Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Inside the Wood Release Research Lab.

"All participating ninjas, please draw a number. Based on the number you draw, you will be injected with different doses of Wood Release cells…"

"The experiment will proceed in seven batches! The number of participants in each batch will vary. We will record data in real time and make adjustments accordingly. Each individual's results will differ…"

A masked ANBU ninja coldly delivered the message. The group of ninjas, who had willingly volunteered to dedicate themselves to Konoha, nodded firmly upon hearing the announcement.

However, Tsunade, the one overseeing this final Wood Release experiment, sat silently behind the glass of the observation room.

"It's not too late to regret this decision!"

Tsunade's cold voice echoed through the lab. Behind her, seven members of the Senju clan showed unwavering determination.

"We are willing to participate!"

"Lady Tsunade, we've already drawn our numbers. Isn't it true that the later batches have a higher chance of success?"

Seven batches corresponded to seven jonins from the Senju clan who were participating in the Wood Release experiment.

Looking at the resolute expressions of her clansmen, Tsunade's face turned complicated. These were choices that had to be made, but they were also her kin.

If she were, to be honest, they hadn't done anything fundamentally wrong. They were merely clinging to the glorious past of the Senju clan and seeking to restore its former prestige.

"Lady Tsunade, may I ask… is the success rate for this experiment as low as you say?"

Having already stepped into the lab, they had made their decision. Naturally, someone voiced the doubts lingering in their hearts.

Looking at her clansmen, Tsunade let out a weary sigh and shook her head.

 "The time is too short. The power of kekkei genkai has been studied many times throughout the history of the ninja world. Even the Second Hokage researched it. What makes you think that just two years of research can surpass the work of those who came before us?"

Amidst Tsunade's bitter smile, a middle-aged Senju Jonin spoke in a low voice:

 "No! We don't believe the village's two years of research can surpass the work of our predecessors. But we trust in the legacy left behind by the Second Hokage and countless others. We trust in Lady Tsunade's medical expertise!

It's not the two years of research we're betting on. We're betting on the foundation of experience built by countless generations before us!"

The Senju clan's accumulated knowledge, along with the legacy left by the Second Hokage's research, was the culmination of generations' efforts.

Hearing her clansmen's confidence, Tsunade fell silent. After a long pause, she finally said:

 "You're right. But the time is still too short. For the Wood Release cells to show progress, at least three to five more years of research are needed. And even then, progress doesn't guarantee success. Your survival rate this time is less than one percent."

Tsunade bluntly laid out the cruel facts. Yet the seven men only smiled.

"Lady Tsunade, the power of kekkei genkai is also known as forbidden power. We've prepared ourselves for this."

Seeing her stubborn, hard-headed clansmen, Tsunade shook her head and sighed deeply. She had already made her final attempt to dissuade them.

There's no reasoning with the dead.

As night fell, in the sealed room, one Konoha ninja after another took a deep breath and stepped into the testing chambers.

At the same time, above them, visible through massive glass windows, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, watched the experiment with solemn expressions.

"Let's hope for a successful case. The two years of investment have been enormous," muttered Koharu and Homura, clinging to a shred of hope.

Danzo, however, coldly replied,

 "Failure is normal. What matters is observing the reaction data from the Senju clan and ordinary ninjas. These countless failures will be the treasure trove for future research."

Danzo's obsession with the study of Wood Release cells ran deep. After all, what did a few deaths matter? In the ninja world, people die every day.

Sacrifices were merely a step toward success. Without sacrifice, there could be no success.

"Begin!"

At the command, medical ninjas used specialized equipment to inject varying doses of the serum into the ninjas in the sealed chambers below.

As time passed, some began to writhe in pain, others screamed in agony, while a few gritted their teeth and tried to endure the suffering through sheer willpower.

"Ahhh!"

A blood-curdling scream pierced the air as one Konoha ninja failed. The Wood Release cells overtook half his body, which turned pale before bursting into a massive, grotesque tree.

"Wood… Wood Release!"

Danzo's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the tree. Wood Release had truly reappeared! Even if it was only momentary, wasn't this proof enough? Once the hurdles were overcome, Wood Release could undoubtedly be revived.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu, and Homura were equally stunned. Wood Release… a power buried deep in their memories.

"Wood Release cells lost control, consuming the user's chakra and transforming into a tree. Dose level… time… blood analysis…"

"Subject Three failed. Consumed by the tree…"

"Subject Six…"

As the hours dragged on, the sun rose over Konoha the next day. Hiruzen's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Failure. Total failure. Not even the Senju jonin survived."

"Where is Tsunade? Where did she go at such a critical moment?"

Slamming his hand on the table in frustration, Danzo demanded answers. An ANBU ninja bowed respectfully and reported:

 "Lady Tsunade said this experiment was nothing more than a massacre. She's already left and left behind the experiment reports and data…"

As Danzo prepared to retort, Hiruzen shook his head, sighed deeply, and raised a hand to stop him.

 "Enough, Danzo. That's just Tsunade's way. Besides, the research has already reached this stage. Whether Tsunade is here or not makes no difference. The adjustments can be handled by others."

The Wood Release experiment continued. Aside from Konoha's voluntary participants, many were spies captured by Root and ANBU.

The seven batches of experiments would take several months to complete this grim slaughter.

...

Konoha, a tavern.

In a private and refined room, Tsunade gracefully lifted one cup of sake after another, drinking without pause.

"Sister Tsunade, that's not how you drink. If something's troubling you, you should talk about it. That's the only way to truly enjoy drinking."

Watching Tsunade's drinking spree, Shirou didn't try to stop her. Life was full of troubles, and sometimes people needed to vent.

Drinking might not solve anything, but it was better than bottling everything up.

Seeing Shirou's lack of scolding and his encouragement to share her frustrations, Tsunade smiled.

"Shirou, you know what I admire most about you? You're not like those others who only lecture me, saying what's right or wrong, what I should or shouldn't do…"

Tsunade smiled as she raised her cup, but the sadness in her eyes was impossible to hide.

After downing another drink, in the privacy of the room, Tsunade began to cry. Like a little girl, she drank and wept, venting her frustrations and pain.

"Do you know? I can accept the carnage of the battlefield. I can accept filthy political scheming. I can even accept facing the despicable tactics of enemy ninjas. Because that's what it means to be a ninja!

But the Wood Release experiment… I was in charge of it. I knew full well it was a massacre! And yet, those old bastards gambled on that pitifully low chance of success and made so many of our comrades… Wasn't it enough to use spies and enemy ninjas?"

Tsunade wept as she recalled the countless lives lost, their blood staining her hands.

"I've tried so hard. I've spent two years researching non-stop, pouring everything I had into this. But I just couldn't do it. The power of the Wood Release cells is too overwhelming. I tried everything to balance that power…

Even poisons, summoning beast cells… I tried it all. But without exception, every attempt failed…"

As Tsunade finally collapsed into sobbing, Shirou silently comforted her, simply listening. Yet, in his heart, he sighed.

Perhaps Konoha was truly blessed with extraordinary luck. As Tsunade said, this was nothing more than a gamble with minuscule odds. Yet somehow, Konoha had won the bet.

However, this group of old fogeys doesn't know yet that the future Wood Release ninja, Yamato, is the product of this probability.

Yamato.

From what Tsunade said, Orochimaru has already left Konoha, which means the Root's Wood Release experiments have been shut down. And indeed, there hasn't been any Chakra activity sensed in that area recently.

While Shirou was silently pondering, the drunken Tsunade began venting her feelings.

"Shiou! If only you and I were ordinary people, I would allow you to take those two girls, Kushina…"

Hearing these heartfelt words from the drunken Tsunade in his arms, Shirou smiled, gently stroking her golden hair, and softly said:

 "Unfortunately, we're not ordinary people. And in this world, being ordinary would only make things more miserable."

Wood Release ninja Yamato! Let this serve as his gift for formally confronting Tsunade!

With a look of determination, Shirou made up his mind. He would use the forbidden technique of the Chimera Jutsu to collect Wood Release, Uzumaki, and other kekkei genkai, step by step, becoming a lower-tier version of an Otsutsuki.

After all, this wasn't just a symbol of power—it was also the path to immortality.

The Cursed Seal Sage Transformation of Jugo could be hidden as a secondary kekkei genkai, and certain abilities of White Zetsu could also be concealed. But there were some kekkei genkai that couldn't be hidden in the future.

Yamato! Perhaps someday, you'll thank me.

As if imagining something, Shirou smiled. If he was going to use power, then he'd use it openly and honorably!

The power of Wood Release—he would use it in a way that was justifiable and upright. Right now, this was the perfect opportunity to clear his reputation.

"I'm sorry, but this will be the last time."

Stroking her golden hair, Shirou revealed a faintly apologetic smile and lightly tapped Tsunade on the forehead.

…

A few days later, in the Hokage's office.

"Another failure, huh."

Looking at the masked ANBU kneeling on one knee below him, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Keep monitoring. No one is allowed to take any data. If there's any progress in the experiments, no matter who it is, bring them in immediately!"

"Yes!"

Since the start of the Wood Release experiments, three ANBU squads had been stationed on standby at the Hokage's office, ready to protect and retrieve any Wood Release ninja at a moment's notice.

Even if it were a Senju, Hiruzen would never let such an unstable factor roam freely in Konoha.

However, the ANBU were not the only ones standing by; Danzo's Root was also on alert.

The emergence of Wood Release was no trivial matter, even if the chances were slim!

After all, before Yamato appeared, in their understanding, Wood Release was a power that could destroy worlds, suppress tailed beasts, and bring peace to chaotic times.

"Hokage-sama, White Fang's team has returned!"

At that moment, a Root member appeared in the office, delivering White Fang's report.

This time, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head, not even glancing at the report. He said in a deep voice:

 "Go back and tell Danzo that the Wood Release experiment is the top priority right now!"

The Third Hokage didn't even take White Fang's report. The Root operative, as if already instructed, nodded respectfully and disappeared from the Hokage's office.

In the now-empty office, with a suffocating atmosphere, Hiruzen Sarutobi took several deep puffs from his pipe before exhaling slowly.

Looking out the window at his face on the Hokage Rock, the Third Hokage's gaze gradually became resolute.

"Sensei! The ninja world is in turmoil. The village cannot endure any further chaos at this time. If it were you, sensei, you would surely understand. Everything I'm doing is for the village!"

From the Third Hokage's perspective, the powerful Kekkei Genkai clans posed too great a challenge to the authority of the Hokage. In times of unrest in the ninja world, adding someone like White Fang would indeed bring instability to the village.

This wasn't entirely untrue!

 But that was only his perspective. From the perspective of the great Kekkei Genkai clans, joining and forming Konoha in the first place was to band together for mutual support.

Now you're saying we're too strong?

 There was never truly right or wrong between the two sides. The only thing wrong was lacking sufficient strength!

 If the Third Hokage had the strength of the First Hokage—or even the Second Hokage—he wouldn't see these powerful clans as sources of instability.

And if the great clans had produced a ninja like Tobirama Senju, they wouldn't have let Hiruzen Sarutobi sit in the Hokage's chair either.

…

Root.

"They've returned?"

Looking at the intelligence in his hand, Shimura Danzo fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Proceed as planned."

"Yes!"

In the dimly lit Root base, Shimura Danzo also remained silent for a long while before finally muttering hoarsely to himself:

 "White Fanf! It's a pity that you're just a ninja. You fail to see the reality of the village and insist on siding with these clans. The Warring States era of clan dominance is long gone.

You powerful noble clans are nothing but obstacles to the village. This is the age of ninjas! You should never have stood on the side of these clans!"

As he spoke, Shimura Danzo's expression turned even fiercer.

"Hiruzen is right. This is the age of commoner ninjas. As long as the power of the clans is kept within a certain range, it will benefit both sides. But if these clans rise too high, countless commoner ninjas will be the first to suffer!"

"There are over ten thousand commoner ninjas in Konoha now! And how many of you noble clan ninjas are there?"

In this distorted ninja world, the more powerful a ninja was, the more resolute their convictions became. They all had something they were willing to die for.

Right and wrong were never one-sided.

 Every choice came with its own corresponding mistakes. Even doing nothing would be a mistake!

"Still, for now, the Wood Release project is the priority!"

With this thought, Shimura Danzo tightly gripped the Wood Release experiment data, his eyes filled with ruthless intent.

"When any experiment reaches a limit, brute force is sometimes needed to break through it. Otherwise, step-by-step progress is too slow! Konoha doesn't have time to wait!"

Looking at the Wood Release data, Shimura Danzo revealed a cold smile. The resources the village had invested wouldn't go to waste! If not this time, he would continue the research in the future. There was no way he would let the village's resources go to waste.

PS: During the Hyuga Incident, Hiruzen lacked the strength to intimidate Kumogakure. Just like what he did during the Uchiha affair. He resorted to smooth-talking both sides to buy time and wait for the issue to resolve itself. In the end, Neji's father sacrificed himself to prevent a war. Hiruzen truly handled both Itachi and the Hyuga clan poorly.

PS2: Hiruzen used Talk no Jutsu! It's not effective!