I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Naruto's words sent a shiver down Gato's spine.

Submitting to the might of a shinobi force and being coerced into funding their operations was already humiliating. But the fact that the opposing party sought both the title of a Kage and a daimyo simultaneously shattered a balance that had existed for decades.

Historically, the daimyos of the Five Great Nations maintained political power, while the Hidden Villages functioned as military forces under their jurisdiction. Even strong villages like Konoha, led by Hokage such as Hashirama and Hiruzen, ultimately adhered to the authority of the Land of Fire's daimyo. If Gato were to yield to the growing power of Uzushiogakure, he would become a direct threat to the daimyo's authority, marking him for elimination.

Yet defying the leader of Uzushiogakure now might mean he wouldn't live to see the sunrise.

As Gato wrestled with his dilemma, the distant battle neared its climax. Despite Zabuza's mastery of the Silent Killing technique and Haku's deadly Ice Release, they were no match for Kisame Hoshigaki, the Monster of the Hidden Mist. The strength gap was insurmountable.

The legendary Kubikiribōchō lay shattered, while Samehada hungrily devoured Zabuza's blood and chakra. Though Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals could counter Water Release to some extent, Kisame's techniques weren't mere water jutsu—they were on a scale akin to the sea itself.

At that moment, Naruto leaped into the battlefield, his form blurring as he controlled the water beneath him, swiftly pulling the wounded pair to safety. In a flash, he appeared before Kisame, his fist surging with Wind Release chakra. The impact launched Kisame over ten meters, slamming him into a concrete wall.

Kisame rose from the debris, his shark-like grin faltering. The blow hadn't dealt serious damage, but the chakra he sensed was unsettlingly familiar—like that of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.

Could this masked figure be Yagura? Kisame quickly dismissed the thought. The Fourth Mizukage never wielded such potent Wind Release. That left only one possibility—this was the enigmatic leader of Uzushiogakure, Uzumaki Menma.

According to Akatsuki's intel, Menma wasn't just adept at Wind and Water Release but also wielded sealing jutsu on par with the Uzumaki Clan's legendary techniques. His power was rumored to rival the Five Kage, and his mastery over jutsu akin to the Tailed Beast Bomb made him even more dangerous.

Excitement surged through Kisame's veins. Gripping Samehada tightly, he charged at Naruto, swinging down with monstrous force.

Naruto barely reacted as the blade struck him—only for his body to vanish in a puff of smoke. A shadow loomed over Kisame as Naruto reappeared above him, slamming a Rasengan down with devastating force. The impact cratered the ground, sending Samehada flying from Kisame's grasp.

Just as Naruto prepared to finish Kisame off, a spiraling vortex swallowed the Akatsuki member whole.

Obito Uchiha had intervened. Watching the vortex fade, Naruto frowned before retrieving Samehada and heading toward the wounded.

Kisame, now inside Kamui's dimension, glanced at Obito. "I still have strength left to fight…"

Obito's gaze remained on the battlefield. "Kisame, you underestimate him. Uzumaki is far stronger than you think. If you continued, you would have lost."

More importantly, what caught Obito's attention wasn't just Naruto's strength but the technique he had used—Rasengan.

That jutsu was a mimicry of the Tailed Beast Bomb, developed by none other than the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Very few could wield it, let alone so effortlessly. Adding in Naruto's use of advanced techniques and his rescue of Uchiha Shisui earlier, a troubling theory began forming in Obito's mind.

Could Uzumaki Menma not be a mere survivor of Uzushio but actually Minato himself, disguised?

If so, it would explain everything—why he concealed his identity, why he moved against the Akatsuki, and why he positioned himself as a leader of a new village. If Minato was alive, his plan was clear: gain their trust, wait for an opportunity, and then strike when they least expected it.

After a long pause, Kisame exhaled and nodded. His loyalty was to Obito, and if Obito ordered him to retreat, he would obey. That was the professionalism of a true shinobi.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the outcome of the duel between Shisui and Itachi became irrelevant. Shisui, exploiting a moment of hesitation, split into four clones, each unleashing a powerful Fire Release jutsu. In response, Itachi was forced to use Amaterasu to incinerate the incoming flames and escape.

Shisui didn't pursue. He had never expected to defeat Itachi—only to exhaust his Mangekyō Sharingan's chakra reserves. As Itachi's power waned, so did his immediate threat. Watching his former friend disappear into the distance, Shisui turned and hurried toward Naruto.

Naruto, now kneeling beside the fallen Zabuza and Haku, channeled medical ninjutsu into their wounds. Seeing this, Shisui lowered his head. "Menma-sama, I failed. I couldn't stop Uchiha Itachi."

Even Zabuza felt shame—he and Kisame were both members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, yet their difference in power was staggering.

Naruto finished his healing and shook his head. "Both Uchiha Itachi and Kisame are Kage-level shinobi. Losing to them is nothing to be ashamed of. However, you must train harder. One day, I expect each of you to hold your ground against such threats."

He glanced at the destruction around them. "For now, let's focus on containing the flood. Afterward, get some rest. Tomorrow, we take control of Gato's assets and the Land of Waves."

"Yes, Menma-sama." Shisui, Zabuza, and the others bowed in acknowledgment.

Later, as the village settled, Naruto stood alone atop a watchtower, gazing at the desolate island below.

Gato wasn't entirely wrong. Shinobi knew how to kill, but not how to govern. Even the likes of Orochimaru, who possessed unparalleled intelligence, were outliers. Despite their strength, shinobi remained under the control of nobles and merchants.

The cycle of conflict persisted because villages focused only on warfare, never on construction or stability. By the time true change was realized, the Fourth Great Ninja War had already ended.

Just then, a mechanical chime echoed in Naruto's mind.

"Bai's favorability toward you has reached 'Recognition.' You have obtained 'Ice Release: Bloodline Mastery' and increased affinity with Wind and Water Chakra."

Naruto froze. He had almost forgotten about his system. The rewards had always seemed trivial, but even minor improvements mattered.

This was exactly why he founded Uzushiogakure. A leader's recognition within his own village could shape his evolution, allowing him to grow into an all-encompassing shinobi—one with no weaknesses.

And with that, his plan moved one step closer to fruition.

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