Naruto: Awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, and Unify the Ninja World

As the granddaughter of the Uzumaki clan head, Uzumaki Kushina had mastered the Kagura Mind's Eye from a young age.

She had sensed and memorized the chakra fluctuations of Uchiha Shin before.

The moment he appeared, she recognized him instantly. He was the Uchiha who had saved them.

After witnessing the destruction of Uzushiogakure and enduring the relentless pursuit of enemies, Kushina had matured significantly.

Seeing Uchiha Shin's subtle gesture, she immediately understood his intention—this was not the time to acknowledge him openly.

Instead, her gaze shifted to Kanako, and a long-lost, radiant smile spread across her face.

"Kanako~! I never thought I'd see you here!"

"Kushina, it's you!"

Calling out each other's names, the two rushed forward, embracing and sobbing.

Uzumaki Kanako and Uzumaki Kushina had been close friends.

Their Uzumaki blood was not only their shared bond but also the purest and most potent within their clan.

Seeing their emotional reunion, Tsunade and Uchiha Shin exchanged glances and chose not to interrupt.

The four of them continued walking, conversing as they searched for a decent restaurant to have a proper meal.

Not long after they left, a figure with a stormy expression arrived at the Hokage Building.

Shimura Danzo.

The moment he stepped into the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, spoke in a grave tone, his face dark with displeasure.

"Danzo, you disappoint me. The operation failed, didn't it?"

Danzo's lips pressed into a thin line. He had no excuses—only an explanation.

"Yes, the mission failed. But not due to a flaw in my plan—an unexpected variable interfered."

His voice was flat, but there was an undercurrent of tension.

"The Root squad I sent was ambushed by an unknown force. I dispatched forty-five men. Only five returned."

The weight of those words settled in the office like a lead blanket.

"They reported that the culprit was an Uchiha—one capable of wielding black flames similar to Amaterasu."

Hiruzen's brows knitted together immediately.

"Are you certain it was an Uchiha?"

For a fleeting moment, Uchiha Shin's image crossed his mind. But just as quickly, he dismissed the thought.

A boy who had only recently awakened his two-tomoe Sharingan and graduated from the Academy? It was absurd to think he possessed such an advanced dojutsu.

Besides, the Uchiha Clan's movements were constantly monitored by the Anbu.

To wield Amaterasu, one had to have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. No reports indicated such an occurrence within the clan.

Hiruzen's sharp eyes bore into Danzo. "Are you absolutely sure it was Amaterasu?"

Danzo hesitated for a moment before answering, "According to my men, it's impossible to confirm."

"One of the Root members was struck by the black flames, but they eventually burned out. If it were truly Amaterasu, they wouldn't have been extinguished.

I can only conclude that it was a Fire Release technique mimicking Amaterasu."

Hiruzen exhaled through his nose, his fingers drumming against the desk.

"So… someone wants to frame the Uchiha."

His mind worked quickly.

The Uchiha had no reason to be involved with the remnants of the Uzumaki. Their ties had long been severed.

No, this had the markings of an external plot.

Perhaps another village sought to stir internal strife within Konoha.

Perhaps they hoped to use this incident as a pretext to justify an attack.

Danzo nodded grimly, agreeing with Hiruzen's deduction.

His own organization, Root, had eyes on all the key Uchiha figures at all times.

It was inconceivable that one of them had slipped away to the ruins of Uzushiogakure.

"It's possible that another village staged this," Danzo admitted, his single eye narrowing. "Or someone unknown is moving in the shadows."

Hiruzen sighed, then leaned back.

"There is some good news, however," Danzo added. "The assault on Uzushiogakure wasn't without consequence. The attackers suffered heavy casualties."

"How severe?"

"By our estimates, at least fifty chunin and ten jonin perished."

Hiruzen's expression shifted, his eyes glinting.

"Good."

A village's military strength was measured by its experienced ninja.

Even Konoha, the strongest of the Five Great Nations, had fewer than three hundred jonin.

For weaker villages, the loss of ten jonin was a crippling blow.

"This will buy us time," Hiruzen said. "For now, do not investigate Uzushiogakure further. Focus on the battlefield."

"The Hidden Rain has been growing increasingly restless. This Hanzo of the Salamander has piqued my interest. Investigate him thoroughly, Danzo."

Hiruzen's voice grew even colder. "And as for the Sand Village… you know what to do."

The tension in the office thickened, but Danzo merely nodded. The orders were understood.

War was approaching, and there was no time to waste on distractions.

The smaller nations, still recovering from the First Great Ninja War, had sensed weakness. Hidden Rain, led by Hanzo, seemed particularly eager for battle.

According to Anbu reports, Rain's forces were preparing to march on the Land of Iron.

And while these war preparations were underway, Uchiha Shin and Tsunade had parted ways, each returning to their respective clan estates.

Uzumaki Kanako followed Uchiha Shin, timidly taking in the surroundings.

He was her only remaining anchor. So she clung to his presence, following closely behind.

Upon returning, Uchiha Shin led Kanako into the residence where he stayed.

"Kanako, from now on, this is your home too," he said.

"Take your time to settle in. I need to report to the Elders , but I'll be back soon."

Reaching out, he gently ruffled her hair—a small gesture of reassurance.

Kanako nodded obediently, watching him leave before finally allowing herself to exhale.

Now alone, she hesitantly began exploring the house.

"…His kitchen… His bedroom…"

Her eyes fell on a set of recently discarded clothes. His clothes.

Hesitating only for a moment, she picked them up, bringing them close to her nose.

The familiar scent filled her senses.

A warmth spread through her chest, a rare sense of security settling in.

She let out a small sigh, then flopped onto the bed, burying her face into its softness.

It smelled like him.

Just as she was about to relax, a sharp presence flared at the doorway.

Kanako's body tensed immediately, snapping her head up.

A beautiful girl stood there, eyes locked onto her.

Scarlet Sharingan spun lazily in her gaze.

"…Who are you?" Uchiha Mikoto's voice was sharp. "And why are you in Shin-kun's house?"

Kanako gulped.

This girl—she was definitely Uchiha.

"I—I'm from the Uzumaki Clan. Lord Shin brought me here…!" she stammered.

Mikoto's intense stare didn't waver. But her tone softened, just slightly.

"The Uzumaki clan…"

Her eyes flicked downward.

Kanako followed her gaze.

She was still clutching Uchiha Shin's shirt.

Mikoto's lips pressed into a thin line.

"…And what," Mikoto said coolly, "are you doing with Shin-kun's clothes?"

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