Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

"Next target: Elite Jonin Shimura Tomohisa."

In a small-town inn, Uchiha Fugaku, disguised as an ordinary traveler, unfolded a slip of paper.

Written on it were detailed records of Shimura Tomohisa—an elite jonin—and his current mission.

Aside from Shimura Naoya, Tomohisa was the only elite jonin left in the Shimura Clan.

Due to his formidable strength, neither Uchiha Onko nor the other three had the confidence to take him down. Only Fugaku, with his Kage-level power, could handle it.

After checking out of the inn, Fugaku departed.

A day later, he arrived in another town.

This time, his appearance had changed once again. He now looked like a man wearing a scratched forehead protector bearing the Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) symbol—a droplet emblem.

The slash across the headband marked him as a rogue ninja from Kirigakure.

"Shimura Tomohisa will pass through this town after finishing his mission. I'll wait for him here."

He stationed himself on a main street—one that travelers had to pass through to enter town—and began loitering casually.

Hours passed, and by afternoon, as his patience wore thin, three figures dressed in Konoha ninja attire finally appeared.

Two men and one woman, with the man in the center having thick brows and a commanding presence.

Though of average build, his upright posture radiated an undeniable aura.

Ordinary people couldn't help but lower their heads in his presence.

This was Shimura Tomohisa of the Shimura Clan.

"Ten days... We finally finished this mission."

The female ninja, Mitarashi Shizuku, exhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling noticeably with the breath.

"After this payday, we won't have to worry about money for months. Finally, some rest."

The other man, Tsukikage Daisuke, smiled with relief.

"You're way too lazy."

Shizuku gave him a helpless smile.

She and Daisuke were familiar teammates, and she was all too aware of his laid-back nature.

"Well, if we could team up with Tomohisa-senpai again, I'd gladly take on another mission."

Daisuke looked over at Tomohisa with cautious respect.

"Tomohisa-senpai, when are you planning to take your next mission? "

Having an elite jonin on the team dramatically improved both success rates and survival chances.

Like this mission—they completed it without a single injury.

So naturally, Daisuke hoped to work with Tomohisa again.

"After some rest."

Tomohisa brushed him off casually.

He wasn't close to Daisuke or Shizuku—their partnership was purely professional for this mission.

He had no plans to continue working with them.

"Oh... I see."

Hearing the dismissal in Tomohisa's tone, Daisuke gave an awkward laugh and dropped the subject.

As they walked down the street, the rogue Mist ninja—Fugaku in disguise—approached from the opposite direction, munching on skewered meat.

The three naturally noticed him but didn't act.

Lately, rogue Mist ninjas had been appearing frequently in the Land of Fire. While some caused trouble, not all did.

Unless they had orders, they usually wouldn't engage without cause.

As they passed each other—

"Ugh, disgusting."

Fugaku spat out a mouthful of meat and saliva, as though tasting something awful.

Unfortunately, the greasy mess landed right on Tomohisa's foot.

Tomohisa's calm face darkened.

"Clean it off."

He fixed the rogue Mist ninja with a cold glare.

"Hah? Who do you think you are? You're not worthy of me wiping your shoes."

Fugaku, still in character as a defiant rogue, sneered arrogantly.

"Foolish!"

Tomohisa's expression grew colder.

He reached into his pouch, pulling out a kunai and stabbing toward Fugaku.

Clang!

Fugaku swiftly drew his own kunai and blocked the attack.

His gaze turned sharp, coldly meeting Tomohisa's.

"Looks like you're looking to die."

"Hmph."

After that brief clash, Tomohisa sensed that this rogue ninja was no ordinary opponent.

But as an elite jonin, he had no reason to back down.

He snorted coldly and leaped back, putting distance between them.

Throwing his kunai at Fugaku, he quickly formed hand signs.

"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Slash! "

Clang!

Fugaku deflected the kunai, but immediately a blade of wind shot toward him.

Slash!

Too late to dodge, the wind blade sliced through him, splitting his body in two.

But instead of blood, the two halves turned into puddles of water.

It was only a water clone.

Fugaku himself reappeared beside Tomohisa.

"Ice Style: Blade of Frost! "

A sharp blade of ice formed along Fugaku's right arm as he slashed toward Tomohisa.

Tear!

Tomohisa hurriedly retreated, narrowly avoiding the full strike.

His clothing was torn, and a shallow cut appeared on his body.

The wound was minor, but it was still an injury.

"Tomohisa-senpai... actually got hit! "

Daisuke and Shizuku, standing off to the side, watched in shock.

They hadn't joined the fight, believing an elite jonin like Tomohisa would easily win.

But to their surprise, Tomohisa had been slightly wounded.

"Ice Release... He's from the Yuki Clan! "

Seeing the icy chakra coating Fugaku's arm, Shizuku's face grew serious.

Bloodline limit users were notoriously difficult opponents—everyone knew this.

"With Tomohisa-senpai's strength, he shouldn't lose..."

Daisuke's heart grew uneasy.

He could tell this rogue ninja was dangerously powerful.

"Run! There's a fight breaking out!"

"Ninja battle! A ninja battle!"

The townspeople on the street fled in panic.

Some vendors abandoned their stalls without a second thought, running for their lives.

No one stopped to watch.

The bloody lessons of the past had taught them well—when ninja fought, the only way to survive was to escape immediately.