Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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According to Guts's memory, Itachi massacred the Uchiha clan when he was just thirteen.

At that time, Sasuke was only eight years old.

But from Konoha Year 56 to Year 57, Sasuke had already turned nine and yet, there had been no sign of the Uchiha massacre.

This alone proved one thing: Guts's presence had already shifted the course of the original timeline.

However, the seeds of resentment planted deep within the Uchiha clan were not so easily uprooted. From the time of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and even during the First Hokage Hashirama's reign, the Uchiha were feared, distrusted, and sidelined.

Madara had seen it all before anyone.

Time had merely slowed the decay...it hadn't stopped it.

Now it was the end of Konoha Year 57.

Fourteen-year-old Itachi knelt on one knee before Tsunade in the Hokage's office, his face calm but solemn.

"Hokage-sama," he said, "the dissatisfaction within the Uchiha clan is escalating. If this goes unchecked any longer, it will reach a point of no return."

Tsunade pressed her fingers to her forehead, visibly stressed. Since assuming the Hokage's mantle, she felt like headaches had become a daily ritual. But this… this Uchiha problem was different.

As a member of the Senju clan, Tsunade understood just how deep the mistrust between the Uchiha and the village ran.

Even with Guts presence delaying the inevitable, she could feel the rebellion slowly boiling beneath the surface.

"Then tell me, Itachi," she said, deflecting the weight back onto him. "What would make the Uchiha let go of this hatred?"

"If someone from the Uchiha clan could become Hokage… perhaps the resentment would fade."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"And do you know anyone in your clan capable of bearing that title?"

Itachi's brow tightened. He shook his head.

"No."

His own father, Uchiha Fugaku, the clan patriarch, while a skilled ninja...lacked the widespread accomplishments of war heroes like Namikaze Minato or Guts. He didn't have the charisma or reputation needed to be accepted as Hokage.

Neither Itachi nor Shisui could claim that position either. Especially not with Guts and Minato still in the picture.

"Then it's a dream without a foundation," Tsunade muttered, exhaling heavily. "You've done enough as a double agent between Konoha and your clan. Take some time off."

"Understood."

Itachi bowed and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Not long after, as he returned to the Anbu HQ to change into civilian clothes, a masked shinobi approached.

"Uchiha Itachi," the figure said flatly. "Our lord requests your presence. Come with me."

Itachi's expression darkened.

"You're not Anbu," he said, voice cold. "Root, then?"

At that same moment, on a training ground just outside Konoha, Shisui faced Guts.

"Sensei... if things really become irreversible, what should I do?"

Now seventeen, Shisui had become known as both [Shisui of the Body Licker] and [Uchiha's Strongest Licker].

As second-in-command of the Konoha Military Police, second only to Fugaku, his reputation had soared. He'd even completed multiple S-rank missions on behalf of the clan...without a single failure.

But the pressure of Guts mere existence, his age, strength, status...lingered like a shadow over both him and Itachi.

Even if Guts claimed no interest in becoming Hokage, that didn't make it any easier for them. They still lived in his wake.

"Sensei... what if no peaceful solution exists?"

Guts studied Shisui's expression.

So far, he hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. That meant there was no Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate illusion in his arsenal.

And without that power, what hope did Shisui really have to fix anything?

Guts sighed.

"You're not a kid anymore, Shisui. Figure it out for yourself."

It wasn't callousness...it was honesty.

If Guts really intervened, only two solutions existed:

One, Tsunade steps down and offers Hokage to an Uchiha. But even if she agreed, would the other clans allow it? The Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and more? Would the Fire Daimyo support it? Never.

Two, Guts personally eliminates the Uchiha dissenters. But that wasn't a solution either.

He patted Shisui on the shoulder.

"There are always more solutions than problems. When the time comes, I trust you'll make the right choice."

With that, Guts vanished.

Shisui was left alone, staring at the ground.

His hands trembled.

"Sensei... I—"

Just as Guts re-entered Konoha, he hadn't taken more than a few steps before a sweet, teasing voice called from the side.

"Guts~~"

Turning, he found Terumi Mei waving in her signature dark-blue dress. It hugged her figure in all the right places.

He chuckled.

"You're looking as beautiful as ever, Mei."

"Tch. You say that every time. Makes me want to kiss you just to shut you up."

Guts rolled his eyes. "All bark, no bite."

Though Terumi Mei often flirted like this, Guts knew better. She might talk tough, but her feelings ran deep...buried under layers of sharp wit and stronger will.

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