I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Survivors of the Whirlpool

Both appearance and figure can be disguised using the Transformation Jutsu (Henge no Jutsu), but the Sharingan is not so easily deceived.

After identifying the identity of the visitor through his Sharingan, Shisui Uchiha's tense heart gradually relaxed.

Although the stranger had subdued him and stolen one of his eyes, he provided a strategy that could have saved the Uchiha clan from annihilation—something neither Konoha's high-ranking officials nor Clan Head Fugaku had managed to do.

From this perspective, the stranger seemed far more reliable than those in power.

Thinking of this, Shisui let out a bitter smile. "Let them see what they will. Leading a clan is far more difficult than I imagined. I can't even assure our people that they won't be hunted by Konoha tomorrow."

The young man in front of him—Naruto—chuckled and said, "Every choice comes with a price. If you had decided to use Kotoamatsukami on the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki a few hours ago and initiated a coup, you might have become the Fifth Hokage by now. But you gave up that option."

Shisui knew Naruto was speaking in jest, but he still shook his head seriously.

"The Uchiha Police Force is no match for Konoha's upper echelon. Even if a coup succeeded, the Sannin wouldn't stand idly by. Uchiha couldn't maintain the Hokage's seat, and the situation would have turned out even worse than it is now."

Naruto nodded. The lack of high-level combat power was indeed one of the Uchiha clan's greatest weaknesses.

However, had both Shisui and Itachi fully supported Fugaku, the coup might not have been doomed from the start. After all, Konoha's leadership wasn't entirely unified—internal conflicts existed among its key figures.

Yet the divisions within the Uchiha clan were even greater than those in Konoha, which was why the coup had always been a fool's errand.

After a brief silence, Shisui hesitantly asked, "The Uchiha have evacuated Konoha, but we have yet to establish a new home. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Suggestions?" Naruto glanced at him with amusement.

"You can settle anywhere you like. The world is vast—there's always a place for the Uchiha."

"No, we can't do this without your help. I need your opinion." Shisui's tone was uncharacteristically humble. The authoritative air he once carried in clan meetings had vanished.

There were two reasons for this. First, Naruto's advice had saved Uchiha from destruction. Second, Naruto's strength was undeniable.

At first, Shisui had assumed that the masked man who attacked him was just another ambitious Jōnin after the Sharingan. However, after witnessing the Jinchūriki's rampage the previous night, he realized the truth—the masked man was someone who could rival the Five Kage in power.

There was no way the Jinchūriki's outburst had been a coincidence.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and replied bluntly, "Why should I help you? I intervened before because I wanted the Mangekyō Sharingan, but now you no longer have another pair to offer me. I have no interest in a three-tomoe Sharingan."

Shisui's expression darkened slightly. He had nothing left to bargain with.

After some thought, he cautiously said, "Aren't you seeking change? Wouldn't you be interested in a rogue Uchiha clan carving out a new legacy beyond Konoha? If nothing else, you'd gain the loyalty of an entire bloodline."

Naruto looked at him, slightly intrigued. Shisui had taken his words more seriously than he expected.

But it wasn't a bad idea. Keeping Uchiha active in the shinobi world would divert Konoha's attention, aligning with Naruto's own objectives. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered traveling so far to track them down.

"I don't need Uchiha's loyalty…"

Just as Naruto was about to continue speaking, he suddenly sensed a chakra signature approaching. His expression tightened.

Shisui also noticed the disturbance and followed Naruto's gaze.

Moments later, Uchiha Izumi appeared in front of them, her face anxious.

"Brother Shisui, we're running out of medical supplies at the camp. Should we abandon the severely wounded?"

"Abandon the injured…"

Shisui's expression darkened. He didn't want to leave anyone behind, but the reality of their situation was dire. If he delayed his decision, more people would die.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered something. Turning to Naruto, he asked, "You're skilled in medical ninjutsu, aren't you? Would you be willing to help? We'll pay you."

"How much?" Naruto asked bluntly. He wasn't in the business of charity.

Shisui hesitated, then said, "Two hundred thousand ryō for minor injuries, one million for serious ones."

Naruto coughed. That was… a lot. But after a moment, he simply shrugged and said, "Lead the way. I'm not greedy for money. I just can't stand seeing people suffer. Besides, I used to be a medic-nin—I'm very professional."

Shisui was speechless. This mysterious man was surprisingly straightforward.

Regardless, the Uchiha had wealth, and problems solvable with money weren't real problems. Their top priority was to save as many clan members as possible.

After negotiating the price, the three of them rushed toward the Uchiha camp.

On the way, Izumi stole a glance at Naruto.

She found it strange how respectfully Shisui treated him.

Shisui had crushed dissent within the clan with overwhelming force and led their escape from Konoha. Yet, he was acting humble in front of this outsider.

Izumi's scrutiny did not go unnoticed by Naruto, but he didn't bother acknowledging it.

In his memory, Izumi had been a talented Uchiha, awakening her three-tomoe Sharingan at a young age. Had things gone differently, she would have become an elite Jōnin.

But her life had ended tragically—she had loved Uchiha Itachi, and in the end, she had died at his hands on the night of the clan's downfall.

However, Naruto's actions had altered history. The Uchiha had survived their genocide. How much of the shinobi world would change as a result?

As they entered the Uchiha camp, Naruto was met with a heavy wave of sorrow and resentment.

The survivors, huddled together in a desolate corner, cursed Uchiha Itachi's name—the traitor who had betrayed his own clan. Their anger and grief boiled over, raw and unchecked.

At any time, traitors are despised more than enemies.

Affected by the emotions of the clan, both Shisui and Izumi's expressions darkened.

Shisui muttered, "I'm sorry you had to see my clan in this state… But we will recover."

Naruto, accustomed to negative emotions, remained unmoved. "Take me to the injured first. No need to waste time here."

Shisui nodded, leading the way.

Just then, deep within Naruto's subconscious, Kurama's voice rumbled.

"I thought we agreed to roam the shinobi world. How did we end up at an Uchiha refugee camp?"

Naruto smirked. "Money, obviously."

Kurama huffed. "You humans and your greed."

Naruto laughed. "Tell you what, if we don't make enough money now, I'll have to cut down on your supply of grilled fish and cola."

Kurama fell silent.

"…On second thought, a strong financial foundation is important."

Naruto chuckled and continued walking.

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