Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

(long chapter)

Land of Rain, Small Town

"Th-thank you, Lord Ninja…"

The next morning, a freshly dressed Konan shyly extended her hands, holding a delicately folded paper flower.

Shirou paused momentarily upon seeing the origami flower, then broke into a warm smile.

"Is this made from yesterday's bread wrapper? Konan truly is a kind and skillful girl."

As his gentle hand ruffled her light blue-purple hair, Konan's shy gaze softened, a mist of emotion forming in her eyes. She clung to the warm sense of safety emanating from his touch, unwilling to let go.

An orphan, starved and bereft of all family, would naturally cling to the first glimmer of warmth they encountered, especially in the darkness—a beacon of hope in their despair.

In the canon, the trio, their personalities were distinct, and Konan was never one with grand dreams. She even harbored a quiet dependence emotionally.

"Thank you, Lord Ninja."

At that moment, an orange-haired boy, Yahiko, stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Shirou.

For them, as war orphans, survival amidst the chaos of war was their greatest wish.

"Shirou."

Uchiha Mikoto approached with a gentle smile, escorting the two children.

"Out of the war orphans from the refugee camp, only these two passed the evaluation. The others didn't make it."

Hearing this, Shirou nodded, having anticipated the rarity of chakra talent. Yet, to think that beyond these two, no one else had potential.

"I understand. For the others, ask if they agree to work in the mines. It's hard labor, but it's better than starving in the streets. Recruit more manpower from the refugees, too. We need to expedite the mining operations."

His tone remained calm. After all, he was granting these victims of war an opportunity to survive, even if mining was grueling work.

"And these two children? Should they also be sent down there?"

The two discussed the children's futures with detachment. Konan and Yahiko, lacking autonomy, stood silently by, gratitude evident in their demeanor.

Konan cast an uneasy glance at Shirou and Mikoto, whose gentle demeanor felt like a radiant beacon. Deep down, she didn't want to leave this light.

Meanwhile, Yahiko's peripheral vision darted toward Konan, unaware that her gaze was fixed elsewhere.

Observing them, Shirou furrowed his brows slightly before waving dismissively with a smile.

"The current war situation is tense, and the shinobi below already have heavy burdens. Let's not trouble them with these two kids, especially since they probably haven't even mastered literacy."

Konan and Yahiko, having had homes before, knew some words, but they were still young and unformed in character.

"Since I need to train chakra nature transformation using shadow clones daily, I might as well teach these two basic ninja skills. That way, they'll have a better chance of surviving in this chaotic world."

As he said this, Shirou glanced at the two briefly, then pulled out a red book. Smiling playfully, he turned to Mikoto and said,

"Good thing I have a teaching manual here. Hopefully, they'll recognize enough words to graduate sooner."

Beneath their banter, the two had already decided Konan and Yahiko's fates.

Hearing that Shirou himself would teach them, Yahiko's face lit up with excitement. A young shinobi leader, the genius of this settlement—what an honor! No boy could resist the opportunity to follow such a figure.

Konan, meanwhile, blushed faintly, her previous apprehension melting away. In her darkest moments, a beam of light had appeared. Who would willingly part from such light? With it, her heart finally felt at ease.

"But don't think becoming a shinobi is something to celebrate."

Shirou, just a few years older than the children, turned to them with a serious expression.

"The war in the Land of Rain could drag on indefinitely. I can't predict what will happen next. That's why you two must dedicate yourselves wholeheartedly to learning.

I'll teach you the basics of being a shinobi. If you can train chakra within a month, you'll stay. By the second month, your body and stamina will grow stronger under chakra training. You'll also participate in patrol and security missions in the town."

Shirou wasn't their babysitter. Showing these two too much favor could arouse suspicion. On the contrary, framing it as incidental training would draw less attention. Secretly, though, he eagerly awaited the arrival of the final Rinnegan wielder.

By then, he would use this red book to convey his will to the shinobi world. By the time others realized, the Akatsuki Trio would already embody his ideals.

Unlike the soft-hearted Jiraiya, who had taught the Akatsuki Trio out of genuine care, Shirou was fully aware of the hidden agendas. After all, Konoha would never let Jiraiya roam the Land of Rain freely without ulterior motives. He could even be stirring conflict in secret.

"We won't disappoint you, Lord Ninja!"

Yahiko declared passionately, thumping his chest in a pledge of determination. Beside him, Konan also nodded eagerly, though her demeanor was subtler.

The difference was clear—Yahiko harbored the seed of a dream. Shirou observed this with a satisfied smile, his gaze lingering on the red book in his hand.

A mere dream's outline? Empty. Shirou was confident his Will of Fire would fill Yahiko's hollow dream, fueling it to ignite the shinobi world.

And as for Konan, she was the perfect blank canvas, ready to absorb his ideals. Perhaps she would even anchor her hopes entirely on him. After all, it was all for peace.

...

"He is teaching those orphans."

From outside the window, Uzumaki Kushina clicked her tongue at the sight of Shirou patiently instructing the children. Beside her, Mikoto chuckled, covering her mouth.

"Kushina, you say that, but your actions tell a different story."

Mikoto's teasing glance fell on the fish soup Kushina held in her hands, making the latter blush furiously.

"Nonsense! It's just soup from the kitchen. I'm only delivering it," Kushina stammered, her eyes darting around as she tried to explain.

Mikoto didn't respond, her knowing smile speaking volumes as she watched Kushina squirm.

"Mi-Mikoto…" Kushina began, only to be interrupted.

"It's fine."

"What?"

"I said it's fine," Mikoto repeated, her eyes narrowing playfully. "If it's you, Kushina, I don't mind. Someone as capable as you would only help Shirou."

As Mikoto's words grew bolder, Kushina's face turned beet red. Flustered, she thrust the soup forward.

"Mikoto, you're talking nonsense! I'll deliver this now."

Flustered, Kushina fled toward the door. Mikoto, watching her retreating figure, smiled mischievously.

"Kushina is truly remarkable."

Heart pounding, Kushina replayed Mikoto's words in her mind, confusion and embarrassment swirling. She pushed open the door, stepping into the room.

Three pairs of eyes turned to her. Feigning her usual fiery demeanor, Kushina raised her voice.

"Uchiha Shirou! Mikoto told me to bring you this soup!"

The fish soup was placed heavily on the table, and Uzumaki Kushina quickly turned and left. However, anyone with sharp eyes could see how she avoided looking at Shirou.

As her figure hurriedly disappeared, Shirou scratched his head in confusion, glancing at Uzumaki Kushina. But the growling of his stomach brought his thoughts back. "L-Lord Shirou, I'm sorry."

On either side of the table, Konan blushed as she awkwardly held her stomach, while Yahiko scratched his head with an embarrassed smile. Both of their stomachs had been growling uncontrollably under the allure of the fish soup's aroma.

Seeing this, Shirou chuckled and put down the book in his hand.

"Alright, alright. I didn't expect you two to be such geniuses—being able to refine chakra in just three days. Feeling hungry is normal.

Chakra is a mixture of physical and mental energy. Refining it means consuming energy, or rather, a new energy source has emerged in your body. From now on, your appetites will only grow."

Smiling, Shirou raised the book in his hand and laughed:

"Since we're on the battlefield of the Land of Rain, where resources are scarce, use this book as your literacy foundation. A ninja is not just someone who wields power; intelligence is equally important."

As Shirou spoke with a smile, Konan, ever considerate, stood up respectfully and began ladling the fish soup into a small bowl, which she then placed carefully in front of him.

Seeing this, Shirou paused briefly, then smiled as he put down his book.

"You didn't notice that Kushina brought three bowls, did you? That girl acts tough but has a soft heart. She may seem like a firecracker, but it's just a façade to hide her vulnerability. Deep down, she's as kind as Konan here."

While speaking, Shirou filled two bowls with soup, adding generous portions of fish meat, and slid them in front of Yahiko and Konan.

The two were flustered, hurriedly bowing their heads in thanks. "Thank you, Lord Shirou."

Uchiha Shirou wasn't officially their mentor, so they continued to address him respectfully as "Lord Shirou."

As Konan lowered her gaze to the steaming bowl of soup before her, her cheeks reddened slightly. The only thought echoing in her mind was one of Shirou's words.

"Lord Shirou said I'm kind!"

Meanwhile, outside the house, Uzumaki Kushina, who had just delivered the fish soup, bumped into Uchiha Mikoto, who seemed to be waiting for her. Flustered, she overheard Shirou's voice from inside the house.

"Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Such tenderness beneath the surface."

The words struck her like a bolt, leaving Kushina even more embarrassed. Mikoto, however, smiled as she lifted the food basket in her hand.

"Kushina, don't misunderstand. You were so focused on the fish soup that you forgot to bring the main course."

The teasing remark turned Kushina's face crimson. She stiffly nodded but retorted stubbornly, "That's not true. I was planning to go back for it later."

Mikoto maintained her gentle smile. "If that's the case, why don't you deliver it yourself again, Kushina?"

Looking at the food container, Kushina felt even more embarrassed, but before she could respond, Mikoto added with a chuckle, "You're really adorable, Kushina."

Mikoto's affectionate, older-sister-like smile left Kushina at a loss for words. She could only watch Mikoto's retreating figure as she carried the food inside.

Stunned, Kushina shook her head.

"No, I can't have such thoughts. I'm Kushina! How can I think about Mikoto's man? But…"

Suddenly, Kushina thought of Tsunade, and her cheeks flushed red. A bold thought popped into her mind.

"If Sister Tsunade can steal Mikoto's man, why can't I help Mikoto fight back? Yes! I'm not stealing; I'm helping Mikoto get even. She can't do it alone…"

"No! I can't think like this!"

Kushina shook her head vigorously, her face redder than ever. She hurried off, deciding to pour all her energy into training.

...

Inside the house, Konan and Yahiko looked at the hearty meal before them with reddened eyes. It wasn't that they hadn't eaten before, but this warmth—sitting around a table—felt like a distant memory.

A large fish, weighing over 20 kilograms, lay on the table. Shirou smiled and nodded.

"Though the Land of Rain has a perpetual rainy season, it's rich in resources, especially fish."

The tropical climate and constant rainfall made the region exceptionally abundant.

"Let's dig in."

With Shirou taking the first bite, Yahiko and Konan finally picked up their chopsticks, their mouths watering. It was a matter of basic manners.

Having just refined their chakra, their bodies were absorbing and digesting food at a much faster rate. Excited, they devoured the fish eagerly.

In just moments, the fish was nearly gone. Even Konan found herself embarrassed as she looked down at her slightly bloated stomach.

Yahiko, ever more outspoken, broke the awkwardness.

"Lord Shirou, what does the 'pursuit of peace' in your book mean?"

Perhaps to curry favor with Shirou, or perhaps out of genuine curiosity—or perhaps both—Yahiko spoke earnestly.

Shirou chuckled softly but silently activated his sensory abilities. At his current level, he couldn't detect White Zetsu's presence, nor could he be sure if Uchiha Madara was watching him.

However, he maintained a calm demeanor and put on the persona he had carefully prepared.

"Peace? That's a question many in the ninja world are trying to answer. Even the founders of Konoha sought peace, but it's clear that one of them—the First Hokage—failed in his vision of peace.

Still, there's an exceptional ninja in Konoha named Lord Jiraiya. In his writings, he proposed a path to peace: mutual understanding between people, and between nations. Perhaps that's one way."

As Shirou spoke, Yahiko's face grew solemn, and he replied gravely:

"Mutual understanding between people and nations? That's just wishful thinking! Lord Shirou, your book describes the greatness of the First Hokage, who pioneered the ninja village system. But his peace, based on mutual understanding, only led to decades of war and the current conflict!"

The passionate Yahiko blurted out his true feelings, concluding with a statement that would later become iconic:

"Everyone must experience the same pain—that's how you share it! I want to change this country. I want to protect everyone…"

Realizing his outburst, Yahiko's face turned pale. "I'm so sorry, Lord Shirou!" He bowed deeply in apology, with Konan trembling as she also stood in fear.

To their surprise, Shirou remained calm. He smiled and calmly opened a notebook.

"Experiencing pain, huh? Maybe you're not wrong. If everyone understood pain, perhaps wars would cease. However, such ideas must be tested in practice.

Just like during the Warring States period, when no one believed that feuding clans could unite to form villages. Yet now, the ninja village system has replaced the old clan-based system."

Under the astonished gazes of Yahiko and Konan, Shirou picked up a pen and noted Yahiko's words before looking up with a smile.

"I've written down your perspective. As for what true peace is, I don't know. But I do know this: everyone's vision of peace is different. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer.

After all, an untested ideology can't be judged. Likewise, forcing one's beliefs on others shows a lack of respect. We're all just searching for a path to peace."

Shirou's refined smile left Konan blushing and Yahiko inspired. The latter nodded firmly.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Shirou."

Shirou held up his book and asked, "Yahiko, would you mind if I published your thoughts someday?"

"Of course not! It would be an honor, Lord Shirou."

Yahiko waved his hands excitedly, thrilled that someone as powerful as Shirou respected his ideals.

Behind his smile, Shirou was laying the groundwork for the future, both to guide Yahiko and to confuse any potential observers.

"To experience pain equally." This idea originated with Yahiko, the true core of the Akatsuki Trio. Unlike Konan, whose aspirations were never so lofty, and Nagato, who was manipulated into fulfilling another's ideals, Yahiko's vision was the true driving force.

But now that Uchiha Shirou was here, everything was bound to change.