Naruto: I Am Uzumaki Naruto!?

The endless forest stretched out in every direction, thick with the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves.

Uzumaki Naruto held Akamaru in his arms, staring ahead with narrowed eyes.

"Akamaru, are you sure this is the place?"

"Woof!" Akamaru barked in affirmation.

Naruto scanned the area. The aftermath of a brutal battle was written all over the landscape—trees snapped in half, scorched earth, deep fissures in the ground. Even a distant hill had been partially shattered.

"This fight must have been insane..." Naruto muttered.

Following Akamaru's lead, he reached a wide river where the water churned violently against the rocks. The little pup stopped at the riverbank, barking toward a large stone jutting out of the water.

Naruto's gaze followed, landing on the unmoving body sprawled atop the rock.

Uchiha Shisui.

Even from this distance, Naruto could tell he was in terrible shape. Blood stained the stone beneath him, his limbs twisted unnaturally. His right arm and left leg were bent in ways they shouldn't be, and worst of all, his eye sockets were nothing but hollow, bleeding wounds.

Naruto sighed. "Damn, he got messed up bad..."

He set Akamaru down and ruffled the pup's head. "Good job. Go find yourself a snack, we'll have meat later."

Akamaru barked happily and darted off into the trees.

Naruto turned his attention back to the river. He had originally planned to swim over, but an idea struck him. Extending a hand, he murmured:

"Adamantine Sealing Chains."

Golden chains shot from his back, slicing through the air with a metallic clatter before wrapping around Shisui's waist. With a swift pull, Naruto reeled him in, dragging the battered Uchiha onto solid ground.

His injuries were even worse up close. His ribs were clearly broken, pressing against his skin at odd angles. The empty eye sockets looked horrific, the flesh torn as if his eyes had been ripped out rather than carefully removed.

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Danzo really doesn't hold back, huh?"

From what he remembered of the anime, Shisui had been ambushed—most likely caught off guard by Danzo's use of Izanagi. After being chased and wounded by ROOT operatives, he'd eventually given his remaining eye to Itachi before taking his own life.

But this time…

Naruto's gaze darkened.

Not happening.

He knelt beside Shisui, reaching into his system.

[Purchase Healing Jutsu – Confirm?]

[Yes.]

A soft green glow enveloped his hands as he pressed them against Shisui's body. His chakra seeped into the wounds, slowing the bleeding and knitting torn flesh together. The internal damage was too severe to fully heal, and the broken bones would take time to recover, but at least Shisui wouldn't die from blood loss.

Naruto sat back with a sigh. "That should do it for now."

Two hours later, Shisui stirred. His fingers twitched, and a weak groan escaped his lips. Slowly, he became aware of his surroundings.

He took a deep breath and exhaled. "...The forest? Is this the afterlife? Huh… doesn't look too bad."

Then, his senses sharpened. He spread his chakra, searching for any familiar presence—

And immediately froze.

"Uzumaki Naruto!?"

His voice cracked with disbelief.

His mind reeled. What the hell? Why is this brat here? Did I actually die, or is this some bizarre nightmare?

A casual voice interrupted his spiraling thoughts.

"Oh, you're finally up."

Shisui turned his head, only to see Naruto calmly tending to a small fire, a roasted bird slowly turning on a makeshift spit.

Naruto glanced at him. "By the way, I saved your ass. That means, on top of the forty million ryo you already owe me, you now owe me your life too."

Shisui choked. "I—pfft—what!?"

The unexpected statement almost made him cough up blood again.

He clutched his chest, wincing at the pain, and let out a bitter laugh. "...Naruto, look at me. Do you really think I'm in any position to pay back a debt?"

Naruto smirked, waving off his concern. "No worries. I know a great doctor. Your injuries aren't a big deal."

Shisui sighed. "Naruto… you shouldn't have saved me. My death would at least delay the war between Uchiha and Konoha. It'd give Itachi time to find another way."

Naruto scoffed.

"You actually believe that?" He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You think Sarutobi will spare the Uchiha just because you die? You think Danzo will let them live in peace?"

Shisui remained silent.

Naruto crossed his arms. "Let me put it this way—if a bear wants honey but is scared of the bees, will it leave the hive alone just because a few bees die?"

Shisui exhaled. "I know… I know that. But there's no other way."

"Maybe not for you," Naruto said, standing up. "But for me? I've got plenty of options."

Shisui frowned. "Naruto… how do you even know about this? And why are you talking about Hokage-sama like that?"

Naruto grinned.

"Well, since we're getting all chummy, I might as well introduce myself properly."

He walked over, crouched next to Shisui, and smirked.

"I am Uzumaki Naruto. The Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails."

"The son of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato."

"And the son of the Red-Hot Habanero, Uzumaki Kushina."

His grin widened.

"Nice to meet you, Shisui. Let's have some fun, shall we?"