Naruto: I Am Uzumaki Naruto!?

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened.

The Uchiha clan… they knew.

For a plan as sensitive as their extermination, utmost secrecy had been maintained. Everything had been done from the shadows—assassinating elite Uchiha in "accidents," brainwashing the younger generation, sending clan members on missions and harvesting their Sharingan when they never returned…

The Uchiha were supposed to remain unaware. Only when the plan was complete would they learn the truth—when it was too late.

But now, they were retaliating.

Those Fire Style attacks on Root's base were no mere coincidence. They were a warning.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his pipe but did not smoke. His voice was low. "The Uchiha have realized the essence of our plan. That much is certain."

Shimura Danzo's bandaged face twisted into a sneer. "Which means we must strike first. The Uchiha cannot be given the opportunity to stage a coup."

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "Indeed. This was the will of the Second Hokage. We cannot let them challenge Konoha's stability."

The Uchiha had always been a threat. Second Hokage Senju Tobirama had seen it, had warned them. Before his death, he had insisted the Uchiha must be kept in check. Now, as his former students, it was their duty to ensure that his concerns never became reality.

Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. "Before we move against the entire clan, we must eliminate their greatest obstacle—Uchiha Shisui."

Danzo's lips curled into a grim smile.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan… the Uchiha's so-called 'heavenly gift.' Shisui possesses Distinguished Heavenly Gods, the strongest genjutsu. If he is alive, our plan will fail."

Hiruzen took a deep breath. "I'll send him on a mission. Danzo, do you have the means to kill him?"

Danzo unwrapped his bandaged arm. A row of crimson Sharingan eyes slowly rotated, embedded into his stolen flesh.

Danzo smirked. "Shisui would never expect to die by the power of the Sharingan."

---

"Shisui, there's an important mission. Are you available?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly at the young Uchiha standing before him.

Uchiha Shisui hesitated slightly, then gave a small, wry smile. "I'm sorry, Lord Hokage, but I might not be available."

Hiruzen frowned.

Shisui had never refused a mission before.

Could it be… he was already suspicious?

A shadow passed over Hiruzen's face. No matter. This only confirmed that killing him was necessary.

Before the tension could deepen, Shisui awkwardly reached into his pocket and pulled out… a book.

"I'm currently… promoting this book," he admitted sheepishly.

Hiruzen's face instantly darkened.

This brat…

"Enough!" Hiruzen slapped the desk. "This mission is urgent! You are going!"

Shisui could only sigh in defeat. "Understood, Lord Hokage."

---

Later that evening, Shisui found Uzumaki Naruto and gave him an apologetic smile.

"Naruto, I'm sorry. I won't be able to help promote the book for a while…"

Naruto gave him a long, thoughtful look.

If he remembered correctly…

The Uchiha Massacre happened when Sasuke was seven.

Shisui died about six months before that.

Which meant… he was running out of time.

The butterfly effect was already in motion.

Shisui blinked. "Naruto? What are you thinking about?"

Naruto shook his head slightly. "Nothing."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Shisui, as a ninja of Konoha… where does your loyalty lie?"

Shisui tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Naruto's gaze was unwavering. "Konoha? The Third Hokage? Or… the Uchiha clan?"

Shisui looked surprised at the question. Then, he laughed.

"Naruto, what kind of question is that? I'm a Konoha ninja. My loyalty lies with the village, of course."

Naruto's eyes remained unreadable.

"Good," he murmured.

Then, his hand shot out. "Shisui, hand over all the money you have."

Shisui: "…"

With tears in his eyes, Shisui reluctantly handed over the only eight million ryo he had left.

Moments later, he departed for his mission, his pockets empty, his future uncertain.

Naruto quietly watched him leave, his fingers twitching. A small flame ignited in his palm.

Just a little more… and I would have acted.

---

Inside Paradise Bookstore, Naruto stood at the counter, holding the latest manuscript.

"Boss, how much is my manuscript fee?"

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a beaming face, chuckled. "Master Menma, your book is selling incredibly well! In just half a month, we've sold 14,000 copies!"

"This is only within Konoha. Once we expand into the Land of Fire, this book might become a bestseller across the entire ninja world!"

Naruto was uninterested in flattery. "I asked how much my manuscript fee is. I need money."

The shopkeeper hesitated. Deep down, he couldn't understand how Naruto burned through cash so fast.

Is he spending it all at some shady izakaya…?

No, wait. He's not a kid. He's a monster. How did I forget…?

The shopkeeper quickly pulled out the ledger.

"Master Menma, after deducting printing and distribution costs, your earnings total eight million ryo."

Naruto's eyes turned cold.

"Hmm…?"