Naruto: Saving the Uchiha

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"I have an idea." 

Kazuki proposed his suggestion: 

"If this person really is Uchiha Obito, who was supposedly killed in battle, then we can try to lure him out. Losing one Sharingan eye means a significant drop in combat power. He might even lose access to the Mangekyō Sharingan's unique abilities, like Susanoo. We can use the other Sharingan eye as bait to draw him out. At worst, we'll just waste a little time. What do you all think? Given the current situation, spending a bit of time to confirm the identity of a powerful enemy shouldn't be an issue. I assume none of you would object, right?" 

"I agree." 

Trying this wouldn't hurt. Since Kazuki seems confident, there's no harm in testing it. After all, no one stands to lose anything. 

The Allied Forces have already suffered heavy losses. Right now, detailed intelligence on the enemy is crucial. 

"I agree as well." 

Ōnoki, Yagura, and Rasa all voiced their support. As for the Third Hokage, Kazuki ignored him entirely. 

"Shikaku, send a message back to the village. Have Kakashi rush to the camp as soon as possible." 

The other Sharingan eye that belonged to Obito was in Kazuki's possession. As long as he didn't reveal it, who would know? 

Kazuki was certain that if word got out, Obito wouldn't take it lightly. 

"Damn that Akatsuki organization!" 

Every time he thought about the losses his village had suffered, A's liver ached with fury. 

Not only had they suffered heavy casualties, but they'd also gained absolutely nothing in return. 

The same went for the other villages. The only one that had come out slightly ahead was Konoha—though even that was debatable, considering the loss of over a hundred elite shinobi from the Sarutobi clan. 

The compensation from Kumogakure wasn't nearly enough to make up for such a loss. 

Frustrated as they were, there was nothing they could do but accept the situation. 

At this point, Akatsuki had become a thorn in the side of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. 

Hoping to continue operating in the shadows like they had in the original timeline was impossible now. 

The Five Great Villages would spare no effort in tracking them down. 

For Akatsuki to capture the tailed beasts as easily as they had before? The difficulty had just skyrocketed. 

--- 

Konoha. 

When Tsunade received the message scroll from the frontlines and read its contents, she couldn't help but curse loudly. 

Shizune trembled and hid in a corner, frightened. 

"I knew I shouldn't have let him go to the frontlines! He's not only useless but also a hindrance!" 

Questioning one of our own? What the hell were you thinking, old man?! 

At a time like this, no matter how deep the grudges, they should've been set aside! 

This was a time for unity against a common enemy! 

Any internal conflicts or grievances should've been dealt with behind closed doors later. 

Hadn't they already agreed to let things go? 

Was your promise just empty words?! 

Tsunade couldn't believe that when the other villages had cast doubt on Konoha and Kazuki, the Third Hokage had also looked at Kazuki with distrust. 

Good grief. 

She was so furious her chest hurt. 

If I ever trust your promises again, I'll be damned! 

If the Third Hokage hadn't stubbornly insisted on going to the frontlines, Konoha would've barely suffered any losses. 

At most, they'd have expended some resources while watching the other villages panic. 

But no—he had to charge into battle, leading over a hundred elite Sarutobi shinobi to their deaths. 

The elites were wiped out, while he survived and returned. 

And then, when the other villages questioned Konoha, he joined them?! 

Are you out of your damn mind?! 

Tsunade was so angry she couldn't calm down for a long time. 

--- 

"What's wrong? You look terrible." 

Jiraiya, unfortunately, chose this moment to appear in the Hokage's office. 

He had just perched on the windowsill when he saw Tsunade's thunderous expression. 

"See for yourself." 

Already in a foul mood, Tsunade tossed the scroll at him irritably. 

Jiraiya instinctively caught it and skimmed through the contents. Within seconds, his face went slack with shock. 

He had long since washed his hands of the Akatsuki issue. 

Nagato and Konan were no longer the innocent children they once were. People changed. 

And Konoha had played a significant role in shaping them into what they'd become. 

Jiraiya had mentally cursed Danzō's ancestors more than once over this. 

Now that things had escalated to outright hostility, Jiraiya didn't expect any mercy from them. What was done was done. 

He was aware of the Five Great Villages' joint operations against Akatsuki. His only stance was to support the village while staying out of the conflict himself. 

"The old man… sigh." 

Jiraiya didn't even know what to say. 

In recent years, the Third Hokage's actions had become increasingly disappointing. 

"Let's not talk about him. What do you think of Kazuki's proposal? He suspects that the mysterious 'Uchiha Madara' behind the Nine-Tails incident might actually be Obito in disguise." 

Tsunade didn't want to discuss the Third Hokage any further—it would only infuriate her more. 

"I think it's worth testing." 

Jiraiya stepped further into the office and set the scroll down. 

"If Kazuki is suggesting this, he must have some degree of confidence. Besides, he's right—the Five Great Villages have suffered heavy losses. They desperately need more intel on Akatsuki. And it's not like this test will cost them anything. Might as well have Kakashi hurry to the frontlines to assist." 

"What worries me is… if this person really is Obito, then Kakashi…" 

"Let's hope it's not him." 

Tsunade felt like her head was about to explode. 

If this so-called "Madara" was actually Obito, then why would he target Konoha? 

Why attack their sensei, Minato, and Kushina? 

None of this makes sense! 

"Tsunade." 

"What?" 

'I'm already pissed off—don't bother me unless it's important.' She glared up at Jiraiya, who scratched his head awkwardly. 

"I was thinking… maybe I could take over the mission to investigate Akatsuki. What do you say?" 

"If you want to take Naruto with you, go negotiate with the old fools yourself. Don't drag me into it. Also, external affairs are Kazuki's responsibility. If you want to take on this mission, wait until he returns and discuss it with him. I'm not getting involved." 

She already had enough headaches to deal with. Tsunade had no intention of wasting more energy on this nonsense. 

She knew exactly what Jiraiya was scheming, so she left it to him to handle the Third Hokage and the elders. 

Your problem, your responsibility. 

"…Fine." 

Seeing that persuasion was useless, Jiraiya could only leave in frustration. 

He wanted to leave the village, but he couldn't bring himself to abandon Naruto. 

If he tried to take Naruto with him, the Third Hokage and the elders would never allow it. 

Now that they knew how powerful Akatsuki was—and their goals—they'd never let Naruto leave.

*****

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