I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Snake and the Weasel (2)

Tazuna didn't dare waste time, and after briefly explaining to his son, Tsunami, and grandson, Inari, he set off for the company's residence.

Arriving at the headquarters of his construction company, Tazuna was shocked to see what was once a prosperous district reduced to rubble. Even a skilled demolition team would need weeks to level so many buildings, yet this devastation was merely collateral damage from a battle between high-level shinobi.

This was the power of a true shinobi war. The destruction reminded him of the infamous battles between the Sannin—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—where entire landscapes had been reshaped. A ninja wielding such force was beyond human, closer to a deity of legend.

Walking through the wreckage with a heavy heart, Tazuna reached the main office, where armed guards escorted him inside.

Inside the office, three figures awaited him: Naruto Uzumaki, Shisui Uchiha, and Haku Yuki.

Tazuna barely recognized Naruto, but Shisui and Haku were unforgettable. Just last night, they had been wandering travelers resting in his home—now, they stood before him as elite warriors of Uzushio Village.

Did they remember what I said yesterday? Tazuna swallowed. This could be bad.

Shisui and Haku, however, greeted him warmly and gestured for him to sit.

"The leader of Uzushio Village… Your Excellency?" Tazuna hesitated, unsure how to address the masked shinobi in the black fox mask.

"You can call me Mianma… or simply, Leader."

Of course, Tazuna dared not address him so casually. He nodded respectfully. "Lord Mianma, do you truly intend to build a bridge for the Land of Waves? If so, I thank you on behalf of my people."

"Of course," Naruto replied. "But it's not as simple as laying stone and mortar. We need approval from the Fire Daimyō across the sea. Negotiations will take time, but my plan is to complete the bridge in six months."

Tazuna's professional instincts flared. "Six months? That's impossible! A proper suspension bridge takes at least three to five years—maybe even a decade. Lord Mianma, I fear you underestimate the complexity of such a task."

Naruto met his gaze with a smirk. "That's the case for civilians, but not for shinobi. My ninja will construct this bridge."

Tazuna was taken aback. He had never considered employing shinobi for such labor. Certainly, with their abilities—Earth Release to reinforce the structure, Water Release to stabilize the foundation—it was feasible. But…

"Wouldn't that be an insult to a ninja's pride?" he asked hesitantly.

Naruto waved his concern aside. "If they refuse, I'll personally help build it. It's not just a bridge—I intend for shinobi to take part in all forms of infrastructure. A ninja's strength shouldn't be limited to warfare."

Tazuna's eyes widened. "I… I never thought of it that way. But yes, a ninja's power could revolutionize construction…"

For hours, Naruto and Tazuna discussed the project in detail. By the time the morning sun had shifted toward noon, Tazuna rose reluctantly, bowing before departing.

As he left, he was certain—Naruto truly intended to help the Land of Waves. A leader like this was rare in the shinobi world.

After Tazuna was gone, Shisui turned to Naruto. "Lord Mianma, why are we really helping the Land of Waves? We already took Kado's wealth."

"To win hearts, of course," Naruto said, his tone deliberately vague.

Shisui wasn't convinced. The people of the Land of Waves had endured Kado's tyranny for years without rebellion, meaning they had learned to tolerate oppression. By that logic, Uzushio Village could simply replace Kado's rule and continue extracting resources.

Naruto sighed, shaking his head. "It's about employment. Our shinobi graduates can't all be mercenaries forever. In peacetime, they need sustainable work."

"Soon, the era of battle-hardened shinobi will end," he continued. "Ninjas who fight for a living will become the minority."

Shisui frowned. "Are you even a ninja if you don't fight?"

Naruto studied him before answering, his voice lower. "I expected you to think bigger, Shisui. The shinobi system itself is outdated. As time passes, Genin and Chunin become indistinguishable, their roles blurred."

"If we don't provide stable jobs, these shinobi will turn to the black market, creating more rogue ninja and instability."

Shisui hesitated, realizing Naruto had a point. The rank of Chunin had become less about power and more about experience. If things continued this way, Genin and Chunin might eventually fade into irrelevance.

Naruto leaned back. "That's why I'm thinking ahead. Otherwise, wouldn't it be simpler to just rule Uzushio Village like a feudal lord?" He glanced at Shisui. "Your vision is still trapped in the framework of the Shinobi Villages."

Shisui fell silent, while Haku's expression grew contemplative. If Naruto's dream came true, shinobi would no longer need to fight to survive. Perhaps tragedies like the fall of the Yuki Clan could be avoided.

---

Somewhere in the Land of Fire

As soon as he stepped into the black market town, one of Orochimaru's subordinates spotted Kisame and Uchiha Itachi walking together. The man approached hurriedly.

"Itachi-sama, Lord Orochimaru has been expecting you."

Itachi nodded slightly, his sharp gaze scanning the man. His attire was unusual—cloaked, with ink-black markings resembling Orochimaru's Cursed Seals. However, these were different from the ones applied to Anko and the Sound Four. Orochimaru had likely developed a new variation.

"Where is Orochimaru?" Itachi asked.

"In a nearby base. Please follow me, my lords."

Itachi and Kisame exchanged glances but followed the man out of town to an isolated location.

Before long, Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, clad in his Akatsuki cloak. His voice slithered through the air.

"Itachi-kun, you've finally arrived. But I see you've brought Kisame-kun along. We agreed to meet alone—surely, you don't think I'd betray a fellow Konoha outcast?"

"We're simply on a mission together," Kisame said, his shark-like grin unchanging. "I assume we're still welcome?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course. However, what I wish to discuss concerns Konoha and the Uchiha. If Itachi-kun has no objections, I can speak freely."

Itachi's expression darkened slightly, then he turned to Kisame. "Wait outside."

Kisame shrugged and walked off, leaving the two alone.

Once they were alone, Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Shisui is gone. Speak."

Itachi wanted answers—who was the true leader of Uzushio Village? Why had Shisui and others defected? Why had Jiraiya distanced himself from Uzushio?

Orochimaru smirked. "My investigations suggest the leader of Uzushio Village is not an outsider. He was once a Konoha ninja."

"That's impossible," Itachi snapped. "Your information is flawed—or you're lying."

Orochimaru chuckled. "Believe what you wish. But Konoha may be using Uzushio as a forward base to extend its influence."

Itachi's fists clenched. If Uzushio Village were truly a Konoha outpost, why had the village driven the Uchiha to extinction? Why let any Uchiha live at all?

The pieces didn't fit.

And that only made Itachi more uneasy.

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