Chapter 15: Uchiha Shisui
As Yusuke swung the long blade in his hand, Nagato's eyes widened with horror. He let out a gut-wrenching scream, "No!!!"
Hearing Nagato's cry, Konan, who had tightly shut her eyes, instinctively opened them and looked back—only to see Nagato frozen mid-shout, his mouth agape in shock.
With a dull thud, a headless body collapsed onto the cave floor. Strangely, the corpse appeared unclothed and completely white, eerily unnatural. It was none other than the White Zetsu that Obito had secretly sent to tail Nagato and Konan.
Trembling, Nagato exhaled deeply, finally letting go of the breath that had lodged itself in his throat. He had assumed Yusuke's blade was meant for Konan—but to his surprise, it was aimed at a hidden ninja lurking in the shadows.
Although the corpse looked bizarre, both Nagato and Konan still assumed it was a ninja from Amegakure or Konohagakure, simply transformed by some peculiar jutsu.
However, with the power of the Rinnegan, Nagato soon realized that the structure of this white corpse was entirely different from that of a normal human.
"What is this thing?" he asked Yusuke.
"You'll find out soon enough," Yusuke replied, sheathing his Zanpakutō without further explanation. He turned and began walking slowly toward the cave entrance.
Although he had eliminated this White Zetsu, Yusuke knew that Obito would inevitably find Nagato. When that time came, Nagato would learn the truth about what these creatures were.
Seeing that Yusuke had put away his weapon and spared them, Konan felt her strength suddenly leave her. She dropped to her knees, overcome with relief.
"Why did you let us go?" Nagato shouted at Yusuke's retreating back. "You're a Konoha ninja—and this was clearly a setup by Amegakure and the Leaf to trap us. There's no reason for you to let us live!"
Yusuke didn't stop walking.
"Because you're not wrong. Yahiko wasn't wrong. The world isn't wrong, either."
His voice faded along with his silhouette.
"The only thing that's wrong... is this cruel, unpredictable fate."
Nagato stood there in a daze, unable to react. Meanwhile, the ever-attentive Konan noticed something left behind where Yusuke had just been standing.
"A scroll?" she muttered, picking it up and examining it.
Having left the cave where Nagato and Konan were hiding, Yusuke sighed deeply. "I still couldn't do it..."
He knew he might regret his decision in the future—but for now, his conscience was clear.
After tending to the wound on his right shoulder, Yusuke pulled out a spare Konoha uniform from a storage scroll and changed, covering up any sign of injury. Without delay, he made his way back to the residence where the Konoha delegation was stationed in the Amegakure village.
Back at the compound, Danzo had changed into his half-black, half-white house kimono and was seated in the hall with a face like thunder.
This mission had left him furious. Not only had he failed to obtain the coveted Rinnegan, but nearly everyone he brought had been wiped out. Even though the negotiations for reparations with Amegakure had gone smoothly, the heavy losses far outweighed the gains. He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi would undoubtedly scold him upon their return.
Thinking of that old man's face reignited Danzo's rage. "Damn Hanzo! Useless fool! Letting the hostages get snatched away like that!"
While Danzo fumed, the other Konoha shinobi stood silently, not daring to say a word.
Just then, a calm voice echoed from the entrance of the hall.
"Seems like the delegation is missing quite a few people. Was there some special mission? Because as far as I recall, the Third Hokage gave no such orders for this trip. Care to explain, Lord Danzo?"
It was Yusuke, freshly returned to the compound—his expression equally grim.
Yusuke had never interacted much with Danzo before. Most of his knowledge of the man came from the anime and manga he'd seen in his previous life. Though he had always disliked Danzo, he hadn't felt any deep hatred. But now, having truly become part of the world of Naruto, and seeing Danzo's despicable actions unfold before his own eyes, that dislike had transformed into genuine anger.
Facing Yusuke's question, Danzo didn't reply. Instead, he coldly shot back, "Where did you go? Why weren't you at the base?"
"Where was I?" Yusuke let out a cold laugh. "I went out to look for you. All of Root was gone—including you. I thought something had happened."
"You insolent brat! Watch your tone when speaking to Lord Danzo!" barked one of the Root members standing behind Danzo.
Yusuke's gaze turned sharp as a blade, slicing toward the speaker. In that instant, the Root ninja felt a wave of murderous intent envelop him—so intense it was as if saying one more word would cost him his life.
A bead of cold sweat slowly trickled down his forehead. He gulped, trying to speak, but no sound came out.
Danzo gave a dismissive snort. "I'll explain everything to Hiruzen when we return," he said, then turned and strode out of the hall.
As he passed Yusuke, Danzo paused for a moment. His eyes, laced with silent menace, flicked toward the young man—then he continued on, disappearing into the corridor beyond.
---
Elsewhere, deep within a secluded grove, Obito and Zetsu were discussing Yusuke's unexpected appearance. Obito had already changed into a new mask.
"That Leaf ninja you fought earlier—who was he?" asked the white half of Zetsu, his tone odd and sing-song. "He was powerful. Aren't you planning to strike Konoha soon to seize the Nine-Tails? With someone like him around, it's going to be a lot harder."
"His name is Uchiha Yusuke," Obito said slowly. "He's been my rival for years—not someone to be taken lightly. But restraining him won't be difficult. I already have a plan. He won't get in my way."
"Another Uchiha?" said the black half of Zetsu, his voice much deeper and more serious. "But during the fight, he didn't even use his Sharingan."
Obito let out a cold snort. "Last I checked—back when I left Konoha—he hadn't awakened it yet. But whatever the case, it doesn't matter. I need to master Yin-Yang Release as soon as possible."
This recent failure had rung alarm bells in Obito's mind. He realized that relying on Kamui alone might not be enough to see his plans through. He had to grow stronger—quickly.
---
Several days later, the diplomatic envoy Konoha had sent to Amegakure returned. Less than half of the original group made it back.
Yusuke stood silently outside the Third Hokage's office, waiting. Before long, Danzo emerged, his face dark as thunder. Judging by his expression, it was clear Hiruzen had severely reprimanded him.
Danzo didn't even spare Yusuke a glance. With a sweep of his cloak, he left with his only surviving aide. The other—Yamanaka Rei—had fallen to Nagato's hand during the mission.
After Danzo departed, Yusuke entered and reported his findings to Hiruzen. He withheld the fact that he'd encountered Obito, and that he had spared Nagato and Konan. But everything else—including the existence of the Rinnegan—he disclosed. There were too many witnesses, both from Konoha and Amegakure. It was pointless to try and hide it.
Once he finished reporting, Yusuke left the Hokage building without further comment.
---
Back in the Uchiha district, in a training ground reserved for Yusuke's students, three small figures were diligently practicing.
Kabuto was training in Earth Release ninjutsu. Thanks to his natural gift for chakra control, he had already learned several basic techniques over the past few days. Yusuke had checked his chakra nature—Earth, Water, and Wind—so most of Kabuto's training centered around those three elements.
Izumi, on the other hand, was practicing the most basic ninja tools: kunai. She insisted on dragging Itachi into it, asking him to guide her through the drills.
"Itachi! Look, look! I almost hit the bullseye that time!" she exclaimed, eyes bright with excitement.
Itachi smiled and nodded. "Not bad. You're improving quickly."
"That's all thanks to you!" she beamed.
Nearby, Kabuto, still half-buried from his Earth Release practice, popped his head out of the ground with a deadpan look. "I offered to help, but nooo, you only want Itachi."
Startled by the sudden voice, Izumi looked down and blushed when she saw only Kabuto's head sticking out of the ground. "Well… Itachi's just better with tools, that's all! I didn't mean anything else."
Kabuto shook his head, while Itachi maintained a perfectly composed face, pretending not to hear a thing.
Then, something seemed to spark in Itachi's mind. Without warning, he casually threw three kunai in the direction of the targets.
Izumi and Kabuto exchanged confused glances. Wasn't that a random throw? He didn't even aim properly.
What happened next stunned them both.
Itachi threw another three kunai. These intercepted the first three midair, altering their trajectories—so that all six kunai ended up hitting the bullseyes of six different targets.
Kabuto's jaw dropped. His glasses slipped off his nose, but luckily, since he was still half underground, they landed safely on the dirt.
Izumi was just as dumbfounded—but quickly recovered and stared at Itachi with open admiration. Stars practically shone in her wide eyes. (Girls in the ninja world sure do mature early—just look at how Sakura fawned over Sasuke at this age, or Hinata with Naruto.)
"W-When did you learn that?" Kabuto asked, still in shock.
Itachi responded calmly, "Just now. Watching Izumi throw those kunai gave me an idea."
And with that casual remark, Itachi officially unlocked a strange new trait: micromanagement obsession.
Kabuto looked utterly defeated. A random throw from Itachi had left him completely outclassed.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Applause rang out.
The three turned toward the sound—and spotted a slightly older boy standing atop a wooden post on the edge of the training ground.
He had short black hair, a warm and approachable smile, and though not particularly handsome, there was something undeniably comforting about his presence. A short sword was strapped to his back, and he wore the standard Konoha flak vest—clearly already at least a Chuunin.
"Shisui-senpai!" Izumi and Itachi exclaimed in unison.