Corner of the Training Field
"Stay away from Mikoto?"
Shirou looked at Kushina with a smirk.
"In reality, Kushina, you're the one who should stay rational. After all, you're the next Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails!"
Shirou's blunt declaration made Kushina's pupils contract. The one thing she least wanted to confront had been laid bare before her.
Seeing the flicker of loneliness in Kushina's eyes as his words struck home, Shirou's smile turned calm.
"Don't worry. The Uchiha possess the strongest power. We don't need to rely on someone like you."
His gaze carried a touch of arrogance—quintessentially Uchiha. Yet, inwardly, Shirou was muttering to himself. He was acting this way to further his plans. After all, getting close to someone as guarded as Kushina was no easy feat.
Not everyone had the same opportunity as Namikaze Minato, who had the entirety of Konoha crafting a stage for his grand play.
In the original story, just a few shinobi from the Hidden Cloud had managed to infiltrate Konoha, evading the Police Force, the ANBU, Root, and the Intelligence Department. They even infiltrated the Senju compound and successfully captured a hostage.
Ridiculous!
Even more absurdly, these Cloud ninjas strolled out of the village undetected, completely ignoring the hairs scattered along their path. And, of course, they were ultimately defeated by Namikaze Minato—a Chūnin at the time—who hadn't yet mastered the Flying Thunder God technique.
"You!"
Kushina's eyes turned red as she glared at Shirou, her fiery temper flaring—a shield against her inner vulnerabilities.
Shirou, however, remained unruffled.
"Kushina, your role may be important, but Sister Mikoto can convey the goodwill of the Uchiha clan through you. There's no need for you to overthink things."
"Instead, you should be more cautious. As the future Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, you'll attract many who covet your power or seek to manipulate it. Don't let yourself be used—or worse, let Mikoto get hurt because of it."
Shirou subtly turned the tables on Kushina, encouraging her to remain vigilant.
If I can't have it, why should you?
Besides, he was confident that his efforts would make even someone like Tsunade, already wary, more cautious about Kushina's potential manipulation.
"Hmph! I don't need you to tell me that!"
Kushina snorted, forming a quick hand seal. Her shadow clone dispersed, and simultaneously, the real Kushina—chatting with Mikoto in the distance—froze momentarily.
"Kushina? What's wrong?"
Mikoto's concern brought Kushina back to her senses. She smiled brightly.
"It's nothing."
Their laughter echoed across the training field as Shirou, observing from afar, wisely decided to retreat.
...
A Month Later
Time flew by. Over a month had passed since Shirou returned from the Amegakuren's front lines.
Night fell over Konoha, but the Hokage's office remained brightly lit.
In the meeting room, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at the head of the table, flanked by Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. Their authoritative gazes set the tone for the jōnin council meeting.
"The situation on the Amegakure battlefield is growing increasingly dire," Hiruzen began.
"While this appears to be a war between the Amegakure, Sunagakure, and us, in reality, all five great shinobi villages are involved."
"Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure are covertly supporting the Amegakure, sending elite squads. And now, Sunagakure has formally declared war on us..."
The Third Hokage's commanding tone filled the room as his sharp eyes scanned the attending jōnin.
The jōnin wore grim expressions. Though Sunagakure was the only village to declare open war, they all knew the truth: the Shinobi World War had begun.
A month had passed since the tragedy involving Nawaki. Tsunade seemed to have come to terms with the loss. Standing during the council meeting, she cast a glance at Jiraiya before addressing the room.
"Regarding missions that require four-man squads operating behind enemy lines for extended periods, survival rates and mission success would increase significantly if one of the four were a medical-nin..."
Tsunade's voice was firm as she outlined her proposal. Many jōnin nodded in agreement. Having a medical-nin in each squad was a game-changer.
Her strategy was not new; she had long advocated for it. But this was the first time she presented a fully developed system to the council, encompassing medical institutions and training programs for medical-nin.
As her vision unfolded, the jōnin murmured their approval.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances before looking at Hiruzen, who sighed deeply and addressed Tsunade.
"You're right, Tsunade, but we are in the midst of a war. Establishing a medical system requires time and resources we simply don't have."
Though rejected, Tsunade remained calm, surprising even Jiraiya. Orochimaru, too, raised a brow at her unusual composure.
Internally, however, Tsunade grew suspicious.
The village isn't lacking in funds, so why won't they support this? Is it because the Senju cannot be allowed to rise again?
"I support Tsunade's proposal."
A calm, firm voice broke the tension. It was Katō Dan, his light blue hair catching the light as he stood resolutely.
"I don't want the sacrifices of the ninjas up until now to be in vain. We should learn from these losses."
Dan's determined tone reverberated through the room, leaving Jiraiya astonished. What surprised him even more was the dangerous smile that appeared on Tsunade's face after receiving his support.
"Tsunade, the old man isn't outright opposed; it's just due to the current battlefield situation," Jiraiya said, thinking her anger was directed at the Third Hokage.
However, Tsunade knew better. As Dan voiced his support, her anger surged.
Good, so this is the plan? First Nawaki, and now this blatantly staged support from a Jōnin? Layer after layer of traps aimed at me and the Senju clan.
She had been unable to find any issues with Nawaki's death, which could be dismissed as an accident. But now, with Dan?
"Shut up!" she snapped at Jiraiya, who shrank back with nervous laughter, knowing better than to provoke her further.
Suppressing her fury, Tsunade felt a shred of relief. At least Jiraiya and Orochimaru weren't part of this scheme.
"Jōnin Katō, what you said is very reasonable. However, the village…"
The Third Hokage rarely showed such appreciation as he praised Dan's passion for the village. Yet, he also explained the challenges the village faced, making his position clear.
To Tsunade, this was further confirmation of Dan's true role.
At that moment, as she looked at the three seated at the head—her grandfather's former students—she found their righteous appearances deeply ironic.
Summoning Technique!
Jiraiya, sensing her movements, looked on with suspicion. Why would Tsunade use a summoning technique now? If it were anyone else, the action would warrant investigation, but as a member of the founding Senju clan, Tsunade's loyalty to Konoha was beyond question.