Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

"Konoha! Don't even think about getting through here!"

Amidst the raging storm and the fury of thunder, an enraged roar echoed across the heavens and the earth.

In the distance, a group of bedraggled Cloud Ninjas broke through the encirclement, their faces filled with fury. At the forefront, the Fourth Raikage, A, had rain and tears mixing on his cheeks as he suppressed his anger and shouted:

"Don't betray the expectations of the Third Raikage! Everyone, break through and return to the Land of Lightning at full speed!"

The Cloud Ninjas had paid a heavy price, with the Third Raikage personally staying behind to cover their retreat. Only then did they manage to find time to break through.

In the distance, the canyon was illuminated by flashes of lightning.

The Third Raikage, now in a berserk state, let out a crazed roar.

"If you want to pass through here, you'll have to step over my dead body!"

The Konoha ninjas were equally enraged, but facing a Raikage who no longer cared for his life and had entered a berserk state, his power rivaled that of a tailed beast's rampage.

"All Chunin, retreat from the battlefield! Jonin, maintain a safe distance... This is not a fight you can participate in!"

Splurt!

Before the stunned eyes of the Konoha ninjas, blood splattered everywhere as the Third Raikage shockingly and crazily gouged out his own eyes.

"Haha, Uchiha Shirou! I know your Mangekyo Sharingan has hidden abilities, but now that I've gouged out my own eyes, your Mangekyo is useless against me!"

At this moment, surrounded by flickering lightning, Shirou faced the berserk Third Raikage and felt an overwhelming pressure, causing him to frown deeply.

The Third Raikage, now completely berserk, was wildly using his Lightning Release Mode. His skin had turned red, and blood beads seeped continuously from his pores, only to be instantly evaporated by the raging lightning chakra.

"Third Raikage, do you care so little about your life?!"

Shirou, wielding the Kusanagi Sword, clashed wildly with the Third Raikage, the two of them turning into streaks of lightning as they collided fiercely.

Around them, the remaining Cloud Ninjas who had stayed behind to cover the retreat were inspired by their Raikage's desperate fight and let out resolute, furious roars.

"Kill them!"

Fueled by this reckless fighting spirit, their combat strength surged dramatically. For a moment, the elite Konoha forces found themselves being held back in the canyon by the Cloud Ninjas.

"Haha, Uchiha Shirou! When I stayed behind to cover the retreat, I already knew you wouldn't let me leave. In that case, I might as well fight to hold you here!"

The Third Raikage laughed maniacally, without a trace of regret. The Kumogakure was currently too weak; if this elite squad were to be wiped out, even if he returned, it would take 20 years for the village to recover its strength. At his age, his combat power would decline rapidly in three to five years.

So, sacrificing an aging and less useful Raikage in exchange for the future of the Cloud Village was a deal well worth it.

"Shirou!"

Kushina Uzumaki shouted in anger. After finally seizing an opportunity, the elite forces of the Cloud Village managed to escape. Missing this chance would be a great loss.

"Don't act rashly, Kushina. Now that the Cloud Ninjas have broken through, we've lost the chance to take down all of them."

Ninja warfare wasn't as simple as small squad skirmishes.

While Kage-level fighters were powerful, they still couldn't single-handedly defeat an entire army.

Mikoto assessed the battlefield situation and immediately took over command from Shirou.

"Everyone, focus on delaying them. Since the Cloud Ninjas want to hold us back, we must ensure that their Third Raikage doesn't leave here alive!"

...

In the distance, Tsunade's support team was on its way.

"Tsunade-sama, the latest intel from the village has arrived."

Amidst the pouring rain, countless Konoha ninjas swiftly advanced through the forest. Along the way, the retreating Cloud Ninjas had laid numerous traps, which slowed them down considerably.

"Those old fools!"

When Tsunade saw the intelligence from the village, she frowned and then revealed a look of disdain.

A group of corrupt old fossils—before the war had even ended, they couldn't wait to start internal strife.

"Their decisions and strategies during external wars are nothing but foolish, yet when it comes to infighting, their schemes are unparalleled!"

Tsunade crushed the scroll in her hand into pieces, her expression cold and mocking.

She didn't bother hiding this from anyone, causing many Konoha Jonin to twitch their lips uncomfortably. However, among the entire village, only Tsunade had the guts to openly mock the higher-ups in front of everyone.

The rumors that had recently circulated, combined with the current situation, made it clear to the Jonin that few of them were naïve.

"Tsunade-sama, isn't this… not very appropriate?"

At this moment, a timid voice came from nearby. Tsunade turned to see Shizune, the black-haired young girl following behind her with her head lowered.

Despite being only 14, Shizune was already a talented Chunin. Normally quiet and meek, it was surprising that she spoke up at a time like this.

"Not very appropriate!?"

Tsunade's response wasn't anger, but a dismissive smirk as she looked at Shizune's worried expression.

"Those old fossils don't even have the guts to come to the frontlines. What do they know?! The battles here on the frontlines are won with the blood and lives of countless Konoha ninjas, not through the petty schemes of those bureaucrats in the rear."

Shizune became even more embarrassed, while the other Konoha Jonin silently glanced at her. They could see Tsunade's attitude toward Shizune, and many of them showed envious expressions.

"Tsunade-sama, Lord Shirou is leading the elite forces to intercept the Cloud Ninjas. The Third Raikage himself is leading 300 elite Cloud Ninjas to cover the retreat, while the rest have already broken through..."

A Konoha ninja hurriedly reported the situation as Tsunade's group emerged from the dense forest.

The rustling of leaves gave way to countless Konoha ninjas flickering out of the forest, only to see the distant canyon erupting with thunder and lightning.

"What… what kind of power is this?!"

"It's summoning the natural lightning of the heavens..."

Even from this great distance, the overwhelming chakra pressure radiating from the scene left the Konoha ninjas in shock.

Lightning Release: Kirin

Above the canyon, a massive thunder beast roared as the lightning illuminated the heavens and earth. Its deafening roar blinded and deafened countless ninjas.

Moments later, the explosion of lightning and the resulting shockwaves reverberated throughout the canyon.

As the lightning dissipated, the Konoha ninjas stared in awe at the display of natural power.

Many Konoha ninjas swallowed nervously, overwhelmed by what they had just witnessed.

"Is… is this a power that a ninja can wield?!"

"That level of power must have already surpassed the Kage level!"

The Third Raikage, known as the strongest Kage among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, had fought his final battle today.

"Hahaha… so it's Lightning Release!"

From the massive crater, the crazed laughter of the Third Raikage echoed, shocking countless Konoha ninjas. He was still alive!

Inside the crater, the Third Raikage was covered in blood. After enduring the devastating Lightning Release attack, he was already on the verge of death.

At this moment, as he stood high above, towering over the valley, Shirou displayed a solemn expression. With an air of dominance, he coldly shouted:

"Still alive, Third Raikage? Your strength... I, Uchiha Shirou, acknowledge it. Among all the shinobi I've faced, none surpass you in the art of Lightning-Style!"

Uchiha Shirou, breathing heavily, stood ready to face the desperate last stand of the Third Raikage, who was also giving it his all.

"Hahaha, Uchiha Shirou! In the name of the Third Raikage, A, I shall call you the strongest Lightning-Style shinobi!"

Likewise, standing firmly in the pit below, the Third Raikage grinned widely. In the next moment, he unleashed the last of his chakra.

"But I, the Third Raikage, have not lost yet! For the Cloud Village! For the Land of Lightning!"

With a furious roar, the Third Raikage's body crackled wildly with lightning. Despite his body being severely overdrawn, with blood seeping from his pores and chunks of his internal organs spilling from his mouth, none of it stopped him.

Hell Stab One-Finger Nukite!

Sage Art: Lightning-Style: Chidori!

Lightning illuminated the night sky. Countless Konoha shinobi and newly arrived reinforcements witnessed the ultimate clash of Lightning-style techniques.

One-Finger Nukite vs. Chidori!

"Uchiha Shirou!"

The Third Raikage's furious roar echoed across the battlefield, accompanied by the flashing of lightning in the sky, as if reflecting the tragic fall of this Raikage.

The lightning illuminated the heavens and earth, allowing countless Konoha shinobi to witness this decisive moment with their very eyes.

Splat!

Blood splattered everywhere as Chidori once again severed the thunderous attack of the Land of Lightning.

In the pouring rain, one figure fell to the ground with a heavy thud, while another stood tall before the fallen. The victor had been decided.

"A... Cloud Village... I leave it... to you..."

Lying on the cold earth, his body charred from the devastating Lightning-Style Kirin earlier, the Third Raikage muttered hoarsely.

The chakra representing the flame of his life had already been extinguished. What remained was sheer willpower.

Uchiha Shirou, breathing heavily, looked down at his now lifeless opponent and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"A truly worthy opponent."

The rain falling on his body evaporated instantly, a testament to the intensity of the battle moments ago. Even in death, the Third Raikage's body radiated residual heat.

"We... won..."

The Konoha shinobi in the distance were stunned by what they saw. After all, this was the Third Raikage—the man who had brought Konoha its greatest humiliation.

He had once defeated their Third Hokage in battle, shaking the shinobi world and starting the Third Great Ninja War.

And yet, the very war he initiated had now ended with his death on the battlefield, slain by a Konoha shinobi.

It felt as though fate itself had decreed this outcome.

"We won!"

"The Third Raikage, who defeated the Third Hokage, has been killed!"

Countless Konoha shinobi stared in shock. Even as they looked at the Third Raikage's corpse, a sense of disbelief filled their hearts.

The Third Raikage's reputation in the shinobi world was simply too great. His fame had been built upon the humiliation of Konoha.

He had brought down the Third Hokage in a single battle, dragging Konoha off its pedestal as the strongest village. And now, he lay dead on the battlefield—killed by Uchiha Shirou's hand.

As the Lightning-Style Kirin dissipated, the storm clouds above the valley began to fade, revealing the golden rays of sunrise. The light shone down on the valley, enveloping Uchiha Shirou in its glow.

Basking in the sunlight, Shirou's figure seemed to radiate with a golden aura. Slowly, he raised his head, his Mangekyou Sharingan—etched with intricate patterns of the Will of Fire—gazing at the gathered Konoha shinobi.

Then, taking a deep breath, Uchiha Shirou lifted his arm and shouted with all his might:

"Victory!"

The next moment, the valley erupted with cheers. Having defeated the Cloud shinobi and brought down the strongest thunder, countless Konoha shinobi shouted in excitement:

"Victory!"

"We've won!"

"The war is over! Mist and Sand have already agreed to peace talks. What can the Cloud Village possibly use to fight us now?"

"Haha, we can finally go home!"

The cheers of the Konoha shinobi echoed across the valley. They had waited far too long for this moment.

The Third Great Ninja War had left behind too much anger and frustration.

But now, the strongest Konoha shinobi had finally reclaimed their honor.

The sacrifices of the Third Raikage and three hundred elite Cloud shinobi had bought the Fourth Raikage and thousands of comrades the time needed to retreat. By the time the battle ended, the Fourth Raikage had already led the Cloud forces out of pursuit range and returned to the Land of Lightning via the sea.

...

In Konoha.

"Sarutobi, Uchiha Shirou are too dangerous. The Third Raikage was killed—this is the report from the frontlines!"

Shimura Danzo barged into the Hokage's office with a grim expression, slamming the report onto the desk.

The Root division already knew the news, so how could the Third Hokage not? Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up with a heavy expression and handed Danzo a detailed battle report.

"Danzo, this is the full account of the battle. It was a direct confrontation—Uchiha Shirou killed the Third Raikage head-on."

The Third Hokage's information was far more detailed than Danzo's. But the more detailed it was, the darker Danzo's expression became.

"Hiruzen, Uchiha Shirou's current strength far exceeds our expectations. We absolutely cannot allow him to develop further. While the report mentions that his Mangekyou Sharingan is nearing blindness, even without it, this man is the equivalent of a Third Raikage!"

Danzo's tone was grave. Both he and the Third Hokage had personally experienced the power of the Third Raikage.

Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe, exhaling a puff of smoke before replying hoarsely:

"The death of the Cloud's Third Raikage... Danzo, spread the word that this is the glorious result of countless Konoha shinobi's sacrifices. The war is nearing its end. I've already arranged for emissaries to negotiate peace with the Cloud and Stone."

As Sarutobi's dark hand, Danzo instantly understood the subtext: the sacrifices of Konoha's shinobi heroes would be magnified, while Uchiha Shirou's achievements would be downplayed.

"I understand. But we cannot ignore the Uchiha."

Danzo's gaze turned icy as he said, "Hiruzen, the Uchiha clan leader's health has been deteriorating. He may not last much longer. Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku is en route to Kikyo Mountain to provide reinforcements. If something were to happen to him at this time..."

The cold glint in Danzo's eyes made Hiruzen frown, a trace of worry crossing his face.

"Hiruzen, this is no time for hesitation. Eliminate Uchiha Fugaku. We don't need to pin it on Uchiha Shirou—just make it look like the work of the Cloud shinobi. After all, didn't Uchiha Shirou just kill the Third Raikage? A Cloud retaliation would seem perfectly natural!"

Danzo sneered coldly. No one understood the Uchiha clan's temperament better than him.

At that time, the entire Uchiha clan would be enraged and want to seek revenge. But now that the war has finally shown signs of coming to an end, is your Uchiha clan going to stir up trouble?

At that point, the Uchiha clan would stand in opposition to Konoha, and even against the entire shinobi world.

Eliminate and suppress—there's no denying the ruthlessness of Danzo Shimura's methods.

"Danzo, the Uchiha are also our comrades in Konoha!"

In the end, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, lowered his voice and slammed the table heavily. However, Danzo Shimura only responded with a smile.

He had already understood.

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