Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

"Sensei, someone's approaching—fast. Three kilometers away!"

Hinata's Byakugan narrowed in surprise.

"So fast!"

But just seconds after she spoke, a figure appeared directly in front of them with a gust of wind and flickering chakra.

Even Hanabi's jaw tightened.

That speed... other than Guts or maybe the Fourth Hokage with Flying Raijin, I've never seen anything like it!

The man standing before them was tall—well over 180 cm—with sharp features and a slightly fat nose. But the most striking thing was the crimson glow of his Three Tomoe Sharingan.

"It's been a while, Shisui."

Guts gave a slight smirk, tilting his head as he looked over the man like an older brother measuring a grown-up sibling.

"You've grown."

Shisui gave a wry smile. His hair had grown longer, his frame a bit taller. But his weapon of choice remained the same—a short blade, standard ANBU issue, strapped to his back.

"Uchiha… Shisui?" Hinata murmured in disbelief.

Hanabi blinked in surprise.

Wait—Sensei has a student from the Uchiha? And it's that Shisui?

Neither of them had ever heard Guts mention this before. After all, Shisui was a name of legend—once considered the most talented Uchiha before vanishing.

Known on the battlefield as "Shisui of the Body Flicker," he was whispered about in awe or fear.

He was also believed to be a traitor.

Guts observed Shisui for a moment, then chuckled. "Looks like it's really your real body. No chakra fluctuations within ten kilometers except us. Did they really just send you?"

Shisui nodded. "Yeah. They said they're not suited for direct combat and… left it to me. Deidara and Sasori are nearby, they're the ones who took Gaara but honestly, they're not enough if you show up."

He pulled a scroll from his inner cloak and tossed it.

"This is everything I've gathered on Akatsuki over the years."

Guts caught it and gave it a brief glance.

He understood.

Zetsu has been monitoring Shisui closely. His Mangekyō Sharingan though limited in use is far too dangerous. If he ever used it on Obito successfully, it could ruin everything.

And so, they had released Shisui… to stop him.

Obito must be desperate to delay me from interfering with Gaara's extraction.

Zetsu must have feared Guts enough to avoid appearing in person... smart.

If he had shown himself, Guts wouldn't hesitate to erase him completely. Conqueror's Haki could likely nullify even Zetsu's infamous "immortality."

Hinata and Hanabi watched the exchange in confusion. The warmth between Guts and Shisui was genuine—like student and teacher reuniting after years.

But isn't Shisui a criminal? A rogue ninja?

Before either could ask, Guts ruffled their hair gently.

"I'll explain everything when we get back."

His expression changed slightly as he turned to Shisui.

"So… you're here to stop me?"

Shisui nodded, sighing. "The sealing on Gaara is nearly complete. But if you show up, everything could fall apart. They know it. I know it."

"What's your play, Sensei?"

Guts closed his eyes for a moment, considering.

He had come here to witness Akatsuki in action—to see how Obito and Zetsu operated. But Obito, ever the cautious one, wouldn't reveal himself unless he had no choice.

With his current strength, Guts was confident—even against Six Paths level threats.

But there was one thing that made him cautious:

The Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Guts had no idea how Sasuke's Susanoo had blocked it in the original timeline.

I'm not going to gamble on Conqueror's Haki resisting something that manipulates the moon and chakra itself.

If that genjutsu activated, and he was caught off guard…

No. I have to stop that plan before it begins. I'll fight strong enemies, sure. But I'm not suicidal.

He looked at Shisui again.

"How far along is their plan to capture the tailed beasts?"

Shisui answered without pause:

"Gaara is being sealed now.

Kakuzu and Hidan are entering the Lightning Country to target the Two-Tails.

Deidara and Sasori will also handle the Three-Tails.

Itachi and Kisame have been tasked with tracking down the rogue Four-Tails.

As for the Five-Tails—it's already been captured by me and Zetsu.

Pain himself took out the Six-Tails.

The Seven-Tails was sealed last year, but it's being kept hidden due to the sealing order.

The Eight-Tails… Obito is deciding whether I or Itachi should handle it.

And the Nine-Tails… is still undecided."

Guts narrowed his eyes as he processed the report.

Almost all of them are either captured or targeted. They're moving fast.

He sighed and smiled faintly.

"Then let's not waste time, Shisui."

Shisui smiled back. "After all these years… Sensei wants to spar again?"

Guts shook his head. "No, if I fought you, it wouldn't be fair."

He placed a hand on each of the sisters' shoulders and gently nudged them forward.

"I'll leave that to your kōhai."

Shisui looked at the girls in surprise.

"No Caged Bird Seal? Main branch?"

He adjusted his grip on the kodachi.

"Fight him like you mean it," Guts said. "This isn't training. This is real."

"Yes, Sensei!" the two replied in unison.

With a flash, both activated their Byakugan and launched forward—Hinata's grace and Hanabi's fire complementing each other.

Shisui watched their approach, his eyes scanning every move.

Their footwork… the angles… they're stronger than I thought!

He raised his blade.

I'll have to get serious.

Twenty miles away, atop a tall cliff overlooking the region…

A figure in a black cloak stood still.

Obito now dressed in a plain black outfit and wearing his signature orange swirl-pattern mask watched the forest in silence.

Beside him, half-buried in a tree trunk, the venus-flytrap-like Zetsu whispered ominously.

"You let Shisui go too easily," White Zetsu muttered.

"…You think he's a traitor?"

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