Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

The Senju Clan.

"Lady Tsunade, the experiment has been ongoing for two years already. We've heard it's reached the most critical stage!"

"Exactly, Lady Tsunade. Power always requires taking risks."

Inside the Senju clan meeting, over thirty elite members of the clan had gathered. Among them, about half were visibly excited—they didn't want to wait any longer.

At the head of the gathering, Tsunade gazed coldly at the group, her expression indifferent as she said,

 "The experiment has reached a limit. We've even begun using enemy shinobi and spies for human experimentation, but without exception, every attempt has failed."

Tsunade's words caused a number of the Senju clan members to be secretly alarmed, but a few reckless individuals, blinded by excitement, still exclaimed:

"Lady Tsunade, how could outsiders possibly succeed? This is the bloodline of our Senju Clan. If we inject the cells of the First Hokage into ourselves, the success rate will be much higher!"

"Exactly! To restore the glory of the Senju Clan, taking risks is necessary!"

Their impassioned cries caused a cold glint to flash in Tsunade's eyes. How did this group even know such confidential details? And why did they bring this up at such a convenient time? It was obvious—there was someone within the Senju clan who was working for the higher-ups in the village.

Recalling the underhanded methods of her teacher, Tsunade couldn't help but scoff internally. Manipulating others without lifting a finger... was indeed a typical tactic of the third Hokage.

As the excited voices began to sway the other Senju clan members, a soft cough from one side suddenly silenced the room.

"Lady Mito!"

 "Grandmother!"

Everyone turned respectfully to the elderly Uzumaki Mito. When she opened her eyes, she looked calmly at the crowd and said in a composed tone:

"Tsunade has already reported the progress of the Wood Release experiment. Despite two years of massive funding, significant progress has not been made. In the current turbulent state of the ninja world, the leadership of Konoha has begun to consider halting this project, which wastes an enormous amount of resources every year. I don't know where you heard this information, but you should all calm yourselves."

The main reason for this heated Senju clan meeting was the impending cancellation of the Wood Release project—this was what had caused these individuals to panic.

"Lady Mito, only by awakening Wood Release can the glory of the Senju Clan be restored!"

 "Yes, Lady Mito! The Wood Release project cannot stop. If Konoha lacks funds, our Senju Clan can provide them!"

Every clan has its radicals, individuals who lose themselves in their pursuit of power.

Hearing the suggestion that the clan's funds should be used, Tsunade felt a surge of rage. What a calculated move! The village was broke and now wanted to exploit the Senju. They wanted to use the Senju's cells for research, manipulate the clan into risking their lives for human experimentation, and now even take their money. Shameless!

However, as Uzumaki Mito observed the crowd, her expression remained calm. She let out a cough, and the entire room instantly fell silent.

"Tsunade, now tell me the progress of the Wood Release project. If there are people here willing to risk their lives for human experimentation, what are the chances of success?"

It was clear that Mito's words signaled her approval of the experiment, causing the radicals to grow visibly excited. As long as Mito agreed, they were willing to risk their lives.

Tsunade glanced at the crowd, then at her grandmother, understanding that Mito was helping her suppress dissent within the clan.

"Grandmother, as I mentioned earlier, the Wood Release project has hit a limit. Although human experimentation has been conducted multiple times, all attempts have failed without exception."

"However, there have been some discoveries. The stronger a subject's will, the longer it can endure. In some cases, a few individuals with exceptionally strong willpower did manage to unleash Wood Release techniques in their final moments—but they all died."

As Tsunade's voice echoed through the room, the radicals only focused on the mention of Wood Release being activated, while the more cautious and level-headed clan members grew increasingly concerned about the risks involved.

"This research has been the most expensive project in Konoha's history," Tsunade continued. "The higher-ups are prepared to halt this fruitless experiment. However, as a compromise, they plan to conduct one final round of experiments. They will select loyal and strong-willed shinobi from within the village who are willing to volunteer for the project."

After Tsunade laid out the entire plan, Uzumaki Mito nodded calmly and turned to face the gathered clan members.

In the past, the Senju Clan at its peak had boasted over a hundred elite members at such meetings. Now, with great effort, only thirty could be gathered, and many of them were merely special jonin. The decline of the clan was painfully evident.

"You've all heard the situation. The choice is in your hands," Mito said. "As Tsunade mentioned, this will be voluntary. Perhaps having the Senju bloodline will slightly increase the odds of success. But such risks must be weighed carefully. If you fail, your wife will be left without a husband, and your children will grow up without a father."

Mito's calm words sent a chill through the hearts of the Senju shinobi who had been tempted by the idea of participating. While they did not fear death, the thought of leaving their families behind gave them pause. Many began to reconsider, and the earlier heated atmosphere dissipated.

"Lady Mito, I volunteer!"

"So do I!"

 "For the sake of Wood Release, I will take any chance!"

 "To restore the Senju's glory and uphold the Will of Fire!"

In the end, despite the initial enthusiasm of a dozen radicals, only seven people ultimately volunteered. One of them even shouted, his expression fanatical,

 "My son will participate too! His bloodline is stronger than mine—he will surely inherit the First Hokage's Wood Release!"

"You're insane! Your son is only sixteen!"

 "Hmph! Cowards like you don't deserve to bear the Senju name!"

As the argument escalated, Tsunade shouted. "Enough! Silence!"

A terrifying wave of chakra pressure radiated from Tsunade, shocking the gathered Senju members into submission.

Over the past two years, Tsunade had not neglected her training. She had worked harder than ever. As a natural genius with newfound determination, her strength had grown rapidly.

In the world of Naruto, it was practically a scientific fact: when a character's resolve hardened, their power multiplied exponentially.

Now, Tsunade's chakra pressure demonstrated her kage-level strength. Two years ago, she had only been on the threshold of that level. Now, she had fully crossed into the realm of Kage-level shinobi.

"Lady Tsunade!"

The Senju members were stunned by her display of power, and many gazed at her with newfound admiration. With Tsunade leading them, the clan now had a source of hope.

Tsunade's commanding voice cut through the silence,

 "This Wood Release project will proceed voluntarily. No one—not even a father or son—will be allowed to force another to participate. Anyone caught making such decisions on behalf of others will be expelled from the Senju Clan and stripped of their name!"

"That—!"

The zealot from earlier glared at Tsunade but, under her oppressive aura, lowered his head in frustration. He dared not push further.

"Those who wish to volunteer may submit their names. Until the experiment begins, you still have time to reconsider. For now, go home and spend time with your families. Think carefully about whether this risk is truly worth it."

Tsunade asserted her authority over the meeting, signaling the beginning of her era within the Senju Clan.

Watching all of this unfold, Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction. Tsunade had grown even stronger than she had anticipated. Her decisiveness and commanding presence made it clear that the future of the Senju Clan would rest firmly in her hands.

This time, with the two working together, the clan meeting did not allow the Wood Release to deceive the eyes of the crowd. On the contrary, it awakened many of them. As for the last few individuals who were willing to risk their lives, their choices were respected.

...

At the same time, in the village, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was secretly selecting suitable candidates to inherit the Will of Fire, especially those without families.

Just as the Wood Release plan was preparing for its final push, Shirou visited Tsunade's research lab that day.

"Sister Tsunade, you've been busy lately."

Shirou teased with a smile. Although this wasn't his first visit, even he had been a little uneasy recently.

Why? Because after absorbing White Zetsu, he could sense the familiar energy within Tsunade's laboratory.

Wood Release cells! Just how many had Tsunade cultivated in secret?

Looking at the tall, seductive beautiful blonde Tsunade in front of him, Shirou maintained a relaxed smile, but he was inwardly speechless.

"Do you think you've grown up enough to meddle in my affairs?"

Tsunade replied irritably, but the fatigue on her face eased slightly upon seeing Shirou, revealing a rare look of relaxation.

The bond between the two was ambiguous, but neither of them pointed it out.

However, Shirou frowned slightly, sensing the changes in Tsunade over the past two years. Even though she had distanced herself from the Third Hokage's inner circle, it seemed like she was veering off course.

Tsunade had matured too quickly. Her calm and decisive personality was becoming increasingly reminiscent of Tobirama Senju. It was clear that under pressure, she had forced herself to grow more composed while sealing away her emotions.

"Sister Tsunade, research can be exhausting, but you should also take care of yourself."

Shirou sighed softly, stepping forward as his hands glowed with healing energy. Gently, he massaged Tsunade's temples to relieve her fatigue.

"Your skills might work on little girls like Kushina and Mikoto, but for me? You're still far from it."

Although her words were sharp, Tsunade closed her eyes, her expression softening as she enjoyed the brief moment of relaxation.

Tsunade, having been exposed to the darkness pushed by Madara, had indeed come to understand its depths. However, this increasing tendency to close herself off emotionally and develop a personality similar to Tobirama's was not something Shirou wanted to see.

Looks like I'll have to take another risk.

Looking at the alluring Tsunade in front of him, Shirou inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair and silently resolved to break through her emotional barriers and awaken the real Tsunade—something he excelled at.

Tsunade, with her eyes half-closed, naturally sensed Shirou standing behind her, subtly taking in her scent. Inwardly, she sighed. She buried the complex emotions she felt deep in her heart. The village had grown too dark.

Both harbored their secrets. Tsunade's two years of secret research on Wood Release cells had gone unnoticed by anyone, which spoke volumes about how much she had changed.

"Sister Tsunade, this time..."

The peaceful moment was fleeting. Shirou showed a reluctant expression and hesitated before softly attempting to say something.

Tsunade, still enjoying this rare moment of relaxation, teased upon hearing his hesitant tone:

"Ara~ Has the brat I used to know grown into a man? Could it be that you've become more greedy? Isn't having Mikoto and Kushina enough?"

She joked with a smile. If not for discovering that Kushina was still untouched, she might have taught him a lesson. However, every time Kushina returned with that slight glow of happiness and a certain scent lingering on her, Tsunade couldn't help but wonder.

This Shirou knows how to hold himself back!

In Tsunade's eyes, it seemed like Kushina and Shirou were secretly in an intimate relationship, yet somehow refrained from crossing the final line. What she didn't realize was that Kushina had used her abilities to heal herself, which was why no one had discovered anything yet.

"Sister Tsunade, so you already knew!"

Shirou lowered his head in embarrassment. He thought Tsunade had discovered his private life with Kushina during this time.

"Did you think Kushina's little schemes could fool me?"

Tsunade snorted coldly, her bright brown eyes gazing at Shirou before her. In the depths of her eyes, there was a hint of admiration and melancholy.

The boy who once stood in front of her to protect her had grown so tall.

Looking at his taller frame, increasingly handsome features, and especially that captivating physique, Tsunade felt a wave of emotion. If things had been different, Shirou might have belonged to her.

"Sister Tsunade, I recently discovered something. I'm not sure if I should tell you."

The unique atmosphere between the two was suddenly interrupted as Shirou spoke, making Tsunade frown slightly. She felt annoyed but became serious once she heard there was information to share.

"For you to come to me, it seems this information must be serious."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, studying Shirou. She was no longer the naive girl she once was.

The village's darkness—no one understood it better than her.

 If Shirou knew what she was thinking, he would have told her, "No! You have no idea just how evil human nature can be!"

 The darkness of the village was merely what she could see. If she saw the darkness he was about to reveal, she'd realize her understanding was nothing more than a child's game.

"Recently, there's been intel suggesting someone is planning to target White Fang."

Shirou hesitated before revealing the information. Tsunade raised an eyebrow but soon smiled at him.

"Ara~, my little brother, have you grown up? You're not hiding things from big sister anymore? Let me take a good look—have you grown, or has someone else changed?"

Tsunade pinched his cheek playfully, leaving Shirou speechless.

However, Tsunade smiled. Shirou finally chose to trust her without reservation, no longer hiding anything from her.

"Don't worry. It's not a big deal. Isn't this normal? In the eyes of ordinary people, clans like ours are just destabilizing factors for the village."

Tsunade scoffed coldly. No one understood the elders of the village better than she did.

"Ever since those old geezers came to power, they've been relentlessly weakening the major clans under the pretense of maintaining the village's stability. The truth is, their power is too weak to keep things under control."

Shirou agreed with Tsunade's words. He didn't know the full story, but he knew that by the time the main plot began, the major clans of Konoha had been so weakened that none could challenge the village's authority.

The Senju had withered away, the Uchiha were annihilated, and the Hyuga had been beaten into near submission. The remaining clans like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were reduced to mere Konoha families.

As for the powerful Sarutobi clan, they were naturally exempt from this.

Likewise, without the strength of individuals like Hashirama or Madara, Shirou could understand such tactics. After all, as Hokage, having too many powerful clans threatening your authority would inevitably lead to conflict.

When it doesn't concern me, I can understand you. But when I'm part of a powerful clan? That's unacceptable!

PS: In the original, the Third Hokage solved the Uchiha rebellion without lifting a finger. lol