Kawasaki used to be an ordinary high school student in the twenty-first century.
He loved life, loved watching anime like Naruto and Bleach, and he especially loved going swimming with cute girls.
A few years ago, he'd arranged with his aunt—who was a few years older than him—to go swimming together at the seaside.
Who could have guessed they'd run into a tsunami and he would simply disappear.
When Kawasaki woke up, he was already in a world that felt both strange and familiar—the world of Naruto.
And he'd even been born into the Uchiha clan.
Since he was here, he could only accept it. Kawasaki had no choice but to survive in this world first.
Years passed, and Kawasaki finally clawed his way up to the position of Acting Elder.
"Ding!!"
At last, he heard the clear, pleasant chime of the system he'd been waiting for.
[Ding! God-Tier Lottery System successfully loaded.]
[Initial mission: Prevent Uchiha Shisui from being killed.]
[Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan ocular power.]
[Beginner Gift Pack has been issued. The host may check it at any time.]
Kawasaki hurried toward the clan compound while examining the Beginner Gift Pack in his hand.
…That's it?
How stingy could you get?!
Ah… even though he had a belly full of complaints, staying alive was what really mattered. Something was better than nothing.
Kawasaki quickly ran through the current situation of the Uchiha clan in his mind.
It had been more than four years since the Nine-Tails' Attack.
In all these years, the village's suspicion toward the Uchiha had only grown deeper. Restrictions were everywhere, making life increasingly difficult for the clan.
The Police Force, in particular, was a thankless job. The proud Uchiha clansmen constantly clashed with others; complaints piled up like winter snow, never-ending.
But even that wasn't the worst of it. The most fatal problem was Uchiha Shisui—the clan's current strongest shinobi.
He had already fallen under Konoha's manipulation, his eyes likely taken by Danzō.
Yet instead of considering the clan's future, he'd naively chosen to end his own life in order to "calm the storm."
They had thrown away a golden opportunity for the Uchiha to rise again.
With his passive response, all the pressure had ultimately fallen onto Itachi's shoulders.
This pushed Itachi's thinking toward extremes, and two years from now, he would raise his blade against his own clan.
In Uchiha Kawasaki's eyes, Fugaku's performance as clan head was truly disappointing.
He was always passively led by the clan's emotions and had never made any brilliant decisions.
After all, thanks to Second Hokage Tobirama's arrangements, the Uchiha had long served as enforcers, and had accumulated deep grudges with other shinobi.
Fighting for the Hokage's seat was basically hopeless—there was no way the trust vote would ever pass.
All the time and effort invested in wrestling for power had turned into bubbles on the surface of the water.
After the Nine-Tails' Attack, Konoha's suspicion of the Uchiha had grown even more intense.
Surveillance and suppression had become everyday occurrences.
But the proud Uchiha would never bow their heads and wag their tails.
Their loyal clansmen ran themselves ragged for the sake of the village.
Now the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was like water and fire—irreconcilable. Many things were already beyond Fugaku's control.
By the timeline, Shisui should, at this very moment, be in the middle of Root's assassination attempt.
If Kawasaki couldn't save Shisui, his own life would also be in danger.
After all, aside from the Hokage's line, Obito had no wish to see any Uchiha alive either.
When that time came, he'd have no choice but to flee Konoha.
…
Kawasaki stepped into the clan's shrine. Inside, the place was already a cacophony of voices.
The Fourth Elder was speaking to Fugaku, who sat in the seat of honor with his eyes closed as though resting.
"Clan Head, the complaints against the Police Force are increasing by the day. The major ninja clans are all displeased with us.
"If this continues, the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha will only grow worse."
The Fourth Elder was a typical moderate. Handling the Police Force's complaints was precisely his job, so he had the most to say about the increasing numbers.
Fugaku kept his eyes tightly shut and remained silent. The Third Elder beside him picked up the thread instead.
"Worse and worse—so what?"
"Since the Nine-Tails' Attack, we've been constantly pushed out. There are spies watching the Uchiha on every corner.
"The situation has intensified over the last few years. That tall watchtower outside our compound? It was built to monitor us!"
"Clan Head, it's time to make a decision!"
The Fourth Elder snapped, "Uchiha Takuya! Watch your tongue! Are you trying to incite a revolt?!"
The Third Elder gave a cold laugh and shot back, "A revolt? Konoha was built by the Uchiha and the Senju together.
"To this day, not only have we never produced a Hokage, there isn't a single Uchiha sitting on the Council. Apart from the Police Force, what voice do we have at all?!"
At this, the room erupted into heated murmurs. Most people clearly agreed.
"That's right! We need a say in things—we need power!"
"Clan Head! Please give the order!"
The Fourth Elder was so anxious he was practically spinning in circles. Normally, his biggest support was Uchiha Shisui, but today Shisui wasn't present.
Fugaku's thoughts were impossible to read; he still hadn't spoken.
Suddenly, Fugaku's eyes snapped open. Everyone followed his gaze—
And finally noticed that Uchiha Kawasaki had arrived at the shrine.
Well, since he was here, he might as well sit. Kawasaki braced himself and walked toward Fugaku.
Fugaku spoke. "Kawasaki, you're currently an Acting Elder. You have the right to speak. I'd like to hear your opinion."
"Opinion?!" Kawasaki was briefly at a loss for words.
"What opinion! Shisui is facing a life-and-death crisis right now and you're all here having a damn meeting!" he said anxiously.
Damn it, their brows were already on fire and they were still dragging their feet.
Fugaku's pupils contracted.
"Kawasaki, is that true?"
Kawasaki waved a hand sharply. "There's no time to explain. Kei, Guangdou, Yuta—grab your squads and come with me!
"Izumi, you too! We may need your healing!"
Shisui had a gentle personality and many friends in the clan. The names Kawasaki called were all people who were particularly close to Shisui.
They shot to their feet and rushed out after Kawasaki.
Fugaku sat straight at the head, his expression grave.
The Third and Fourth Elders also stopped arguing.
Even though the Fourth Elder leaned conservative, at a moment of life and death, no one would just sit and wait.
Fugaku sat in silence for a long time before slowly letting out a breath.
"Uchiha Takuya!" Fugaku suddenly barked.
"Here!" The Third Elder started—Fugaku had called his name.
By seniority, he was higher than Fugaku, and people usually addressed him as Third Elder.
But when Fugaku called him by name, it meant Fugaku was acting as Clan Head.
"Immediately assemble all Uchiha combat forces and prepare for battle!"
Takuya's face hardened. He could almost smell the scent of gunpowder in the air.
…
By the Naka River.
Splash!
Water exploded upward as the icy river snapped Uchiha Shisui briefly awake.
But his injuries were too severe. In the ashes of his despair, he still clung to his clan in his thoughts.
Could his death really change anything? Would Itachi be able to shoulder the burden…?
Shisui's world grew darker and darker as his body slowly sank into the turbulent Naka River.
"Found him! Elder! Shisui's here!"
With a shout, two Uchiha leapt into the water and hauled Shisui's limp body out.
"Elder! Shisui's eyes have been gouged out!"
Kawasaki had already expected this. "Izumi, treat and examine Shisui immediately. Whatever it takes, keep him alive."
Uchiha Izumi rushed forward to heal Shisui. Thanks to Itachi, she was also one of Shisui's close friends.
Seeing Shisui covered in wounds, Izumi was shaken to her core.
Shisui was one of the clan's top fighters. How had he ended up so grievously injured, even having his Sharingan stolen— and this was right inside Konoha!
There wasn't time to summon more medical-nin. Kawasaki remembered that Uchiha Izumi was highly skilled in medical ninjutsu.
Under her emergency treatment, Shisui's vital signs finally stabilized.
[Ding. Rescue-Shisui mission complete.]
[Host has obtained Mangekyō Sharingan ocular power. Ability: Susanoo unlocked ahead of time.]