Uchiha Ascendant: Rewriting the Ninja World

Within the forest, the bodies of over a dozen enemy ninjas lay lifeless, their pupils dull and unseeing.

The corpses were scattered in various grotesque poses—some hung from tree branches, others sprawled across the ground. Their injuries ranged from weapon wounds inflicted by kunai and shuriken to those from jutsu, bites, and the distinctive effects of Gentle Fist strikes.

"Finally, it's over," someone muttered, their voice breaking the eerie silence of the aftermath.

On the branches above, Konoha's ninja stood vigil, their breathing heavy yet still maintaining alertness.

Nara Shikaku glanced around, his gaze eventually landing on Uchiha Yo. His eyes betrayed a hint of surprise.

As expected of someone who had already been on the battlefield, Yo was the most composed among them. Despite the intensity of the battle, Yo had conserved the most chakra and stamina.

It wasn't that Yo had shirked his responsibilities; rather, his combat style focused on efficiency. By relying on swift movements, precise shuriken strikes, and minimal chakra expenditure, he had managed to preserve his strength.

In contrast, many of the others had employed large-scale, chakra-intensive jutsu in an effort to overpower the enemy. While effective, it left them drained and vulnerable to prolonged engagements.

Kushina, panting heavily, bore a triumphant smile.

"They weren't as tough as I thought."

"Alright, start clearing the battlefield and gathering any useful intelligence," Shikaku instructed.

The group, though fatigued, moved efficiently to comb the area. Despite their youth, they carried themselves with the discipline expected of Chunin.

"Hiashi, Hizashi, keep watch. The rest of you, move quickly," Yo directed as he sheathed his blade.

He surveyed the scene with a calm, practiced eye and nodded slightly. This group had potential—it was no wonder they'd become Konoha's future elite. Although many were born into influential clans, none had been shielded from the harsh realities of life as a ninja.

"Everyone, no injuries?"

Minato's bright smile carried his usual warmth, but his subtle glance toward Kushina didn't escape Yo's notice.

"Yo even learned some medical ninjutsu from Tsunade-sensei," Kushina remarked teasingly, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

Smiling, Yo replied, "Just the basics."

The shared experience of battle had begun to foster camaraderie among them, forging bonds of trust and mutual respect.

"Let's move."

The group vanished into the shadows of the forest, leaving only the traces of their battle behind.

While leaping through the dense woodland, Yo glanced at Kushina, lowering his voice to tease, "Looks like someone's got a secret admirer."

Kushina shot him a glare, baring her small fangs in mock anger. She knew exactly who he was referring to.

"I don't like sissies!"

Minato's persistent yet subtle attention had not gone unnoticed by her. Sensitive as she was, Kushina felt an instinctive aversion to his kindness, mistaking it for insincerity.

Yo smirked. "Oh? Well, unfortunately, with your status, most people who approach you will have ulterior motives."

Kushina's face darkened. "And what about you? Weren't you the one using me to get close to Tsunade-sensei?"

"Of course," Yo replied with a shrug, his tone dripping with feigned innocence. "You've already said as much."

His shameless grin only further irked Kushina, who glared daggers at him. Despite her frustration, Yo's words planted a seed of doubt in her mind.

For Yo, undermining Minato was all part of the plan. By making Kushina doubt everyone's intentions, she would naturally grow more wary of him. It was basic psychology, after all.

As Yo observed Minato from the corner of his eye, a cold glint flashed across his expression.

"If an opportunity arises, I might just eliminate him."

At this point in time, Minato was far from the legendary Fourth Hokage he would one day become. Without mastery of the Flying Raijin technique, he was just another skilled ninja.

Yo's disdain for Minato wasn't entirely personal—it was rooted in his loyalty to the Uchiha. A free-spirited and independent Kushina represented a potential threat to Konoha's power dynamics. But a Kushina firmly under Uchiha influence? That was an asset.

"I'm doing this for the clan and the village," Yo told himself, though he couldn't entirely suppress his personal motivations.

As Yo's calculating thoughts churned, Kushina glared at him with barely concealed frustration.

Back in the depths of the forest, Minato turned to offer Kushina a friendly smile.

"Don't get left behind, Kushina," he called out.

Her response was a disdainful snort, leaving Minato confused and slightly dejected.

In the Hokage's office at Konoha's administrative building, Danzo stood before Sarutobi Hiruzen, his expression grim.

"Hiruzen, the matter of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is urgent. My Root division has already identified five suitable candidates for sealing the beast."

Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, his face unreadable as Danzo continued his tirade.

"Hiruzen, are you even listening? The village cannot afford to have two conflicting voices of authority. The Nine-Tails left unchecked is a threat to our very existence. As Hokage, you cannot allow such negligence!"

Danzo's frustration boiled over as Hiruzen remained silent.

"Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen's voice cut through the room like a blade, silencing Danzo immediately.

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!" Danzo spat before storming out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Left alone, Hiruzen sighed, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he retrieved a scroll from beneath his desk.

It detailed Minato Namikaze's performance.

"Danzo, your ambitions blind you. If left unchecked, you'll only create more problems for the village," Hiruzen muttered.

Standing by the window, he looked out over Konoha, the weight of his position etched into his features.

"For the village, let's hope Minato doesn't disappoint. If not, I'll have no choice but to confront the Senju directly."

The setting sun bathed the village in gold, its beauty juxtaposed against the shadows of intrigue looming over it.

As long as things went smoothly, Hiruzen would keep the peace, allowing the Senju their dignity. But if Kushina and the Nine-Tails fell out of alignment with Konoha's interests, he would not hesitate to act.

The Nine-Tails wasn't

just a weapon—it was a statement of power. And in the world of shinobi, power needed to be tightly controlled.