Shisui's Challenge

After the Nine-Tails Incident, the entire village of Konoha was in shambles, with broken walls and ruins everywhere. Not only were a vast number of buildings destroyed and villagers killed or injured, but many survivors had also become homeless.

Fortunately, Konoha possessed the most comprehensive medical ninja system among all the hidden villages, allowing a large number of the wounded to receive decent treatment. Had this occurred in any other village, many more would have perished due to inadequate care.

Looking at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, who lay on the hospital bed in a persistent coma, the Third Hokage furrowed his brows and asked the medical ninja beside him, "How is the Fourth? Why hasn't he woken up yet?"

"Lord Third, the Fourth's injuries this time are simply too severe. Setting aside his chakra exhaustion, the most critical issue is the piercing wound to his chest. If he were an ordinary person, he would have died long ago."

"The fact that Lord Fourth is able to maintain his current state is the result of Lady Kushina using her own life force to sustain his."

The medical ninja shook his head and continued, "With our current capabilities, this is all we can do to maintain Lord Fourth's vitality. But as for whether he will ever wake up, we have no certainty."

Hearing the medical ninja's explanation, the Third Hokage's expression grew increasingly grave: "If Tsunade were here, do you think there would be a chance to save the Fourth?"

"If it were Lady Tsunade, perhaps she would have a way," the medical ninja replied with uncertainty.

"Lord Third, how should we handle this infant?" At that moment, an Anbu holding Naruto walked up to the Third Hokage and asked.

The Third Hokage glanced at the sleeping Naruto, then back at the comatose Minato, and after a moment of silence, said slowly, "Send him to the Konoha Orphanage and have him raised there."

The Konoha Orphanage was an official, state-funded institution within the village, specifically for taking in orphans of ninjas or villagers; it was not the orphanage managed by Yakushi Nonō.

"Furthermore, his identity must be kept strictly confidential. Not a single leak is permitted!" the Third Hokage said with a stern tone.

"Understood!" the Anbu replied respectfully, then turned to leave the ward with Naruto in his arms.

No sooner had the Anbu left than Kakashi, having received news of the Fourth's critical condition, rushed into the ward.

"Lord Third, Sensei, he..." Kakashi asked anxiously, looking at the Third Hokage, whose brows were tightly locked.

"Minato's injuries are severe; he is barely clinging to life. As for when he might wake up, I do not know," the Third Hokage said.

Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, the Third Hokage continued, "Rest assured, I will arrange for people to locate Tsunade as soon as possible. I believe that with her here, there should be a way to wake Minato."

Kakashi looked at the Fourth with concern: "Then what are your plans for Sensei's child? If possible, could you let me take care of him?"

The Third Hokage shook his head: "How could a man like you take care of a child? Besides, you have missions to attend to. Until Minato wakes up, I will leave Naruto to be raised by the Konoha Orphanage."

"But, wouldn't that be treating Naruto too poorly? Sensei and Lady Kushina sacrificed so much for the village; Naruto deserves better care," Kakashi frowned slightly.

The Third Hokage waved his hand: "Kakashi, I have seen the sacrifices made by Minato and Kushina, but it is precisely their sacrifice that has ensured the peace of the village."

"Naruto is now the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, and his status is extremely sensitive. That is why I decided to hide his identity and have him raised in the orphanage; it is for his own good. I believe that if Minato were in my position, he would make the same decision!"

Although Naruto was sent to the orphanage, in this life, he would be far luckier than in the original story.

Because Minato was still alive, the Third Hokage not only arranged for specific individuals to look after Naruto in secret, but he would also no longer allow the rumors targeting Naruto to spread as they did in the original, meaning Naruto would not face the discrimination and ostracization of the villagers.

Three days after the Nine-Tails Incident, the Konoha leadership announced the casualty figures. The Fourth Hokage was critically injured and comatose, the wives of two Hokages, Sarutobi Biwako and Uzumaki Kushina, had fallen in battle, and many other ninjas had been lost, including Yuhi Shinku, the father of Kurenai, and the parents of Iruka.

Since the Fourth was currently unable to handle the village's administrative affairs, the Third Hokage announced his return to power to lead the village's operations.

During this critical period, in addition to strengthening the village's security, the Konoha leadership also ordered ninjas to temporarily reduce external missions to assist in the village's reconstruction.

Additionally, the Third Hokage sent men to recall Jiraiya, who was out searching for Tsunade, so that one of the Sannin could return to guard the village and prevent further accidents. While recalling Jiraiya, the Third also arranged for others to continue the search for Tsunade.

After issuing a series of emergency measures, the Third Hokage convened a high-level meeting to discuss the reconstruction of the damaged areas. The head of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku, naturally had to participate, and at Fugaku's request, Yusuke accompanied him to the meeting.

This was Yusuke's first time attending a high-level decision-making meeting in Konoha. Sitting at the head was naturally the Third Hokage, with Danzo to his left and the two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, to his right.

Standing behind the Third Hokage was an Anbu wearing a cat mask. Based on his build, hairstyle, and the katana on his back, Yusuke could tell that this Anbu was none other than Uchiha Shisui.

Aside from these veteran leaders, the rest were the heads of the major ninja clans, such as the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi, the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, and so on. Behind some of the heads stood one or two key members of their respective families.

Representing the Uchiha Clan was naturally Uchiha Fugaku, while Yusuke stood behind him, expressionless and keeping a low profile.

At first, the leaders discussed strategies for post-war economic recovery and the placement of the wounded. Once these two topics were concluded, Danzo stood up and produced a map, which was an aerial view of Konoha.

"Due to the Nine-Tails' attack, the village has suffered severe damage. Taking this opportunity for renewal, the Konoha leadership has decided to make some changes to the village's zoning," Danzo said slowly.

Danzo then proceeded to deploy the clans accordingly; some remained unchanged, while others were relocated to more favorable positions. For instance, the Aburame Clan was moved from the west side of the village to a location in the south that featured a forest, making it easier for them to raise their insects.

"After this area is rebuilt, the original location of the Police Force will need to be moved here," Danzo said, his short staff tapping lightly on the westernmost edge of Konoha.

This location was already on the extreme periphery of the village and was entirely unsuitable for the Uchiha Clan, who were responsible for Konoha's police work. Danzo's intent was glaringly obvious: he wanted to completely isolate the Uchiha Clan, cutting them off from the core of the village geographically.

Seeing the location Danzo pointed to, Uchiha Fugaku immediately stood up to argue. However, it wasn't just Danzo; the Third Hokage, the other two advisors, and many other clan heads present all expressed that the Uchiha Clan should set aside their private interests and cooperate with the village's overall deployment.

Ultimately, faced with the united front of the Konoha leadership, Uchiha Fugaku had no choice but to compromise, sighing as he sat back down.

Standing behind Uchiha Fugaku and watching with cold eyes, Yusuke remained expressionless, though he gained a more intuitive understanding of the current reality where the village leadership ostracized the Uchiha. He also sighed inwardly, thinking that the destruction of the Uchiha Clan could not be blamed entirely on Uchiha Fugaku.

After discussing the relocation and placement of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku lodged a protest regarding Danzo's blockade of the Uchiha compound on the night of the Nine-Tails Incident.

The Third Hokage decisively shifted the blame onto Danzo, reprimanding the dark-faced Danzo with a few brief words, and the matter was left at that.

Walking out of the conference room, Uchiha Fugaku looked as exhausted as if he had just fought a great battle.

"Yusuke, you've seen our current predicament, haven't you? We are truly walking on thin ice; we cannot afford a single wrong step!" Uchiha Fugaku sighed.

"If any mistake is caught by others, we will have to pay a heavy price."

To Uchiha Fugaku's lament, Yusuke did not reply, merely nodding to show he understood.

"But don't overthink it; just focus on improving your strength. I have high hopes for you!" Uchiha Fugaku patted Yusuke on the shoulder and continued, "By the way, I have other business to attend to, so I won't be heading back to the compound with you."

After bidding farewell to Yusuke, Uchiha Fugaku left alone. Watching Fugaku's retreating figure, Yusuke couldn't help but think to himself: Perhaps only by having an Uchiha become Hokage can we break the clan's current predicament!

Just then, a voice rang out from behind Yusuke.

"Yusuke-senpai, what is your take on the high-level arrangements for the clan discussed at today's meeting?"

Yusuke turned around to see an Anbu walking toward him. It was none other than Uchiha Shisui, who had been guarding the Third Hokage during the meeting.

"I don't have any thoughts on it," Yusuke replied. He was wary of Shisui; anything he said to him would likely reach the ears of the Third Hokage.

Shisui was not satisfied with Yusuke's answer.

For a long time, Shisui had hoped to find like-minded clansmen to help the clan integrate into the village. He had once pinned his hopes on this exceptionally skilled senior before him, but in the end, the other party had never responded to his ideas.

Watching Yusuke, who still appeared completely indifferent toward the clan, Shisui's previously hesitant heart instantly hardened.

"Yusuke-senpai, I officially challenge you! Three days from now, at the village training ground!" Shisui said, looking at Yusuke solemnly.

Regarding Shisui's challenge, Yusuke frowned slightly: "Is this because of the rumors lately? I didn't think you were the type to care about such hollow fame."

Shisui shook his head and said: "I don't care about this hollow fame, but right now, I must obtain this so-called fame."

"The clan's current situation is extremely dangerous, and I must become the most prestigious ninja in the clan. Only then can I lead the clan out of this quagmire!"

Hearing Shisui's words, Yusuke recalled that in the original story, Shisui held the title of 'the strongest of the Uchiha,' with prestige no lower than Uchiha Fugaku, and was highly revered by many clansmen.

Could it be that he sought the title of 'the strongest of the Uchiha' for this very reason back then? Yusuke thought to himself.

After a few seconds of silence, Yusuke looked into Shisui's eyes and asked calmly: "But are you certain you have clearly seen the path ahead for the clan?"

Shisui's gaze was firm: "I believe that as long as our clansmen can break free from narrow-minded clan prejudices and follow the footsteps of the Third Hokage to integrate into the village, then our Uchiha Clan will surely be able to revitalize itself!"

After taking a long, deep look at Shisui, Yusuke turned and began walking in the direction of the Uchiha Clan.

"I accept your challenge!"

As always, thank you all for your support!!

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