Konoha: Gu Master

"When I was at the hospital, four ninjas from the Sound Village approached me," Sasuke Uchiha said calmly. "They mentioned something called the Cursed Seal."

So things are different from the original storyline.

The fact that Sasuke was open about this encounter meant he had no intention of defecting.

"This morning, I ran into them too," Shinho Aburame replied with a slight smile.

Sasuke looked surprised but quickly found it reasonable. 

Shinho was stronger than him, so if Orochimaru wanted to recruit a talented ninja, there was no reason he'd overlook Shinho.

"What do you think of their offer?" Shinho asked, watching him closely.

"I'm not interested," Sasuke replied, shaking his head. "The Cursed Seal might offer strength, but it's bound to come with a heavy price."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Shinho was a bit surprised. Looks like he's learning to think critically.

"If there were no drawbacks, the Sound Village would have already surpassed the Five Great Nations," Sasuke replied, pausing thoughtfully. "And Orochimaru himself doesn't use the Cursed Seal."

"Not bad—smart thinking," Shinho said, nodding slightly.

"I've always been smart." Sasuke glanced at him.

The Sasuke from the original story wasn't like this, Shinho thought to himself.

"This matter isn't your concern. My teacher will handle it," Shinho added.

"Understood." Sasuke hesitated for a few seconds, then asked, "Will Naruto become much stronger after training?"

"Are you worried you won't be able to keep up?" Shinho countered.

"…"

Sasuke remained silent. He didn't want to admit it, but it was true. 

During the Chūnin Exams, he'd thought mastering the sword techniques of Sakumo Hatake would ensure his victory, only to be knocked out in the first round. Naruto's progress had been even greater than his own.

As for Shinho, though Sasuke hadn't sparred with him, he'd heard stories of him defeating Shukaku, the One-Tail. 

In the end, Sasuke was the weakest in Team 7, a fact his pride couldn't tolerate.

"Don't worry," Shinho reassured him. "At Naruto's level, it's not easy to keep progressing."

In the original story, Naruto's three-year training only enabled him to make limited use of the Nine-Tails' chakra. 

It wasn't until the Island turtle trials that he truly gained control and became a perfect Jinchūriki.

In Shinho's view, the most important outcome of Naruto's training would be that he improved his fundamental skills. 

Sasuke, on the other hand, would make significant progress under Orochimaru's tutelage, returning to defeat the newly formed Team 7 and later overcoming both Orochimaru and Itachi. 

It was almost as if he had a cheat code.

Of course, the "battle between brothers" wasn't exactly fair.

"I remember you mentioned that Konoha has records about the Mangekyō Sharingan," Sasuke suddenly recalled. "Could I take a look at them?"

"It wouldn't mean much to you at the moment," Shinho replied with a dismissive wave. "Wait until you've achieved the Three Tomoe Sharingan."

It was the same answer as before.

Sasuke took this in stride, trusting that Shinho wouldn't lead him astray.

"As for your sharingan abilities, there is a way to address that," Shinho said with a faint smile.

"Really?" Sasuke's heart raced, and he couldn't help but ask eagerly.

"I know you're impatient, but don't rush," Shinho said, maintaining a calm expression. "Your priority for now should still be your swordsmanship training."

"…"

Sasuke seemed like he wanted to argue but finally nodded in agreement. 

After all, he'd only practiced Sakumo's sword techniques for a month, which barely counted as introductory training.

"I'm going back to train," Sasuke said, taking a deep breath before disappearing with a Body Flicker Technique.

Shinho headed home.

His plan for Sasuke's Sharingan was similar to his previous idea with Idō—since the Sharingan's abilities derived from Yin Release, perhaps another Yin-based entity could help. 

Possible options included the Zero Tails from the Land of Sky, the Box of Ultimate Bliss in the Village hidden in the grass, or Moryo from the Land of Demons.

Shinho intended to track down all of these to "unlock achievements," and he might as well bring Sasuke along as an experiment. 

If it worked, great; if not, Itachi could figure out another solution.

….

Night fell.

Tsunade and Shizune returned home from a long day's work.

They opened the door to find Shinho training, a sight they had long grown accustomed to.

"Kid." Tsunade walked over, calling out to him.

"Welcome home, Sensei," Shinho said, opening his eyes.

"Jiraiya has already left Konoha with Naruto," Tsunade said, taking a seat across from him and crossing her legs.

"That quickly?" Shinho looked surprised.

"Jiraiya has never been the type to sit still." Tsunade huffed. "He's always looking for that 'Child of Prophecy.'"

"Isn't it possible that Naruto is the Child of Prophecy?" Shinho blinked, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"Naruto?" Tsunade considered this for a moment before shaking her head. "I think you're a better candidate."

According to Jiraiya, the Child of Prophecy would bring peace to the ninja world. This person would need to have either unmatched strength, incredible wisdom, or both.

While Naruto's abilities were respectable, even with the Nine-Tails, he wasn't exactly invincible. True invincibility had only been achieved by someone like Hashirama Senju in the past.

As for wisdom… did Naruto truly have any?

In contrast, Shinho had a knack for coming up with innovative ideas.

"Me?" Shinho chuckled. "You think that highly of me?"

"You're my student!" Tsunade said, crossing her arms. "I refuse to believe any so-called Child of Prophecy could be better than you."

"But the Child of Prophecy's teacher is Uncle Jiraiya," Shinho pointed out bluntly. "There's no way I'd ever be his student."

"Why not?" Tsunade asked, genuinely curious. "Apart from medical ninjutsu, Jiraiya's skills surpass mine."

"Because I'm wholeheartedly loyal to my teacher." Shinho placed a fist over his heart.

"…"

In the past, this performance might have pleased Tsunade. Now, however, it felt like his "loyalty" had ulterior motives.

"Let's change the subject." Tsunade shifted topics. "We don't know when Naruto will return, so we need a temporary member for Team 7."

Immediately, Shinho thought of Karin. She would be a perfect fit for the team.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" Tsunade asked after a pause. "If not, I'll assign someone to the team."

With most others, Tsunade wouldn't bother asking for their input—she would simply assign someone, like in the original story when Sasuke defected, and Sai replaced him.

"I'll think about it," Shinho replied thoughtfully. "For now, I don't have a specific candidate."

"Don't wait too long," Tsunade advised with a nod.

"Understood." Shinho had already made his decision—it would be Karin. Now, he just needed to create an opportunity to bring her in.

"Oh, and one more thing," Tsunade said, snapping her fingers. "The joint Chūnin Exams will resume in a month."

"Resume?" Shinho looked surprised.

In the original story, the Chūnin Exams were cancelled after Sarutobi Hiruzen's death and never resumed.

"What's the matter? Do you want to stay a Genin forever?" Tsunade rolled her eyes at Shinho.

"You should be thanking me; without me, the exams wouldn't be happening at all."

So that's why. A realization dawned on Shinho's face.

Was this really because of him? Tsunade, as usual, had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

"Honestly, being a Genin isn't that bad," Shinho said seriously.

Being a Konoha Genin was practically a badge of honor.

"You're more than qualified to be a Jōnin with your skills," Tsunade said with a slight smile. "If you don't participate, I'll win our bet, you know."

"I'm in!" Shinho replied hastily, unwilling to let Tsunade win.

It would be terrifying to owe her a victory. Who knew what kind of payback she might demand?

"Although it's called a joint Chūnin Exam, it'll be made up entirely of Konoha's own Genin this time," Tsunade explained. "Gaara and Temari have confirmed they won't participate, and Zaku, the Sound Village Genin, won't be coming either."

Shinho understood. The Sand Village was in chaos now. 

With the death of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, they were leaderless. Although in the original story Gaara eventually became the Fifth Kazekage, it wouldn't be easy in reality. He was young, and as a Jinchūriki, many shinobi saw him as unstable.

In short, Gaara and Temari had their hands full.

"What about Naruto?" Shinho asked.

"His training takes priority," Tsunade replied after a moment's thought. "Sasuke will take his place in the exams."

With Sasuke's skill, he'd be more than qualified for Chūnin. He'd just been unlucky before. Now, fate was on his side, and he'd been given a second chance.

"Before that, there's something else I want to address," Shinho said seriously. "Orochimaru hasn't given up. He sent four ninjas with Cursed Seal to approach both Sasuke and me."

"That bastard snake just won't quit!" Tsunade's forehead creased in anger.

Orochimaru had crossed the line by killing Sarutobi Hiruzen, and now his continued interest in Shinho only fueled her anger.

"Where are they?" Tsunade clenched her fists.

"I'm thinking of the same approach as before," Shinho explained his plan with a bit more detail. 

He intended to pretend to defect to draw out more Sound Village ninja, especially Kimimaro. He also wanted to see if he could trigger an achievement through the mission.

"You're really something," Tsunade said, exasperated. There were simpler ways to handle the situation, but Shinho seemed intent on making it elaborate. Judging by the eager expression on his face, he was doing it on purpose.

"Fine, do as you wish," Tsunade finally agreed after a moment of consideration.

Her student had earned the right to be a little willful.

"I'll have Shikamaru lead a team to intercept you when the time comes," Tsunade said, pausing. "But I'll assign Yamato and others to follow secretly as backup."

"No problem." Shinho grinned. "You always think everything through, Sensei."

"I am the Hokage, after all." Tsunade snorted. "Handling such minor matters is well within my capabilities."

….

A new day began.

Shinho spent the morning "posing as the Hokage" in the office, and in the afternoon, he made his way to the Uchiha Compound.

After some thought, he'd decided to ask Mikoto Uchiha to help forge the backstories of Chisori and Karin. Belonging to a prominent clan had its advantages in situations like this.

He'd considered asking Hiashi Hyūga, but he had a closer relationship with Mikoto. Besides, the Hyūga Clan didn't particularly need his assistance—their status was secure with or without him. The Uchiha, on the other hand, were in a different position. He was confident Mikoto would be willing to keep his secret.

At the Uchiha Compound, Shinho greeted everyone as he walked through, his frequent visits and identity had earned him a place among the Uchiha.

In the distance, he heard the clash of swords. 

Drawing closer, he saw Sasuke sparring with Mikoto.

Neither of them was using ninjutsu.

After watching for a moment, Shinho noticed Mikoto was at a disadvantage. If not for her Three Tomoe Sharingan, she would have already lost.

Sakumo Hatake's sword style was truly exceptional, as expected. 

It made sense—this was the technique that had earned Konoha's White Fang his legendary reputation in the ninja world, even without a kekkei genkai or tailed beast.

"That's enough, Sasuke," Mikoto said, stepping back to create distance. She offered genuine praise, "Your swordsmanship has already surpassed mine."

She smiled proudly, clearly pleased.

Sasuke nodded slightly, unsurprised. Mikoto had only learned the Uchiha Clan's sword techniques, so it was natural for him to surpass her in that aspect.

"Do you need something?" Sasuke sheathed his Lightning Sword as he looked at Shinho.

"I'm here to see your mother," Shinho replied, shaking his head.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"You need me?" Mikoto was briefly surprised but then gestured toward the house. "Let's talk inside."

"Alright." Shinho followed her into the living room.

Sasuke, uninterested in their conversation, resumed practicing with his Lightning Sword in the courtyard.

"Would you like some lemonade?" Mikoto asked softly, opening the refrigerator.

"Sure." Shinho sat on the couch.

"What do you need help with?" Mikoto asked, handing him the lemonade.

"I have a favor to ask," Shinho replied, explaining the situation with Chisori and Karin.

The plan was straightforward—Mikoto would arrange for some clan members to go on a mission and "discover" them in a town within the Land of Fire.

Shinho couldn't achieve a perfectly airtight cover story alone, but the Uchiha could.

"No problem," Mikoto agreed immediately without hesitation.

"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto." Shinho finished his lemonade, chatted for a bit longer, and then took his leave.

….

Three days later, Mikoto submitted a mission report to Tsunade.

"A possible descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?" Tsunade's curiosity was piqued as she read the report. "Where are they now?"

"They're just outside," Mikoto replied calmly.

"Bring them in." Tsunade stood up eagerly.

"Yes." Mikoto went to the door and opened it.

When Tsunade saw the familiar yet distant red hair, she was momentarily dazed.

She had a deep connection with the Uzumaki Clan. After all, her grandma, the wife of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, was Mito Uzumaki. 

Later, the Second Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and the wife of the Fourth Hokage, Kushina Uzumaki, was also from the Uzumaki Clan.

"Would you two be willing to join Konoha?" Tsunade asked directly after confirming their high chakra reserves.

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