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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The homes of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were very close.

Neither of them came from a prestigious clan, and perhaps due to their old age and long-standing partnership, they chose to live near each other.

Decades in power had honed their instincts, and tonight, despite the lateness of the hour, neither could sleep.

Mitokado Homura, dressed in casual clothes, strolled into Utatane Koharu's courtyard. He was surprised to see her already standing outside.

"Koharu, you're still awake?"

Koharu nodded slightly. The two elders sat on the stone benches under the crescent moon. There were no lights, but the moonlight was enough.

"I don't know why," Koharu murmured, brows furrowed. "I feel uneasy tonight."

"How's Danzo handling things?" she asked again.

"He's been trying to persuade Uchiha Itachi," Homura replied. "The boy hasn't responded yet, but I believe it's only a matter of time."

Though not a good man by any means, Homura was a skilled politician and confident in manipulating people.

He was certain Itachi would crack—either join his father in rebellion or lead the Uchiha to defect.

Either choice would destabilize Tsunade's position as Hokage.

But he didn't understand Itachi.

The boy had chosen a bloody path with no return.

Koharu's expression remained tight. "Even if Tsunade falls, Namikaze Minato remains. It won't be easy to reinstate Hiruzen or put Danzo in power."

Homura shook his head. "Minato is easier to control than Tsunade. If he becomes the Fifth Hokage, it's still a win for us."

Just then, a cold voice cut through the air.

"But I don't think you'll live long enough to see it."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu turned their heads and looked. They saw that under the light of the moon, Guts was sitting on the wall of the courtyard, who knows for how long!

"Guts! You...!" Homura stammered, unable to form a full sentence.

Koharu stared in horror, stunned into silence.

"Relax," Guts said casually, hopping down. "You won't have to worry about these political games ever again."

"What do you want, Guts!?" Homura snapped, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and outrage.

"Just tying up loose ends."

Three more words. That's all he said.

Suddenly, with a flicker of chakra, Shisui appeared beside him, his clothing torn and blood seeping through.

"Sensei," he said quietly.

"Is it done?" Guts asked, eyes calm.

Shisui nodded. "Danzo is dead."

Koharu and Homura recoiled in disbelief.

"Uchiha Shisui, you...you actually killed Danzo?!"

Guts smiled faintly. "Surprised? Don't be. You'll be seeing him soon."

"You can't do this!" Koharu shrieked. "We've served Konoha for decades! Do you think Tsunade will protect you after this?!"

"Yeah! Kill us, and everything you've built will fall apart!"

Guts slowly drew Shisui's short blade from the scabbard.

"Don't worry," Guts said with a casual grin, his voice laced with mockery. "You weren't killed by me, you were killed by Uchiha Shisui. The same rebel who took down Danzo. Fitting, isn't it?"

He stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly.

"After all, you old relics were scheming against my student too. Seems only fair you meet the same end."

The two elders began to backpedal in panic, stepping into the pond behind them and slipping into the water.

Dripping and humiliated, they looked up to see Guts standing at the edge of the pond, the blade glinting under the moonlight.

"Stop! Guts, we're no longer part of Konoha's leadership! What's the point?!"

"Yeah! We pose no threat to you or Tsunade anymore!"

Guts shook his head in disgust. "You who treated human lives like firewood, can't even face death with dignity."

He raised the blade.

In one swift, merciless motion, their heads fell.

Their lifeless eyes stared up, still filled with disbelief and bitter regret.

Guts flicked the blood from the blade and sent it spinning into the air, letting it land neatly back into the scabbard on Shisui's back.

"Weed removal operation: complete," he said quietly, turning away... hiding his expression.

"Go now, Shisui," he added, voice low. "Witness the end of Uchiha."

Shisui remained behind for a moment, staring at the two corpses, then followed after.

"Sensei… the air is cold tonight," Shisui murmured, his breath shaking. "It burns the skin."

In the Uchiha district, Itachi stood drenched in blood.

His clothes were torn, his breathing shallow. The blade in his hand hung heavy. His heart had grown numb.

He slid open the paper door to the main hall. His parents sat cross-legged in the center.

Fugaku wore his usual stern expression. Mikoto looked at him with gentle eyes.

As if nothing had happened.

As if everything were normal.

"You're back, Itachi," they said in unison.

The Sharingan in Itachi's eyes spun with sorrow. He stepped forward slowly, knowing what must be done.

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