Zero Shinobies ( Shinobi Hunter Naruto)

ch 29: The masked shadow

Today and this year I am back for Zero shinobies for a retcon. Hope you enjoy!

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The night was unnaturally quiet, save for the crackling of distant flames and the occasional echo of steel meeting flesh. The Uchiha district, once a proud testament to power and tradition, lay in ruins. Its banners fluttered weakly in the breeze, stained with blood.

Naruto Uzumaki, an eight-year-old Jinchuuriki, found himself standing in the middle of this carnage, his small frame trembling. He had followed the faint cries and the foreboding chakra signature, his curiosity compelling him to investigate. What he stumbled upon was far beyond anything he had imagined.

Bodies lined the cobblestone streets, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. The air reeked of blood and ash. Naruto's stomach churned, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the devastation. His steps faltered as he stumbled onto a scene that made his breath hitch.

A young woman—Izumi Uchiha—lay crumpled on the ground. Blood trickled from a fatal wound on her chest, pooling beneath her. Standing over her was a man in a black cloak, his face obscured by a swirling mask. The only thing visible beneath it was a single Sharingan eye, glowing like a red-hot ember in the dark.

Naruto's breath hitched. Before he could react, the masked man turned, his Sharingan locking onto him. The intensity of the gaze rooted Naruto to the ground, his body paralyzed by fear.

For a moment, the man simply stared, his body tense with intrigue. Then he spoke, his voice deep and calm, yet laced with something unsettling. "The Kyuubi's vessel," he said, his tone unreadable. "And at such a tender age."

Naruto swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Who... who are you? What's going on?"

The man tilted his head slightly, regarding the boy with a strange mix of curiosity and calculation. "What's going on?" he repeated, his tone laced with mockery. "You're standing amidst history, child. The fall of the Uchiha clan—a necessary step to weaken the defenses of the Leaf."

Naruto's brow furrowed, confusion mixing with anger. "Weaken the Leaf? Why would you do that? Aren't you part of the village?"

The man chuckled softly, though the sound carried no warmth. "The village," he said, almost to himself. "A construct built on lies and sacrifice. The Uchiha have always been a threat to its stability, a threat I've been tasked with neutralizing. Their end is the beginning of a new era—one where the Leaf is vulnerable."

Naruto shook his head, his hands balling into fists. "That's just... wrong! These are your people! Why are you doing this?"

The man took a slow step forward, his Sharingan glowing brighter. "Because, child, peace cannot exist without war. The Leaf's strength is its unity, its defenses, and its illusions of power. Destroying the Uchiha is not just vengeance—it is strategy. With their blood, I am paving the way for its ultimate downfall."

Naruto felt his stomach twist, a cold anger rising in his chest. "You're just a monster!" he shouted, his voice cracking.

The man paused, his gaze narrowing. "Monster? Perhaps. But monsters are what this world creates when it thrives on hatred and fear. The cycle must be broken, even if it means destroying everything."

For a moment, the man seemed lost in thought, his Sharingan flickering as though weighing an unseen scale. Then he spoke again, his tone calm yet tinged with finality. "You, boy... you are intriguing. The Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails. The Akatsuki would be interested in you, but..." He trailed off, his eye narrowing. "It's not yet time."