Naruto: I wake up as a uchiha during the massicar

Chapter 2: The Path of Escape

First-Person POV

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After trudging through the damp underground passage for what felt like an eternity, I finally saw the faint glimmer of moonlight breaking through the cracks above. My steps quickened despite the pain in my missing arm. When I emerged from the hidden exit, I found myself in the middle of a dense forest. The air was cold, and the towering trees cast long shadows under the pale glow of the moon.

The hideout I exited looked ancient, just like I remembered from my inherited memories. It was one of the Uchiha clan's many secret refuges, built long before we were trapped within the confines of the Hidden Leaf.

I took a deep breath, savoring the crisp air of freedom. "Finally... I'm outside."

But my moment of peace didn't last long. A sharp sting radiated from the stump where my arm had been severed. I gritted my teeth as the wave of pain swept through me, threatening to pull me back to my knees. Even though I had managed to stop the bleeding with basic medical ninjutsu, the wound was still fresh. Too much movement was clearly a mistake.

"Damn it," I muttered, leaning against a tree to catch my breath. After a few moments, the pain dulled to a tolerable throb.

Now wasn't the time to rest. I had to move. From my memories—both my own and those of the original Haruto—I knew the Hidden Leaf wouldn't just let an Uchiha survivor escape unnoticed. Especially not Danzo.

"The Land of Iron," I whispered to myself, weighing my options. "That's the safest place for now."

The Land of Iron was a neutral territory, governed by samurai rather than shinobi. Its icy terrain and non-aggression agreements with the Great Nations made it the perfect refuge. But it was far from here, on the northern borders of the ninja world. My other option, the Land of Tea, was closer, but it lacked the neutrality or defenses I'd need.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, familiar chime.

[Congratulations! You have perfectly completed your first mission!]

[Reward: Beginner's Pack]

[Do you want to open it?]

I stared at the blue screen hovering in front of me, momentarily dumbfounded. "Perfect timing," I said, my voice laced with both relief and curiosity.

"Open it," I commanded, feeling a spark of hope.

[Beginner's Pack Contains:

1. Uzumaki Chakra Reserves

Details: You now possess chakra reserves akin to the Uzumaki clan. This compensates for the Mangekyō Sharingan's chakra drain. You also gain an accelerated healing factor, drastically increasing your survivability.

2. Mechanical Arm of the Winter Soldier

Details: A chakra-conductive arm made from vibranium, capable of channeling chakra for ninjutsu and combat.

3. Inventory Ring

Details: A storage ring with space equivalent to a small house. Accessible with a simple thought.]

Before I could process the words, a warm glow enveloped me. My body felt rejuvenated—stronger. My chakra reserves surged, feeling vast and untamed. Was this how Naruto felt with his monstrous chakra?

"This… this feels incredible," I muttered, flexing my fingers.

Then, I noticed the metallic sheen of my left arm. My stump had been replaced with a mechanical arm, seamless and responsive. When I clenched my fist, I could feel the chakra flowing through it as though it had always been part of me.

I didn't have long to marvel at my upgrades. Another chime resounded.

[Warning!]

[The ROOT ninja have noticed your escape. They are closing in, drawn by your chakra signature. You must either fight or flee.]

[Mission: Survive the ROOT ninja.]

[Reward: Access to the Shop and Status System]

[Failure: Death]

"ROOT ninjas," I muttered, my heart pounding. "Danzo's dogs."

There was no time to think. Fighting them here would draw too much attention. The Hokage and other elites could arrive if I made too much noise, and I wasn't ready for that.

"I have to move. Now."

I bolted into the forest, pushing my body as hard as it would go. With my newfound Uzumaki stamina, I managed to move faster and longer than I ever could have dreamed. But ROOT wasn't known for giving up. Their presence was palpable, their oppressive chakra signatures closing in on me like wolves on a cornered deer.

"Persistent bastards," I cursed under my breath.

As I ran, I noticed faint glimmers of movement in the trees. Kunai zipped past me, embedding themselves in the bark with deadly precision.

"Stand down, Uchiha!" one of the ninjas commanded from the shadows.

I didn't bother replying. A flick of my wrist activated the inventory ring, and a scroll appeared in my hand. From it, I unsealed a handful of explosive tags.

"Catch this!" I shouted, throwing the tags in their direction.

The explosion lit up the forest, momentarily disorienting my pursuers. I used the opportunity to create distance, weaving through the trees with newfound speed.

But they weren't far behind. A masked ROOT shinobi appeared directly in my path, kunai in hand. His chakra flared as he aimed for my throat.

"Too slow," I muttered, activating my Sharingan.

With my three-tomoe Sharingan, his movements were painfully predictable. I sidestepped his attack, grabbing his wrist with my mechanical arm. A surge of chakra erupted from my grip, shattering the kunai and throwing him into a tree with a sickening thud.

Two more ROOT agents emerged, each wielding tanto blades. I prepared to fight but froze when a realization struck me.

"This isn't the time for a prolonged battle," I whispered.

Using a flash bomb from my ring, I blinded my attackers and darted away. I could hear their frustrated shouts behind me, but I didn't look back.

After what felt like hours of running, I finally reached the edge of the forest. A steep cliff stretched before me, with a river glimmering far below.

I took a deep breath. "This is going to hurt."

With no other choice, I leapt. The wind roared in my ears as I plummeted, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to hang in silence. Then, with a loud splash, I hit the icy water below.

The current carried me away, its force too strong for even the ROOT to track. My body ached, but I was alive.

"Mission accomplished," I muttered through gritted teeth, watching the moonlight dance on the water as I floated toward an uncertain future.

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To be continued...