handling the Sixth Gate (Gate of View) and the Seventh Gate (Gate of Wonder) was nearly impossible.

After all, when it came to pure hand-to-hand combat, Might Guy's strength was overwhelming—genjutsu and most ninjutsu were nearly useless against someone with such formidable physical prowess.

After forcing Naruto back with a single strike, Guy did not immediately pursue.

Turning to Kakashi, who was gravely injured, he asked anxiously, "Kakashi, can you still fight? Let's take down the enemy who attacked the village together!"

Kakashi, sitting up slowly, shook his head. "He's not an enemy. He just wants to leave the Hidden Leaf Village."

"Who is he?" Guy frowned. "I don't recall anyone like him among the ranks of Konoha's shinobi… Could he be under the direct command of Lord Third or Danzo?"

Kakashi coughed before replying with some hesitation. "Naruto is still a student at the Academy. He's not a full-fledged ninja yet. It's no surprise you haven't seen him before. His background is… complicated."

Guy glanced at Naruto and realized he was just a child, his expression shifting slightly.

"Kakashi, I suppose we haven't had many juniors in the Academy since we graduated… But correcting the misguided paths of the younger generation is also part of the flames of youth!"

With that, Guy cracked his knuckles, preparing for a proper battle to discipline Naruto.

At that moment, Kakashi scratched his head and sighed. "Guy, while you were talking, Naruto already ran away. The one in front of you is just a shadow clone."

Guy's face froze before realization struck him. He turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, hurry up and summon Pakkun! If we track his scent now, we might still have time."

Kakashi exhaled, gazing at the remaining shadow clone. "Forget it. If Naruto wants to leave, we shouldn't force him back. The Third Hokage is his guardian. We just need to report this to him."

"The Third Hokage is his guardian?" Guy was even more perplexed but ultimately deferred to Kakashi's judgment. He wasn't adept at tracking, and whether a student could truly be considered a ninja was debatable—this was a matter best left to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Not just the Third Hokage," Kakashi muttered. "Naruto is also connected to the Fourth… His attack just now was too reckless. If that Rasengan had hit, I'd be in the hospital for at least half a year."

Kakashi's usual bored expression returned as he spoke, directing his words at both Guy and the remaining shadow clone.

The clone showed little reaction, lowering the kunai in its grip and slowly approaching Kakashi.

Guy tensed, about to strike, but Kakashi stopped him with a helpless sigh. "Is there something else you want to say? We've known each other for half a year, after all."

Naruto's shadow clone smirked faintly. "Kakashi-senpai, I look forward to the day you defect."

"Defect?" Kakashi's brow furrowed before he chuckled. "That won't happen. I have no place in the world outside Konoha."

"That's not necessarily true," Naruto replied. "I think you despise this village as much as I do. If you knew the full truth, you'd leave, just like—"

Before he could finish, a slicing wind tore through the air, obliterating the shadow clone in a puff of smoke.

Kakashi and Guy turned to see the attacker—Danzo Shimura, leader of Root. After receiving reports of an assault on the Hokage Building, he had mobilized his operatives and arrived swiftly.

"Lord Danzo…" Kakashi and Guy bowed their heads slightly.

Danzo eyed them coldly before demanding, "Why did you let the Nine-Tails jinchūriki escape? He just attacked the Hokage's office. He is now a village traitor. He must be eliminated."

"Lord Danzo," Kakashi countered, "whether Naruto is a traitor or not is for the Third Hokage to decide."

Danzo scoffed, internally dismissing the argument. Of course, I understand his importance. Unlike you, I will secure the Nine-Tails for Konoha's future… and place him under my control.

Without another word, Danzo led his Root operatives toward the Forest of Death, disappearing into the night.

Kakashi and Guy exchanged glances. After a long pause, Guy finally muttered, "Kakashi, where should we go now? The Third Hokage probably isn't at the Hokage Building."

"He's near the Uchiha District…"

After a moment's hesitation, Kakashi continued, "Take me to Konoha Hospital first. I don't think I'll last much longer. Looks like I'll be bedridden for a while."

At that, Guy glanced toward the Uchiha district before nodding.

Though obsessed with physical training, he wasn't a fool—he had long sensed the growing tension in the village. If Kakashi wanted to avoid getting involved, it was best to listen to him.

---

Meanwhile, within the Uchiha district…

With the support of Yatsushiro, Inaho, and several others, Shisui had successfully taken over as clan leader.

Fugaku Uchiha's assistance had also been crucial. Had he resisted, the leadership transition would have likely required a contest of Mangekyō Sharingan, but Fugaku had chosen to relinquish power voluntarily.

Upon assuming command, Shisui immediately announced the plan to evacuate Konoha.

The revelation caused an uproar at the clan assembly. Evacuating the village was no small feat, and many within the clan had been preparing for a coup—such a drastic shift in strategy was difficult to accept.

Anticipating opposition, Shisui disregarded their objections.

Those who wished to follow him would leave Konoha together. Those who stayed behind would bear the consequences alone, severing all ties with the clan.

After making his stance clear, Shisui ended the meeting and led a group of Uchiha ninja to the Konoha Military Police headquarters.

Despite prior preparations, an evacuation of this scale required time. To buy that time, they needed a diversionary team, and Shisui himself would lead it—knowing the mission's high mortality rate.

Upon reaching the headquarters, Shisui and his comrades donned their armor, preparing to move out.

Just then, a swirling vortex appeared in front of the building.

From its depths emerged a mysterious figure clad in a black cloak and a tiger-striped mask. Without hesitation, the masked man gripped a scythe and lunged at Shisui.

With a sharp clang, Shisui blocked the strike with his tantō while countering with a kunai in his other hand.

Yet, as the blade sank into the figure's body, something felt off—Shisui's expression darkened, and he instinctively shunshined away.

From a distance, he warned his comrades: "The enemy possesses space-time ninjutsu. Only the moment they attack is real. Watch each other's backs and proceed with caution."

Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters