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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Guts had imagined it more than once.

When he finally completed the Garp template, who would the next character be?

If the system chose templates based on his growth path, then the next one should also be someone who excelled in pure hand-to-hand combat.

But in all the lower-tier anime worlds Guts was familiar with, very few characters could match Garp in a straight-up fistfight.

Even within the Naruto universe, hardly anyone—aside from the likes of Boruto-era monsters like Ishiki Ōtsutsuki or that ridiculous brat Daemon, could compare to the old marine hero in raw physical power.

And outside that?

There was Dragon Ball, of course. The land of planet-busters and galaxy-wreckers. But those guys were practically gods.

Still, one name always lingered in his thoughts:

Saitama.

The One Punch Man.

A normal human who shattered his limiter, became an unstoppable force, and casually knocked out monsters bigger than mountains.

A man who never really tried, whose power had never even been fully shown.

"Wouldn't it be crazy if I got him as my next template?" Guts muttered with a grin.

He had read all the theories—the debates about whether Saitama could beat Goku, whether he was stronger than Super Saiyan 1, 2, 3…

Eventually people were saying he could blow up universes with a single punch.

And honestly? After reading the manga?

Guts believed it.

"Hah…" he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just hope it's someone overpowered."

No matter who it was, though, Guts was in a good mood.

After all...he'd completed the Garp template.

At 100%.

That alone was massive.

With Garp's strength, plus if he opened all Eight Gates, Guts could guarantee he could beat someone like Kaguya… but now, with this power, plus the chance of a second template?

He was ready for anything.

As he stood there, lost in thought, the others arrived.

Terumi Mei, Ao, and the Mist shinobi had finally caught up.

When they saw Yagura's body lying cold and lifeless on the ground, there wasn't a shred of pity or grief in their eyes.

How could there be?

It was Yagura's rule that had thrown Kirigakure into over a decade of darkness.

Blood, fear, and silence that was all his reign brought.

"Guts," Might Guy said, his brow furrowed, "is it just me… or have you gotten even stronger?"

Others might not have noticed, especially since Guts didn't use chakra, but Guy, also a taijutsu user, could sense the difference.

It was like comparing a glass of water to a flooded tank. That much change. That much pressure.

Guts just grinned.

Then, he relayed Yagura's final words to Terumi Mei and the others.

The moment he finished speaking, everyone went silent.

Controlled.

Yagura… was controlled?

Thinking about it...it made sense.

In the beginning of his reign, Yagura had been level-headed, competent. But somewhere along the way, his entire demeanor had shifted. Almost overnight.

Like he had become someone else entirely.

"The Sharingan," Kakashi murmured. "We all saw it… in the eyes of the Three Tails."

"You're saying," Choza Akimichi said slowly, "it was the same person who attacked Konoha ten years ago? The Nine Tails incident…?"

Controlling the Nine Tails…

Controlling the Fourth Mizukage…

Who the hell was this monster?

The more they thought about it, the more chilling it became.

"Yagura mentioned something before he died…" Guts said, lowering his voice dramatically.

"He called him… the masked man."

A cold shiver ran down everyone's spine.

Terumi Mei clenched her fists, fury lighting up her eyes.

"Controlling our Mizukage… turning Kirigakure into a puppet for Akatsuki… I won't forgive them."

Guts watched her. For the first time, she wasn't just calm and composed—she was furious.

And yet… still beautiful.

He coughed lightly and stepped beside her.

"Well, Lord Fifth Mizukage, shouldn't you be giving out orders by now?"

Ao stepped forward, bowing his head slightly.

"Yes. Terumi Mei, it's time. The reorganization of Mist Shinobi must begin. And… your inauguration ceremony awaits."

Behind him, the assembled Mist Shinobi erupted into cheers that echoed like thunder.

Too long.

They had waited too long...trapped under the suffocating weight of the Bloody Mist era.

Now, finally, they were free.

Terumi Mei turned to Guts and gave him a gentle smile.

"Thank you."

Guts blinked and then, bashfully, scratched his cheek, muttering something as he turned away, the back of his hand resting on his mouth.

Whether it was intentional or not, Terumi Mei's face turned the slightest shade of red.

In that moment, Yagura's death felt like more than just an end.

It was the beginning of something new.

The truth had come to light. The man behind the Nine Tails, the man who puppeted Yagura, he was still out there.

And now, with the alliance between Konoha and Kirigakure, it was time to prepare.

Kakashi and the other Konoha shinobi returned immediately to report the intel to the Hokage.

Guts remained for a while longer, handling the formalities.

After Terumi Mei's official ascension as Fifth Mizukage, they signed the new Konoha, Kirigakure alliance, witnessed by shinobi and villagers alike.

And when Terumi Mei stepped onto the top of the Mizukage building, the sky finally clearing above her.

The cheers that followed were so loud they felt like they might break through the heavens themselves.

Then, three days later…

The system finally spoke again.

[Special Achievement Unlocked: "Assisted in Making Terumi Mei Fifth Mizukage"]

[This achievement has contributed to the progress of your next Template Character – 0.5%]

Guts stared blankly at the message.

"…Point five percent?"

His grin twitched at the corner.

"…This new guy better be worth it."

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Author's Note:

Alright, prediction time!

The second template character will be revealed in the next three chapters,so HIT ME with those Power Stones (goal = 300, let's goooo).

Think you can guess who it is? Drop your wildest guesses below.

If anyone actually gets it right...without cheating, No Time Traveling allowed...I'll bless you all with a free chapter, no Power Stones required.

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