I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

After hearing this voice, Uchiha Itachi subconsciously frowned.

The masked man had chosen to present himself as Tobi this time, despite the fact that both he and Kisame Hoshigaki had been recruited into the Akatsuki by the same person. Was this deception truly necessary, or was it merely a ploy to mislead the enemy with false information?

In truth, even Uchiha Obito found himself perplexed at this moment.

He had explicitly sent a message to the Hokage's office, yet instead of Konoha's typical response, Itachi and Kisame had arrived. Given the sensitivity surrounding Uzushio Village and the remaining Uchiha, it was unlikely that Konoha would remain passive.

Even if Jiraiya had reached a clandestine agreement with the remnants of the Uzumaki clan, Danzo Shimura would not sit idly by.

If he failed to sow discord between Konoha and Uzushio, his recent efforts would be in vain. Waiting for an opportune moment, Obito subtly probed Kisame about the mission's details and source.

Kisame narrowed his shark-like eyes at Obito and deliberately withheld the information.

This irked Obito—he valued Kisame's loyalty, but sometimes it was too absolute.

Before long, Zetsu and his white half-clone arrived at the scene. After being briefed on the situation, the expression beneath Obito's mask shifted dramatically.

He hadn't used genjutsu to manipulate Gato, yet the wealthy shipping magnate had defied his expectations by hiring mercenaries through the black market. Still, this turn of events wasn't necessarily bad—if more rogue shinobi became involved, the existence of Uzushio Village would be exposed to the world.

When that happened, the great nations would become further entangled in chaos, and Obito's goal would be achieved by proxy.

---

Deep into the night, Shisui Uchiha and his group found shelter in a humble household.

Their sudden visit made the village elders wary, but after persuasion from the younger generation, the travelers were reluctantly granted a place to stay.

"You're not from the Land of Waves, are you?"

Tazuna, the grizzled bridge builder, set down bowls of miso soup and rice, casually probing as he warmed himself by the stove.

Shisui accepted the meal with a nod. "You're right. We're wanderers exploring the shinobi world. We thought we'd stay in the Land of Waves for a few days to experience its culture."

Hearing the term shinobi world, a flicker of understanding crossed Tazuna's face, and he muttered in surprise, "Travelers, huh? That's impressive. But honestly, there's not much worth seeing here—just seawater and hardship. If it's sightseeing you want, the Land of Hot Water is a better choice."

Shisui seized the moment. "So, you've traveled beyond this country before?"

Tazuna sighed. "In my younger days, I ventured out. But in the end, home is home, no matter how poor. It would be a fine place if not for Gato squeezing the life out of it."

"Gato?" Shisui feigned ignorance. "Isn't he a businessman? Why would he exploit you?"

Tazuna scoffed. "If he weren't squeezing us, how would he have built his empire? That snake and his thugs monopolize trade and resources, leaving us barely able to survive."

A defiant voice suddenly interjected. "Grandpa, don't talk like that! Dad and the others have already decided to stand up against Gato. We will get rid of him one day!"

Tazuna glanced at the young boy, Inari, and sighed. "Overthrowing a tyrant isn't that simple. Gato has countless hired goons."

Kaiza, Inari's late father figure, had once tried to inspire the villagers to resist, but his execution at Gato's hands had crushed their spirits. Now, only a few still harbored hope.

"Don't lose faith, Father," a woman chimed in. "If we unite with the villagers, we can fight back. Our lives will improve."

Tazuna shook his head. "Not in front of our guests." Then, turning to Shisui, he forced a smile. "It's late. You should rest and leave the Land of Waves at first light. Gato has a habit of extorting outsiders."

---

Later that night, Shisui and his companions gathered in the small living space.

Zabuza Momochi, the rogue swordsman, exhaled sharply. "That old man wasn't just talking. He figured out we're shinobi and deliberately mentioned Gato."

Shisui nodded. His heightened senses had already confirmed Tazuna's subtle shifts in expression. No ordinary villager could deceive an Uchiha's perception, let alone seasoned warriors like them.

Haku, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Master Shisui, Master Zabuza, do you think these villagers have any real chance of resisting Gato?"

Zabuza snorted. "Not a chance. With Gato's wealth, he can hire shinobi at a moment's notice. Even without them, his enforcers alone could crush these villagers. They don't have the skill or resources to fight back."

"No matter how much they plan, it's pointless unless they can hire real ninja to oppose him," Zabuza continued. "But they're dirt poor. They can't afford our kind, which means their so-called 'resistance' is doomed."

Haku hesitated before murmuring, "So no one will save them? It was like this in the Land of Water before, and now the same tragedy unfolds here."

Zabuza rolled his eyes. "No one does something for nothing. The Land of Waves is too poor to sustain a hidden village, and once we finish our mission, we're heading back to Uzushio."

At that moment, Shisui recalled Naruto Uzumaki's ideals and allowed a small smile to tug at his lips.

"No," he said. "Other villages might turn their backs on civilians, but Lord Menma wouldn't. If he decides to take action against Gato, he won't ignore the people."

Zabuza scoffed. "Hah! Shinobi villages are all the same. Uzushio won't be any different."

But seeing the conviction in Shisui's eyes, he held his tongue. He had been disillusioned before—but he wasn't foolish enough to dismiss a true believer.

Haku, however, nodded in agreement. "I believe in Lord Menma as well."

Zabuza clicked his tongue. "Haku, you're from Kirigakure, not Uzushio. Stop acting like a zealot."

"But you and Master Mangetsu still call him Lord Menma," Haku countered with an innocent expression.

Zabuza had no retort. Instead, he grumbled, "Looks like I've been going too easy on you lately. Training resumes at full intensity when we return."

Ignoring the banter, Shisui focused on the real issue—tracking down Gato.

Finding him was the key to completing their mission. As for the fate of the Land of Waves, Shisui had faith that Lord Menma would not abandon them.

Just then, a crow fluttered through the open window, perching on Shisui's shoulder. It carried a note in its beak.

Unfolding it, Shisui's eyes narrowed at the unsigned warning:

Be careful. Gato has hired ninja. You don't want this mission to fail.

Zabuza and Haku peered over his shoulder. "Did Uzushio send intel?"

Shisui nodded, his voice firm. "Gato's recruited powerful shinobi. We need to locate him immediately and end this mission before it escalates."

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