I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Whirlpool Ruins

The battle was brief but intense, lasting no more than ten minutes. Nine of those minutes were spent in combat along the worn-out roads of the island, while the final minute saw the enemy surrendering in fear.

Naruto stood amidst the trembling rogue ninjas kneeling before him, feeling a sense of disappointment at their weakness. This group, whose strongest members barely reached the level of chūnin, would have been completely annihilated if they had encountered Sasuke instead.

Despite their lack of strength, they provided valuable intelligence. From their confessions, Naruto learned about the state of the island and the reason behind the disrupted trade routes.

The island's economy was driven largely by smuggling. Fishermen and rogue ninjas used the remains of the once-great Land of Whirlpools as a hub for contraband, treating it as a lawless zone outside the control of the Five Great Nations.

The man orchestrating the smuggling operations was someone Naruto recognized—Gatō, the corrupt shipping magnate who once controlled the Land of Waves. Though thought dead after his encounter with Team 7, rumors suggested that remnants of his organization continued operating in the shadows.

After ensuring the rogue ninjas were unconscious, Naruto summoned a messenger crow. The black-feathered bird took flight into the misty sky, vanishing beyond the canopy. He waited in silence.

Before long, a familiar figure emerged from the dense forest.

"Master Menma, you've finally arrived. We've been waiting for days," said Uchiha Shisui, bowing slightly.

Compared to their last meeting over two weeks ago, Shisui looked exhausted. It wasn't just the humid climate of the Land of Whirlpools—Naruto knew the toll was mostly mental. As the new head of the Uchiha clan in exile, Shisui had to manage everything himself, from securing supplies to overseeing the clan's survival. His sensitive identity only made things harder.

Currently, the Uchiha relied on Nekobaa's network in the Land of Cats for resources, but such an arrangement was unsustainable.

Seeing Naruto, a flicker of hope returned to Shisui's weary eyes. "With your help, we might finally overcome this crisis," he admitted. "At the very least, we won't have to keep worrying about food and shelter."

Naruto studied him for a moment before offering a smirk. "Trouble? This place is crawling with rogue ninjas. For the proud Uchiha, that shouldn't be a problem."

Shisui let out a weary chuckle and shook his head. "Rogue ninjas are easy. The real problem is acquiring supplies without drawing Konoha's attention. If I go ashore, I risk being exposed."

Naruto folded his arms. "If you want to move safely, you need to take control. Gather the rogue ninjas under one banner. Integrate them into our ranks. The era where the Uchiha acted as Konoha's police force is over."

He gestured toward the unconscious ninjas. "Start by looting them. Keep them alive. They'll be useful when we establish a base here."

Though momentarily stunned, Shisui nodded and got to work. Once the loot was secured, Naruto and Shisui climbed to a higher vantage point overlooking the island.

"Shisui, did you find Uzushiogakure's ruins?"

Shisui pointed toward the distant coastline. "Yes. The ruins of Uzushio still stand, but an organized ninja gang has taken control. Their leader is rumored to be as strong as a jōnin."

Naruto scoffed. "A jōnin-level opponent? Hardly a threat…"

He understood, though. In the ninja world, jōnin were elites, often holding important positions in their villages. Most wouldn't go rogue unless forced into exile.

Without further discussion, they moved toward the ruins of Uzushio.

The Ruins of Uzushio

After half an hour of running, they arrived at what was once Uzushiogakure.

Crumbling buildings and scattered debris told the story of a village that had once stood as the heart of the Uzumaki Clan's legacy. But that glory had faded, reduced to little more than a ghost town following the village's destruction.

Naruto took in the sight with a strange expression. He had never seen Uzushio before its fall. This was his first time setting foot in the birthplace of the Uzumaki.

Sensing his emotions, Shisui spoke softly. "Lord Menma, under your leadership, the Land of Whirlpools can rise again."

Naruto remained silent.

They maneuvered through the ruins and reached the enemy's stronghold. With precise Genjutsu, they incapacitated patrolling sentries and swiftly eliminated several guards.

None of them were above chūnin level. Against Naruto and Shisui—both of whom had surpassed ordinary jōnin—they didn't stand a chance.

At last, they reached the gang's leader.

As soon as he saw them, the rogue ninja unleashed a powerful fūinjutsu—a sealing technique.

Naruto and Shisui instinctively retreated, exchanging surprised glances.

This wasn't just any rogue ninja. This man was using Konoha's sealing techniques.

There was only one explanation—he was an Uzumaki survivor.

Beneath his tattered cloak, his hair had been dyed to hide its natural red hue.

Naruto activated his Sharingan. "Genjutsu: Sharingan."

The Uzumaki ninja fought against the illusion and, realizing his predicament, quickly performed a self-inflicted sealing jutsu to disrupt his chakra flow, breaking free.

But the moment he recovered, his vision blurred again—this time, from Shisui's Sharingan.

It was over in an instant.

The Uzumaki stood frozen, completely ensnared.

Shisui wiped sweat from his forehead. "His sealing techniques explain why Uzushio was wiped out. The Uzumaki's vitality and fūinjutsu were seen as too dangerous. The Great Nations chose to destroy them before they became a threat."

Naruto turned to the restrained Uzumaki, thoughtful.

If this man specialized in fūinjutsu, then he could be the key to unlocking the secrets of the Forbidden Sealing Scrolls.

Without hesitation, Naruto bound the ninja with chakra chains—an Uzumaki trait he had only begun to master. He dismissed the idea of using Genjutsu for interrogation. If this man had placed a seal on his own mind, reading his memories might trigger a self-destructive backlash.

The Uzumaki groggily regained awareness and stared at Naruto with narrowed eyes.

There was no fear in his expression—only confusion.

For a moment, he hesitated, as if sensing something familiar about Naruto.

Naruto didn't waste time on words. He simply let a fraction of the Nine-Tails' chakra seep out.

A flicker of realization crossed the Uzumaki's face.

The air between them grew tense.

Naruto smirked.

"Now… let's have a proper talk."

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