Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

"Enemies!"

As they watched a comrade killed in an instant, the other Kirigakure shinobi immediately grew alert and shouted loudly.

In an instant, numerous Kirigakure ninja leapt from their ships onto the merchant vessel, surrounding Orochimaru and Kimimaro.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Faced with the encirclement, Orochimaru let out a sinister smile, his golden, slitted pupils gleaming like those of a venomous serpent.

Countless snakes shot from his right hand, extending forward.

Each snake struck toward a different target.

Given Orochimaru's speed, even prepared shinobi had difficulty avoiding his attack.

Several Kirigakure ninja were struck simultaneously.

Their necks were bitten, faces turning blue as foam poured from their mouths.

Just like the one before, their bodies stiffened and collapsed.

"Who are you? How dare you oppose Kirigakure?!"

A furious voice shouted among the Kiri shinobi.

In just a few moments of combat, several comrades had been slain. They realized the enemy was terrifying—far beyond the level of ordinary ninja.

"Oppose Kirigakure..."

Orochimaru sneered, completely unfazed.

"So what if I do?"

As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kirigakure certainly held sway over rogue and wandering ninja. But to him, it held no threat.

The feared ANBU assassination units that hunted defectors meant little to someone of Kage-level strength.

There were only a handful of people in Kirigakure who could match him, and even if they came personally, he would not be afraid.

This was the confidence of a seasoned Kage-tier powerhouse.

"Pshh! Pshh! Pshh!"

A twisted smile formed on Orochimaru's face as he drew his Kusanagi Blade—sharp enough to slice through iron like paper—and charged into the group of Kiri ninja.

Ordinary shinobi stood no chance against his sword. One after another, they fell.

Before long, the battle was over. All the Kiri shinobi had been slain, including one elite jōnin.

Whoosh!

Orochimaru lifted Kimimaro with one hand and leapt from the merchant ship to the sea's surface.

Boom—

Performing a summoning technique, he placed a hand on the water's surface. In the next instant, a giant serpent emerged.

It sped forward through the sea, carrying him and Kimimaro away, leaving behind a chaotic scene and a ship full of Kiri corpses.

Though he'd annihilated these shinobi, he hadn't stopped them from sending a signal.

It wouldn't take long for other Kirigakure forces at sea to receive it and rush over.

If surrounded, even he would face some trouble.

"Much appreciated."

In his heart, Uchiha Fugaku silently thanked Orochimaru. Then, taking Yuki no Natsu with him, he quietly left the merchant ship.

They moved in a different direction from Orochimaru, progressing through the sea.

From here on, they'd rely on their own feet. Half the journey still lay ahead, but with his Kage-level chakra, Fugaku had enough stamina to reach the Land of Fire.

And with Orochimaru drawing Kirigakure's attention, their path should now be much safer.

Hours later, Fugaku and Yuki no Natsu successfully set foot on the Land of Fire.

Here, there was no longer a need to worry about Kirigakure shinobi chasing them. Even if they did, it would be in small numbers, sneaking in quietly.

Unless Kirigakure wanted to start a full-on war with Konoha, they wouldn't dare launch a large-scale invasion.

---

In a remote, rarely traveled forest, a dome-shaped building made of stone stood hidden.

Covered in vines and surrounded by dense forest, it was completely camouflaged—impossible to notice unless one got very close.

Uchiha Fugaku brought Yuki no Natsu to this location.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three figures suddenly darted out from hidden spots, appearing before Fugaku and Yuki no Natsu.

"Clan Head."

All three wore standard black Uchiha garb, their chakra calm and controlled. Their Sharingan eyes appeared in a flash.

After confirming Fugaku wasn't using a Transformation Jutsu, they respectfully greeted him.

"Mm."

Fugaku nodded.

This was a secret base established by him outside of Konoha.

Here, the Uchiha trained orphans with potential.

It also served as a fallback location if the clan ever lost the power struggle within the village—somewhere to regroup after fleeing Konoha.

Inside, the building opened to a vast training hall.

There were few windows, but numerous lamps lit the area, keeping it bright.

Dozens of boys and girls trained diligently within, observed and guided occasionally by Uchiha clan members in black uniforms.

"Clan Head."

Seeing Fugaku enter, all the black-clad Uchiha greeted him with respect.

He nodded in return, leading Yuki no Natsu through the training hall to the residential area.

"Clan Head, what brings you here?"

A man approached.

His chakra was sharp and intense, like an unsheathed blade.

His name was Uchiha Hoshi, one of three elite jōnin who were completely loyal to Fugaku's former self.

Trusted deeply, he had been appointed to build and oversee this secret base.

"This is an orphan I've taken in. She'll be training here for some time."

Fugaku glanced at the girl behind him.

"To be taken in by you, Clan Head, her talent must be extraordinary."

Hoshi looked at Yuki no Natsu with curiosity.

"It is indeed."

Fugaku smiled.

"Her name is Yuki no Natsu. She hails from the Yuki Clan and possesses a powerful Ice Release kekkei genkai."

"A powerful Ice Release kekkei genkai?"

Hoshi's interest was clearly piqued. For the clan head to call it "very strong"—he couldn't help but want to test her potential himself.

"You have talent. Don't slack off. Make the most of it. For now, settle in and train here."

Fugaku turned to Yuki no Natsu with a gentle tone.

"Yes, sir. I won't slack off. I will become your strength."

She responded quickly.

Compared to her peers, she was more mature—smarter.

She understood her value, understood why Fugaku had saved her.

"I'll be waiting for that day."

Fugaku smiled.

She was a clever girl. Saving her had clearly been the right decision.

If not for her being a Yuki clan member with Ice Release—a bloodline that made her politically sensitive and a target for Hiruzen and Danzo—he might have brought her straight into Konoha for personal guidance.

Once he controlled Konoha, he could assign her a formal identity and train her himself.