The Konoha Orphanage was unusually quiet that day. If Kabuto hadn't taken the initiative to reach out, Andrew might have completely forgotten about this sly manipulator—one of the later big bosses of the shinobi world. At present, Kabuto was already serving under Orochimaru, sharpening his cunning mind in preparation for greater schemes.
"So Orochimaru is planning to attack Konoha already? And the Sand Village is willing to hand over their One-Tail Jinchūriki as part of this?" Andrew muttered, half to himself.
Indeed, Kabuto had come only to deliver a message from Orochimaru, laying the groundwork for the infamous "Konoha Crush Plan."
In the original timeline, Orochimaru had relied on precise calculations, ensuring every factor worked in his favor, and crucially, he used Shukaku's power to bolster his assault. But things had changed. The Akatsuki organization now actively hunted tailed beasts, and every major village kept a sharp guard over their Jinchūriki. Convincing the Sand to play along wouldn't be simple.
Kabuto, however, kept his usual polite smile. "Master Orochimaru has his own arrangements. I was instructed to inform you so that you won't feel… conflicted when the plan is executed. If possible, you should leave Konoha early."
Andrew raised an eyebrow, studying Kabuto. The fact that Orochimaru, who had always been obsessed with the Uchiha, went out of his way to account for Andrew's presence meant he was cautious.
"I won't feel conflicted," Andrew replied flatly. "The bond between Konoha and the Uchiha remains fractured. Even if I stood and watched the Third Hokage beaten to death before my very eyes, I wouldn't feel an ounce of guilt. But tell Orochimaru this—he should be careful. After all, he's still my teacher. Things aren't as simple as he thinks."
Andrew rolled his eyes. Orochimaru wasn't worried about Andrew sabotaging his plan; rather, he feared Andrew might cause additional chaos in Konoha by doing nothing at all. The Uchiha's inaction could leave a stain on their reputation across the shinobi world.
He also remembered the original events—how Orochimaru had his hands sealed away by Hiruzen Sarutobi, losing half his strength as a result. That outcome was unacceptable now. Orochimaru was the chief scientist of the Uchiha, and the clan's future relied on his vast knowledge. Such a crippling loss could not be allowed.
Andrew sighed. Of course, if Orochimaru still managed to get tricked despite all this, then it was his own problem.
As a backup, Andrew had other options. He was well aware of the loopholes in this world. If necessary, he could hunt down a few White Zetsu and use them as resources. After all, he wielded the Kamui eye. With Obito's dimension accessible, finding Zetsu—even pulling them out of Black Zetsu's grip—was troublesome but far from impossible.
For now, though, he would let things play out.
---
Meanwhile, on another side of Konoha, Team 7 had been slogging through mundane D-rank missions—finding lost cats, pulling weeds, cleaning yards. Their patience was wearing thin. Finally, they received their first C-rank mission: an escort job to the Land of Waves.
Normally, such tasks within the village required no oversight from Andrew. But since Naruto and his team would be leaving Konoha's borders, Kakashi insisted that Andrew accompany them. Deep down, Kakashi still felt a little uneasy around Andrew. Ever since Naruto's infamous "Thousand Years of Death" prank that had backfired spectacularly, Kakashi had become oddly wary of his teacher's son.
"An escort mission to the Land of Waves?" Andrew asked with mild interest. "Alright, just let me know when you depart."
It wasn't the mission itself that intrigued him, but the man they were meant to escort. This particular mission intersected with Uchiha Heavy Industry's future business development.
The Uchiha Group had grown into a massive empire with three primary divisions:
1. The Entertainment Division, centered around the luxurious Uchiha Hotel.
2. The New Development Division, focused on advanced scientific research.
3. The Heavy Industry Division, specializing in construction and infrastructure projects.
Together, these sectors formed the backbone of Uchiha's wealth and influence, while international trade and cooperation with the Five Great Nations were managed directly by the Uchiha Group's central authority.
This escort mission, however, connected to a long-standing thorn in their side—the corrupt shipping magnate Gato (Kado in the old records).
If Uchiha Shipping dominated large-scale, long-distance maritime trade, then Gato carved his niche in short-distance coastal routes. Normally, competition wasn't an issue; the Uchiha were magnanimous enough to tolerate smaller players. But Gato wasn't content with fair play. To protect his profits, he blocked the construction of bridges, and in cases where bridges were completed, he hired mercenaries to sabotage or destroy them.
Unlike Uchiha's long-haul operations, Gato's business couldn't survive once stable over-sea bridges were built. His sabotage made sense from a ruthless businessman's perspective, but it placed him in direct conflict with Uchiha Heavy Industry.
Worse, whenever a bridge collapsed suspiciously, rumors spread questioning Uchiha construction quality. Deidara, one of the proud artisans of Uchiha's projects, had nearly stormed into Gato's office in a rage. But no hard evidence tied the man directly—he always acted through expendable ronin and bandits.
The Uchiha Group's "business order" forbade assassination over commercial disputes. They prided themselves on playing by the rules they set for the world. Killing Gato outright would tarnish their reputation. Still, if he dug his own grave, no one would stop him from falling into it.
Andrew remembered the original timeline. This mission introduced Zabuza Momochi, the rogue Mist ninja, and his loyal companion Haku. Dangerous opponents, yes, but not insurmountable. His concern wasn't the danger—they weren't lethal threats to Andrew—but rather whether Naruto and Sasuke could truly grow by facing them.
"Team 7 is already strong, but maybe too strong," Andrew mused. "If they cut down Zabuza in the first exchange, how will Gato meet his end later? Should I intervene, or should I let events flow as they originally did?"
He considered enhancing Sasuke further, letting Team 7 bulldoze through, but that might scare Gato into fleeing before justice reached him. Following the original flow—Zabuza striking down Gato himself—was the cleanest outcome.
"Forget it," Andrew sighed. "We'll take it step by step. If nothing else, we'll choke Gato's shipping market until it collapses naturally. That way, justice is served both in commerce and on the battlefield."
---
The next morning, Team 7 assembled at the village gates. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood eagerly with their packed gear, while Kakashi arrived fashionably late, as always. Standing beside them was a weary, middle-aged man with a straw hat, clutching a bottle nervously. This was Tazuna—the bridge builder who had requested their escort.
At first glance, Tazuna's expression betrayed his unease. He had expected hardened warriors, not three children fresh out of the Academy. His doubts quickly turned to grumbling, and he voiced them openly, provoking Sakura into an argument before they had even left the gates.
Naruto, however, ignored the man's contempt. He had endured ridicule all his life; the doubts of a stranger wouldn't shake him. Sasuke, trained under the new Uchiha doctrine of resilience, was even less fazed. Unless someone mentioned Itachi, nothing could ruffle his composure.
Andrew smirked at the sight. The younger Uchiha had grown under the ideology of a new era—strong-willed, unshaken by scorn. Political classes, philosophical lectures, and years of Uchiha mentorship had shaped him into someone who wouldn't be swayed by mere words.
As Team 7 and their reluctant client set off down the road toward the Land of Waves, Andrew followed at a measured distance. The mission ahead promised more than just the protection of a bridge builder. It was a collision of business interests, criminal empires, and the stepping stone for Naruto's team to grow stronger.
And Andrew, ever the watchful guardian, intended to see it unfold—one way or another.
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