Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

"Lord Danzo!"

Danzo Shimura crashed to the ground, crawling up in a disheveled mess. His clothes were torn and riddled with holes.

Several Root shinobi quickly rushed forward to shield him, forming a protective barrier.

"You've already transplanted Hashirama's cells."

Uchiha Fugaku cast a cold glance toward Danzo.

The Wood Release jutsu Danzo had used earlier made it clear—he had transplanted the cells of Hashirama Senju.

"Keep up the assault! Maintaining Susanoo consumes an immense amount of chakra—he won't last much longer!"

Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Danzo's exposed left eye glared coldly at Fugaku inside Susanoo.

A jutsu of such immense power had to come at a steep chakra cost—there was no way Fugaku could maintain it for long.

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!"

The Root shinobi, trained to suppress emotion, followed Danzo's orders without hesitation—even as casualties piled up.

Once again, they unleashed a barrage of compound Fire-Wind ninjutsu toward Susanoo.

BOOM—

The storm of fire and wind slammed into Susanoo. But now in its second form, the chakra construct's defenses had evolved further.

The flames scorched it, but damage was minimal and quickly repaired through chakra reinforcement.

WHOOSH—

Uchiha Fugaku retaliated.

The white shield deflected fire jutsu straight back at the Root shinobi. At the same time, the black spear in Susanoo's right hand launched with terrifying speed.

"Urgh—!"

Despite their readiness, Root shinobi couldn't react in time. The shield's reflection and the spear's throw required no hand seals—executed in an instant.

Several shinobi were engulfed in redirected flames or obliterated by the explosive impact of the spear.

Another dozen fell. Their condition—unknown.

"..."

Danzo's expression grew grimmer.

These were elite Root operatives—his most capable force. Even the weakest among them were at Special Jōnin level. This was his hidden ace.

Now, with just two counters, Fugaku had wiped out over thirty.

"Underground infiltration! Earth-Style users—approach from below!"

Danzo signaled silently—a gesture only Root would recognize.

Immediately, the Earth-Style users vanished into the ground, beginning their stealth approach from below.

"Root are burrowing underground—take care of them!"

Fugaku's heightened sensory abilities detected their movement immediately.

He gave the order to Shisui and Itachi, stationed inside the Susanoo with him.

"Clan Head, leave it to us. They won't get in your way."

Itachi and Shisui understood Fugaku needed total focus to operate Susanoo. They wouldn't let him be interrupted.

The Root were strong—but they were Uchiha, elite among elites. Every one of them was at least Special Jōnin level—and with Sharingan, they had a significant edge.

SPLASH—

A Root ninja barely broke the surface before being cut down by three Uchiha on watch.

SPLASH, SPLASH—

Two more were intercepted the moment they surfaced—struck down by Shisui and Itachi before they could act.

Though Sharingan couldn't see through the earth, its unparalleled perception allowed users to sense tremors and disturbances—pinpointing where enemies would emerge.

WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH—

Controlled by Fugaku, the massive black spears were hurled repeatedly.

Each spear struck densely packed enemy formations—erupting on impact.

BOOM—

Five Root shinobi were sent flying, bloodied and broken.

BOOM—

Another seven fell. Six were torn apart. One, directly hit, was reduced to scattered limbs and flesh.

…

Within minutes, Root's 100-man force had dropped below fifty.

Corpses and limbs littered the battlefield. Blood soaked the earth, seeping deep.

But Fugaku had paid a cost—his chakra pool had thinned considerably.

CRACK—CRACK—

Susanoo's muscled form cracked—then dissolved entirely.

"Fugaku… You finally ran out of steam!"

Seeing Susanoo vanish, Danzo exhaled, visibly relieved.

Half his force gone in mere minutes—rebuilding would take years, pushing back his ambitions for the Hokage seat.

But finally—Fugaku had reached his limit.

"Ran out? You're mistaken."

Catching his breath, Fugaku stared Danzo down, smirking coldly.

The second form of Susanoo did drain massive chakra. Before, he couldn't have sustained it long.

But that had changed.

After integrating the corpses of White Zetsu, the Yuki Clan, and the Kaguya Clan, all his aptitudes—including chakra—had been enhanced.

His reserves had more than doubled.

Maintaining Susanoo longer wouldn't have been a problem. He let it go because—it was no longer necessary.

"Fugaku, stop bluffing..."

Danzo scoffed, sure it was all an act.

Susanoo's chakra drain was no joke. Fugaku had to be at his end.

"Bluffing?"

Fugaku sneered.

"You'll see soon enough if I am."

"..."

Danzo mocked him internally.

But the next instant—his eyes went wide, cold sweat pouring.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Crimson Claw!"

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

…

A barrage of Fire-Style jutsu came from behind—targeting Danzo and the remaining Root forces.

Another group had arrived—and they weren't allies.

The chakra turbulence from battle had masked their presence. Danzo's forces didn't detect them until it was too late.

They were clearly Uchiha reinforcements.

Fugaku… had never been bluffing.