Shisui's Challenge

After the Nine-Tails Incident, Konoha was left in ruins, with rubble and shattered buildings everywhere. Not only had countless structures been destroyed and many villagers killed or injured, but many of the survivors had also been left homeless.

Fortunately, Konoha had the most comprehensive medical-ninja system of any shinobi village, and many of the injured received good treatment. If another village had suffered such devastation, many more would have died because they couldn't get proper care.

Looking at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, lying unconscious in the hospital bed, the Third Hokage furrowed his brow and asked the medical ninja beside him, "How is the Fourth Hokage? Why hasn't he woken up yet?"

"Lord Third, the Fourth Hokage's injuries are extremely severe. His Chakra is depleted, but the worst injury is the wound that pierced through his chest. An ordinary person would have died already."

"The Fourth Hokage is only still alive because Lady Kushina used her life force to keep him going."

The medical ninja shook his head and continued, "With our current abilities, we can only keep the Fourth Hokage alive. We can't say for certain whether he'll wake up again."

After listening to the explanation, the Third Hokage's expression grew solemn. "If Tsunade were here, do you think she could save the Fourth Hokage?"

"Lady Tsunade might have a way," the medical ninja replied uncertainly.

"Lord Third, what should we do with this baby?" Just then, an Anbu member approached the Third Hokage with Naruto in his arms.

The Third Hokage glanced at the sleeping Naruto, then at the unconscious Minato. After a moment's silence, he said, "Take him to the Konoha Orphanage. They'll raise him."

The Konoha Orphanage was an officially funded orphanage in the village, established to care for the orphaned children of shinobi and villagers. It wasn't the orphanage run by Yakushi Nonō.

"Also, the child's identity must be kept strictly confidential. Not a word of it can get out!" the Third Hokage said sternly.

"Yes, sir," the Anbu member replied respectfully. Then he turned to leave Minato's hospital room with Naruto in his arms.

The Anbu member had only just left when Kakashi arrived at the hospital, having heard that the Fourth Hokage had been gravely wounded and fallen unconscious.

"Lord Third, my teacher..." Seeing the Third Hokage standing there with a furrowed brow, Kakashi asked anxiously.

"Minato's injuries are severe. For now, we're only barely keeping him alive. I don't know when he'll wake up," the Third Hokage said.

He patted Kakashi on the shoulder and continued, "Don't worry. I'll send people to find Tsunade as soon as possible. With her here, I believe she can find a way to wake Minato."

Kakashi glanced worriedly at the Fourth Hokage. "What are you planning to do about my teacher's child? If possible, could I look after him?"

The Third Hokage shook his head. "How would you, a single man, take care of a child? Besides, you have missions to handle. Until Minato wakes up, I'll have the Konoha Orphanage raise Naruto."

"But wouldn't that be treating Naruto unfairly? My teacher and Lady Kushina sacrificed so much for the village. Naruto deserves better care." Kakashi furrowed his brow.

The Third Hokage waved a hand. "Kakashi, I saw Minato and Kushina's sacrifice with my own eyes. But it was their sacrifice that secured peace for the village."

"Now that Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, his identity is extremely sensitive. That's why I've decided to conceal it and have the orphanage raise him. It's for his own good. I believe that if Minato were in my position, he'd make the same decision!"

Although Naruto had been sent to an orphanage, his life in this world would be far more fortunate than it had been in the original story.

With Minato still alive, the Third Hokage would not only arrange for people to secretly look after Naruto, but also prevent the rumors targeting him from spreading unchecked as they had in the original story. As a result, Naruto would not be scorned and shunned by the villagers.

Three days after the Nine-Tails Incident, the Konoha High Command announced the casualties and losses. The Fourth Hokage had been gravely injured and remained unconscious. Two Hokages' wives, Biwako Sarutobi and Uzumaki Kushina, had died, along with countless shinobi, including Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, and Iruka's parents.

Since the Fourth Hokage was currently unable to manage the village's affairs, the Third Hokage announced that he would return to office and take charge.

At this critical juncture, the Konoha High Command not only increased security in the village but also ordered shinobi to temporarily reduce their missions outside the village and help with the reconstruction.

The Third Hokage also sent people to recall Jiraiya, who had been searching for Tsunade. As one of the Sannin, Jiraiya would return to the village to keep watch and prevent any further incidents. At the same time, the Third Hokage assigned others to continue searching for Tsunade.

After issuing a series of emergency measures, the Third Hokage called a meeting of the Konoha High Command to discuss plans for rebuilding the damaged areas. Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha Clan, naturally attended, and at Fugaku's request, Yusuke accompanied him.

This was Yusuke's first time attending a Konoha High Command meeting to make decisions. The Third Hokage sat at the head of the table, with Danzo on his left and the two village elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, on his right.

Standing behind the Third Hokage was an Anbu member wearing a cat mask. From the figure, hairstyle, and sword on his back, Yusuke could tell that it was Shisui Uchiha.

Aside from these veteran members of Konoha's leadership, the rest were the heads of the major shinobi clans, such as Hyuga Hiashi of the Hyuga Clan and the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Some clan heads also had one or two key members of their clan standing behind them.

The Uchiha Clan was represented by its head, Uchiha Fugaku. Yusuke stood behind him, expressionless as he zoned out.

At first, the leaders discussed strategies for restoring the village's economy and housing the injured after the disaster. Once those topics were settled, Danzo stood up and took out a map—a bird's-eye view of Konoha.

"The village suffered extensive damage in the Nine-Tails' attack. Taking advantage of the reconstruction, the Konoha High Command has decided to make some changes to the village's layout," Danzo said slowly.

Danzo then outlined plans for each clan. Some would stay where they were, while others would move to more advantageous locations. For example, the Aburame Clan would move from the western part of the village to a forested area in the south, where they could raise their insects.

"Once this area has been rebuilt, the Military Police Force will need to relocate here," Danzo said, lightly tapping the far western edge of Konoha with his short staff.

The site was at the very outskirts of Konoha, completely unsuitable for the Uchiha Clan, which was responsible for maintaining law and order in the village. Danzo's aim was obvious: he wanted to isolate the Uchiha Clan completely, cutting it off from the village's center simply by where it was located.

The moment he saw the location Danzo had indicated, Uchiha Fugaku stood up and began to argue with him. But Danzo wasn't the only one against him. The Third Hokage, the two other advisors, and many of the other clan heads all insisted that the Uchiha Clan should set aside its own interests and cooperate with the village's overall plans.

Faced with the united opposition of the Konoha leadership, Uchiha Fugaku had no choice but to give in. He sighed and sat back down.

Standing behind Uchiha Fugaku, Yusuke watched coldly, his expression unchanged. But he now understood more clearly just how much the village's leaders were ostracizing the Uchiha Clan. He couldn't help but think that Fugaku wasn't entirely to blame for the clan's eventual downfall.

After the discussion of the Uchiha Clan's relocation and accommodations, Uchiha Fugaku protested Danzo's decision to seal off the Uchiha Clan's compound on the night of the Nine-Tails Incident.

The Third Hokage promptly pinned the blame on Danzo. He gave Danzo, whose face had darkened like the bottom of a pot, a brief reprimand, and the matter was dropped.

As they left the meeting room, Uchiha Fugaku looked as exhausted as if he'd just come through a battle.

"Yusuke, you've seen our situation now, haven't you? We're at a real impasse. We can't afford to make even one wrong move," Uchiha Fugaku said with a sigh.

"If anyone catches us making even one mistake, we'll pay a huge price."

Yusuke didn't reply to Uchiha Fugaku's lament. He only nodded to show he understood.

"But don't dwell on it. Just focus on getting stronger. I have high hopes for you!" Uchiha Fugaku patted Yusuke on the shoulder and continued, "By the way, I have something else to take care of, so I won't be heading back to the clan with you."

After saying goodbye to Yusuke, Uchiha Fugaku left on his own. Watching Fugaku's retreating figure, Yusuke couldn't help but think, Maybe the only way to break the clan's current predicament is for an Uchiha to become Hokage!

Just then, a voice sounded behind Yusuke.

"Yusuke, what do you think of the leadership's decision about the clan at today's meeting?"

Yusuke turned around and saw an Anbu member walking toward him. It was Shisui Uchiha, who had been standing guard behind the Third Hokage during the meeting.

"I don't have an opinion," Yusuke replied. He was wary of Shisui; anything he said to him would probably reach the Third Hokage's ears.

Shisui wasn't satisfied with Yusuke's answer.

Shisui had always hoped to find like-minded clan members who would help the Uchiha Clan integrate into the village. He had once placed his hopes in the capable senior standing before him, but in the end, Yusuke hadn't responded to his ideas.

Seeing that Yusuke still seemed so indifferent toward the clan, Shisui's wavering resolve immediately hardened.

"Yusuke, I formally challenge you! Three days from now, at the village's Training Ground!" Shisui looked at Yusuke and spoke earnestly.

Yusuke furrowed his brow at Shisui's challenge. "Is this because of the rumors going around lately? I didn't think you were the sort to care about empty fame."

Shisui shook his head. "I don't care about empty fame, but right now, I need to earn it."

"The clan is in a very dangerous position. I need to become its most renowned shinobi. Only then can I lead it out of this mire!"

Hearing Shisui's words, Yusuke recalled that in the original story, Shisui had been known as the 'Strongest Uchiha.' His standing had been no lower than Uchiha Fugaku's, and many clan members had deeply admired him.

Could that have been why he'd earned the title of 'Strongest Uchiha' back then? Yusuke wondered.

After a few seconds of silence, Yusuke looked Shisui in the eye and asked calmly, "But are you sure you've figured out the right path for the clan?"

Shisui's gaze was resolute. "I believe that if our clan members can let go of their narrow clan mentality and follow Lord Third's lead in integrating into the village, then the Uchiha Clan will surely rise again!"

Yusuke gave Shisui a long look, then turned and headed toward the Uchiha Clan's compound.

"I accept your challenge!"

As always, thank you all for your support!