Chapter 13: The Surviving Uchiha
"Is this the intel on that strange organization called S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.—a strange organization made up of both the Avengers and the Justice League."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deputy director, codename: Husky. True strength unknown. Skilled in space-time ninjutsu and suspected to possess a Bloodline Limit involving nuclear release."
"Member of the Avengers, codename: Flaming Cloud Evil God—a ninja possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Something about this feels off... This intel seems way too easy to come by."
Shikamaru subconsciously stroked his stylish little mustache as he looked over the information in his hand.
"Yeah, part of the intel came from Sarada."
"According to her, it was unintentionally revealed by the Flaming Cloud Evil God."
Naruto nodded, his expression serious.
Shikamaru said, "Which means there's a possibility this intel was deliberately leaked by S.H.I.E.L.D. to mislead us."
"However, the Flaming Cloud Evil God seems to care deeply about Sarada. During the whole Shin Uchiha incident, he stayed by her side the entire time to protect her."
Sasuke offered another possibility.
"Sasuke, you're saying that the Flaming Cloud Evil God is a mole within S.H.I.E.L.D., and he leaked this information to us on purpose?"
Naruto looked at Sasuke as he spoke.
"Yeah, that's one possibility. Also, it's highly likely that he's a surviving member of the Uchiha clan. That would explain why he's so protective of Sarada—they're of the same bloodline."
Shikamaru added.
"In any case, label all intel related to S.H.I.E.L.D. as S-rank. Sasuke, you should stay in the village too."
Naruto said to Sasuke. More than a precaution, Naruto genuinely hoped Sasuke would spend more time with his family.
"...No need. The future of the ninja world is more important. Whether it's the enemy Kaguya feared, or the mysterious organization S.H.I.E.L.D., someone needs to investigate. The current Konoha isn't so fragile that it'll be destroyed easily."
"I'll also try to locate the Flaming Cloud Evil God and determine whether he can become our ally from within."
After a brief pause, Sasuke made his decision. More importantly, he wanted to confirm whether the Flaming Cloud Evil God was truly a surviving Uchiha.
Just then, a knock came from outside the Hokage's office. Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru all fell silent.
"Come in."
Naruto looked toward the door.
"Long time no see, Naruto."
It was Kakashi, who had been summoned back by Naruto and forced to cut his vacation short. The man known as Hatake 'Fifty-Fifty'—someone who could hold his own against almost anyone for at least a few moves.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're here."
Naruto's stern face brightened. Kakashi was not only his former team leader but also the Sixth Hokage.
"Didn't you summon me back? Besides, with something this big happening, there's no way I could stay on vacation."
"This intel is about that strange organization?"
"The one with the codename Flaming Cloud Evil God—he may be a surviving Uchiha."
Kakashi picked up the intel from Naruto's desk and skimmed through it. As the Sixth Hokage and current Hokage's former mentor, he certainly had clearance to view S-rank intel.
"Yeah, that's exactly what we were thinking just now."
Shikamaru nodded beside him.
"A surviving Uchiha, huh... Come to think of it, there's actually another Uchiha survivor still in the village."
Kakashi muttered thoughtfully as he looked over the document.
"...Huh?! Kakashi-sensei, how come I never knew about this?!"
Naruto blurted out in surprise. Shikamaru and Sasuke were shocked too, though their reactions weren't as exaggerated.
"Sorry, sorry. I forgot. It just happened to come to mind when we were talking about Uchiha survivors."
Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly.
"Kakashi-sensei, take us to see this surviving Uchiha right now!"
Naruto urged, grabbing his Hokage cloak from the chair and pulling Kakashi by the arm as he headed for the exit.
"Hold on, Naruto. I know what you're thinking. Relax—there's no way that guy is the Flaming Cloud Evil God, and he definitely hasn't left Konoha."
"And actually, you already know him."
Kakashi said as Naruto dragged him along.
"Someone I know?"
Naruto paused, looking at Kakashi in confusion.
"That's right. The surviving Uchiha is Shunhi—full name Uchiha Shunhi."
Kakashi rubbed the arm Naruto had pulled.
"Shunhi..."
Naruto frowned, sinking into his memories—recalling the night he first became a genin and made a promise to someone.
"Uncle Shunhi!"
Naruto exclaimed.
"Uncle Shunhi? Who's that?"
Shikamaru looked at Naruto.
"He's Ichiraku's apprentice. He runs the second branch of Ichiraku Ramen now. I never knew Uncle Shunhi was an Uchiha!"
Naruto answered, then turned to Kakashi. There might not be alcohol around, but the look in his eyes clearly told Kakashi to share Shunhi's story.
"Uchiha Shunhi was my classmate and Obito's best friend."
"To be honest, Shunhi had zero talent for being a ninja—he couldn't even master basic chakra extraction. He and Obito were known as the 'Uchiha Dumbass Duo.' Shunhi was called 'Big Idiot,' and Obito was 'Second Idiot.'"
As Kakashi spoke, he seemed to recall something amusing and smiled with his eyes.
"So the Uchiha clan wasn't all geniuses after all. He couldn't even do chakra extraction? That means he was worse than me."
Naruto added from the side.
"Idiot, don't interrupt Kakashi-sensei."
Even as he said that, Sasuke couldn't help but question whether someone who couldn't even extract chakra could really be a surviving Uchiha.
"Ah, it's fine—I'm almost done anyway."
"Since he had no talent, Shunhi eventually developed an interest in ramen. But the Uchiha clan wouldn't allow one of their own to become an apprentice to a ramen chef. So Shunhi gave up his surname, left the clan, and started living with Ichiraku."
"That's when his connections with people from the Ninja Academy started to fade."
"Also, Shunhi was friends with Asuma."
"Back in school, Asuma was the one closest to him."
Hearing Asuma's name made Shikamaru visibly flinch again. Sarutobi Asuma had been his team leader—and one of the heroes who didn't live to see the end of the story.
"It's almost lunchtime anyway. Let's go to Uncle Shunhi's ramen shop and grab a bite. We can meet him while we're at it."
Naruto suggested. Naturally, no one objected. Not just because Naruto was the Hokage, but because all of them—Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Kakashi—were genuinely curious to meet this surviving Uchiha.
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