Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

Kabuto left Konoha Village in despair.

Was that terrifying man truly the S-class traitor of Konoha—Uchiha Itachi?

The mere thought of those eyes sent shivers down his spine. They were utterly terrifying, capable of sinking one's soul with just a glance. The black robes adorned with red clouds… Kabuto recalled seeing something similar on Naruto's body. An organization, perhaps? Yes, it was called Akatsuki.

Konoha Village had become a place of chaos. The major ninja villages, alerted by their spies, had begun stationing operatives in Konoha. Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan had failed, but in a twisted sense, it had pushed Konoha to the brink of collapse.

Uchiha Itachi sighed softly. Before him stood a boy with sharp, determined eyes. The two tomoe of Sasuke's Sharingan swirled, their scarlet hue as vivid as blood.

"Itachi... I've grown up," Sasuke said, his voice tinged with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.

Itachi's expression softened, his voice gentle—no longer cold. "You have," he said quietly.

Nearby, Kisame Hoshigaki glanced at the two brothers, shrugged, and wandered off to give them space. He had no interest in meddling in their affairs. Their bond was deep, and it wasn't something Kisame wanted to intrude upon.

"Brother, are you here to kill me?" Sasuke asked, his body tensing, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Itachi shook his head and smiled faintly, the way he used to when they were children. "How could I? You're my brother."

"But you killed Mom and Dad! You killed the rest of the Uchiha!" Sasuke shouted, his voice cracking. "Why didn't you kill me?!"

Sasuke's words hung heavy in the air, but Itachi's face betrayed no shock or remorse.

"Itachi, Konoha reinforcements are coming," Kisame's deep voice called out from a distance. It was a reminder that their time here was limited.

Their purpose had never been Sasuke, and they had already taken too many risks by staying this long.

"You'll understand one day," Itachi said, his tone filled with unspoken emotion. "But before that, you must grow stronger."

"Don't leave!" Sasuke yelled, his anger bubbling over. "I'll fight you!"

The two tomoe in Sasuke's eyes flared with light as he unleashed a genjutsu on his brother. But the backlash was immediate and overwhelming. Itachi's counter-genjutsu tore through Sasuke's attempt, nearly ripping his soul apart. Sasuke fell to his knees, gasping as the world around him distorted.

"Next time," Itachi said, his voice calm and resolute. "There's no time today."

With a casual wave of his hand, Itachi knocked Sasuke unconscious. His body dissolved into a flock of black crows that scattered into the sky. As the crows flew away, they left no trace of their presence—no evidence that anyone had been there at all.

"Hurry! There's movement over here!" came the sound of scrambling footsteps. Konoha ninja rushed toward the scene.

The squad, composed of Root members, were among Konoha's elite. But they had arrived too late. Their delay was no accident; it had been carefully orchestrated.

Konoha was on high alert, with reports of incursions across the village. Were it not for Danzo's specific orders regarding the Uchiha district, these guards would never have shown up here.

Sasuke, unconscious and injured, was discovered and promptly taken to the hospital.

Konoha was in disarray. Chaos reigned as infiltrators took advantage of the turmoil to launch attacks. Civilians and shinobi alike were injured, and the village's defenses were stretched thin. It seemed as though all eyes had turned toward Konoha, the victor of the previous ninja wars, now vulnerable and exposed.

In the hospital, medical ninjas rushed back and forth, tending to the wounded. One stopped and addressed Kabuto, who had taken over handling patients.

"Kabuto, you look terrible. Are you all right?" the medic asked.

Kabuto gave a weak smile. "I'm fine. Just chakra exhaustion. I'll recover soon. You go help elsewhere—I'll take care of the new patients."

The medic nodded and handed Sasuke over to Kabuto. "This Uchiha's all yours. I'll see to the others."

As soon as the medic left, Kabuto's gentle demeanor shifted. A sinister smirk spread across his face as he looked down at Sasuke. "So, you've fallen into my hands after all, Uchiha Sasuke."

Kabuto's eyes gleamed with a serpentine malice. The lingering pain from his encounter with Itachi still throbbed in his soul, but it only fueled his resolve.

Elsewhere, in the Hokage's office, news of Sasuke's attack had already reached Danzo.

"Uchiha Sasuke was attacked and left unconscious?" Danzo repeated, his voice cold and calculating. Sasuke's significance to him was immeasurable; the Sharingan was a prize he had coveted for years.

"Those fools," Danzo muttered. "Do they think Konoha is weak?"

On the desk, the spectral figure of Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged from the stone that bound his soul. Though he had lost his physical body, his presence still carried authority—though his time each day was limited.

Seeing Hiruzen, Danzo's face darkened. He had thought himself next in line for the title of Hokage, yet here was Hiruzen, clinging to existence.

"Hiruzen," Danzo sneered, his frustration evident. "In this state, how can you lead Konoha?"

"Enough, Danzo," Hiruzen interrupted, his voice firm. "I know what you're thinking."

Jiraiya, who had been present, stepped forward with concern. "Sensei, how are you holding up?"

Hiruzen sighed deeply. "My soul is bound to this stone, but I'll manage. Uzumaki Chito's methods are beyond our understanding. Perhaps he has surpassed even the Six Paths Sage."

At the mention of Uzumaki Chito, a somber expression crossed Hiruzen's face. "If only… If only I had told Chito that Naruto was Kushina's son from the beginning. If I had shown Naruto kindness, would things be different now? Would Uzumaki Chito have stood with Konoha?"

But there were no answers, only regrets.

"Teacher," Jiraiya said, his tone serious, "Konoha needs your leadership."

Danzo snorted derisively. "Leadership? In his condition?"

"That's enough, Danzo," Hiruzen snapped, frowning deeply. His thoughts turned to the future of Konoha. "Jiraiya, are you truly unwilling to become Hokage?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "You know I was never interested in that role."

"Then bring back Tsunade," Hiruzen said firmly. "She's the granddaughter of the First Hokage. It's only fitting that she inherits the title."

Danzo's objections died in his throat as Hiruzen's spectral figure began to fade, shrinking back into the stone that housed his soul.

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