Naruto: Wait, I’m Toneri?!

While Itachi and Shisui stood completely dumbfounded, struggling to process their inability to deal with the stranger, Toneri had to fight back a laugh.

Even with his back turned, he could clearly see their stunned expressions.

It was almost too amusing.

Like children confused by a simple trick.

He almost felt bad. Almost.

They had no idea.

No idea that what stood before them was just a projection.

The real him was still on the moon.

Toneri couldn't hold it in anymore. A chuckle escaped. Then a bit more—until he finally let out a full laugh, his shoulders shaking.

Itachi and Shisui stiffened.

His laughter was genuine. And that made it all the more unsettling.

Finally, Toneri wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and turned to face them.

"Alright. No more fooling around."

His gaze met Shisui's directly.

"Shisui, I've come to invite you."

Shisui's kunai remained raised. His Mangekyō spun.

"If you expect me to betray my village, you're wasting your time."

Toneri simply tilted his head, as if amused.

"Who said anything about betrayal?"

Shisui's eyes flickered with caution. "Then what are you asking?"

Toneri exhaled softly and turned back toward the village.

For a moment, he was silent. Then, in a voice almost too calm, he said—

"Clan. Village. Title. Duty.

You don't realize how bound you are."

Itachi and Shisui exchanged a brief glance.

What was this man trying to say?

Then Toneri looked at Shisui again.

"No matter how powerful you are, how much you've seen… you're still a child in the face of the world."

Shisui's fingers tightened around his kunai.

Itachi's posture shifted slightly—a subtle movement, but enough to indicate his unease.

Before either of them could respond—

Clap.

Toneri's hands met in a single, sharp sound.

"I've spoken too much for now."

Then—

He moved.

Shisui barely registered the motion.

One moment, the stranger was standing before them. The next—

He was at Shisui's side.

Too fast.

Even with his speed and reflexes, Shisui couldn't react in time.

His instincts screamed danger, and in a desperate attempt, he flickered away in an instant, reappearing in front of Itachi, kunai held defensively.

Toneri chuckled. "Relax."

Toneri observed him for a moment.

"I am only a projection." His voice remained even. "I will not harm you. Not unless I must."

His smirk deepened slightly.

Then—

"Just a heads-up—

The Fourth Ninja War is coming."

Silence.

Shisui and Itachi froze.

The what?

Itachi's voice was low, but his disbelief was clear. "…Fourth Ninja War?"

Shisui stared. "That's… impossible!"

Toneri's smile didn't waver.

"Why?"

His tone was almost teasing.

"It's not like it's never happened before."

Then, for the first time, his eyes met Itachi's directly.

And he asked—

"You once crossed paths with a masked man, didn't you?"

Itachi's expression barely shifted. Yet, deep inside, something stirred.

Shisui frowned. "What are you getting at?"

Toneri turned back toward the village, gazing at the distant lights flickering in the night.

His next words were vague, yet pointed—

"The one pulling the strings this time… will be Uchiha."

Silence.

Neither Itachi nor Shisui reacted outwardly, but both felt a weight settle over them.

Toneri continued, his tone distant, reflective—

"The Nine-Tails' rampage… Mystery Uchiha… You've already seen glimpses, haven't you?"

Itachi's fingers twitched slightly.

He felt it wrong.

But to hear it spoken aloud…

Shisui exhaled through his nose, steadying himself.

"And you expect us to believe you?"

Toneri finally turned to face them fully. His expression was calm, nonchalant.

"Believe what you will."

Then, his gaze darkened, and for the first time, his voice carried a hint of something grim.

"The war itself does not concern me."

"What comes after it does."

His fingers tightened slightly at his sides.

"If I fail…" He let the words settle before finishing—

"It won't just be your hidden villages that fall."

He exhaled softly.

"It will be the entire world."

[

Okay, guys, it's time to set my goals: 50 Power Stones = a new chapter. Don't forget to add this fiction to your collection!

Just for notice, this fiction does contain elements of Boruto as well.

]