Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

At the border of the Land of Fire.

"Did you hear? Before the war started, Konoha was conducting human experiments to study the First Hokage's Wood Release abilities... and it's true."

"No way!"

"How could it be fake? This information was leaked by the spies we captured. I even heard that Lady Tsunade and Lord Orochimaru were the ones leading the experiments..."

Inside a Konoha outpost defending against the Sand Village's forces, the Konoha shinobi were in shock as they talked about the spies they had caught a few days ago.

These spies, who had infiltrated Konoha Village, had managed to discover classified information and were attempting to escape. However, they were captured at the border, and the secrets they carried were exposed. The news quickly spread among Konoha's shinobi, sparking heated discussions.

"I heard this is what made the other major villages wary of us, and it became the trigger for the Third Great Ninja War..."

"To treat the First Hokage like this! Even if it's Lady Tsunade, this is unforgivable..."

"Damn it! Didn't they just propose candidates for the Fourth Hokage?"

Inside the command tent, Jiraiya, listening to the rumors spreading outside, sighed in frustration and helplessness.

"Jiraiya-sensei, there's something strange about this whole situation," Minato Namikaze said, frowning as if he had guessed something. He glanced at his teacher, seemingly trying to confirm his suspicions.

But this time, Jiraiya chose silence. In the end, he sighed deeply.

"Minato, the old man, and the others might be past their prime, but they're not wrong about one thing—Konoha cannot withstand more upheaval."

Jiraiya, who had spent his life searching for the Child of Prophecy, was, in truth, someone who preferred stability and was hesitant to embrace change.

Like the Third Hokage, he believed that Konoha was fine the way it was and that drastic changes would only lead to chaos.

Especially if Tsunade or someone from the Uchiha clan rose to power—either would cause conflict between the old and new factions. The safest course, Jiraiya believed, was for a new Hokage to take over gradually, inheriting everything from the older generation. This would ensure stability.

From Jiraiya's perspective, this was indeed the safest path with minimal upheaval. But it also meant that nothing in Konoha would truly change. It would merely enter another cycle of stagnation.

"Jiraiya-sensei..."

Seeing his teacher like this, Minato, unwilling to accept the situation, raised his head to speak. However, Jiraiya shook his head and said:

"Minato, this is all for Konoha. You're classmates with Uchiha Shirou, and you're the best candidate to stabilize the situation. Here, take this intelligence report from within the village and see for yourself."

As Jiraiya handed over the report, Minato opened it and his expression immediately changed.

"Jiraiya-sensei, this isn't fair!"

It turned out that after the spies escaped from the village, much of the Wood Release project had been exposed, especially details about the researchers involved. Rumors had been swirling within Konoha ever since.

The Third Hokage, furious about the situation, had ordered a strict investigation and capture of those involved. At the same time, he announced plans to send an envoy to the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Although the details weren't stated explicitly, based on available information and speculation, it seemed likely that the three Sannin (Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru) would be excluded from consideration for the Fourth Hokage position.

While Jiraiya appeared to be implicated in the scandal, he was the most ashamed of all.

"Minato, as long as the village remains stable, fairness doesn't matter. Besides, I'm not suited to be Hokage."

Looking at Minato, who was even more exceptional than himself, Jiraiya smiled with pride.

"Orochimaru's personality isn't suitable either. As for Tsunade..."

At the mention of Tsunade, Jiraiya's expression turned complicated. In the end, he shook his head and said:

"If it weren't for you, Minato, Tsunade would be the most suitable candidate. But the old man and the others are right—someone like you, who comes from a civilian background, is the best choice. Your foundation lies with the common people.

Although the major clans serve as vital support, your real strength will always come from the civilians. So, Minato, you shouldn't underestimate yourself. You are the most suitable person for this role, even more so than the old man or anyone else."

Jiraiya spoke with a hint of melancholy. From their perspective, he wasn't wrong.

However, their views were based on the premise that Konoha shouldn't change. They wanted to maintain the status quo, believing that the current Konoha was already the best it could be.

However, people like Shirou and Tsunade had a different vision—they wanted to change Konoha and bring about reform. While Konoha was strong, it was trapped in a cycle of recovery followed by war.

They wanted to break that cycle.

From the perspective of Konoha's major clans, the families aligned with the Third Hokage had enjoyed decades of resources and privileges. Now, it was time for others to take their turn.

Meanwhile, the families aligned with the Third Hokage, seeing a chance to maintain their influence, were unwilling to give it up.

This was human nature. And it was also desire.

"But none of that matters now. The Sand Village doesn't want to fight anymore, and the borders with the Stone and Cloud Villages are stabilizing. The ongoing skirmishes are just their unwillingness to completely accept defeat."

Seeing the impending peace, Jiraiya couldn't help but smile. He teased Minato:

"Minato, I heard your child is about to be born. The old man even gave you a mission. Once you complete it, you can return with good news to greet your child's birth."

With a mischievous grin, Jiraiya handed over a top-secret scroll. Minato opened it and was surprised.

"Protect Elder Koharu while she travels to the daimyo's palace in the Land of Fire?"

Minato wasn't naive. Sending Koharu as an envoy to the daimyo meant discussions about the Fourth Hokage were on the agenda.

Assigning Minato to protect her was a strategic move to give him more exposure and political capital.

After all, Tsunade and Orochimaru's involvement in the human experiments had become something of a scandal.

If it had only been Orochimaru conducting the experiments, it would have been labeled as inhumane, especially since Konoha's children were used as test subjects. This could have made him a rogue ninja outright.

But with Tsunade involved, and some Konoha shinobi volunteering for the experiments, it was merely a stain on their reputation.

"Jiraiya-sensei, should I leave at a time like this?"

Minato was tempted by the opportunity to become Hokage, but he hesitated. Jiraiya, however, laughed and said:

"Thanks to your efforts on the battlefield, we disrupted the Sand Village's supply lines. Now, with the Sand Village entangled with the Mist Village, they're ready to send an envoy to negotiate peace with us.

Rumor has it that their envoy is none other than the newly chosen Fourth Kazekage. Ending the war will be his first major achievement."

The Sand Village had fought for six years—six years without a Kazekage. Now, they were ready to appoint a Fourth Kazekage and use the peace talks to solidify his reputation.

"The Fourth Kazekage is coming for peace talks?"

Minato was startled, then smiled in relief.

"Peace is finally within reach. If that's the case, Jiraiya-sensei, I can leave for the daimyo's palace with peace of mind."

Jiraiya nodded with a smile. "Minato, I believe you'll win the daimyo's support and trust."

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei!"

Minato expressed his gratitude, knowing his teacher was firmly backing him for the Hokage position. This was all part of building his political foundation.

While the Third Hokage and his allies were carefully executing their plans, storm clouds were gathering on the borders stabilized by the Stone and Cloud Villages.

...

Under the pouring rain, within the dense forest, countless shadowy figures moved swiftly.

After seeing the raging storm, the advancing group of ninjas showed no dissatisfaction. Instead, they revealed expressions of excitement.

"This is truly the blessing of the Sage of Six Paths! Such a massive storm will help conceal our rapid march and, even if combat breaks out, our Lightning Release techniques can perform even better. As for Konoha's Fire Release…"

"Third Raikage-sama, all of our reinforcements have already regrouped."

"Do not hesitate for a single moment! Advance at full speed and launch an immediate attack!"

Shaking off the rainwater from his head, the Third Raikage wore a determined expression as he continuously commanded the ninja troops behind him to move forward.

In the forest behind them, a dense mass of Kumogakure ninjas gathered—over 3,000 in number.

The Third Raikage clenched his fists, filled with anticipation. Losing his arm six years ago was a minor matter compared to the S-rank Wind Release: Rasenshuriken that struck him. Its destructive power was unmatched.

It had taken him over two years to recover from the injuries. The widespread death of his cells and the overexertion from battle had taken a heavy toll on his body. Although he appeared to have regained his peak form over the past few years, he knew his body better than anyone.

The large-scale death of cells accelerated the division of new ones. However, the number of times cells can divide is limited. To put it simply, he had burned through his lifespan.

Though he seemed to be in his prime, internally, his body had aged nearly ten years. He could feel that his physical condition was on the verge of decline.

This was why he was so eager to lead Kumogakure's forces to achieve another moment of glory.

"Father!"

The Fourth Raikage candidate, A, looked at his father with a grave expression. The Third Raikage, A, however, spoke in a deep voice:

"A! The village has suffered too great a loss. While the war must come to an end, we need to secure more bargaining chips before that happens. Only then can we compensate for the village's losses…"

These over 3,000 Kumogakure ninjas had crossed the sea from the border between the Land of Fields and the Land of Frost without taking any significant breaks along the way.

"Father, I'm worried about whether Old Man Ōnoki will launch the attack as promised."

The Fourth Raikage candidate, A, frowned with concern. However, his father, the Third Raikage, shook his head and replied in a deep voice:

"A, remember this: between villages, there is no trust—only interests. Another ambush at Kikyo Mountain is merely a means to negotiate better terms with Konoha.

So, the success or failure of this operation doesn't matter. What's important is to show Konoha our stance. The things on the negotiating table must be earned through war."

"We're about to enter Konoha's sensory range. Everyone, prepare to launch a surprise attack and engage in full-force combat immediately."

"Yes!"

The over 3,000 Kumogakure ninja behind him responded fiercely, their eyes filled with predatory wildness. One by one, they nodded bloodthirstily.

Kumogakure ninjas were the best at raiding in the shinobi world.

Leave them to build and develop at home, and they'd be lazy. But send them out to raid, and they'd feel utterly fulfilled.

"No! Something's wrong!"

Just as the 3,000 Kumogakure ninjas advanced rapidly, a sensory ninja at the front suddenly sensed something and, with a look of horror, exclaimed:

"There's an enormous amount of chakra ahead!"

As the sensory ninja sounded the alarm, the 3,000 Kumogakure ninja, still stunned, hadn't even had time to react. The Third Raikage suddenly realized something and roared in fury:

"Defend! Everyone, defend!"

However, before his voice could fade, a deafening series of explosions resounded through the forest, even drowning out the heavy rain.

The sound of the rain had masked the movement of the Kumogakure forces, but it had also concealed the countless kunai, equipped with explosive tags, falling from the sky.

By the time they noticed, the kunai with explosive tags were already above their heads.

In an instant, the entire forest was engulfed in the fiery explosions of the tags.

On a distant high ground, countless Konoha ninjas had already taken battle positions. Among them, massive war machines continuously launched volleys of kunai in a roaring onslaught.

At the forefront stood Senju Tsunade, her arms crossed haughtily. Seeing the widespread explosions in the forest ahead, she showed no mercy. Instead, she coldly waved her hand and shouted:

"Keep firing! Don't hold back on the explosive tags! Carpet-bomb the Kumogakure forces!"

"Fire the signal flares! Have the ninja on the left and right wings prepare to intercept the Kumogakure forces!"

Hundreds of thousands of explosive tags rained down relentlessly, their detonations echoing even louder than the sound of the storm.

Amidst the chaos, a furious roar erupted from the forest. The next moment, the enormous form of Gyūki, the Eight-Tails, appeared. With an enraged howl, it swept away countless kunai falling from the sky.

"Damn it!"

In a flash of lightning, the Third Raikage charged forward furiously and shouted:

"Retreat! All Kumogakure ninja, retreat!"

Though the Third Raikage appeared to be a berserker, his mind was as sharp as ever. It was clear that Konoha had been well-prepared for their arrival.

It was obvious that their plans had been leaked.

To continue fighting recklessly wasn't bravery—it was suicide.

He refused to charge headfirst into a trap set by Konoha.

"Hurry up and retreat!"

From a distance, Tsunade saw the retreating Kumogakure forces. Standing in the rain, she smirked coldly, tossed her golden hair, and waved her hand:

"Teams 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8, follow me in pursuit. The rest of the Konoha ninja, fall back and defend."

"Yes!"

Though the pursuit seemed imposing, Tsunade only had 2,000 Konoha ninjas with her. Despite Konoha's strength, they had to defend against too many enemies.

Most importantly, they still had to contend with an impending Iwagakure assault.

Unbeknownst to the Kumogakure forces, the Third Raikage, in his rage, believed Konoha had at least 5,000 ninjas lying in ambush. Thus, he decisively ordered a retreat.

Even if the Third Raikage was rash, Tsunade could use the favorable terrain and pre-laid traps to delay them.

After all, the success of their plan hinged on Uchiha Shirou's elite unit, which was the real key to the war's outcome.