Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Three months after the Konoha ninjas stationed themselves near the border of the Land of Grass, inside a tent, Shirou's hands emitted a faint green chakra glow, brimming with life energy. A lifeless fish lying on a scroll suddenly sprang back to life, flopping energetically in his hands.

"Palm Sage Jutsu... finally mastered!"

Shirou smiled, a glimmer of pride showing. Indeed, Kekkei genkai abilities were the key. After awakening his Kekkei genkai, his learning ability, training speed, and talent had all improved significantly. Mastering medical ninjutsu, particularly the Palm Sage Jutsu, marked his first success with an A-rank technique.

At that moment, the tent flap lifted, and a figure with golden hair entered, holding a red book and wearing a humble smile.

"Shirou-kun, thank you for lending me this book," Namikaze Minato said sincerely as he approached. Unlike most Uchiha, Shirou wasn't cold and arrogant on the surface, though his pride was deeply ingrained.

In response to Minato's gratitude, Shirou chuckled and teased, "I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you, I earned quite a bit in royalties."

Amid their light-hearted banter, Shirou casually killed the revived fish on the scroll, wiped his hands, and sheathed the ninja blade at his waist.

"Let's go. Seeing you here tells me there's a mission waiting."

At the front lines, Shirou frequently teamed up with Minato and Uzumaki Kushina for elite missions, as their chakra affinities worked well together.

As they stepped out of the tent, Minato tucked the book into his ninja pouch and said, "Shirou-kun, this time, Jiraiya-sensei will be leading us."

Hearing that, Shirou's calm demeanor shifted slightly, revealing a rare hint of surprise.

"Lord Jiraiya? This must be an important mission, then."

Minato laughed and explained, "Actually, it's just a simple supply delivery to Lord Orochimaru's command post at the front."

Though he left the details unsaid, the undertone was clear to both of them, as it was to everyone in Konoha.

Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, had died in a trap during a mission under Orochimaru's leadership. While Tsunade hadn't openly blamed Orochimaru, it was evident that he carried guilt. Among the Sannin, Jiraiya often acted as the mediator in such situations.

"I see. So we're heading to Orochimaru's command post," Shirou remarked.

The Konoha forces stationed in the Land of Grass weren't concentrated in one spot. Orochimaru commanded the front lines, while Shirou's unit was positioned further back. Supply missions like this one were routine.

As they walked, Minato asked with rare excitement, "Shirou-kun, when's the next volume coming out?"

Amused by Minato's enthusiasm, Shirou replied, "Next volume? If you've read the latest chapters, you'll know it's my story. The third installment ends with me becoming a Chunin. Perhaps the next will come when I reach Tokubetsu Jonin—or after some major event."

Despite Minato's praise, Shirou's smile remained enigmatic. "My Struggles", the book he authored, was still in its early stages. In this ninja world, where even ten-year-olds went to war, hearts often felt empty. Bonds between comrades became a vital emotional anchor, something cherished deeply by ninjas.

In his previous life, he had been a bestselling author exporting books to various regions. Now, he aimed to subtly guide this distorted ninja world onto a better path through his writing.

"Minato, I believe that while missions are a ninja's duty, in this world, those who break the rules are trash—but those who abandon their comrades are even worse than trash."

Standing in the sunlight, Shirou's determined expression momentarily stunned Minato, who then nodded firmly in agreement.

"You're right. That's the true Will of Fire!"

Their conversation drew the attention of other ninjas as they arrived outside the command tent. Inside, Jiraiya heard their words and smiled in approval.

"As expected of my disciple!"

In contrast, Tsunade scoffed, "They're just a couple of overconfident brats."

Meanwhile, as Shirou lowered his head upon entering the tent, a sly smirk played at the corners of his lips. His plan was working. His words and writings, spreading among the heirs of prominent clans, would eventually plant seeds of doubt about the purity of the Third Hokage's Will of Fire.

No one understands the ninja world better than me!

The greatest power in this world wasn't any divine Kekkei genkai or special technique—it was the ability to reshape ideologies. Through his writings, Shirou aimed to instill his vision of the Will of Fire and leave an indelible mark on the ninja world.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, I'll explain the mission in detail," Jiraiya said, his tone serious.

The assembled group included four Jonin, over a dozen Chunin, and Jiraiya himself as the elite squad leader—an impressive force. Tsunade outlined the mission, her usual casual demeanor replaced by a commanding presence as she pointed to the map.

"The task is to transport supplies to Orochimaru's position, several hundred miles away. Although it seems simple, we can't afford to be careless. We'll be crossing dense forests and ravines, where rogue ninjas, mercenaries, and samurai are lurking due to the destabilization of the Land of Grass."

After assigning roles, Tsunade gave the final command.

"Jiraiya will lead this mission. Ten minutes to prepare—dismissed!"

The ninjas dispersed quickly to gather their gear, leaving only Uzumaki Kushina behind. Tsunade looked at her with a mix of emotions before speaking softly.