Naruto: I Am Uchiha Shirou [2]

The scroll given to Tsunade and the so-called Uchiha Elder Setsuna were merely parts of a larger scheme. Tsunade was about 70% certain not to meet this person, understanding the implications better than anyone. Even if she did meet him, what difference would his admission—or denial—make? In Konoha, the blame always fell on the Uchiha. After all, the "evil Uchiha" title wasn't given without reason.

As long as the information in the scroll proved accurate, a significant problem would indeed arise. No one would suspect Uchiha Shirou who had been out of the ninja academy for just over a year; such a scheme was beyond his capacity to devise.

"Hey!"

Inside the tent, Tsunade's expression softened, hinting at a touch of regret over her earlier anger. This was her nature—her temper flared quickly but dissipated just as fast.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shirou remained steadfast.

"Captain Tsunade, trust the village. That traitor certainly hasn't given up!" At that moment, he cursed his clan's elder so fervently that he seemed like nothing more than a kid entirely brainwashed by the Will of Fire.

Tsunade let out a proud snort.

"I don't need you, brat, to tell me. In two days, Hatake will arrive at the front lines to take over here. You'll return to the village with the squad and rest for half a month."

The war in the Land of Rain had yet to fully escalate, leaving Konoha's forces relatively abundant. Hearing this, Uchiha Shirou was about to respond, but Tsunade cut him off with a stern warning:

"Don't forget my warning. The information on that scroll is top secret!"

"Yes, Captain Tsunade!"

Uchiha Shirou took a deep breath, his face reflecting firm resolve. After respectfully returning the scroll, he left the tent.

Once alone, Tsunade frowned, staring at the scroll's contents.

"Is that old geezer still scheming? Or could this be true?"

The scroll contained only a simple message, yet it was enough to shake any Konoha ninja:

[The descendant of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, Nawaki, was assigned to Orochimaru's team by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The day after his birthday, he was sent on a mission...]

The first part of the message didn't surprise Tsunade; anyone with effort could uncover this information. The second part, however, was troubling. It suggested that the mission was an ambush with Nawaki as the target. Though it didn't specify who orchestrated it, the implication was clear: suspicion pointed towards the Third Hokage's faction.

"That old geezer!"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. This information suggested that the current Hokage's higher-ups were wary of not only the Uchiha but also the Senju. It even hinted at sinister motives.

...

Outside the tent, Uchiha Shirou pulled up his hood, annoyed by the endless rain—the constant weather on the border of the Land of Rain. But his lips slowly curled into a smile as he recalled his plan. The Uchiha were weak and isolated. To reach the Hokage's position, they needed allies. The information he provided was entirely accurate; Nawaki was a classmate, and his birthday was August 9th. Based on his calculations, Tsunade would be in the village for Nawaki's birthday, which perfectly matched her current return to Konoha.

More importantly, in the original story, Nawaki turned twelve, and Tsunade gifted him the First Hokage's necklace for his birthday. The very next day, he went on a mission and tragically died. It was shockingly sudden—on a mission close enough to return to the village in a day, protected by Orochimaru, an elite Konoha jōnin. Without this intelligence, the blame could have fallen on Orochimaru. But what if Tsunade had known about it in advance?

"Whether there's a conspiracy or not doesn't matter. What matters is that Tsunade knows about it beforehand. Who could believe such a coincidence?"

Uchiha Shirou smirked. He didn't believe the ambush could be so precisely timed, so close to the village. This was wartime! And the target was none other than the Senju heir.

"Shirou."

A familiar voice came from behind, and Uchiha Shirou turned to see who had arrived.

"Captain Fugaku."

Uchiha Fugaku, slightly older but with a mature appearance, was already a special jōnin. He rarely smiled but managed a slight one now.

"Shirou, I've told you many times, there's no need to be so formal with me."

The two were close. Fugaku was reserved and mature, loyal to Konoha throughout his life. In contrast, Uchiha Shirou appeared cheerfully driven by the Will of Fire, and the two got along well. As they walked, they arrived at a small waterfall in the Konoha camp, where the Uchiha clan always seemed to congregate for private conversations.

Seeing this, Uchiha Shirou internally shook his head. The sound of the waterfall allowed Fugaku to let his guard down, revealing even more weariness on his usually composed face.

"Shirou, how do you think the clan can earn the village's trust?"

Good grief!

Seeing the worry on Fugaku's face, Shirou was speechless. The Uchiha were known for their intensity, after all. Here they were, the clan's elite fighting in the Land of Rain. Instead of worrying about the battle or their safety, Fugaku was fretting over Konoha's trust! Truly, the Uchiha were extreme.

Shirou sighed, feigning a troubled expression.

"Captain Fugaku, it's not about how the clan can earn the village's trust but about how the village can trust the Uchiha."

Seeing Fugaku's confusion, Shirou realized that this man still held hope. Fugaku's loyalty was split between his clan and Konoha, a balance that was nearly impossible to sustain. He was loyal to both but often lived in confusion.

If only he could have chosen! If he had sided with the village, taking action against the clan's rebellious elite, would Konoha have still acted so hastily?

"Captain Fugaku!"

Shirou's expression grew serious. He had to keep Fugaku from succumbing to despair. This man was valuable, not only as the clan leader's son but as a power Shirou needed to unite. The Uchiha couldn't just be victims as they were in the original series—they had to resist, to charge in the right way.

"To earn the village's trust, look at how many of our elite have come to the frontlines. Even you, the clan leader's son, are here, fighting in the Land of Rain—terrain highly unfavorable to us!"

Shirou's expression hardened, as though the clan had laid its heart bare just to earn the village's trust.

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku finally smiled and nodded.

"Indeed, the clan has sent its best this time."

People say the Uchiha are evil, but in reality, from the First Ninja War to the Third, they always fought in the harshest conditions—either in the Land of Rain or the Land of Water. What more could they endure? Only after the Nine-Tails incident, when they were treated as criminals under surveillance, did unrest truly begin.

Seeing Fugaku's smile, Shirou's next question made his face darken.

"By the way, Captain Fugaku, why are there rumors of White Fang being touted as the Fourth Hokage in the village recently? Isn't the Third Hokage still in his prime?"

The question caused Fugaku's face to become serious once again.