Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Konoha.

 "Minato, you truly are a genius."

At the training grounds, Jiraiya burst into hearty laughter upon seeing Namikaze Minato appear behind him.

However, while Minato, who was holding a special kunai, had a slight smile at the corner of his lips, he sighed lightly and shook his head.

"Jiraiya-sensei, this special kunai was something Naiko told me about earlier. Although you helped me obtain one, the reduced chakra conduction this time is still primarily thanks to this special kunai."

When the conversation shifted to the kunai, Jiraiya stroked his chin and let out a helpless sigh.

"This Flying Thunder God Technique is undeniably powerful, but the consumption of these special chakra-infused metal kunai is just too high. Even a jōnin can't handle such extensive use."

Jiraiya wore a pained expression as he looked at the dozen or so kunai in Minato's possession, which had taken great effort to gather.

These kunai weren't like legendary swords—where one was enough. Even during regular training, the chakra-infused metal often wore out or broke under the strain of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Without the support of the Uzumaki clan's wealth and resources, Minato's path to growth had become more challenging, especially in terms of mastering sealing techniques and managing finances.

"Not only that but while the Flying Thunder God Technique is indeed powerful, when I suddenly appeared behind you, sensei, you were able to react instantly. This means that against ninjas with quick reflexes who are aware of this technique, its effectiveness decreases significantly…"

"Furthermore, although the special kunai reduces chakra consumption, the cost per use is still substantial. And the most significant drawback is that when I suddenly appear, I lack a stronger follow-up jutsu to deliver a decisive blow…"

With his golden hair glinting in the light, Minato calmly analyzed the drawbacks of the technique. Both he and Jiraiya seemed to have the same thought at that moment, exchanging a glance before letting out a wry smile.

"It seems you've realized it too," Jiraiya said with a resigned shake of his head.

Minato nodded and said seriously, "Yes, Shirou truly is a genius. The seal-less Rasengan could be considered the perfect complement."

By combining the instantaneous movement of Flying Thunder God with the seal-less Rasengan, Minato could launch an attack so sudden and devastating that even if the opponent's nerves could react, there would be no defense against it.

The power of the A-rank, seal-less Rasengan was formidable, earning it the reputation of being a technique on the level of a secret art.

"A seal-less Rasengan, huh? What a shame—it's someone else's technique."

Even Jiraiya sighed and shook his head. He had never considered trying to negotiate with the Uchiha clan to acquire this technique.

Why would the Uchiha hand over such a precious legacy technique? The Uchiha clan lacked neither money, jutsu, or resources.

Seeing Minato's troubled expression, Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh heartily, walking up to pat Minato heavily on the shoulder.

"Minato, you're overthinking it. No Jutsu, even terrifying S-rank techniques, is without weakness. The Flying Thunder God Technique is already incredibly powerful. How many in the ninja world could even react to it? And of those who could, how many could physically keep up?"

Jiraiya's laughter brought a smile to Minato's face, and he nodded in understanding.

 "I understand now, Jiraiya-sensei."

Minato was an optimistic person. As Jiraiya said, out of all the jutsu in the ninja world, how many could counter the Flying Thunder God? He was already exceptional for his age.

With smiles on their faces, the two walked together toward the Hokage's office.

...

Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffing on his pipe, listened to Minato's report with a satisfied smile. Beside him, Jiraiya was making exaggerated facial expressions.

"Old man, I told you long ago that Minato is a genius," Jiraiya quipped.

For once, the Third Hokage didn't rebuke Jiraiya. Instead, he nodded in approval.

"The Flying Thunder God Technique, a forbidden jutsu of the Second Hokage, has finally found another capable user in the village. Regarding the drawbacks you mentioned, we'll have to work on the technique itself to reduce chakra consumption further. After all, you're already using chakra-infused metal."

"Additionally, Minato, your chakra nature includes fire, wind, and lightning—all of which are highly offensive. I suggest focusing on the sharpness of your wind nature to ensure your attacks are unstoppable…"

Though Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation as a jutsu professor was somewhat exaggerated, he was still an undeniably skilled Kage-level ninja. His advice made Minato feel as though a light had been turned on in his mind.

"This is my specialty, the Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique. Should your Flying Thunder God Technique be exposed, this jutsu can be used to create confusion and maximize your offensive potential."

Grateful for the Third Hokage's generosity, Minato bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Third Hokage."

Meanwhile, Jiraiya, seeing the moment, laughed mischievously and said, "Old man, you've seen Minato's potential. But these special kunai… there are just too few of them…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen could only laugh helplessly at Jiraiya's antics. "Jiraiya, you know the village's finances have been tight these past two years. Expanding our military forces has already left us behind in Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Chakra-infused metal is more precious than ever."

As Hokage, Hiruzen had to consider the bigger picture. Supporting Minato's training was one thing, but the chakra-infused metal was a rare resource, and even his own family had limited access to it.

"Jiraiya-sensei."

In the end, it was Minato who awkwardly pulled Jiraiya away, repeatedly thanking the Third Hokage before leaving. This made Hiruzen smile warmly with satisfaction.

"Minato is a good child who embodies the Will of Fire. He's far more reliable than Jiraiya."

...

Ichiraku Ramen.

At Ichiraku Ramen, Minato and Jiraiya were enjoying their meal when they overheard nearby conversations.

"That White Fang is nothing but a failure."

"Exactly. I heard this latest mission caused a huge loss for the village."

"How could someone like him be called a hero? And to even consider him a future candidate for the Fourth Hokage—what a joke!"

Hearing these comments, both Minato and Jiraiya frowned.

"Jiraiya-sensei, the situation with White Fang has become a huge controversy," Minato said, setting down his chopsticks. He had grown enough to see the bigger picture beyond being just a ninja.

With his connection to Uzumaki Naiko and his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato had earned the attention of Konoha's leadership.

Jiraiya sighed and said, "Minato, becoming Hokage isn't as simple as you think. What you're witnessing now is just one of the many frustrating realities of leadership."

But Minato shook his head firmly. "No! It's precisely because of this that I want to become Hokage!"

His unwavering determination and belief in his path as a ninja earned Jiraiya's admiration.

"Minato, I believe in you. But after this incident, Hatake Sakumo has likely lost his chance of becoming Hokage."

Jiraiya couldn't help but think about the situation, while Minato sighed.

"The old man is nearing fifty. Most ninjas decline after forty, and he probably only has a few years left in him. It's time to choose a successor."

Jiraiya sighed as well. Sarutobi Hiruzen was aging, and a Kage's presence was both a symbol of strength and a deterrent to enemies.

"If they're choosing a Hokage, then the only real candidates are you, Lady Tsunade, and Orochimaru."

Minato looked envious but quickly smiled with determination. "But I'm still young. I think I still have a chance to become Hokage."

Minato's optimism made Jiraiya smile, though there was a trace of unease in his eyes.

Two years ago, Jiraiya would have thought Orochimaru was the obvious choice after White Fang. But now, things had shifted.

Just as the two were about to resume eating, a piercing hawk's cry shattered the calm, making their expressions immediately serious.

"Jiraiya-sensei, that's the swift hawk signal—something big must've happened!" Minato said, looking up at the hawk soaring through Konoha's sky.

Jiraiya quickly put down some money and called Minato to hurry to the Hokage's office.

"Minato, let's find out what's going on!"

...

A shocking piece of news swept through Konoha like a storm.

The renowned hero of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo, known as White Fang and feared throughout the ninja world, had taken his own life.

After failing a mission and returning to the village, he faced endless blame, even from those he had saved. Unable to bear the shame, he ended his life.

White Fang was dead.

The news spread through Konoha like an earthquake.

Hokage's Office.

Upon hearing the news, Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his desk in fury, shouting at Danzo, "Danzo! What is the meaning of this!?"

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also glared at Danzo in anger, as if to say, This time, you've gone too far.

However, Shimura Danzo had just learned this news as well and couldn't help but vent his frustration, saying:

 "Hiruzen! I... I... I didn't expect him to commit suicide either!"

Hearing Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen glared at him fiercely, his expression filled with disappointment.

"Danzo! This time, you've caused a huge disaster!"

Even Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked grim, their faces heavy with concern.

"Hiruzen, what should we do now?"

"Hiruzen, White Fang's death was his own doing—he committed suicide. What does that have to do with us? Besides, the failure of his mission was his dereliction of duty as a ninja!" Koharu, embodying a shameless self-righteousness, snorted coldly, pushing all the blame onto White Fang without hesitation.

For once, Shimura Danzo revealed a rare expression of gratitude. In times of trouble, true friendship shines—these old comrades could still be relied on.

"Exactly, Hiruzen! The mission's failure was his fault, not ours!"

Danzo, emboldened, spoke firmly. Deep down, he even felt a sense of relief. White Fang's death might just mean that Sarutobi Hiruzen would face the wrath of the various clans.

If Hiruzen were forced to step down, wouldn't that give him a chance to take the position of Hokage?

It must be said that Shimura Danzo was always dreaming of becoming Hokage, even at the most critical moments. However, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, wore a dark expression and barked coldly:

"Danzo! I want Root to thoroughly investigate every detail of Hatake's mission this time, along with all the ninjas involved!"

Seeing Hiruzen's livid expression, Danzo seemed to understand something. He nodded sinisterly and replied in a low voice:

 "I understand. Don't worry, Hiruzen. With Root handling this, there won't be any mistakes."

With Root involved, this mission's truths would be turned into undeniable evidence.

...

Meanwhile, within Konoha, news of White Fang's suicide spread rapidly, shocking all the ninjas. The major clans, in particular, were furious.

It happened too fast! From the time White Fang returned after his mission failure, it had only been a few days.

They hadn't even had time to formulate a plan, and now this tragedy had occurred!

The Senju Clan.

Tsunade was stunned when she heard the news, her face filled with disbelief.

But then, she remembered Shirou's repeated warnings: the village was targeting White Fang, as well as both the Senju and Uchiha clans.

"Shirou!"

Looking at Shirou lying in a hospital bed, Tsunade hesitated, torn about whether to tell him.

But in the end, she sighed deeply, thinking about his resolute nature.

"Mikoto, Kushina, tell Shirou about what happened with Hatake."

Mikoto and Kushina exchanged worried glances before reluctantly beginning to explain the situation to Shirou in halting words.

"Hatake Sakumo, huh..."

After hearing the full story, Shirou, lying in his hospital bed, showed no visible emotional reaction. Yet, this calmness only deepened the worry on the faces of Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina.

"Maybe I was too naïve before. After witnessing one dark event after another, I should've learned to see the worst in people by now."

After a moment of silence, Shirou spoke in a calm tone, then slowly sat up and began unwrapping the bandages covering his eyes.

As the white bandages fell away, his Sharingan, with its blood-red hues and rotating tomoe, came into view. He raised his head and stared directly at Tsunade, his gaze calm yet resolute.

"The hero is dead. Sister Tsunade, I finally understand your words from before—learning medicine won't save the ninja world!"

Tsunade's pupils trembled as memories of Shirou's once steadfast dream—becoming the strongest medical ninja to save the ninja world—flooded her mind.

But now...

Tsunade's face was filled with a mix of emotions, including deep guilt. Shirou had been pushed to the brink, forced down this path.

Beside her, Kushina shouted angrily:

 "Sister Tsunade! The hero White Fang is dead, and it's because they abandoned the true Will of Fire!"

At this moment, everyone's hearts were filled with rage.

Even Mikoto stepped forward, gripping Shirou's hand tightly.

 "Shirou! Konoha still has you!"

Shirou raised his head. In his blood-red eyes, the three tomoe spun slowly. He spoke each word with conviction:

"Sister Tsunade, maybe you were right. The Konoha of today has already rotted to its core. They've betrayed the true Will of Fire!"

Tsunade's face was filled with a complicated mix of emotions, her guilt deepening further.

"It's my fault. Shirou, you warned me days ago that the village was targeting Hatake, but because you were in the hospital, I told Kushina not to bring it up. Yet in just a few days... How could Hatake Sakumo end up like this?"

Such a powerful, legendary ninja—one of the strongest in the current era—had fallen in the prime of his life.

And the most ironic part? He didn't die on the battlefield, nor while protecting his comrades. Instead, he met his end in such a tragic and absurd manner.

It wasn't that Tsunade was careless—she had simply never imagined that people could be so cruel.

"No! This is not your fault, Sister Tsunade!"

Shirou, now free of his bandages, stared at her with bloodshot eyes that somehow radiated calm. He locked his gaze onto her and said in a deep voice:

"The mission failed, resulting in a significant loss for the village. But who would've thought it would spiral into such a ridiculous public outcry?"

As he spoke, Shirou's expression twisted into a self-deprecating smile.

"But I remember... Over twenty years ago, during the battle in the Land of Lightning, the Second Hokage chose to sacrifice himself to protect the younger generation. And yet, the guards who abandoned their duty to protect the Hokage all returned safely to the village!

Now, the Will of Fire is nothing but a cruel joke, Sister Tsunade. Tell me, did the damage caused by White Fang's mission failure surpass the loss of a Second Hokage?"

Shirou's raspy, bitter laughter echoed in the room, leaving Tsunade stunned.

He was right. Her great-uncle had died in the Land of Lightning, while the Hokage guards all returned safely to the village and went on to become its leaders.

The comparison was a giant, painful irony.

As Tsunade remained in a daze, Shirou looked up at her again and asked in a deep voice:

 "Sister Tsunade! My clan, the Uchiha, has always taught me that the Will of Fire is about striving for peace and protecting children from going to war...

That was the original intent behind the Uchiha and Senju founding Konoha together. But now, Sister Tsunade, I'm not sure anymore... I'm not sure..."

At this moment, Shirou's eyes were filled with an expression nearing despair and madness.

"Tell me, Sister Tsunade... Was the purpose of creating Konoha truly to protect children from war and to achieve peace? Then why do I see wave after wave of freshly graduated academy students being sent to the battlefield, while others sit comfortably in the village under the protection of countless ninjas?"

As he spoke, Shirou pointed angrily out the window toward the Hokage's office, the most prominent building in the village.

"If all of this is right, then why did the Second Hokage stay behind in the Land of Lightning? Why was Konoha even established in the first place? Is the peace and protection of children just a lie? Did we merely replace the chaotic warring clans with an even larger system of war?"

Just as Shirou's voice reached a breaking point, Tsunade pulled him into a tight embrace, halting his near-breakdown.

"No! The original intent of the Senju and Uchiha hasn't changed!"

At this moment, Tsunade's gaze was more resolute than ever. Looking at Shirou, Kushina, and Mikoto, she slowly turned her head to gaze at the Hokage Rock, her determination growing stronger.

"It's those rotten old fools who've corrupted it. That's why, Shirou, you want to become Hokage—not just to change the Uchiha but to reform the village itself, isn't that right?"

Tsunade's gentle voice echoed, and in that moment, Shirou's pupils regained focus, as if he had rediscovered his will.

"Hokage..."

As Shirou murmured, Tsunade smiled with firm conviction.

 "That's right. Hokage!"

"White Fang gave up the mission for his comrades and was called a failure, while those who abandoned the Second Hokage became today's leaders. It's they who've betrayed the Will of Fire!"

Following Tsunade's words, Shirou's eyes, once filled with confusion, gradually sharpened with determination.

"If they've truly abandoned the Will of Fire, then I'll give everything I have to become Konoha's next Hokage. I'll personally correct the village's mistakes!"

The village had lost its way, and he would be the one to reform it!

His resolute declaration echoed in the room.

Under the sunlight, Mikoto gazed at his glowing figure with a mixture of admiration and determination.

"Shirou! I believe in you!"

Kushina also nodded firmly. Her greatest sense of belonging was tied to Tsunade and Shirou, not the village. If Shirou aspired to be Hokage, she would do everything in her power to support him.

"Shirou, I believe in you!"

After seeing Shirout regain his faith, Tsunade quietly let out a sigh of relief. For a ninja, the most terrifying thing is the collapse of their beliefs. Once they lose their conviction, they are practically done for.

"But Shirou, before you become Hokage, let your big sister stand in front of you to shield you from the wind and rain."

At that moment, Tsunade revealed a determined expression in the hospital room, her heart filled with boundless fury.

This time, the actions of the village's higher-ups had gone too far—too shameless and despicable!

"Let your big sister become the Fourth Hokage first. As for the Fifth Hokage in the future, that will depend on your efforts."

Tsunade's resolute voice reverberated, instantly sweeping away the heavy atmosphere from earlier. At this moment, Shirou was left stunned.

Hmm?!

Tsunade just ignited her fighting spirit—she wants to compete for Hokage?

With Tsunade's current strength, if she were to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage, there was practically no one in the village who could stop her!

 Even if they tried to pull something like the White Fang incident on her, it wouldn't work. The matter involving the Second Hokage alone could completely shut those high-ranking elders down.

It was practically unbeatable!

Wait, no—there was still one way to prevent Tsunade from becoming the Fourth Hokage!

 And that was to start a war! If that happened, those old geezers could cling to their positions in the Hokage's upper ranks.

The Third Ninja War!

As he thought about the impending Third Ninja War, Shirou showed a strange expression. It seemed like he didn't have to do anything at all—everything was already falling into place.

It was truly unstoppable!

 And the Title Hokage during the third war being passed on...he was willing to call it the strongest scapegoat.

He could only hope those old geezers could handle it.

PS: The Third Ninja War was so brutal that Hiruzen couldn't handle the pressure, so he gave up his position. lol