Chapter 25: Shisui's Challenge
After the Nine-Tails' rampage, the entire Hidden Leaf Village lay in ruins. Buildings were reduced to rubble, casualties were heavy, and many of the survivors were left homeless.
Fortunately, Konoha had the most advanced medical ninja system among all the shinobi villages. Thanks to this, a large number of the wounded received effective treatment. Had it been any other village, many of them would have likely died due to inadequate medical care.
Standing beside the hospital bed where the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, lay unconscious, the Third Hokage's brow was tightly furrowed. He turned to the nearby medical ninja and asked, "How is the Fourth? Why hasn't he woken up yet?"
"Lord Third," the medical ninja replied, shaking his head solemnly, "the Fourth sustained extremely severe injuries. His chakra has been completely depleted, but the most critical issue is the penetrating wound to his chest. A normal person wouldn't have survived."
"It's only because Lady Kushina used her own life force to sustain him that Lord Fourth is even alive right now."
"We're doing everything we can," the medic continued, "but all we can manage is to keep him stable. As for whether he'll wake up… we can't say for certain."
The Third's expression darkened. "If Tsunade were here, do you think she could save him?"
"Maybe," the medic replied, uncertain. "If it's Lady Tsunade, perhaps there's a chance."
At that moment, an ANBU approached, carrying a sleeping infant in his arms. "Lord Third, what should we do with this child?"
The Third glanced at the baby—Naruto Uzumaki—then at the unconscious Minato. After a brief silence, he said slowly, "Send him to the Konoha Orphanage. Let them take care of him."
The Konoha Orphanage was an official institution supported by the village, specifically for the children of fallen shinobi or villagers. It was not the one run by Nonō Yakushi.
"And," the Third added seriously, "the child's identity must be kept strictly confidential. Not a word is to be leaked!"
"Yes, sir!" the ANBU responded, bowing respectfully before carrying Naruto out of the room.
Just as the ANBU left, Kakashi arrived at the hospital, having heard of the Fourth Hokage's critical condition.
"Lord Third… my teacher… how is he?" he asked urgently, his gaze darting toward the bed.
"Minato is gravely injured," the Third replied. "He's barely hanging on. As for when—or if—he'll wake up, I don't know."
Placing a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, the Third continued, "Don't worry. I've already ordered a team to search for Tsunade. If anyone can save him, it's her."
Kakashi looked at Minato with concern. "Then… what about his child? Can I take care of him?"
The Third shook his head. "You're a single man, Kakashi, and you still have missions to complete. It's not practical for you to raise a child. Until Minato wakes up, Naruto will be under the care of the orphanage."
"But… isn't that too cruel to Naruto?" Kakashi frowned. "Teacher and Lady Kushina gave everything to protect the village. His son deserves better."
The Third sighed. "I know what they gave up. Their sacrifice brought peace to the village. But now, Naruto holds the Nine-Tails within him—his identity is too sensitive. That's why I've decided to hide who he is and send him to the orphanage. It's for his own good."
"If Minato were conscious, I believe he'd agree with me."
Three days after the Nine-Tails' attack, Konoha's leadership announced the official damage report. The Fourth Hokage was critically wounded and unconscious. Two Hokage's wives—Biwako Sarutobi and Kushina Uzumaki—had perished. Many other ninja had also lost their lives, including Yuhi Kurenai's father and Iruka's parents.
Since the Fourth was unable to govern, the Third Hokage announced his return to office to manage village affairs.
In this critical period, not only were the village defenses strengthened, but shinobi were also ordered to limit outside missions and help with reconstruction.
At the same time, the Third summoned Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin—back to the village to provide support and prevent further threats. While Jiraiya returned, others were dispatched to continue searching for Tsunade.
Once the emergency measures were in place, the Third convened a high-level council meeting to discuss reconstruction plans. As head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku naturally participated, and at his request, Yusuke accompanied him.
It was Yusuke's first time attending a high-level decision-making meeting in Konoha.
Seated at the head of the table was the Third Hokage. On his left sat Danzō, while the village elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane sat to his right.
Behind the Third stood an ANBU wearing a cat-faced mask. Based on the figure's build, hairstyle, and the katana strapped to his back, Yusuke recognized him immediately—Uchiha Shisui.
Besides the village elders, clan leaders of all major families were present: Hiashi Hyuga, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and others. Many brought along trusted lieutenants or next-generation leaders from their respective clans.
Representing the Uchiha clan was, of course, the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku. Yusuke stood silently behind him, expressionless, playing the part of a passive observer.
At first, the village leaders discussed strategies for post-war recovery—rebuilding the economy and caring for the wounded. Once those topics were settled, Danzō stood up and unfurled a map—a top-down view of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Due to the destruction caused by the Nine-Tails' attack, much of the village has been damaged. As part of the reconstruction, the village leadership has decided to make some changes to its zoning," Danzō began slowly.
He proceeded to explain the new placements for various clans—some would remain in place, while others would be moved to more favorable locations. For example, the Aburame clan would be relocated from the west side of the village to a forested area in the south, which would better suit their insect-rearing needs.
"This area, once rebuilt, will house the new police headquarters," Danzō said, tapping his short staff against the far western edge of the map.
That spot was located at the outermost edge of the village—completely unsuitable for the Uchiha clan, who were responsible for policing the Hidden Leaf. Danzō's intention was clear: to isolate the Uchiha, both symbolically and physically, from the heart of the village.
The moment Fugaku saw the designated location, he stood up to argue with Danzō. However, it wasn't just Danzō opposing him—Hiruzen, the two elder advisors, and several other clan heads sided with the leadership, insisting that the Uchiha should set aside personal interests for the sake of the village's greater good.
Eventually, faced with overwhelming pressure, Fugaku had no choice but to relent. He let out a deep sigh and sat back down.
Yusuke, watching coldly from behind, remained impassive, though he now had a clearer understanding of how deeply the village leadership mistrusted the Uchiha. He couldn't help but think: perhaps the downfall of the Uchiha wasn't solely Fugaku's fault.
After the relocation matter was settled, Fugaku brought up the incident on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack—how Danzō had ordered a lockdown on the Uchiha compound.
The Third Hokage promptly shifted the blame to Danzō and gave him a cursory scolding, but the matter was brushed aside without consequence.
Once outside the meeting room, Fugaku looked utterly exhausted, as if he'd just been through a war.
"Yusuke, you saw our situation for yourself," Fugaku said with a sigh. "Right now, every step we take must be perfect. One misstep, and the price could be catastrophic."
Yusuke said nothing in response—he simply nodded in understanding.
"But don't let this weigh you down," Fugaku added, placing a hand on Yusuke's shoulder. "Just focus on growing stronger. I have high hopes for you."
"Oh, and there's something else I need to handle. I won't be heading back with you."
With that, Fugaku turned and walked away. Watching his retreating figure, Yusuke couldn't help but think:
Maybe… the only way to break this deadlock is for the Uchiha to produce a Hokage of their own.
At that moment, a voice called out from behind.
"Yusuke-senpai, what do you think about how the leadership handled our clan in today's meeting?"
Yusuke turned and saw a masked Anbu operative approaching—Uchiha Shisui, who had stood behind the Third Hokage during the meeting.
"I have no opinion," Yusuke replied. He was wary of Shisui, suspecting that most of their conversations would eventually reach Hiruzen's ears.
Shisui was clearly dissatisfied with the response.
He had long hoped to find like-minded members of the clan—people who could help bridge the gap between the Uchiha and the rest of the village. For a time, he'd pinned his hopes on the talented Yusuke. But that hope had long since dimmed.
Now, seeing Yusuke's indifference again, Shisui's moment of hesitation was replaced with resolve.
"Yusuke-senpai, I formally challenge you. Three days from now, at the training grounds," Shisui said seriously.
Yusuke frowned slightly. "Is this because of the rumors going around lately? I didn't think you were the kind of person who cared about such things."
"I don't care about fame," Shisui replied, shaking his head. "But right now, I need that fame."
"The clan is in a precarious position. I need to become the most respected ninja in the Uchiha. Only then will I be able to lead us out of this mess."
Yusuke couldn't help recalling how, in the original timeline, Shisui was known as the strongest Uchiha. His reputation even rivaled that of Fugaku, and many in the clan looked up to him.
So that's why he built up that title… Was it always for this reason? Yusuke wondered silently.
After a moment of silence, Yusuke looked into Shisui's eyes and asked calmly, "But are you sure you understand where this path will lead the clan?"
Shisui's gaze was unwavering. "I believe that if we can break free of our narrow clan mindset and follow Lord Third's guidance, we can truly reintegrate with the village—and rise again."
Yusuke stared at him for a long moment, then turned and walked in the direction of the Uchiha compound.
"I accept your challenge."
---