Time flies.
The 52nd year of the Hidden Leaf.
Before he knew it, Naruto had mastered super strength, the basics of chakra nature transformation, and the Three Basic Jutsu.
He even started working on the Wood Clone Technique.
But progress was slow.
Of course, Naruto wasn't completely isolated. He met little Tenten, who always called herself his older sister, almost every day.
The two became more familiar with each other, and Naruto discovered that her wealthy parents were different from ordinary villagers.
What surprised him was that Tenten's parents recognized his identity at first sight.
But there was no disgust or hatred in their eyes.
In fact, many villagers held no ill will toward Naruto.
There were also very few who were like the Ino-Shika-Chō trio and the Inuzuka and Aburame clans—neutral or indifferent.
Moreover, Naruto gradually came into contact with the direct heirs of the major clans.
Not because he sought them out.
But one day, after dropping off fish for Tenten, he happened to pass by Shikamaru and the others playing games and got called over.
Of course, there was also a familiar face—Konoha's hardworking genius, Rock Lee.
He found him while fishing.
...
In the 53rd year of Konoha, Naruto turned five.
Sasuke was also five.
The two-and-a-half-year wait was finally over.
During this time, Naruto woke before the roosters and slept later than the dogs. And finally, the moment arrived!
One of the double agents, the filial son, the idealist—Uchiha Shisui—was about to die.
Of course, Uchiha Shisui was still powerful, and Itachi had yet to grow to that level.
As for why the Uchiha dared to rebel and what gave them such confidence—
Naruto could make a pretty good guess.
Everyone knew that two of the clan's strongest shinobi might be traitors.
So how were there still so many radicals pushing for the coup?
It was simple—because the Uchiha had something else up their sleeve.
Controlling the Nine-Tails wasn't something the standard three-tomoe Sharingan could achieve.
At minimum, a Mangekyō Sharingan was required.
After the Nine-Tails attack, Konoha had suspected them, but the Uchiha were too proud to explain.
Yet, at the same time, they secretly searched for the Uchiha who had controlled the Nine-Tails that night.
There was a scene in the original story—
Obito appearing in the Uchiha clan's territory.
And who was Uchiha Obito at this time?
A man with long hair calling himself Uchiha Madara.
Later, Itachi sought him out and proposed an alliance to annihilate his own clan.
As if fate itself was handing him the opportunity!
The Uchiha… were destined for destruction.
Madara had seen through them long ago. If not for his younger brother, he would have abandoned them entirely.
When he realized he would never become the Second Hokage—when even the Uchiha themselves believed so, isolating him and voicing it openly—
He knew.
These people were unworthy of his efforts.
And when he left, the nightmare for the Uchiha began. Their benefits dwindled, and their status was threatened.
They resisted… but it was all in vain.
Obito needed Sharingan, so he reached out to the Uchiha clan.
This likely fueled their confidence to attempt a coup.
In the end, they realized too late that the strongest in their clan—Itachi and Obito—had already joined forces.
They never saw it coming… No matter how strong Obito was, he couldn't have silently wiped out all the guards alone, right?
But the Uchiha's arrogance was greater than ordinary people could fathom.
This was one of the reasons why Itachi could slaughter them so quickly.
Uchiha Shisui revealed his Mangekyō ability—Kotoamatsukami.
Danzo became wary and coveted it.
With Shisui gone, Itachi was left to shoulder everything alone.
When Danzo ordered Itachi to massacre the Uchiha, he was sending him to his death.
The way Obito broke the stalemate was the same as the Uchiha's—by finding Obito.
Comparing the two, it was obvious who brought greater benefits.
Otherwise, where did Obito get that wall of Sharingan from?
What's funny is that the Hokage's faction was aware of Danzo's every move.
But they didn't stop him.
They only stepped in after the deed was done, stripping Danzo of his position as Hokage's advisor.
Honestly, it was ironic.
Maybe Sarutobi Hiruzen felt guilty.
After all, he hoarded all the best resources while Danzo got nothing.
Tsk tsk tsk.
A lot of things made sense.
If the higher-ups feast on meat, they have to share some soup below, right?
So, Hiruzen often turned a blind eye.
...
"The honor of the village and the Uchiha clan is in your hands to protect."
After making his final arrangements, Shisui jumped off the cliff, a smile on his face as he embraced death.
The 11-year-old Itachi could only watch his best friend and mentor—Uchiha Shisui—die.
He closed his eyes in pain.
And when he opened them again—
The three-tomoe Sharingan had evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan!
Mangekyō at 11, and two years later, at 13, the entire clan was exterminated.
Shortly after defecting from Konoha, around the age of 14, he rendered one of Konoha's Sannin—Orochimaru—powerless with a single glance.
Hah, truly worthy of being a prodigal son.
His strength and talent were second to none.
And that arrogance of his? It was well-earned.
In fact, having witnessed the Uchiha's arrogance many times, it was natural for Itachi to believe they deserved destruction.
But he never realized—
He himself was no different.
He never confided in anyone.
Never reflected on his own actions.
He was simply someone who refused to listen.
After being reincarnated, Itachi finally learned to reflect…
Shisui's death had only one witness—Itachi.
Moreover, his body was never seen again in the later story.
It likely drifted downstream after falling into the Naka River… and became fish food.
Looks like Naruto didn't have to worry about being exposed while hiding in the river.
As the atmosphere in the village began shifting again—
Naruto started planning.
For the past half-month, he used the sound of flushing to cover up his Clone Jutsu training in the bathroom.
The clone would leave the bathroom, sit cross-legged, and pretend to practice chakra control.
Meanwhile, the real body remained inside, refining the Wood Clone Technique.
By using his Mokuton abilities, a piece of wood grew from his back.
With enough nutrients and chakra, the clone took shape.
At first, it still looked like wood.
But after persistent effort and exhausting most of his chakra—
Finally!
The wooden Naruto gained color.
"Success!"
Naruto wiped the sweat off his forehead, grinning.
Although the clone still looked lifeless—
It was his own self-developed Wood Clone Technique.
And that was more than enough.
He infused the clone with stored nutrients and a good portion of his chakra, ensuring it could last for a long time.
Unlike Shadow Clones, Wood Clones were on another level entirely.
Even the Shadow Clone Jutsu created by the Second Hokage Tobirama was based on Hashirama's Wood Clone.
"As long as I return every night to replenish its chakra and nutrients… once I get the First Hokage's Wood Release Scroll, I won't even need the nutrients anymore."
Though exhausted, Naruto smiled sincerely.
His preparations were complete.
And then—
With a splash—
A body hit the water.
Naruto, who had been meditating near the river daily, slowly opened his eyes.
After waiting for so long, Uchiha Shisui's body finally surfaced.
And along with it—
A discovery that made Naruto ecstatic.
His Mokuton abilities had evolved.
He could now receive information from plants!
Though vague, it was a start.
After confirming Shisui was completely dead, Naruto used the forest's roots to secure the body underwater.
Then, ensuring no one was around, he rushed over—
And grabbed Uchiha Shisui's corpse.
Running at full speed—
He didn't know the Flying Thunder God, and the Hokage had never given him the scroll. Otherwise, this wouldn't be so troublesome.
But—
Instantaneous Shisui!
His heart pounded, his hands trembled.
"After two and a half years, I finally got you!"
…
💎 Support this novel with Reviews & Power Stones! 💎
…
✅ Check out my Patreon for Advanced chapters 📚 on all my fanfics! 🎉
🔗 [patreon.com/LordMerlin]
🙏 Thank you for your support! ❤️