Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou [172]

Inside a dimly lit cave.

"Lord Madara, the current situation in the ninja world… As for the previous Jonin meeting in Konoha, we couldn't listen in closely due to the barrier, but that night, a considerable number of elite ninjas left the village…

And after the Konoha Jonin meeting ended that day, Senju Tsunade spoke on the Hokage Rock…"

Uchiha Madara, who initially had a bored expression while listening to the ever-changing dynamics of the Third Great Ninja War, thought it was nothing more than children playing house.

But when he suddenly heard about Senju Tsunade's remarks on the Hokage Rock after the Konoha Jonin meeting, his interest was piqued, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

 "Hashirama's granddaughter said that?"

White Zetsu tilted his head in confusion, then mimicked the posture and conversation of the two from that time, even imitating their actions with uncanny precision.

"Ahaha… Hashirama, your granddaughter said you were wrong! You were wrong!"

Uchiha Madara, who had been holding himself back, suddenly burst into laughter. His maniacal laughter echoed throughout the dark cave.

No one could understand Uchiha Madara's excitement and joy. For him, this was a monumental moment—someone in the ninja world had acknowledged that Hashirama's ideals were flawed.

"Hashirama, I've always said that the peace you sought, based on trust between people, was an illusion. The moment you died, the ninja world plunged into war. Is this the peace you pursued?"

Madara's face flushed with excitement, and he was so thrilled that he almost coughed up blood.

"Senju Tsunade, I, Uchiha Madara, acknowledge you! I recognize you as an exceptional descendant of the Senju Clan, surpassing even Hashirama!"

At this moment, beneath Madara's frenzied and ecstatic grin, there was a deep satisfaction. Someone had admitted that Hashirama was wrong, and it was none other than Hashirama's granddaughter. This was even more satisfying and exhilarating than hearing about that annoying white-haired man's death in the Land of Lightning.

"This exceptional descendant—one day, I wouldn't mind allowing her to bear the Uchiha name. Uchiha Tsunade! I'm looking forward to it!"

Madara, consumed by excitement, lost himself in his fantasies.

"Haha, and this Uchiha Shirou—I've always said he's similar to me. If there had only been one Konoha back then, what would have happened?"

At this moment, Madara's eyes gleamed with strong anticipation. He imagined a future meeting where Senju Tsunade—no, Uchiha Tsunade—stood with two children bearing Sharingan, glaring at Hashirama and declaring that his ideals of peace were wrong! He looked forward to seeing the rage and helpless fury of that annoying white-haired Tobirama!

Even more so, he wanted to see how this protégé of his would reshape the ninja world.

Although Shirou didn't know it yet, it didn't stop Madara from viewing him as his successor. After all, without him, Shirou would have died during the Second Great Ninja War. Without him, how could Shirou have mastered the perfect Lightning Release?

"Uh… Lord Madara…"

At this moment, White Zetsu tilted his head while watching the crazed grin on Madara's face, pointing to a connection that was about to snap.

"It's about to break… Lord Madara…"

Reminded by White Zetsu, Madara snapped back to reality. Looking at the taut white tube behind him, which was on the verge of snapping, he immediately stepped back a few paces in alarm.

"This Uchiha Shirou has exceeded my expectations."

Returning to his stone chair, Madara sat down with a proud smile on his face.

"White Zetsu, next time, bring me a book about his ambition. I'm growing more and more intrigued by the future of this interesting ninja world."

Uchiha Shirou reminded Madara of his younger self. Under Madara's careful guidance, Shirou had become even more refined and perfect.

Back then, Madara had known that Hashirama's ideals were nothing but fanciful illusions. However, his ideas were only vague concepts. What if Hashirama had listened to him back then and helped him suppress the ninja world? What would have happened?

Just like Shirou's bold notion—what if the ninja world had only one village?

As he pondered this, Madara's rare reflective expression appeared. He murmured:

 "Hashirama, your granddaughter has surpassed you and admitted your ideals were a failure. The peace you achieved in life was merely a peace born out of fear of power. My ideals will show you that if you hadn't stopped me… if we had joined forces…"

Lost in his musings, Madara's gaze grew distant as he sighed softly with regret.

"But alas, there are no 'what-ifs' in this world. As your granddaughter said, right and wrong can only be determined by taking action. I just wonder—between Shirou and my current self—who is truly right…"

For once, Madara seemed to show introspection, questioning whether his current self or his younger self was correct.

In the next moment, Madara chuckled lightly before his expression turned resolute. With a confident and domineering smile, he declared:

 "But that doesn't matter anymore. Both paths can be taken! Uchiha Shirou, let me wait for you at the summit!"

At that moment, Madara's single eye shone with overwhelming arrogance, exuding a sense of dominance over the entire ninja world.

He had already ascended to the summit. Now, he saw a younger version of himself climbing another great mountain he had left unfinished in his youth. One day, they would meet at the peak and witness the truth of right and wrong!

It would be a testament to the correctness of both his younger and current selves.

"Lord Madara, what about the plan to destroy Kumogakure this time?"

White Zetsu's voice interrupted Madara's musings.

"The plan to destroy Kumogakure?"

Madara raised an eyebrow slightly before smirking coldly.

 "The person I've chosen has already solidified his resolve and is walking this path. Let him walk it on his own."

Previously, Madara might have considered assisting Shirou, but now…

This was the perfect embodiment of his younger self's will. Let him walk this path alone. Madara had already done all he could. The rest was up to him.

"So we're leaving it alone?" White Zetsu tilted his head in confusion.

 "With Hashirama's granddaughter assisting him and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki girl at his side, he's only facing a group of weaklings. This is a challenge he must face himself."

Madara wasn't a babysitter. He wouldn't personally handle everything. With so many resources at his disposal, if Shirou still failed, it would simply prove he wasn't worthy of reaching the summit.

"Besides, the Third Raikage, at least in his pursuit of power, is far more clear-headed than that greedy Sarutobi brat."

Madara chuckled lightly. With his perspective, he could see the gap between the current Five Kage.

A Kage without a Kekkei Genkai, trying to master everything, would achieve nothing. It was better to perfect a single specialty and refine it to the extreme, covering one's weaknesses rather than attempting to excel in all areas.

"Still, the Third Great Ninja War… If it ends as sloppily as the Second, it won't be favorable to our plans."

Madara frowned slightly as he thought of something. It wasn't that he feared the Five Great Nations becoming too strong but rather that the wielder of the Rinnegan might end up too weak.

Thus, the Third Great Ninja War had to devastate the Five Great Nations severely to align with his plans.

"I understand."

White Zetsu nodded, understanding Madara's intent. Madara gave a faint nod.

"Let this ninja war burn even brighter. Let the weaklings of the ninja world suffer."

…

Near the border of the Land of Hot Water, adjacent to Konoha.

At the border, the forces of Kumogakure and Konoha were locked in a tense standoff, their formations interlocking like the teeth of a comb. A single misstep would ignite a full-scale war.

A massive canyon separated the two sides, serving as a natural barrier. On either side, cold steel war machines gleamed menacingly under the light.

The battles between major ninja villages weren't just fought with ninjas but also involved countless precise war machines and tools.

"Lady Tsunade, this is the latest intelligence."

Standing at the edge of the cliff, Senju Tsunade—clad in crimson armor—crossed her arms as she gazed indifferently at the forces of Kumogakure on the other side. A Konoha ninja respectfully handed her the intelligence report.

Glancing at the report in her hand, Tsunade nodded calmly.

"Pass on my orders. If Kumogakure makes a move, Konoha's border forces will launch a full-scale attack."

"Yes!"

Under Tsunade's firm command, the frontline Konoha ninja didn't feel uneasy—on the contrary, they roared in excitement.

Ninjas, by nature, live for battle. They do not fear death. Although most of them dislike war, when the enemy declares it, they will fight back with all their might.

On the battlefield, a strong and decisive commander is often more respected and admired.

As Konoha's forces erupted in a chorus of war cries, the opposing Kumogakure ninjas grew tense.

Kumogakure had declared war on Konoha, but how to fight, and when to fight, was not for them to decide.

"Uchiha Mikoto, Uzumaki Kushina, the two of you—focus on building an intelligence network across the Land of Fields, the Land of Hot Water, the Land of the Moon, and even the Land of Lightning."

"Yes!"

At this time, Tsunade was not just the frontline commander but also the head of Konoha's Intelligence Division.

Even on the frontline, she could still place her people and utilize the Intelligence Division to establish her spy network.

Walking down the canyon amidst the biting cold wind, Senju Tsunade issued commands one after another.

"And, inform Shirou that in seven days... preparations must be made here."

"Yes!"

Following closely behind her, Uchiha Mikoto and Uzumaki Kushina nodded solemnly.

Meanwhile, over a hundred miles away, a barrier was being set up in a dense forest—a barrier so well-concealed that even sensory ninjas would find it hard to detect.

The barrier was eerily silent, yet hidden among the tree trunks and underbrush were numerous ninjas, almost impossible to spot.

"Lord Third, according to the intelligence from the Root Division's spies, seven days from now, the Third Raikage…"

Inside a hollow tree trunk, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, listened to his trusted Anbu's report with a serious expression and nodded.

"I see. Seven days from now, huh?"

This time, even Sarutobi Hiruzen had been pushed to the edge. Eager to prove himself, he had personally come to the frontline.

Looking at the intelligence brought by the spies—particularly the timing set by the Third Raikage—Sarutobi couldn't help but smile confidently.

The location of the battle wouldn't leave them surrounded. It was situated on the border, and more importantly, in seven days, they would have the advantage.

The longer they delayed, the higher their chances of being discovered.

"Lord Third, this time, we will surely win!"

A loyal Anbu Jonin, devoted to the Third Hokage, whispered fervently. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and looked at the elite forces he had brought with him.

Over a hundred of Konoha's most elite Jonin, along with nearly four hundred skilled Chunin. Forget the Third Raikage—anyone would be left behind after facing them.

"I firmly believe in the greatness of the Will of Fire. Konoha will prevail!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded resolutely. This time, with Konoha's finest ninja forces, solid intelligence, and leadership, there was no reason to lose.

The advantage was theirs. Victory was inevitable!

Not only Sarutobi Hiruzen but the other elite Jonin, after hearing the battle plan, also displayed determined expressions.

This time, their advantage was overwhelming.

"However, Father, won't bring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to the frontline provoke opposition from the other Hidden Villages?"

The masked Anbu Jonin lowered his voice, addressing Hiruzen as Father. This man was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen's eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept over his son without revealing any emotion. Then, in a low, calm voice, he replied:

"Jinchuriki? Our Konoha Jinchuriki is within our borders, protecting our village. We haven't invaded any other country."

Jinchuriki—the ultimate weapons of the Five Great Nations—were surrounded by an unspoken agreement. If a Jinchuriki appeared on a foreign battlefield, it would be a different matter entirely.

Understanding his father's meaningful gaze, Shinnosuke suddenly realized something.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded lightly and said calmly, "This war is different from previous ones. We must give it our all. If necessary, the Jinchuriki will serve as our ultimate weapon."

In this battle, Sarutobi Hiruzen not only aimed to eliminate the Third Raikage but also sought to crush Kumogakure's army in one decisive strike.

More importantly, the battle needed to be swift and conclusive. They couldn't afford to give the other villages time to react, which was why Tsunade had brought the Jinchuriki as a contingency.

If Kumogakure resisted stubbornly, the Jinchuriki would be unleashed to overwhelm them. Konoha would strike with its full might, crushing Kumogakure entirely.

"Go and make the necessary preparations. This time, observe closely the battle of Kage-level powerhouses."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's firm hand patted Shinnosuke's shoulder, prompting the latter to nod solemnly.

"I understand, Father. I will witness with my own eyes how you slay the Third Raikage and let the name of the Hokage resound throughout the ninja world!"

Seeing the blind admiration in his son's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with both pride and satisfaction.

It had been over twenty years. The ninja world had nearly forgotten the fearsome power of the Third Hokage. It was time to remind them.

...

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shirou, who had accompanied Tsunade to the border, stood atop a waterfall during a patrol.

"Lord Shirou, Nagato has arrived."

Konan, who had come with Shirou to the frontline, emerged from the forest. Behind her was a red-haired boy in a black robe.

"Lord Shirou."

After more than three years apart, the once shy boy had grown much taller. His black robe caught Shirou's eye, causing him to smile.

"I heard you've established an organization in the Land of Rain. Is that your uniform?"

Upon meeting him, Shirou couldn't resist teasing Nagato. The red-haired boy, who used to be reclusive, now smiled in response.

"Lord Shirou hasn't changed at all."

"Yes. Yahiko designed this. As for the organization's name, I remembered what you once said about bringing the light of hope to the ninja world—a new dawn. So, the organization is called Akatsuki (Dawn)!"

Beneath Nagato's red hair were faint purple eyes. Thanks to the disguise of contact lenses, his Rinnegan remained well hidden.

"Akatsuki, huh…"

Hearing the name, Shirou smiled. But as Nagato looked at him in confusion, Shirou shook his head while scrutinizing his outfit.

"This all-black uniform is too dull. Since it's called Akatsuki, why not embroider red clouds onto the black robes?"

"Red clouds?" Nagato was stunned for a moment before smiling and nodding earnestly.

"I understand, Lord Shirou. Red clouds symbolize the meaning of war and peace. Just like in the books, peace can only be achieved through war. Only a unified war can bring true peace."

As Nagato spoke, a hint of fervor flashed in his eyes.

"During the Warring States Period, there was constant conflict. The establishment of Hidden Villages came only after a large-scale war, leading to localized peace in the ninja world.

If that war had been even larger, resulting in a unified ninja world rather than partial unity, perhaps peace would have come long ago…"

Hearing Nagato's passionate words, Shirou smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

"This is just my take on peace. Whether it's correct or not, only time will tell. By the way, Konan mentioned that your organization is currently working for Iwagakure?"

As a mercenary ninja group, Akatsuki naturally took on missions issued by major Hidden Villages, especially those that involved dirty work they couldn't openly do themselves.

This was the main way mercenary ninja groups survived.