I Am Fugaku Uchiha

its marked Fugaku's first failure on a mission, a bitter pill to swallow for the ninja. Memories flooded his mind, recalling the ease with which the tailed beasts were subdued and manipulated as mere tools by characters in the Shippuden series. Even Sasuke, once a formidable foe, had managed to vanquish nine of the beasts.

Yet here he stood, unable to claim victory over even a single one.

Shikaku observed Fugaku's crestfallen expression and let out a resigned sigh, understanding the depth of his comrade's frustration. With a hint of sympathy, he posed a question that cut through the silence like a blade.

"Where did you engage them, Lord Fugaku?"

Fugaku's response was swift, tinged with a hint of frustration. "What's wrong? In their base?"

"In their base?" Shikaku's frown deepened. "Could it be that the Iwa have the Five-Tails Jinchuuriki under their control?"

As the flames crackled in the campfire, Fugaku contemplated Shikaku's words before offering a measured response. "I don't know for certain, but I suspect so. That individual emerged suddenly and transformed into a tailed beast. I barely had time to react."

The implications weighed heavily on them both. The appearance of the Five-Tails Jinchuuriki in a blood-red cloak of chakra could only mean one of two things: either they had lost control, gone berserk, or they had established a strong bond with the tailed beast, earning its trust.

Fugaku understood the gravity of Shikaku's inquiry. A Jinchuuriki capable of controlling the Five-Tails would be a formidable adversary on the battlefield.

The destructive power unleashed by a tailed beast was immense, capable of decimating entire swathes of enemies in a single blow. Yet, the decision to withhold the release of the tailed beast during the war remained a perplexing enigma.

The crux of the matter lay in the fact that the tailed beast was not bound by the control of any Jinchuuriki.

It recognized no allegiances, distinguishing neither friend nor foe. Its unleashed fury would wreak havoc indiscriminately, posing a dire threat to all who crossed its path.

The sudden appearance of the Five-Tails Jinchuuriki within their base signaled a clear intent from the enemy to deploy it in the impending war. This revelation held significant importance for Shikaku, the jonin commander, who understood the strategic implications all too well.

However, what Shikaku wasn't privy to were Onoki's own calculations. The Tsuchikage had anticipated such a move, but he harbored doubts about the strength of the bond between Han and the tailed beast. Otherwise, Tsuchikage might fallen from his hand.

As Fugaku contemplated the unfolding events, doubts crept into his mind regarding Minato's ability to single-handedly overcome the formidable duo of the Fourth Raikage and Killer B. The resilience of their Raiton Armor and Tailed Beast Cloak posed formidable challenges even for Minato's renowned prowess.

Recalling the power of the Raiton Armor, Fugaku understood its capability to withstand the destructive force of techniques like the Futon: Rasenshuriken. Even if Minato had mastered the Rasengan and Sage Mode from Mount Myoboku,

Fugaku jutsu harbored doubts about whether his own strength could surpass the devastating Rasenshuriken jutsu.

The reputation of the Fourth Raikage and Killer B as the formidable A-B Combo only heightened Fugaku's concerns. Their combined might was legendary, presenting a daunting obstacle for any opponent.

Contemplating potential strategies, Fugaku entertained the idea that Minato might rely on his incredible speed to swiftly incapacitate Killer B before he could unleash his strength. Perhaps then he could attempt to negotiate with the Fourth Raikage, forging an alliance rather than engaging in combat.

However, Fugaku quickly dismissed such speculations. He reminded himself that the world they inhabited was vastly different from the realm of anime, and relying solely on his knowledge from that source was imprudent.

Following Fugaku's initial attempts at intervention, the war continued unabated for months, with Konoha finding themselves significantly outnumbered and forced into a defensive stance.

In response to the enemy's evolving strategy, Konoha deployed their most skilled ninjas, including elite and clan members, to repel the relentless assaults—a testament to their resilience and adaptability.

However, Fugaku found himself grappling with a sense of futility as his combat prowess proved ineffectual in the face of the shifting tides of battle.

His formidable abilities seemed futile in an environment where enemies simply fled upon his approach, abandoning their camps without a fight.

The question of whether to pursue fleeing foes or focus on demolishing their camps weighed heavily on his mind, with neither option seeming particularly fruitful.

As Fugaku contemplated the intricacies of the ongoing conflict, he observed a pattern emerging among the warring factions. Each nation had adopted a strategy of loose camping, launching hit-and-run attacks in small groups while occasionally infiltrating and ambushing from behind.

Meanwhile, Kage-level ninjas stood guard at the base camps, a standard tactic in ninja warfare.

However, the tactics employed by the Suna camp stood out to Fugaku, reminiscent of their approach during the Fourth Ninja World War.

Unlike other nations, Suna deployed hundreds, if not thousands, of ninjas simultaneously, maintaining compact camps and attacking with precision.

The realization struck Fugaku deeply. It seemed that his actions had indeed influenced the course of the war, prompting a shift in tactics in the Land of Wind.

The thought of the devastating consequences had Suna adopted their previous approach filled him with a sense of urgency, yet he found solace in the absence of any news indicating such an escalation.

Though the war raged on, Fugaku remained vigilant, ever mindful of the potential impact of his actions on the broader conflict.

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In the bustling Konoha camp, Akira diligently followed the directives of his clan head, delving into the intricacies of searching for information about the remaining clan members and the crucial matter of awakening their ocular abilities.

With no medical ninjas among their ranks, all healthcare concerns fell under the purview of the orphanage overseen by Nono, where a seasoned urashi served as the head of the medical team—a testament to Fugaku's resourcefulness in ensuring the well-being of his people.

Fugaku had pulled strings to secure the best medical assistance, compensating them generously with funds sourced from Konoha's coffers earmarked for hiring medical personnel.

However, Nono adamantly refused any compensation.

Meanwhile, within the confines of a tent, Uchiha Itsuki meticulously pored over the intelligence relayed by the clan head, contemplating strategies to counter the potential deployment of Suna's tactics.

As the tent flap parted, revealing the figure of an elderly man draped in robes and a hat, Itsuki rose from his seat, greeting the visitor respectfully.

"Hokage-sama, what brings you here?" He inquired, his tone laced with deference.

The Third Hokage, his expression kind and serene, removed his hat emblazoned with the emblem of the Hidden Leaf Village and discarded his cigarette with a flick of his hand.

"All the Konoha ninjas are fighting in the war, and I, as the Hokage, can’t just sit back and do nothing."

Itsuki nodded in understanding, his gaze reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"It's a dire time indeed," he murmured, contemplating the dwindling numbers of Konoha's elite Anbu unit.

"We're stretched thin, with only twelve Anbu operatives remaining. Even Danzo’s men are on special missions."

The hokage's expression grew somber as he surveyed the tent, his demeanor weighted with concern. "It's evident that Konoha has put everything on the line."

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