Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Konoha.

The continuous rainfall seemed to echo the countless fallen ninjas on the battlefield. Flashes of lightning occasionally illuminated the dim sky.

The Senju Clan.

"Damn it! How could there be such a coincidence?!"

Tsunade shouted, smashing her fist through the table, which shattered to pieces. In front of her, Uzumaki Mito remained silent.

Who would have thought they had almost lost the direct bloodline of the First Hokage?

"Tsunade, what if it was just a coincidence?"

After a long pause, Uzumaki Mito spoke in a hoarse voice, but her face betrayed her doubt.

Even she didn't believe her own words, and Tsunade gritted her teeth, muttering darkly:

"A coincidence? Those rogue samurai had nothing suspicious on them, just some explosive tags for protection. Traps are common enough." Tsunade looked up, a sarcastic smile crossing her face.

"Everything checks out. There's not a single flaw to be found. Yet on such a simple mission, within the borders of the Land of Fire, Orochimaru lets his guard down, and a ninja with Chūnin-level strength falls into a trap."

"And then, killed by explosive tags! But, Grandma, don't you think the number of tags was excessive? Even if the sources look legitimate!"

The more flawless everything seemed, the more suspicious it became. Without prior intel, they could have spent ages investigating, confirming details, and never reaching an answer. But they had received information in advance. And everything matched up perfectly.

Especially considering the mission was practically at Konoha's doorstep.

Nawaki celebrated his birthday one day, went on a mission the next, and by that evening, Jiraiya was back, telling her to go see a body. Their backyard, practically!

"And as for the Uchiha!"

"The Uchiha are currently isolated and ostracized, always trying to prove their loyalty to Konoha. Even if they had a reason to target us, could the police force pull off something like this?"

The Uchiha were indeed powerful, one of the top clans not just in Konoha but in the entire ninja world. However, most of their elite forces were deployed to the front lines. The remaining members in Konoha were never fully trusted and were under constant surveillance.

If the Uchiha Clan were truly behind this, the risk would be too great for such a seamless plan.

"Tsunade," Uzumaki Mito sighed deeply, her aged face etched with sorrow.

"Nawaki is my dear grandson. We should use this opportunity to send him to the Daimyō's residence, where the Senju Clan can protect him as he grows in secret."

"Konoha may no longer be what it once was, but with the war approaching, you must not act impulsively."

Though filled with fury, Tsunade looked up, her face returning to a calm expression that left Uzumaki Mito silently contemplating.

"Don't worry, Grandma."

Tsunade, impulsive by nature, was also sharp-minded. She had both strong opinions and a political acumen beyond that of an average ninja. Seeing her quickly regain her composure, Uzumaki Mito felt a sense of relief.

"Tsunade, I won't live much longer. The future of the clan and Kushina will depend on you."

At that moment, they both tensed, sensing someone approaching.

"Tsunade!"

Jiraiya's familiar voice called out. The door opened, and Tsunade pretended to be angry.

"Jiraiya, if you don't have a good reason, you'd better explain yourself!"

But Jiraiya's grave expression made Tsunade's anger fade, a sense of dread creeping in.

"Jiraiya... don't tell me the front lines have worsened?"

After a long pause, he lowered his voice.

"Tsunade, Orochimaru is back. He's... at the morgue."

Boom!

A flash of lightning illuminated Tsunade's vacant, disbelieving face as if she already knew.

...

The next moment—

Splash!

Water sprayed as Tsunade moved at top speed toward her destination, with Jiraiya quickly following.

Under the dark sky, the rain poured down heavily.

At the morgue, hurried footsteps and heavy breaths echoed. Tsunade stood frozen in shock as Orochimaru leaned against the door, his breathing tense.

When Tsunade, trembling, stepped forward, Jiraiya caught up, his expression sorrowful.

"It's better if you don't look," he advised softly.

For Jiraiya to say this—it had to be horrific.

Orochimaru, partly obscured by a strand of dark hair, spoke in a low, calm voice laced with bitterness.

"What difference does it make? You wouldn't recognize him as your little brother anymore."

"Shut up, Orochimaru!"

Jiraiya snapped, but Orochimaru only let out a cold laugh, hiding his sadness.

"He's just another body now, mangled and unrecognizable. There are no doctors on the battlefield. Too cruel for a child, maybe. Especially the day after receiving a gift."

Orochimaru's casual tone made it sound almost trivial. As he spoke, he took out a pendant from his pocket.

At the sight of the familiar necklace, Tsunade's pupils dilated, her gaze hollowing.

This is war.

Her trembling hands reached for the necklace, and tears began streaming down her face.

"Nawaki!"

Her heart-wrenching cry echoed through the rain-soaked night, and the Konoha ninja nearby wore solemn expressions.

In the ninja world, they were always companions of death. Especially during wartime, such anguished cries were an almost daily occurrence.

...

Within the Land of Fire.

The drizzle fell softly, filling the air with the earthy scent of damp soil.

"August 10th. Yesterday was Nawaki's twelfth birthday. Today, Tsunade should have found out by now."

Even if Nawaki's death had been a coincidence, once it was known in advance, it ceased to be a coincidence.

This is human nature.

Standing on a tree branch, Uchiha Shirou suppressed his presence, glancing up at the night sky.

"Shirou!"

A dark figure flashed behind him, drawing his attention.

In a rainy night, Uchiha Mikoto appeared, a clan-made longsword on her back, her double tomoe Sharingan focused on a distant cave.

"According to the ninja cats, the target is inside," she said, her usually gentle eyes now cold and murderous.

In the next moment, Shirou placed a hand on her shoulder, dispelling her killing intent.

"Sister Mikoto," he murmured, bringing her back to her senses as she looked solemnly toward the cave.

Inside, a gaunt old man slowly lifted his head, as if sensing their presence, his calm voice filled with an eerie malice.

"I've decided—if it's a woman who enters, I'll kill her."

His previously calm eyes now glinted with madness, fixed on the entrance.

PS: Tsunade deserves an Oscar for acting.