Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 236: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

The first rays of dawn illuminated the Hokage Rock, casting a glowing light on Shirou's silhouette, making him seem almost godlike.

"Come out."

A faint voice echoed as rustling sounds emerged from the forest behind him. Slowly, a figure with bandaged arms stepped forward.

"Lord Shirou."

The figure emerging from the bushes was Sarutobi Asuma. At this moment, he stepped forward, gazing at the figure bathed in golden sunlight, as though witnessing a guiding beacon in his life.

After stepping out, Sarutobi Asuma stood silently, staring at the desolate village of Konoha. The streets were lifeless as students trudged towards the ninja academy without a single laugh in the air.

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Recalling the joyous laughter during his academy days and the once-vibrant Konoha, the stark contrast was starkly evident.

"I heard everything just now..."

Sarutobi Asuma hesitated to speak, but Shirou, seeing this, calmly glanced at the village before sighing:

"It's just a conflict between old and new powers, but our Third Hokage seems to have forgotten something. Konoha became the strongest ninja village because the great clans fought for it. Civilian ninjas are the backbone, but clan ninjas are its roots..."

"The Senju were already crippled by the First Great Ninja War. Thanks to our Third Hokage, the great clans have been significantly weakened since then, leading to the struggles of the Third War. But for the sake of the village's stability—a laughable excuse."

Shirou's mocking smile left Sarutobi Asuma wanting to retort, but he couldn't find the words.

"There are some realities we must accept. Eighty percent of Konoha's jonin-strength comes from the great clans. After this war, if they continue to undermine the clans with such shallow vision, Konoha's military strength will be surpassed by other villages within a few years!"

Faced with Shirou's words, Sarutobi Asuma fell silent. After a long pause, he rasped:

"I've looked through all the records since Konoha's founding. During wars, the casualty rate for civilian ninjas is the highest. Clan ninjas fight just as valiantly on the battlefield, but with centuries of accumulated strength..."

As Sarutobi Asuma pointed out, centuries of accumulated strength aren't easily surpassed.

Chunin from clan backgrounds possess richer experience, superior ninja tools, advanced jutsu, and long-term nutritional advantages. In terms of both immediate and long-term potential, they far surpass civilian ninjas.

After surviving a year or two on the battlefield, clan ninjas grow significantly stronger. Civilians improve too, but the foundation and potential between the two are worlds apart.

Only a handful of geniuses can keep up with clan ninjas.

"After becoming strong jonin, marrying, and having children, civilian ninjas will create new ninja families. If..."

At this point, Sarutobi Asuma's expression grew more complicated.

"White Fang gave up a mission to save his comrades, only to be scorned as a failure. Yet during the First Great Ninja War, a group of Hokage guardians forgot their duty!

This so-called Will of Fire—what truly represents it? Is it the First and Second Hokage charging into the frontlines to protect the village? Or is it this cowardly version that sacrifices children under ten for the village's so-called stability while its leaders hide safely in the village?"

Sarutobi Asuma vented his anger, his voice filled with fury. He had seen how the ninja academy no longer contained children over ten years old.

He had seen how his elder brother was blamed for something that wasn't his fault, carrying the burden of everything.

He had seen how the Will of Fire embodied by the First and Second Hokage was now a hollow shell!

"They've betrayed the true Will of Fire!"

His resolute voice echoed as Shirou looked at him in surprise. Then, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"I didn't expect you to already possess the mindset of a Hokage at your age. Your vision and ambition have surpassed the limits of the Sarutobi clan and extended to the entire Konoha..."

But Shirou's compliment caused Sarutobi Asuma's pupils to tremble. He felt a profound sense of transformation within his soul as if his entire being was undergoing a metamorphosis.

Shirou's words of recognition were like a guiding light in the darkness of his life.

"However, these aren't matters you should be concerned with yet. What you should focus on now is growing stronger and surviving the war."

His voice echoed over the Hokage Rock as Shirou's figure turned and headed toward his clan. Sarutobi Asuma left alone on the Hokage Rock, stood frozen.

He had expected Shirou to try to recruit him or something else—but not this. He hadn't anticipated Shirou's parting words would simply be to survive the war.

In contrast, all Sarutobi Asuma had received from his family, especially his father, was harsh criticism, urging him to emulate his elder brother. For the first time, someone told him that at his current age, his priority should simply be survival.

"Father! You wanted me to be like my elder brother, but you abandoned him, pushing him into the abyss. Meanwhile, the Uchiha, whom you believe will bring disaster to Konoha, told your son to survive!"

This newfound recognition seemed to solidify something in Sarutobi Asuma's heart. Gazing at the distant shadow, he murmured:

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout. But the flames consuming the leaves now..."

Standing atop the Hokage Rock, Sarutobi Asuma looked toward the ninja academy. He saw the silent, youthful faces heading to school.

Then, shifting his gaze to the Hokage office building, he recalled his father's graying hair as he worked tirelessly. At this moment, a mocking smile emerged on Sarutobi Asuma's face.

"Father, so this is the burning firelight—illuminating nothing but your ugly, aging faces. The twisted Will of Fire must change..."

Children became ninjas to fight wars while aging rulers enjoyed power under the guise of doing it for the village's good.

Recalling the exaggerated praise for the Third Hokage during his academy days, Sarutobi Asuma now found it laughable and shameful.

Having read the historical records of the ninja world, he clearly understood the achievements of the First and Second Hokage. The only noteworthy thing about his father's leadership was likely its longevity.

In contrast, most of his academy peers knew little of the First and Second Hokage's accomplishments. Sarutobi Asuma felt as though an unseen hand was manipulating everything, filling him with a suffocating fear.

For the village! For the true Will of Fire! He had to do something!

At this moment, Sarutobi Asuma's conviction became unshakable.

"The twisted Will of Fire, the decaying Konoha! A revolution is needed to make Konoha reborn from the ashes!"

...

Spring, Year 50 of Konoha.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist infiltrated the Land of Fire to execute a terror plan but were discovered by Konoha ninjas.

In the end, six of the famed swordsmen were killed, and one escaped—a survivor named Juzo Biwa, who ultimately defected.

Meanwhile, the Three-Tails appeared outside Konoha and was sealed. Konoha is now arranging for emissaries to negotiate a ceasefire with Kirigakure.

The ninja world was in an uproar.

Iwagakure Frontlines.

"Third Tsuchikage, sir, this is the latest intel..."

Reading the report in his hands, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's eyes widened in anger. Slamming the table, he cursed:

"Incompetent fools! Kirigakure is full of useless idiots! The Three-Tails made it to Konoha's gates and only managed to destroy a single gate?! To make matters worse, Konoha has already moved the Three-Tails to the frontlines! Damn it!"

What could have been leverage was now neutralized by Konoha's swift actions.

If Kirigakure truly ceases hostilities, the four-against-one advantage would instantly lose one ally.

"And that's not all, Tsuchikage-sama. According to our spies, it seems Konoha deliberately leaked the location of the Three-Tails' trading site to Suna and Kumo."

Damn it!

Hearing this, Onoki's eyes widened as he slammed the table again.

"Damn Konoha! So cunning! Such a devious plan could only come from that sinister Danzo Shimura, hidden in the shadows of Root!"

Ōnoki isn't stupid; it was obvious he had realized the temptation of the Three-Tails.

If this had been at the start of the war, when everyone was united to fight Konoha, perhaps they wouldn't have fallen for this temptation. But now, no one wants to continue fighting.

After fighting for so long, no one has gained anything. And now, the Three-Tails is right in front of them—how could anyone not be tempted?

Ōnoki huffed and puffed with rage, and finally slammed the table with a fierce shout:

"Find out! Find out where the Three-Tails is located! If our Iwagakure gets the Three-Tails, even if we can't keep it, we can still make a deal with Kirigakure."

The Iwa-nin below him stared at their Tsuchikage in astonishment. What? Weren't you just furious a moment ago?

But seeing the stunned looks on his subordinates, Ōnoki grew even more irritated, glaring at them impatiently:

"What are you standing around for? Get moving!"

"Yes!"

As his subordinates left, Ōnoki frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on the strategic map of the ninja world on the table. Watching as Konoha's encirclement was broken, he eventually slammed the map with frustration and unwillingness.

"Why do they have so many talented young ninjas? Iwagakure is one of the Five Great Ninja Villages too..."

Ōnoki's eyes turned red as he reviewed the intelligence reports of Konoha's capable ninja, many of whom were already capable of standing alone and even had the potential to become Hokage.

...

Suna, Land of Rain War Zone.

"Sister, the location of Konoha's deal with Kirigakure for the Three-Tails has been confirmed. It's in the Land of Bears. Should we take action?"

In the dimly lit tent, the elder of Sunagakure, Ebizō, wore a grave expression. Meanwhile, Elder Chiyo sighed helplessly.

"This war has reached a point where victory is no longer possible. The only reason we're still holding on is to secure some resources. After all, Konoha doesn't want to keep fighting either.

We know the Three-Tails is a trap, but can we just turn a blind eye to it?"

At this point, Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged a helpless look, their faces filled with resignation.

Sunagakure was far too poor, with only one tailed beast. And now, the Three-Tails was right there in front of them.

"If we manage to capture the Three-Tails, why should we hand it over to Kirigakure?"

Elder Chiyo's expression turned ruthless as she said coldly:

"Even if our relationship with Kirigakure deteriorates, so what? If we gain another tailed beast, Sunagakure's prestige in the ninja world would skyrocket."

"Even if we can't keep it in the end, we can trade it with Kirigakure for a large amount of resources!"

Faced with the temptation of the Three-Tails, Sunagakure didn't care about straining relations with Kirigakure. After all, the two villages were far apart—one in the desert, the other on the ocean.

They knew this was Konoha's trap, but Konoha offered them no benefits, and the Three-Tails was like a delicious treat just waiting to be taken.

"Send orders to Pakura and Rasa—do whatever it takes to bring back the Three-Tails!"

Elder Chiyo issued the command with a calm tone, and beside her, Ebizō solemnly nodded.

"Sister, if we're going to sour relations with Kirigakure, we need to prepare in advance. Even though they're far away, once things go south, Kirigakure might retaliate against us during missions."

"Start preparing. Let's hope everything goes smoothly."

Frowning, Elder Chiyo and Ebizō couldn't help but consider another possibility: What if this was intentional on Konoha's part?

What if Konoha was deliberately allowing other villages to capture the Three-Tails? By the time the weakened Kirigakure had to fight to reclaim it, they'd have no energy left to deal with Konoha.

It was clear that the village that captured the Three-Tails would also end up being tied down.

"This must be one of Shimura Danzō's schemes. A single Three-Tails could reduce Konoha's enemies by two," Chiyo muttered.

Sharing a look, Chiyo and Ebizō both wore solemn expressions. They were almost certain this was Shimura Danzō's plot.

...

Kumogakure War Zone.

"Father, this news about the Three-Tails must have been deliberately leaked by Danzō. He wants us to fight over it. Otherwise, why would the location of the deal be in the Land of Bears?"

Inside the tent, the future Fourth Raikage, A, angrily pointed at the Land of Bears on the map laid out before them. The distance from Kumogakure was simply too far.

The Third Raikage, A, with his rugged face and single arm, remained calm and said in a deep voice:

"That's indeed the best choice. If Konoha were to keep the Three-Tails, it would only escalate the war. By letting us fight over it, they not only provoke internal conflict among us but also create opportunities for Konoha."

"So, Father, should we take action?"

The temptation of the Three-Tails was immense, but the Third Raikage eventually sighed and waved his hand:

"Our internal forces just went through a purge, and our military strength is already at its lowest. We already have two tailed beasts. If we try to capture another one, we'll only draw more unwanted attention.

Besides, the Land of Bears is too far away. Konoha must have considered this when choosing the location, placing it squarely within Sunagakure's sphere of influence."

Hearing his father's decision, the future Fourth Raikage looked visibly frustrated.

"If it were just a little closer, even if we didn't keep it, we could at least trade it with Kirigakure for resources."

"We won't go after the Three-Tails, but the war isn't over yet!"

At this point, the Third Raikage's face broke into a cold smile as he pointed at the map.

"When everyone thinks the war is about to end, that's when the best opportunity arises. If we seize it, we can demand even more concessions from Konoha during negotiations!"

Seeing where his father was pointing, the future Fourth Raikage's expression shifted to one of sudden realization.