Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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Konoha Year 58.

The Hidden Leaf had stepped firmly into its first decade of peace since the Third Shinobi War.

The village looked calm on the surface, but below, in the shadows, darkness had begun to swell.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

Tsunade sat at her desk, her expression grave. Namikaze Minato stood by her side, his brows furrowed.

Guts lounged on the nearby sofa, arms crossed and gaze sharp. These three represented the most powerful forces in Konoha.

Kneeling in front of them were Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui.

"Hokage-sama," Itachi began solemnly, "we can now fully confirm that the Uchiha Clan intends to rebel."

Tsunade's fingers pressed into her temple. "Their plan?"

"Twofold," Itachi replied. "First, they intend to take advantage of Konoha's deployment to assist Mist and seize power from Yagura."

"Second... they plan to kidnap the Nine Tails Jinchūriki...Kushina, and use the Sharingan to release the beast."

Minato's eyes went cold. His wife, again.

"They're going too far," Tsunade growled.

Itachi's tone was flat but resolute. "The Uchiha clan can no longer be reasoned with. I will bear the weight of it. Let me erase them...completely."

His words chilled the room.

Minato stepped forward, shaking his head. "There has to be another way. We can't allow—"

"We've tried," Itachi cut him off gently but firmly.

"We offered negotiations. Compromises. Separate governance. Nothing changed. Their path leads to destruction, one way or another. This way, they at least fall with dignity."

He looked up. "Hokage-sama... I have only one request. If I become the traitor, the butcher of my clan, let the last Uchiha, my brother...live. Let him grow up without knowing the truth. Let him kill me and become Konoha's hero."

Tsunade bit her lips, her fists clenched. Shisui silently cried.

"Itachi..." Minato whispered.

"All of this, I will bear alone," Itachi repeated.

Guts finally stood, stretching. "Shisui, you know what to do."

Shisui nodded, wiping away his tears. "Yes, Sensei."

The two departed, leaving a silence that clung to the walls.

Minato sighed. "Is there really no better solution?"

Tsunade closed her eyes. "If there is, I haven't found it."

Guts cracked his knuckles. "Then let's at least clean up the other problem in this village—Danzo."

That Night.

The crescent moon cast its pale glow over Konoha. On the rooftops of the Uchiha district, Itachi stood in silence, his Anbu gear concealing little but his grim resolve. His Sharingan flared to life...he could sense a familiar chakra approaching.

Time was up.

In the nearby forest, Root agents observed from the shadows. One of them, Yamanaka Fū, relayed information using his clan's Mind Transmission Technique.

"Lord Danzo, Itachi has entered the compound. Plans still unclear."

A voice, smooth as death itself, cut through the silence.

"Wow... Sounds like you're discussing something important. Mind letting me in on it?"

Fū turned, eyes wide.

Too late.

Guts kicked him off the branch before the ninja could scream.

With a soft thud, Fū hit the ground. Guts landed beside him, his boot pressing firmly on the man's neck.

"Come on now," Guts said with a calm, eerie smile. "I'll ask nicely once. What were you all planning?"

Fū gurgled, struggling for breath.

Guts pressed harder.

"Didn't catch that. Speak up."

A crack...followed by silence. Fū went limp.

Behind Guts, flashes of golden light streaked through the forest. Several Root agents fell, and one man landed cleanly: Namikaze Minato.

"No survivors," Guts said. "This mess ends tonight. I'm going after the last of the tumors. Danzo is mine."

Root Headquarters – Underground Base.

Danzo paced.

Fū had gone silent.

That should've been impossible.

Then...

BOOM!

The walls trembled. Flames lit the corridor outside.

Danzo stormed out just in time to see five of his Root operatives flung from the blast zone, their bodies scorched.

Through the flames, a lone figure approached, wreathed in shadow. A short sword gleamed in his hand.

Danzo's eyes widened. "Uchiha Shisui... what madness is this?!"

Shisui's expression was colder than ever before.

"This is the will of Hokage-sama and Guts-sensei," he said flatly. "For Konoha. For peace. As you always say, Danzo—sacrifice for the village. Now it's your turn."

"You dare...?!"

"Rest, Danzo. The Pure Land awaits."

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