I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Snake and the Ferret

After leaving the Land of Waves, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki gradually slowed their pace.

Their mission in the Land of Waves had been a failure. Not only had Itachi expended a significant amount of his Mangekyō Sharingan's power, but Kisame had also lost Samehada, his living chakra-consuming sword. Their combat effectiveness had taken a noticeable hit.

However, the battle had yielded valuable intelligence.

Itachi had learned that Shisui Uchiha's rumored survival had spurred a faction of Uchiha refugees into forming a hidden enclave. Meanwhile, Kisame discovered that Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, had finally broken free of the Genjutsu that had enslaved him for years. These were developments they had never expected but welcomed nonetheless.

The only regret was that these changes had taken place after they had already moved on.

As the two reflected on these events, preparing to report back to their leader, Pain, a sudden ripple in space distorted the air before them. A masked figure materialized—Obito Uchiha, masquerading as Madara.

Upon seeing him, Itachi narrowed his crimson eyes. "Madara, weren't you allied with the leader of Uzushio Village?"

During their battle in the Land of Waves, Itachi had deduced that Obito was secretly involved with Uzushio's forces. Without that interference, Akatsuki wouldn't have had a reason to confront Uzushio in the first place.

Kisame smirked, watching with amusement. He was interested in what Obito had to say.

Obito's expression darkened. Still, he explained, "The Uzumaki leader's ambitions were greater than expected. He didn't just reclaim Uzushiogakure; he extended his reach into Kirigakure and the Land of Waves. If he wasn't dealt with early, he would disrupt future plans."

"I just underestimated his strength."

Itachi's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, he analyzed the implications. So even Obito had opponents he couldn't easily manipulate. Apart from Pain, there were other shinobi even Obito feared.

Sensing Itachi's thoughts, Obito scoffed. "Itachi, Uzushio will become a threat to Konoha sooner or later. One day, they may go to war. You should consider where your loyalty lies."

With that, Obito vanished, withholding a critical piece of information—the leader of Uzushio was suspected to be the long-dead Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. If Itachi learned this, he might develop troublesome ideas.

After Obito left, Itachi and Kisame exchanged glances.

After a moment of silence, Kisame spoke first. "Itachi, were you also personally recruited by 'Madara'?"

Itachi nodded slightly. He had long been curious about Kisame's induction into Akatsuki. If his own recruitment had been intricate, Kisame's must have been similarly convoluted.

After exchanging a few words, they contacted Pain and reported their mission's failure.

Pain remained indifferent. This had been just another contract in Akatsuki's long history of orchestrating conflicts and toppling minor nations. However, the fact that Itachi and Kisame, two of Akatsuki's strongest members, had barely survived for the sake of a small nation like the Land of Waves was unusual.

With their report concluded, the duo headed toward the underground black market, searching for high-paying bounties. Akatsuki didn't care much for failures, but they still needed to meet their monthly financial quotas.

At that moment, Itachi received a coded message from Orochimaru. He halted in his tracks.

Kisame raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong, Itachi? Enemies ahead?"

Itachi shook his head. "No. Orochimaru has contacted me. He's in the Land of Fire and wishes to meet alone to discuss a personal matter."

Kisame chuckled. "Sounds like a trap. He wouldn't meet you alone otherwise."

"I know it's a trap. But I have my own reasons for going."

Itachi was well aware of Orochimaru's obsession with him. The Sannin had taken an interest in his abilities since his youth. Now that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Orochimaru would undoubtedly try to claim his body.

But what the Snake Sannin didn't understand was the true power of the Mangekyō.

---

The next morning, as dawn broke over the Land of Waves, its citizens awoke to shocking news.

The Kado Shipping Company, which had ruled the region with an iron grip for over a decade, had fallen. In its place, a new force had taken control—Uzushio Village, a ninja village thought to have been destroyed decades ago.

For the common people, the ruler's identity mattered less than their policies. They worried about whether Uzushio would impose heavy taxes, restrict foreign trade, or exploit them just as Kado had.

In the home of Tazuna, the renowned bridge builder, his burly son-in-law, Kaiza, furrowed his brow.

For years, he had planned to resist Kado's tyranny, but before he could act, the corporation had crumbled overnight. And now, a new power had taken its place. He wondered whether Uzushio would be any different.

Tazuna, who had always advocated peaceful resistance, sighed. "Kaiza, don't act recklessly. These ninjas are unlike Kado's mercenaries. Ordinary people can't oppose them."

Tsunami's young son, Inari, clenched his fists. "Grandpa, you're always saying that! If the new guys turn out to be bad, Dad will fight them! He's the strongest man I know!"

Tazuna shook his head. "You don't understand, Inari. You weren't there when Kado's headquarters fell. These aren't just mercenaries. They're shinobi… monsters beyond our comprehension."

Sensing tension, Tsunami quickly intervened, defusing the argument. But Kaiza still gazed toward Kado's former compound, uncertain about what the future held.

Regardless of whether their new rulers were businessmen or shinobi, Kaiza had resolved himself to fight if the people suffered again.

At that moment, a neighbor arrived, panting heavily. "Tazuna! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Tazuna turned sharply. "What happened?"

"The new ninja leaders want to see you."

A tense silence fell over the room. Tazuna's eyes flickered toward Kaiza, silently signaling him to remain cautious.

Had the new rulers already caught wind of Kaiza's secret resistance efforts?

Sensing Tazuna's thoughts, the man grinned. "It's not about Kaiza. They need your expertise. The Uzushio leaders plan to build a bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the Land of Fire."

Tazuna blinked. "Ninjas… building a bridge?"

The request was strange, but for Tazuna, it had been a lifelong dream to construct such a bridge. A stable connection to the mainland would free the Land of Waves from economic dependency and exploitation.

But if Uzushio planned to liberate the country, wouldn't that mean they had no intention of squeezing its people?

What were their true intentions? Were they here as rulers or something else entirely?

Still wary, Tazuna decided to meet with the Uzushio leader. If they were just another version of Kado, then the Land of Waves was doomed to yet another era of suffering.

But if they were different… maybe, just maybe, this country had a future.

Naruto details—replacing vague references with established events, characters, and terminology.

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