IN NARUTO AS KURAMA

Uzumaki Naruto stared blankly at the textbook in front of him, confusion plastered across his face. After a moment, he swallowed hard and asked, "Is this textbook… for real?"

Hearing this, Shiro, lounging on the sofa in the sealed space, perked up. He sat up, took one look at the textbook through Naruto's eyes, and immediately burst into laughter. He rolled off the sofa, clutching his stomach.

"Hahahahaha! This old man, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is really shameless!"

The reason for Shiro's laughter was a ridiculous multiple-choice question in the academy textbook:

Question: Who is the most powerful Hokage in the history of Konoha?

Choices:

A: Hiruzen Sarutobi

B: The Third Hokage

C: Doctor Ninja

D: Master of the Sannin

Tears streamed from Shiro's eyes as he laughed so hard that he pounded the floor of the sealed space. "It's the same answer no matter what you choose!" he howled, unable to contain his mirth.

Naruto, however, was less amused. He flipped through the pages with growing disgust, realizing the textbook was little more than propaganda glorifying Hiruzen Sarutobi. With a sigh, he muttered, "You're really greedy for power, old man."

And so, another ordinary day at the academy came and went.

---

Later that night, in Naruto's small hut…

Naruto knelt on the floor, his head bowed low, while Shiro loomed over him with a long ruler in hand. His expression was stern, and the atmosphere in the room was heavy.

"Do you know why you're being punished?" Shiro asked, his voice cold and commanding.

Naruto, still kneeling, nodded firmly. "Yes, Master. I understand my mistake."

"Oh?" Shiro raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"

Naruto kept his head down as he explained, "I shouldn't have released my chakra pressure at the academy. If there were any skilled shinobi nearby, I could've exposed myself."

Shiro nodded approvingly. "Good. At least you understand." He raised the ruler. "Now, hold out your hands."

Bang! Bang!

Two sharp cracks echoed through the hut as the ruler struck Naruto's palms. Naruto winced but didn't cry out.

Satisfied, Shiro discarded the ruler and crossed his arms. "Remember this, Naruto: any carelessness could lead to your death. And when that happens, don't expect me to save you."

With that, Shiro's figure dissolved into thin air, leaving Naruto alone in the room. The boy looked toward the spot where his master had vanished, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and determination.

In the sealed space, Minato Namikaze watched the exchange with a sigh. "Naruto's still a child. His heart isn't ready for all this pressure yet."

Shiro's voice came from the shadows. "He doesn't have the luxury to take his time. This is the path he must walk."

---

Under the blood-red moon, Shiro reappeared, standing atop the Uchiha Clan's ancestral hall.

The rain began to fall, soft at first, then steadily harder. Shiro held out his hand, letting the raindrops gather in his palm, suspended by his chakra. He stared at the water for a long moment and murmured, "The rain carries the scent of blood tonight."

And with that, he vanished once more.

Inside the Uchiha Ancestral Hall…

The hall was packed with Uchiha clan members, their faces stern but uncertain. Despite the crowd, the room was eerily silent, save for the faint sound of rain outside.

Creak.

The wooden door at the back of the hall opened, and an elderly man, the Uchiha Great Elder, entered, supported by his cane. He slowly made his way to the front of the room, the rhythmic tap-tap of his cane echoing ominously.

The elder finally sat down and cleared his throat. "Ahem. Everyone," he began in a hoarse voice, "do you know why I have gathered you here tonight?"

The question sparked an uproar. Voices rose in confusion and frustration.

"Why wasn't this meeting held during the day?"

"Why now? The clan isn't even fully assembled!"

"What's going on, Elder?"

The noise escalated until the sharp clang of a door being locked cut through the chaos. All eyes turned to see Uchiha Itachi, drenched from the rain, standing in the doorway. His eyes, glowing red with the Sharingan, scanned the room coldly.

"What is the meaning of this, Itachi?!" one of the more outspoken members demanded, stepping forward. "Locking us in here? Who do you think you are? Are you planning to rebel?!"

Another chimed in, "You dare insult the Great Elder? Do you even know your place?!"

The room was on the verge of descending into chaos when Itachi's voice rang out, quiet but razor-sharp. "Silence."

The sheer authority in his tone froze everyone in their tracks. But the boldest among them refused to back down. He stepped closer to Itachi, pointing an accusing finger. "You think being the clan leader's son makes you untouchable? Go ahead, strike me if you dare!"

Before Itachi could respond, another voice shattered the tension.

"Ahem."

Uchiha Fugaku emerged from the shadows, his presence immediately commanding the room's attention. He walked to the front, his posture firm and imposing.

"It seems some of you are confused," Fugaku began, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Let me make myself clear."

He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the gathered clan members. "The Uchiha Clan will undergo reform. From now on, we will withdraw from Konoha's political core. We will focus on integrating with the village, forming bonds with the villagers. Intermarriage with outsiders will be permitted, and our descendants will be free to choose their own paths."

The hall fell silent. Fugaku's words hung heavy in the air, their implications staggering.

The Great Elder shot to his feet, his voice shaking with fury. "You're betraying our ancestors' teachings! Have you forgotten our pride, our noble bloodline? Konoha would collapse without the Uchiha!"

Several others echoed his sentiments, their Sharingan spinning as their anger boiled over. "You're no leader, Fugaku! Step down!"

"Step down! Step down!"

The chants grew louder, and the room filled with the glow of countless Sharingan. Fugaku stood firm, his gaze locking onto the Great Elder's. "You're clinging to the past. Times have changed, and so must we. Do you even wonder why the other elders aren't here tonight?"

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper only the Great Elder could hear. "Your way is no longer the Uchiha's way."

Straightening, Fugaku turned to address the clan once more. "Reform is not betrayal. It is survival. Those who cannot adapt will only lead us to ruin."