Naruto: The Shadow of Uchiha

In the northern highlands of the Hidden Cloud Village, the Fourth Raikage, with his light blond hair and a muscular frame, was presiding over a high-level strategy meeting.

Seated at the head of the table, he addressed his team.

"This time, we'll send Jonin Darui and Jonin Samui. Darui will be in charge of handling all diplomatic matters for the envoy."

"But besides signing a peace agreement with Konoha, you have a second mission—to abduct Hyuga Hinata, the heiress of the Hyuga clan's main branch."

"If successful, she'll serve as a breeding vessel to create a new Hyuga bloodline in the Hidden Cloud."

"That's precisely why we insisted the peace talks take place in Konoha."

A wave of stunned murmurs spread across the room.

The Hyuga clan was one of the strongest in Konoha. Doing this would be nothing short of provoking the Leaf. Was the Raikage truly interested in peace—or another war?

Samui, with her short, pale blonde hair and stoic demeanor, was visibly surprised at the Raikage's plan.

Still, she didn't protest. The notion of breeding a new Hyuga line wasn't offensive to her—after all, it would significantly strengthen their village.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Kumo's elite squads had consistently lost skirmishes against Hyuga-led Konoha teams. The Byakugan's far-seeing ability allowed the Leaf to scout from long distances, ambushing Kumo squads with surgical precision.

This, Samui knew, was one of the major reasons for their defeat.

She couldn't help but voice her concern.

"Lord Raikage… won't this plan risk reigniting the war?"

Even if the mission succeeded, if they were caught, another war could break out. And the current Cloud Village wasn't prepared for that.

Compared to the prosperous Konoha, Kumogakure was far less wealthy. Another large-scale war might bleed them dry—or worse, leave them vulnerable to a sneak attack from their arch-enemy, Iwagakure.

To her, the war had dragged on long enough. Peace was overdue.

But the Raikage only grunted.

"Who cares? Even if Konoha finds out, that old coward the Third Hokage won't dare retaliate."

"Konoha just beat Iwagakure and signed an unequal treaty. But we're even stronger than the Rock Village. There's no way they'll want a second war."

Darui—cool-headed and experienced—smiled and nodded.

"Lord Raikage is wise. I guarantee the mission will succeed."

If he pulled this off, he'd be hailed as a hero back home.

The Raikage grinned.

"Of course I trust you. Your infiltration skills are top-notch in the whole village."

"Once you've secured Hinata, head to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. I'll have people waiting to retrieve you."

"We'll celebrate your success together."

Meanwhile, in Konoha, the sun hung low in the afternoon sky.

Uchiha Ryosuke was walking through the village streets, headed to find Might Guy. He wanted to learn how to open the Fifth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates.

Once he mastered it, he'd practically be a mid-game boss character—more than enough to face the threat of the Uchiha massacre head-on.

With his current physical stats, which exceeded even Might Guy's a decade into the future, Ryosuke was confident.

The Eight Gates technique wasn't just about chakra—it relied heavily on physical endurance and strength. And Ryosuke's body had long since surpassed the standard.

While moving through a wooded area in the village, he spotted something troubling.

A group of older kids had surrounded a timid younger girl, preventing her from leaving.

His brow furrowed.

Wasn't that… Hinata Hyuga?

He remembered from the original timeline: despite being the heiress to the Hyuga main branch, she was often bullied by other children. Sometimes in winter, sometimes in summer—it seemed oddly frequent.

Usually, this was the part where Naruto would jump in to save her.

But Ryosuke looked around—no sign of Naruto anywhere.

Could his presence in this timeline already be shifting the plot?

Or… maybe the scene never truly played out that way in canon.

Back to reality—the kids were mocking Hinata's eyes.

One boy pointed and laughed.

"Your white eyes are so weird. No pupils? That's creepy!"

Another added, "Yeah, like a ghost's eyes or a monster!"

Hinata, clearly frightened, stayed silent, shrinking into herself.

One of the boys looked like he was about to shove her—probably out of fear. Strange eyes meant she was a freak, right?

Ryosuke couldn't just stand by.

Walking toward them, his voice rang out.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The kids froze and turned around—only to see a tall man in a high-collared Uchiha cloak.

Their expressions changed instantly.

"It's someone from the Uchiha clan!"

Their parents had taught them well—don't mess with the Uchiha.

They immediately turned to flee.

But Ryosuke wasn't going to let them off that easily.

"Trying to run? Maybe I should drop by your homes and have a chat with your parents."

The kids froze in place.

Their parents would be furious if they heard their sons picked a fight with a Hyuga—and got caught by an Uchiha.

By now, Ryosuke stood directly in front of them.

"Apologize to her. Loudly. And promise it won't happen again—or I'll drag you all to jail myself."

The word jail hit hard.

Terrified, the boys stammered.

"S-sorry! We promise—never again!"

"Louder. And with sincerity."

They repeated it, this time much louder.

Only then did Ryosuke nod in satisfaction.

"Get lost."

The bullies ran like their lives depended on it.

Hinata, still a bit shaken, stood quietly. Though he had saved her, Ryosuke's aura was intimidating.

She clutched her coat sleeves timidly, unsure how to react.

Ryosuke, looking down at her, found himself impressed.

So small and cute—yet someday, he knew, she'd grow up to be… very well-developed.

Definitely someone with potential.

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