Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

In the end, the life of Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't be saved.

To be honest, with the strength he had in his final days, Guts felt it was already impressive that Hiruzen hadn't died instantly by Orochimaru's hand.

Although his death didn't shake the village as violently as it did in the original timeline, he was still the longest-serving Hokage in history...a symbol of Konoha's legacy.

On the following day, Namikaze Minato arranged a full state funeral.

Even Jiraiya, who had been wandering far from the village, was summoned back to attend.

Considering Guts's growing influence in the village, Tsunade, who normally stayed away from village politics, personally urged him to attend.

And so, in the quiet drizzle of early morning, clad in black, many ninjas and villagers of Konoha silently placed white flowers before the graves of Sarutobi Hiruzen and his wife, Biwako.

Guts noticed a small, subtle shift...the one pushing Asuma's wheelchair had changed. No longer his mother. It was now his nephew, Konohamaru.

As for the Mist Shinobi, they didn't overstay their welcome.

The Chūnin Exams had been cut short, and although they'd proven themselves reliable allies in battle, it was politically inappropriate for them to remain too long after the funeral of a rival Kage.

After paying their respects, Terumi Mei departed the village, accompanied by Ao and Chojurō.

Before she left, she and Guts had a quiet conversation...a little too flirtatious, if anyone had overheard. Despite the political tension, it was clear their bond had deepened.

Unfortunately, with Terumi Mei's sudden return to Kirigakure, the chance for anything more… would have to wait.

The next morning, the rain had cleared.

The sunlight gently warmed the dew-covered training ground.

"Okay, teacher! Time to practice!"

Hanabi grinned playfully as she leaned forward.

Guts gave her a flat look.

"Don't act all sweet out of nowhere. It's giving me goosebumps."

Hanabi's smile twitched. For a moment, you could almost see the cartoonish anger veins popping on her forehead.

Hinata, as always, explained softly from the side.

"Hanabi saw the picture of you defeating Orochimaru, Sensei. That's why she's acting this way."

"Onee-san!"

Hanabi huffed and turned away.

"Thought so." Guts reached out and pinched Hanabi's cheek, giving it a little tug.

"But really, cut it out. This obedient act doesn't suit you."

"Tch! I just changed my attitude a little, what's wrong with that?!" Hanabi snapped back and lunged at him, resuming her usual wild cat behavior.

Caw—Caw—

Suddenly, a few crows flew overhead, their cries sharp and piercing against the quiet morning.

Hanabi, still clinging to Guts's back, muttered:

"Ugh, crows? That's bad luck first thing in the morning."

But Guts's eyes darkened.

Those crows weren't just any crows.

Years ago, they were a signal. A secret call from Shisui.He hadn't seen them in at least two or three years.

Something was happening.

Outskirts of Konoha — River Bank Patrol Line

Two groups stood across from one another, silent, unmoving.

Then, one figure slowly lifted his hat, revealing a pale face and familiar red eyes.

"Uchiha!"

Kurenai's voice sharpened immediately. She took a step back, and Anko's eyes narrowed dangerously.

There were few pairs of scarlet eyes like that in the world.

Though it had been nearly three years, Kurenai recognized him instantly.

"Itachi…"

Before either kunoichi could speak again, the second cloaked figure removed his hat—taller, broader, and more menacing.

A massive blade hung on his back.

Anko's expression shifted.

"That sword… Kubikiribōchō."

The man grinned, baring his sharp teeth.

"Heard of me, huh? Kisame. Rebel from the Mist. Left just before the Fifth Mizukage took power."

He tilted his head toward Samehada, which was slung across Anko's back.

"And that… that's Samehada. The most powerful of the Seven Ninja Swords. I heard Guts stole it during the war… never thought I'd find it strapped to some woman's back."

Anko smiled wickedly.

"Want to see how a woman handles it?"

She drew the blade without hesitation, the air around her humming with pressure.

"Heh. Now this I wanna see."

Kisame grinned and reached for his own weapon.

But just as the tension reached its breaking point—

"That's enough, Kisame."

Itachi said suddenly.

Kisame turned toward Itachi, confused by his sudden words.

"It's coming," Itachi murmured, his voice calm but sharp.

"What...?"

Kisame blinked in confusion, but before he could even react, he felt something strange.

His hand...lighter than it should be.

He glanced down and froze.

The Kubikiribōchō was no longer in his grasp.

"What the—?"

A cold sensation brushed the side of his neck.

Kisame turned slowly… and what he saw shook him to his core.

His own blade...his beloved Kubikiribōchō was now pressed tightly against his throat.

Held in place by someone who hadn't been there a second ago.

Guts.

He stood behind Kisame like a phantom, eyes calm, grip firm.

"Still as unreadable as ever," Itachi said quietly, his eyes narrowing.

Kisame turned fully now, trembling slightly.

Guts had already moved to stand in front of them.

"Is this… the strongest Taijutsu user?"

Kisame muttered, beads of cold sweat on his face.

Itachi replied without emotion,

"Perhaps 'Taijutsu' should be removed. He may simply be the strongest shinobi alive."

Kisame gritted his teeth. Even someone as battle-hardened as him couldn't hide the dread building in his chest.

Behind them, Kurenai and Anko had arrived and were stunned at the sight.

"Guts!" they called out in surprise.

They hadn't sensed him coming. No one had.

"Itachi," Guts said with a lazy smirk, "Back for a bit of sightseeing? Or did you miss home?"

"Mr. Itachi…" Kisame growled, still eyeing his own blade, "Shall we attack him together?"

Itachi didn't answer immediately.

Then, after a pause, he said quietly,

"No. If we rush in now, we'll both die. I'll create an opening. You get us out of here."

He suddenly closed his eyes. And when they opened again, they glowed with a strange light.

The Mangekyō Sharingan.

Guts felt the pull of a powerful genjutsu. But instead of resisting, he allowed it to draw him in with his own will simply because he was curious.

And in the blink of an eye, the world shifted.

Inside the World of Tsukuyomi

Everything turned to darkness.

The sky. The earth. Silence.

Only Itachi and Guts stood under the pale red moon.

In this frozen dimension, where seconds became hours, Itachi's demeanor changed completely.

No longer the cold and distant look he had before.

Now he looked quite urgent.

"Lord Guts," he said swiftly, "I've returned to Konoha to deliver a warning. The Akatsuki has begun preparing to hunt the Tailed Beasts. For now, they're only gathering intelligence but the real operations will begin soon."

Guts's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I see. And Shisui?" His voice was calm, but the weight behind the question was heavy.

Itachi answered without hesitation.

"Shisui is still in deep cover, partnered with Akatsuki's primary intelligence agent. He can't move freely."

He paused slightly.

Then, with a grave tone, he added,

"The man he's with… was the one who leaked vital Konoha intel to Iwagakure during the Third Ninja War. That leak led to our early defeats. The Akatsuki keeps Shisui close because of his Mangekyō ability...Kotoamatsukami, it's too dangerous. They won't let him out of their sight."

Guts frowned slightly on the surface but he knew someone had ears everywhere.

"You're saying even you two didn't notice how that leak happened?"

Itachi nodded.

"No matter how we investigated, we came up short. Until eventually... we narrowed it down."

"To who?" Guts asked, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.

Itachi's expression didn't change.

"Black Zetsu."

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