I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

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Naruto doesn't run amok without cause.

If he's acting out, either the seal restraining the Nine-Tails has weakened, or an external force is manipulating him.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, immediately considered the Uchiha clan, recalling the masked man who orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha years ago—the very night that cost Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki their lives.

As he connected the dots, Hiruzen's expression darkened. If something happened to Naruto, the village could face a catastrophe akin to the Night of the Nine-Tails.

Konoha lacked the manpower to handle both an Uchiha uprising and an unleashed Tailed Beast simultaneously. Such an event could cripple the village.

Fortunately, as time passed, Konoha remained unscathed—no rampaging Nine-Tails, no mass destruction—allowing Hiruzen a momentary sigh of relief. However, a lingering sense of unease gnawed at him.

Just then, a Hokage Guard appeared beside him and whispered:

"Hokage-sama, the Hokage Building was attacked thirty minutes ago…"

Hiruzen's brows furrowed. "The Hokage Building was attacked? Why wasn't I informed immediately? What's the extent of the damage?"

The guard remained composed and replied, "No casualties have been reported. The intruder's objective was the Scroll of Seals. After stealing it, they fled. We feared a diversionary tactic, so we refrained from sending too many pursuers."

Hiruzen turned toward the Hokage Building, lost in thought.

Uchiha tensions were unresolved, and now the Scroll of Seals had been stolen. Though a backup existed, the scroll contained forbidden techniques—some potent enough to alter the course of wars, potentially shifting the balance of power in the ninja world.

As he pondered, another guard hesitated before adding, "By the way, Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama has taken it upon himself to pursue the thief. He believes the matter will be resolved soon."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly. No wonder Danzo hadn't reported back.

Given Danzo's efficiency, retrieving the scroll should have been straightforward.

Yet, despite Danzo's involvement, Hiruzen couldn't shake the feeling that control over village affairs was slipping from his grasp.

On the outskirts of the Uchiha compound, Root operatives arrived under Danzo's command.

The sight unsettled Hiruzen.

First, Danzo's expression was unusually grim. Second, the number of Root operatives accompanying him had been cut by more than half—an anomaly that hinted at failure.

If even Danzo had been forced to retreat, then whoever they faced was formidable.

Before Hiruzen could voice his concerns, a figure materialized before them.

Perched atop a telephone pole, Uchiha Itachi surveyed them, a blood-streaked kunai dangling from his fingers.

The Anbu immediately tensed, poised for battle.

Itachi's Sharingan swept across them, sending a shiver down their spines.

In a blink, he stood beside Danzo and murmured, "I have prevented Uchiha's coup. But if anything happens to Sasuke, I will expose every secret Konoha holds."

Danzo remained silent, his eyes betraying unease.

As Itachi turned to leave, he added lightly, "Of course, you're free to send assassins after me. But unless they are exceptionally skilled, I won't be interested."

Danzo's pupils contracted. He had, in fact, already sent assassins after Itachi.

Given Itachi's words, their mission had failed.

Frustration twisted Danzo's features. He had failed to subdue Naruto earlier, and now Itachi had turned the tables on him. The only silver lining was the opportunity to harvest Sharingan from the Uchiha massacre.

As Itachi vanished into a flock of crows, Hiruzen strode toward Danzo and asked, "Danzo, have you identified the Hokage Building's assailant?"

Danzo scoffed. "Of course. The culprit is your Jinchūriki."

"Naruto?" Hiruzen's expression hardened. "That's impossible."

He suspected Danzo was fabricating an excuse to seize control over Naruto.

Danzo shrugged. "Jinchūriki have defected before. If you don't believe me, ask the Anbu assigned to monitor him. They lost contact long ago."

Hiruzen hesitated—Kakashi hadn't reported anything unusual.

Danzo's tone turned smug. "Hiruzen, I've told you before—your method of handling Jinchūriki is flawed. The Anbu you stationed to watch over Naruto? He's long dead."

Hiruzen's thoughts raced. "So… you've captured Naruto?"

Danzo's expression stiffened. He had intended to, but Naruto had proven unexpectedly resilient. The boy had forced him to resort to Izanagi—a humiliating setback.

Hiruzen misread Danzo's silence as an admission. He needed to question Naruto directly. The boy carried the Will of Fire—defection seemed implausible unless someone had manipulated him.

Handing Naruto over to Danzo was out of the question.

Danzo's training methods were inhumane. While his cursed seals enforced obedience, a Jinchūriki's true power stemmed from bonds, not fear.

But for now, the priority was handling the Uchiha situation. Whether preparing an official statement on Itachi's defection or securing the clan's remains, action was necessary.

As Anbu and Root operatives combed through the Uchiha district, an Anbu captain arrived with a grim report.

"Hokage-sama, it's a massacre. Most Uchiha were killed in their homes. Itachi appears responsible, but there's something odd—the victims' Sharingan have been removed."

Hiruzen's gaze flickered toward Danzo.

Danzo certainly had the means and motive to collect Sharingan, but he had been by Hiruzen's side all night.

Had Itachi taken them?

Danzo scowled. He needed those eyes for his experiments and Izanagi, but Orochimaru's cloning techniques couldn't replicate them.

Still, the bodies confirmed Itachi's actions.

Their thoughts were interrupted by Konoha ninjas arriving breathlessly.

"Hokage-sama! The Uchiha police force has attacked the outer guard posts and fled with a large number of Uchiha civilians."

Hiruzen and Danzo exchanged stunned glances.

If Uchiha had defected, whose bodies lay in the compound?

They demanded proof, and the ninja produced a recording.

Upon seeing the footage, their faces darkened.

Itachi had deceived them.

His massacre was a smokescreen, allowing Uchiha survivors to escape.

Yet another troubling question arose—was the slaughter simply a diversion?

If so, Uchiha's motives were more complex than either had anticipated.

Near the ruins of Naka Shrine, Itachi stood on the rooftop, waiting.

He had agreed to meet the masked man—his initiation into Akatsuki.

His plan had failed. Shisui had saved over half the Uchiha. But at least the coup had been averted.

To protect Sasuke and Konoha from retaliation, he had to infiltrate the enemy's ranks.

A ripple in space heralded the masked man's arrival.

Obito—wearing his spiraled mask—assessed Itachi.

"You lied," Obito said. "You never told me Shisui was alive. I was forced to retreat."

Itachi's expression remained unreadable. "I miscalculated. But you could have handled Shisui."

Obito scoffed. "Of course. But that wasn't our deal."

He sighed theatrically. "So, what now? Will you rejoin Uchiha? They don't want you."

Itachi didn't react.

His choices had made him a wanderer, rejected by both Konoha and his clan.

He finally responded, "I will join you. The Moon's Eye Plan—can it truly be realized?"

Obito smirked. "You'll see for yourself."

Turning away, he added, "For now, call me Tobi. And the organization we serve… is Akatsuki."

Itachi memorized the name.

Obito was no Uchiha Madara, as he claimed—but for now, the truth could wait.

Meanwhile, deep in the forests of the Land of Fire, Shisui led the Uchiha refugees, struggling with the weight of leadership.

Their exile had only just begun.

And in the shadows, Naruto arrived with a knowing smile.

"Shisui, lost in thought? Your clan's future is at stake."

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