Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 296: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

"Kazekage!"

Ebizō and Chiyo looked at their Kazekage with worry. Now, they were genuinely concerned—if they weren't careful, the village could easily be engulfed in the flames of war.

Moreover, this time, the enemy was far too powerful.

Yet Kazekage Rasa only smiled faintly.

"Elders, do you think I would join forces with Danzō?"

In an instant, both Chiyo and Ebizō were stunned, their faces showing disbelief. Meanwhile, Kazekage Rasa's lips curled into a cold smirk.

"Elders, don't you think it's better to agree to Danzō's request for now? During next year's Chūnin exams, if I were to sell Danzō's information to Konoha, I believe Konoha would be more than happy to accept it..."

Over the years, with Konoha's growing strength, they had already decided on their future course: to maintain friendly relations with Konoha. How could they change that so easily because of someone like Danzō?

Hearing this plan from the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, Ebizō couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, and even Chiyo nodded quietly in agreement.

"This is much better. I suppose this will allow us to strengthen our ties with Konoha. After all, I've heard that Pakura is already residing in Konoha... and even Temari has become a Konoha ninja."

When Pakura and Temari were mentioned, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa's expression turned slightly unpleasant, but Elder Chiyo shook her head and sighed.

"No matter what, they were both born in Sunagakure..."

However, just as they finalized their backstabbing plan, as the barrier dissipated, ripples of space flickered in the now-empty conference room before disappearing again.

...

Outside Sunagakure

"Danzō, it seems the Sand ninja cannot be trusted."

As the spatial ripples appeared, a masked man, Obito, emerged slowly, revealing the entirety of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa's plot.

Hearing this, Shimura Danzō sneered coldly. "The Sand ninjas have grown reckless."

"If I can manipulate one Mizukage, what's stopping me from gaining control of a Kazekage as well?"

Faced with Danzō's arrogant ambitions, Obito couldn't help but feel a sense of caution. If not for Konoha's rapid development over the years, which had disrupted his plans, he would never have agreed to help Danzō with this scheme.

"Danzō, I can assist you, but remember—you must not expose any information about the organization."

"Don't worry. Before that happens, I'll betray the organization myself!"

In Obito's plans, the Akatsuki organization was not yet ready to be exposed. It needed to remain hidden for now.

If Danzō succeeded, Konoha would inevitably fall into chaos, which would be beneficial to Obito's later plans.

Even if Danzō failed, it would still deal a heavy blow to Konoha.

...

Land of Fire, Valley of the End.

The sound of roaring waterfalls echoed loudly, and atop the two gigantic statues stood a figure cloaked in black robes with red clouds.

"Lord Shirou, Nagato has arrived."

Over the years, Konan had developed a cold and elegant demeanor, but her face softened into a genuine smile when she faced Uchih Shirou.

Likewise, the figure that appeared across from her brought a faint smile to Konan's face as she nodded slightly.

"Konan!"

Upon seeing the two figures of Konan and Shirou standing together, Nagato, with his Rinnegan glowing faintly, appeared somewhat emotional.

"Lord Shirou."

"Nagato, it's been a long time."

Seeing Nagato again, Shirou smiled. The two of them seemed to have picked up right where they left off, as though no time had passed between them.

"Seeing your Rinnegan, it seems you've gained considerable strength, Nagato."

Back then, Shirou had instructed Nagato to hide his Rinnegan. Now, for Nagato to reveal it so openly meant he had gained full confidence in his abilities.

Sitting in his wheelchair, Nagato looked at Konan and Shirou standing together, a wistful smile forming on his face.

"Lord Shirou, Nagato's legs..."

Looking at the frail and wheelchair-bound Nagato, Konan couldn't help but feel sorrowful. However, Nagato smiled indifferently and said:

"This is merely the price of growth."

As Nagato recounted his experiences, Shirou came to understand what he had gone through over the years.

Nagato and Yahiko had initially created the Akatsuki organization together. Later, they faced betrayal at the hands of Hanzō of the Salamander from the Hidden Rain Village.

This time, despite Konan's absence, many Akatsuki members were still captured by Hanzō. However, Yahiko chose to resist rather than surrender.

In the end, the Akatsuki was almost entirely wiped out. At the critical moment, Nagato unleashed the power of the Rinnegan, driving Hanzō away.

After hearing Nagato's story, Shirou sighed deeply and said, "I didn't expect so much to have happened over these years. It seems, Nagato, you've come to usher in the downfall of the demigod this time."

Nagato didn't deny it. He nodded silently, then said in a low voice, "Lord Shirou, that masked man claims to be Uchiha Madara..."

Hearing Nagato mention this "Uchiha Madara," Shirou sneered mockingly. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Someone who hides in the shadows dares to call himself a Uchiha Madara?"

"But Nagato, for you to take such a great risk to come here this time, you must have something important to discuss, don't you?"

Nagato nodded honestly. Over the years, he had matured and changed in many ways, but his dream of pursuing peace had only grown stronger.

"Lord Shirou, your actions over the years have been bold, revealing the ambition in your heart. I admit your vision of peace is effective, but it's far too long-term."

"Just like the First Hokage—no matter how much you unify the Shinobi World, Lord Shirou, how old will you be by then? Or worse, after your death, what will become of the Shinobi World?"

"You must know, after the First Hokage's death, the Shinobi World erupted into an unprecedented war..."

Nagato's resolute demeanor was striking as he directly voiced his doubts about Shirou's plans. Indeed, Konoha had grown powerful, capable of sweeping through the Shinobi World like autumn leaves.

However, in Nagato's eyes, the mighty god Uchiha Shirou was still mortal. Even the Sage of Six Paths could not escape the cycle of life and death.

"Lord Shirou, you once said that as long as there are emotions and desires in this world, even if you unify the Shinobi World and establish your ideal system, what then? Have you thought about the aftermath?"

"The prosperity of the Land of Fire, the deserts of the Land of Wind, the bitter cold of the Land of Water... These are all sources of discontent. When the throne of the heavens you create can no longer suppress these grievances..."

Listening to Nagato's words, Shirou couldn't help but smile and sigh.

"Nagato, you've truly grown. I didn't expect that upon our reunion, you and I would share the same ideals. You've found your path rather than blindly following someone else."

Hearing Shirou's words, Nagato's expression became emotional.

Back then, it was Shirou who had taught him not to place his will in the hands of others and to learn to think for himself.

Now, with Shirou's statement, it was clear he acknowledged the validity of Nagato's concerns!

"Lord Shirou, there is an opportunity now. The masked man's scheme involves creating an ultimate weapon to intimidate the Shinobi World..."

"If, before the end, we can find a ninja capable of inheriting our ideals, we can pass them down through generations. The throne of the heavens would continue to deter the Shinobi World, bringing about true and everlasting peace."

Looking at Nagato's excited demeanor, he had spent years pondering the true philosophy of peace. He admitted that Shirou's ideology was correct, but it was not entirely right! Human ambition, fueled by immense power, will inevitably erupt sooner or later. When that happens, the Shinobi world will once again descend into chaos. Therefore, after the appearance of the masked man, the so-called ultimate weapon to make the Shinobi world experience pain gave him a sense of direction.

As long as this ultimate weapon is in the right hands and passed down through generations, as long as it is not lost or a new shinobi god does not emerge, the Shinobi world can remain in its current state.

"Nagato, you've truly grown."

Seeing Nagato walking the right path, the smile on Shirou's face deepened.

"You're not wrong. That's why I'm still searching for the true meaning of life and pursuing the ambition of immortality."

"Immortality?!"

Hearing this, Nagato froze for a moment, then fell silent. If it had been before, he would have scoffed.

But now, having witnessed many bizarre jutsu within the Akatsuki organization, he couldn't dismiss it outright.

"Lord Shirou, this is something even the Sage of Six Paths failed to achieve. While the Shinobi world may have many strange forbidden techniques, to truly achieve immortality..."

At this point, Nagato shook his head. If immortality were possible, the Sage of Six Paths wouldn't have disappeared. However, seeing the confidence in Shirou's expression, he still spoke:

"Lord Shirou this is just perfect. I will use the Akatsuki organization to create the strongest weapon and unite to eliminate the masked man. I believe that with this weapon in your hands, Lord Shirou, you will be able to unify the Shinobi world even faster..."

Nagato smiled, fully aware of the price of creating the ultimate weapon using certain powerful jutsu. By then, he likely wouldn't have much time left.

But he could still see the dream of peace in the Shinobi world! One had to admit, this was a distorted world.

"Well then, Lord Shirou, about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki..."

At this moment, Nagato hesitated slightly, clearly trying to persuade Shirou to give up the Nine-Tails.

However, Shirou shook his head and said:

"You should already know the identity of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He is my disciple, Uchiha Sasuke, so I cannot hand him over to you."

Hearing this, Nagato was visibly disappointed. He opened his mouth, wanting to say that bloodshed was necessary for peace in the Shinobi world, but ultimately, he didn't voice it.

Seeing Nagato's expression, Shirou smirked slightly and said:

"While I cannot give you the Nine-Tails of this world, the Nine-Tails of another world is yours for the taking."

"The Nine-Tails of another world?!"

Hearing this, Nagato was stunned. Shirou then revealed the secret of the other world, leaving Nagato in shock.

"The Dragon Vein connects to another world?"

This revelation was even more shocking than his possession of the Rinnegan. Nagato took a long time to process it, and then his expression turned excited.

Shirou, however, smiled. The journey to conquer another world was far too vast for him alone.

"I see... I never expected this world to hold such secrets..."

As Nagato marveled in shock, Shirou shook his head and said, "Nagato, this world has never been as simple as you think, for example, your Rinnegan!"

"My eyes!"

Under Nagato's shocked gaze, Shirou's eyes slowly transitioned into the shape of a Mangekyō Sharingan. But in the next moment, the Mangekyō's pupils revealed a ring of purple patterns.

This familiar power!

"Impossible!"

Nagato blurted out in shock. As the mysterious purple ring faded from Shirou's Mangekyō, his expression returned to calm.

"Why is it impossible? The Uchiha are said to be descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, inheriting the Sage's eyes. The ultimate evolution of the Sharingan is, naturally, the legendary Rinnegan. In contrast, your Uzumaki clan's bloodline..."

At this point, Shirou stared deeply into Nagato's eyes and lowered his voice:

"Nagato, there's something wrong with your eyes."

This statement struck Nagato's mind like a thunderclap, causing countless memories to flash through his head. His eyes... had a problem?

"Above the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, it has now been confirmed that the Rinnegan is the next stage—the legendary Sage's eyes, the Rinnegan."

Shirou, who had already reached the pinnacle of power, had only awakened a fraction of Rinnegan's potential, but it was enough.

In the current Shinobi world, there were only a handful of individuals capable of threatening him, but even that wasn't enough.

To grow even stronger, he needed to recruit more people to join his righteous and peaceful Will of Fire.

"Nagato! I remember you saying that the Akatsuki organization was established for the peace of the Shinobi world. Even the name 'Akatsuki' was given by me. Although you are not a ninja of Konoha, you have inherited the true Will of Fire."

"The red clouds on the Akatsuki robes prove that I was not mistaken about you. Now, as the Hokage of Konoha, I formally invite the leader of the Akatsuki organization to join us!"

Although Nagato was still in shock, he did not refuse Shirou's invitation. In truth, he had been following Shirou's philosophy of peace from the very beginning.

After a long silence, Nagato stood atop the statues in the Valley of the End, his expression complicated.

"Nagato, since you've made your decision, you must be cautious of this person!"

"Lord Shirou, rest assured!"

Seeing that Nagato had decided to join, Shirou smiled. The immense power of the Akatsuki organization would be perfect for conquering another dimension.

"This is the latest limb regeneration serum. It will help you heal your legs and body more quickly."

"Thank you, Lord Shirou!"

As Nagato's figure disappeared into the Valley of the End's waterfall, Shirou gazed into the distance with a smile.

Things were getting more and more interesting. He couldn't wait to see Obito's final expression of shock.

"Lord Shirou, shall we head back now?"

Beside him, Konan, acting as his bodyguard, looked at him with concern. Shirou turned and smiled, saying, "Konan, you're truly become beautiful."

As he ruffled Konan's blue-purple short hair, her cheeks turned bright red. Though it wasn't the first time, she still enjoyed the feeling every time.

...

While Shirou and Konan were returning from the Valley of the End, Kakashi Hatake's team, currently on a mission, found themselves in the Land of Waves.

As the thick mist cleared, a figure carrying a massive sword wrapped in bandages appeared.

"So it's Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake."

As the mist dispersed, the figure of Jūzō Biwa, a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, was revealed.

Seeing him, Kakashi's expression turned grim.

"This is going to be troublesome. Naruto, Sasuke, Suigetsu—be careful. The target is a Jōnin!"

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