Chapter 1: Naruto: I Am Uchiha Shirou [1]
At the borders of the Land of Rain, in the camp of the Konoha ninja, light rain fell nonstop outside the tent, and the dampness in the air was somewhat unpleasant.
"Hey, hey, Uchiha brat, learning medicine won't save the ninja world."
Inside the tent, Tsunade, the logistics commander on the battlefield of the Land of Rain, wore a rare teasing expression beneath her heroic demeanor. Uchiha Shirou, with a determined look on his young face and a Konoha forehead protector, met her gaze.
"Captain Tsunade, for the sake of Konoha, for the Will of Fire!"
Uchiha Shirou spoke resolutely, but in Tsunade's eyes, his expression inspired only annoyance. Typical Uchiha—so stubborn! Just another brat brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
Uchiha Shirou, who had graduated at the top of his class alongside Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, had been assigned to Tsunade's command after the Second Ninja War.
"Alright, alright. So, how's the logistics report coming along? And how's your progress with the Mystical Palm Technique?"
Tsunade's teasing made young Uchiha Shirou's face flush with a hint of embarrassment, and his voice softened.
"Captain Tsunade, I haven't mastered the Mystical Palm Technique yet, but the logistics report is ready."
Despite his lack of combat strength, the young and handsome Uchiha Shirou assisted Tsunade diligently with logistics data. Seeing this, Tsunade allowed herself a small, relaxed smile. Although he didn't have much power, his work ethic was impressive. Almost all logistics tasks had been left to him, lightening her workload significantly.
While Tsunade enjoyed this rare moment of leisure, a hint of seriousness crept into her expression—the battlefield situation was far from optimistic. As she reviewed the logistics report, her peripheral vision caught sight of Uchiha Shirou. No wonder he graduated top of his class—his mind was sharp.
And while Uchiha Shirou appeared a simple, stubborn devotee of the Will of Fire, inwardly, he scoffed. The best hunters often look like prey.
"Oh, Captain Tsunade!"
After finishing the logistics report, Uchiha Shirou hesitated. Tsunade, striking in her prime with golden hair and a teasing smile, looked at him.
"What is it? If you behave, I will keep you safe on the battlefield."
Staring at the blonde beauty before him, Uchiha Shirou feigned hesitation before steeling himself and saying a name.
"The clan elder."
In an instant, Tsunade's smile froze. Uchiha Shirou, pretending to brace himself, spoke in a low voice.
"This matter concerns the Uchiha elder!"
There was only one Uchiha elder—Uchiha Setsuna, no ordinary figure. Even in Kishimoto's records, he was noted. A hawkish Uchiha who inherited Madara's will, he had once stirred rebellion during the Second Hokage's reign, inciting his clan to revolt. Captured and imprisoned by the Anbu, he was only released due to the onset of the Ninja World Wars, which necessitated the Uchiha's strength.
"Brat!"
Tsunade's face darkened as she regarded Uchiha Shirou seriously.
"This person is dangerous—you should know that."
Uchiha Shirou nodded firmly in response.
"Captain Tsunade, I know, but the elder secretly gave me a scroll, saying it concerns the survival of the clan. He instructed me to deliver it to you at all costs."
With that, Uchiha Shirou resolutely took a green scroll from his pouch and presented it with both hands.
"Captain Tsunade, for the sake of the village, if there's any issue with this scroll, I, Uchiha Shirou, will take full responsibility."
At that moment, Uchiha Shirou looked every bit like the Konoha loyalist, fully indoctrinated by the Will of Fire. Tsunade gave a slight nod. This brat had been under her watch for over a year and had proven reliable. Though sharp, his loyalty to the village seemed comparable to her younger brother's.
"Alright."
As Tsunade took the scroll, Uchiha Shirou lowered his head, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam. He'd been in this world for twelve years now. Though the Uchiha weren't well-liked and often isolated, they remained a prestigious clan. Konoha was founded by the Senju and Uchiha—surely it was time for a Uchiha to take a turn as Hokage.
Yet the Uchiha were treated worse than even the Inuzuka, who worked with dogs. Damn it!
In his past life, he'd been the top sales representative, leading Japan's market for three consecutive years in Northern Myanmar. How could he tolerate such treatment now, especially with world-shaking power in his grasp?
"What is this!"
When Tsunade opened the scroll and saw its contents, her expression darkened, and she looked up angrily, glaring at Uchiha Shirou. This brat she'd come to somewhat tolerate had brought her such a vile document!
"Captain Tsunade!"
Facing her wrath, Uchiha Shirou lowered his head, his expression resolute.
"Konoha ninja Uchiha Shirou is willing to accept any punishment."
After taking a deep breath, Tsunade calmed herself. She wasn't just a brute or a battle tactician—there was a reason she would eventually become the Fifth Hokage.
"Aren't you curious?" Tsunade sneered. Any favorable impression she'd had of this Uchiha brat vanished instantly.
But Uchiha Shirou, with a resolute expression, nodded and took the scroll. When he saw the contents, his face changed dramatically!
The next moment, he looked up sharply at Tsunade in agitation.
"Captain Tsunade, you absolutely cannot believe this! The old traitor Setsuna still harbors evil intentions, trying to sow discord between you and the village. He's despicable!"
At that moment, Uchiha Shirou's face was filled with killing intent, as if he wanted to kill the old traitor himself.
Seeing his reaction, Tsunade frowned. It seemed this brat was being used. It made sense; who would expect a fool brainwashed by the Will of Fire to deliver such information? The old man must have banked on this. But still…
"No matter what, you mustn't breathe a word of this. Otherwise…"
Faced with Tsunade's intimidating gaze, Uchiha Shirou appeared frustrated and angry, but he suppressed his rage and nodded firmly.
"Captain Tsunade, I understand. With the Ninja World War ongoing, the village must not experience any turmoil."
Seeing his intense reaction, Tsunade nodded. It seemed he truly was being used.
Meanwhile, despite his aggrieved expression, Uchiha Shirou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Let the dust settle for now. He had delivered a substantial gift to Konoha.